Paperback Tree

I've got an easy-peasy, last minute project for you that you'll be able to put together while watching A Christmas Story or

It's a Wonderful Life. . .Really!

And you don't need many supplies either. . .Honestly!

In fact, this is really all you need to make the Paperback Tree shown at the top of this post! Well, it doesn't have to be a Nora Roberts novel~ any paperback book will do. But just make sure it's a book you're finished reading!

The first thing you're going to do is tear off the front and back covers,

leaving the binding in tact.

One the first page, take the top corner and fold it down to meet the binding.

Then fold the same folded page down to meet the binding again.

There will be a small triangle of the bottom of the page hanging below the book. Take that triangle and fold it up so that it is even with the bottom of the book. Three folds, that's it!

Now go to the next page and make those same three folds.

And repeat the folding process on every single page.

That's right, keep on folding. You may want to use a bone folder to make the creases nice and crisp, but that's up to you.

Another tip: If you find that the pages you've already folded are getting in your way, you can clip them together with a binder clip. The folding does become a little more difficult as you get towards the back of the book. If you feel that your tree seems full enough and you still have pages left to fold, you can do what I did and cut off the the remaining pages by cutting through the binding with a craft knife.

When you are finished folding all the pages, this is what you will end up with. Pretty cool, huh?

You can leave the pages natural, as shown above. Or perhaps you'd like to add some color by spritzing with a little Glimmer Mist (see previous post). And then to finish off the tree it would be nice to add some sparkle to the top of the tree, like the rhinestone pin I used to top mine off.

I decided to use some spray adhesive on my tree and then sprinkle glitter and mica flakes on it.

And now it sparkles next to my other snow covered Winter Wonderland Decorations!

And that's all there is too it! I told you it was easy-peasy, didn't I?

I hope those of you who participated in Joli Paquet's Vintage Stocking Swap have mailed your stockings out to your partners by now. I've received mine and was delighted by the gorgeous stocking and goodies I received!

On behalf of all the Joli Paquet artists, I would like to thank you for your loyal support and hope that you have enjoyed this year's tutorials and kits as much as we've enjoyed putting them together for you. Wishing you all a wonderful, safe and memory-filled holiday season!

xoxo

jeanne