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When I start thinking about book covers, I’m instantly transported back to middle school which was at an undisclosed time during the 80’s. Making a book cover meant going to my mom for a paper grocery bag and then meticulously crafting a cover for my textbooks. Once my DIY book cover was completed, then came the fun part of the project — embellishing!  I would scavenge among a stash of scented markers and stickers in order to create a masterpiece that I would continue to embellish over the school year.

The other day, I was back-to-school shopping with my daughter, and saw that the stores have ready-made book covers available. Now where is the fun in that?! As I stood in the store, nostalgic about my youth and paper bag book covers, my daughter looked at me like I was losing it. When we got home, I pulled out a paper bag and one of her books, so she could experience the awesomeness of a paper bag book cover. She then pulled out her stash of hand-me-down stickers from my scrap stash, and she went to work embellishing her cover!

Book covers are not just for school text books. They are a great paper craft! You can create one-of-a-kind covers for your own books and journals using scrapbook or specialty papers alongside the good old paper bag which can be altered in ways that hide it’s humble beginnings. Listed below are 10 DIY book cover ideas starting with a few fun twists on the traditional paper bag cover.

10 DIY Book Cover Ideas

Paper “Leatherbound” Books: Upcycle paper bags to create covers that turn your books into “leather-bound” classics.

DIY Paperback Book Covers: Add your favorite scrapbook paper to the traditional paper bag cover to take it up a notch in the style department.

Rainbow Book Cover: Add dimension and color to your book cover by adding a touch of origami.

Gift Wrap Book Covers: I often see gift wrap that’s so pretty, I want to buy it to craft with, and this is the perfect project for that!

Geometric Book Covers: Create these covers free-hand or with the pen setting on your electronic die cutting machine.

Patterned Tape Book Covers: If you have a gazillion rolls of washi tape like I do, then you will love this idea!

Cardboard Book Cover: This tutorial shows you the basics. Once completed, use washi tape, scrapbook paper, or even stamp to add a personal touch.

Stenciled Rose Book Cover: Create a beautiful hand stenciled cover for your book or even scrapbook.

Map Printed Book Covers: Did you know you can pick up free state maps at rest areas? On your next road trip pick up 1 (or 2) for this fun DIY project.

Vintage Book Planner: Use a vintage book to create a cover for your planner or paperback book. 

Which do you prefer to read, electronic books or physical books?

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Martha Bonneau

I live with my husband, 7 and 4 year old daughters, and a pug named Pixie in Crystal Lake, Illinois which is in the ‘burbs NW of Chicago.
I started scrapping in 2006 and was quickly addicted!I was an avid scrapper until late summer of 2010 when we started our adoption journey, at that point I was overwhelmed with paperwork (and emotions!) and I had to put something on the back burner in my life but I knew I would eventually come back to it.
We welcomed our daughter home from China in December of 2011 and a few months later I found my groove again and pulled out all of those supplies that had been tucked away.
I started out scrapping again doing traditional layouts, but at the beginning of this year I jumped into Project Life and I love it!
When I’m not scrapping I am usually spending time with our daughters which means library time, going on walks, thrifting (they love it as much as I do!) or watching Kung Fu Panda for the millionth time.I also have an Etsy shop Panda Eight Designs where I sell scrapbooking flair that I design.

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