DIY 17 Unique Book Upcycling Ideas

In this video, I repurpose old books to create a wide range of items including a coffee table, side table, picture frame, calendar, secret storage, bird house, shelf, lamp, and unique wall and shelf decor.
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Bird book page images:
ibb.co/ZYDBPBc
ibb.co/9WYNXxJ
Mini book images:
Uncle Tom’s Cabin: ibb.co/hBqLdyj
Orange and blue book cover: ibb.co/gR1pPWZ
The Book of Poe: ibb.co/MBjKNF8
Poe Poems: ibb.co/p29hTDf
Flower outline for paper flowers (adjust size for paper flowers): ibb.co/L6CtSPn
Vintage Flag book cover: pin.it/6USNWoj
Botanical book cover: ibb.co/85RJcQK
Mother Teresa quote: ibb.co/QmkVQKQ
IOD transfers:
Contact a local retailer to purchase IOD products: ironorchiddesi...
Iron Orchid Designs Customer Service: [e-mail]
Julie’s Designs and Signs: www.juliesdesi...

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you all for your support of my KZbin channel and store. I appreciate you so very much! Heading to visit family for Easter weekend and decided to offer a holiday discount for my online store-canterburycottageshop.com. Use code “Easter” to get 25% off all of your purchases starting today through Sunday. Hope you have a wonderful Easter! 🐰

[@beckyvaughn2705]

great ideas but most of the links dont work

[@lanet9442]

So creative…your mind must race all the time

[@michelecoffindaffer1022]

I don't know if anyone will ever read this. I was in a car wreck this month (November.) I've been in terrible pain with some money limitation but birthdays and CHRISTMAS LOOM! I started crying when I realized I could make a lamp! I watched it FIVE TIMES. i feel a surge of inspiration and self esteem. You have a life time watcher for sure. To give to the lowliest person hope in their time of need is incredible. Incredible. Tell your children they are lucky to have such a clever mother. Thank you!

[@TheSweetsherrypie]

Sherry😮 do you really come up with all your crafts by yourself? If I had this many ideas 💡 I would never sleep! You are absolutely amazing

[@CanterburyCottage]

I do think up most everything I share in my videos, but I get inspiration from everywhere-things I see in stores, magazines, on Pinterest, etc. If I ever get an idea from someone else, I always try to give them credit.

[@TheSweetsherrypie]

@@CanterburyCottage well I get ideas from you but I don’t have any one to tell. 🤩😂

[@Grettie81]

I totally agree. ❤❤

[@vickinoeske1154]

I love all of these ideas. I love books. The birdhouse would be so cute in a nursery or child's room using a children's book.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you, Vicki! I love the idea of using a children’s book!

[@joanwallace1373]

I would never have thought to do this if I had not watched you and your awesome imagination!

[@cherylpatrick1386]

I love the hometown street names. Very nostalgic for anyone moving away.

[@charlottewilson4680]

This was one of the best DIY for books I have ever seen.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you so much, Charlotte! 😊

[@gaylabadillo5015]

This must be one of my favorite episodes and I have seen them all as I discovered you from about episode 8. I love my treasured books so it will be hard to cut them, but this now gives me inspiration to do it. Even though I have loved the books in all of of your other videos, I am grateful you dedicated a video to this!!!

[@sandyvanderlinde237]

The bird book page with the cut out hole that became a nest is just absolutely crazy beautiful, just when I thought I had seen everything. Still life to real life. 🐦🌳💝

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much, Sandy! 😊

[@joannsnyder6667]

You never cease to amaze us every week!! You’re creative ideas are endless!!

[@lyndasmith593]

I was mesmerized throughout the whole video. I think my favorite was the lamp. I'm a voracious reader and have tons of books but none that I want to tear apart for a project. Those are fabulous ideas thank you!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you! Maybe, you could use books from Dollar Tree.

[@heynursie5918]

I also lovebooks! My grand baby is5 weeks old, Ihave already created a start of her library. I never want books to become a thing of the past... Love you videos!

[@lauraburell5679]

I'm watching your new video, love what you do with old books. The best one is the Robin and bird nest. All are great.

[@ms.alvarezmusicclass6618]

Every book upcycle was so well done and adorable! You do such a great job!!

[@pamcadd8658]

The bird book birdhouse is amazing! Sherry, I'm continually amazed at your clever ideas.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much! I was really pleased with how that little birdhouse turned out.

[@brenschilling3529]

Loved learning how to repurpose beloved books!

[@CanterburyCottage]

I'm so glad!

[@anniek8156]

Your creations are beautiful and uniquely crafted! i love old books and own quite a few that are 100-125 years old. to this point i haven’t been able to decide how to best preserve and style these old treasures. you have given me quite a few great ideas to implement. Thank you for sharing your many ideas and techniques. 📚‼️

[@nancyworsley5057]

Once again fantastic unique ideas with cute little embellishments. The belt around the books on the table....so cute!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Elizabeth-arb22]

Sherry, you are a treasure! The adorable birdhouse you created from the little Yellow Book of Birds of America is delightful. It struck me when you showed the worn book at the beginning, how much someone must have loved that little book, and how much appreciation and good energy already surrounded it (if this is possible)! All of your projects are wonderful! I think my favorite is the Mother Teresa quote book with embellishment, which really touched me. Thank you for all you do! 💗

[@CanterburyCottage]

You are so welcome! You are so right about that little bird book-it was well love! Now, I will love it as a birdhouse!

[@margarettallett762]

These are amazing ideas. As I'm getting older the ability to cut up old books is getting a little bit easier. This array of old book ideas certainly makes it just that extra bit easier ❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

I totally agree! A few years ago I would have felt too guilty to cut up a perfectly good book.

[@gailrhodes2859]

Loved all the different book styles!! So elegant looking!!

[@shashana8305]

You are seriously one of THE most creative and versatile DIY crafters & decorators out there! I just love your videos! Thank you, you are an inspiration! 🙏🏻💖

[@CanterburyCottage]

Wow, thank you! What a sweet comment!

[@carolweiss8795]

Oh Sherry I love all the book transformations but the robin’s nest is my favorite. You’re so creative!

[@barblafargue1076]

The bird house was a beauty you are just beautiful an so creative we love it

[@mariegustafson6491]

Sherry you are the most talented person I have seen on KZbin. I love watching you make your projects. Keep up the most beautiful work ,so I and many people love to watch!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Wow, thank you!

[@pamelataylor3537]

Hi Sherri, you are such a clever lady. I don’t know how you store it all in your head. You always think of something different to do with items that you have. I love all your ideas and projects in this video but for once I do have a favourite and that is the lamp. I love everything but the lamp is such a great idea and looks so awesome. Thank you for sharing your ideas with all of us, I get such inspiration from you and I must admit I’m now beginning to stand there and look at stuff I find in op shops or thrift stores and just try and imagine what I could do with the item. That is thanks to you Sherri. At least someone has got my brain working a bit quicker than usual,so thank you.

[@itzasunnyday4me]

Another hit out of the ballpark, Sherry. I especially liked the Robin's nest book diorama and the book lamp. Thanks for sharing your creativity and sparking ours!

[@CanterburyCottage]

You are so welcome! Thank you!

[@charlenegoskowicz8220]

The bird book crafts are really cute for Easter/spring. I particularly like the patriotic book and the wall self, too.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you, Charlene!

[@Purplemoons49]

I love all your book ideas. So original and imaginative. Who knew you could recycle books in this way. You have unique diys. One of a kind which I love. Thank you

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked these ideas!

[@rhondasmith668]

My dear Sherry!! Someday, you will solve world peace with decoupage and a glue gun!! I can't believe how wonderful and creative your mind is!! Thank you for your ideas!! ❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

🤣 Thank you, Rhonda!

[@annetteclark8854]

I absolutely love books! I want you to know that your first project in this video brought a flood of wonderful memories from my childhood. I remember when my younger brother, younger sister, and I, as very young children in the 1950s, went to the five-and-dime store and found this series of books about birds. We were thrilled that we were each able to buy one for the quarter that each of us had! This was probably my first purchase with my own money taken out of my molded glass piggy bank. Several years ago, my sister, going through family things, sent me the original set of 4 books: the Red, the Yellow, the Green, and the Blue Bird books. I treasure these "little tomes" of knowledge of birds. I have enjoyed watching and interacting with wild birds ever since that purchase and referred to them often as a child to more about the birds I saw. The little bird house you made is cute and memories you triggered with this project are sweet! Thank you! 😊❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, I love that story! I didn’t know there was a set of four! And 25 cents!!!

[@diannefallen8665]

I'm fascinated with the lovely things you come up with in your videos. What a creative mind you have, I would love to go through your home and be nosey. Just love you to pieces ❤️. ❤️ ❤

[@gorgo1945]

Spectacular! Im lost for words. I want to try everything!! Loved this posting - thank you . xx

[@createwithkas]

oh my goodness, I cannot get over the creativity and sweetness of the little nest in the middle of the story book!!!

[@madonnahughey3056]

Sherry, I remember the book lamp, one of my all time favorites of yours! The IOD floral transfers are very pretty on the books! Thank you for sharing 😊♥️

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you, Madonna! Yes, the lamp is an oldie but goodie!

[@Jen.O]

@@CanterburyCottage yes, it was nice to have your best book ideas shown on one video--something to go back to often for ideas!

[@suzannehudgins4016]

Oh my, I cannot choose a favourite because I loved them all. You have a wonderful gift of thinking outside the box with your crafting. I look forward to every one of your videos. Thank you for all of your amazing inspiration !

[@lauragreen4899]

It was so fun to see all these together

[@tamiz8895]

The birdhouse is adorable

[@jackieburnett6881]

You are so creative! I have never seen the majority of these diys! Excellent job

[@barbaracarlson1331]

Oh my goodness what clever ideas!!! I love the botanical one a lot.

[@McJulieO]

Thank you! I certainly appreciated the close ups of the specific steps in transferring the working parts from the thrift store lamp to the new book tower lamp….. incidentally, having a simple drill press could help you get a perfectly vertical hole for your book stack in that project…. I’ve gained a fresh appreciation for my husband’s power tools ever since I started upcycling the discarded books leftover after the library’s annual book sale! And just imagine what delights you could produce using a bandsaw!!! I LOVE mine for book safes and shaped/cut books especially.

[@SD-nh5yr]

I love this video...you are amazing. I know many people get angry if you cut up a book....but so many get thrown away no matter what you do, I'd rather use some of them for crafting and creating than none at all. Just my opinion 😊✌️🙏❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much! I have gotten some not very nice comments in the past when I have cut up books, so I wanted to mention how many books get thrown away every year.

[@leather_leaf]

the images you show from your home is just so heartworming, it looks so cozy and I just get the feeling you love to live there.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you! I do love my home!

[@sandianderson1500]

What a fantastic video.,Sherry.Each project was better than the last. I loved everyone of them! My favorites were the shelf made from a book, the lamp and the IOD transfers on the edge of the books. All brilliant!!

[@bakreder1]

I really like the idea of "bundling" projects both old and new that share similar raw materials. It will make it so much simpler to search through for projects that I might want to try rather than trying to go back through several years' worth of creations. Of course, I could use the search bar, but I liked this handy grouping. Thank you! (I was hoping you'd include the cookbook, one of my personal favorites).

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, I’m so glad you liked this! I made sure to add a few new projects for viewers like you that have been watching me for a long time!

[@janetjones7081]

I LOVE the book shelf idea...and all the others...so original , never a copy of someone else's ideas...Sherry...you are SO TALENTED!

[@gildastigliano8165]

I can't pick a favorite---but the birds are a true favorite...plus the mini books...and........

[@nenaturning3859]

Sherry, thank you so much for these wonderful ideas. I’ve been wanting to use some of my older collected cookbooks to decorate in my kitchen and you’ve shared some great ideas. Now to see how you decorate with clocks, which I love also!

[@lorenniwa1984]

Oh my goodness the 2nd project 'Diorama' is lovely

[@kristinecarr1021]

You are so awesome! You have no idea how you get my juices flowing!😊

[@melaniemorris7757]

I love books! (and birds). I cannot pick a favorite...love them all!

[@theeclecticnest5343]

You really are one if the most uniquely brilliant creators on KZbin.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you!

[@beeline22]

Good evening, Sherry! Your imagination is out of this world! What a treasure trove of unique and beautiful book upcycle ideas. I adore them all. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations. ~Bobbie. xo

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Really great ideas! Love your furniture, especially the green one at the beginning of the video! Gorgeous. I could see the seat cushion cover in that old fashioned red with some flowers on it. IDK why that combo came to me. It’s a great place to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book! Don’t throw away the “guts” to the books. Wrap them up and offer them for sale on whatever website. “Attn: junk journal makers.” I’m sure someone would love to have them. The same with leftover book covers. They are too nice to grt rid of. The paged from the bird book would be another great offering for journal makers. I don’t have any magazines laying around so something like that would be a goldmine! Didn’t realize the video was a year old.

[@shanaproctor100]

These were great. I really liked the floral set of books with the decals.

[@CharlieW-yx3rw]

Hello 👋 Pardon if I did intrude your privacy wrongly I feel is a platform to make new friends and ideas. Hope I haven't been rude?

[@deannak1659]

Your video is fantastic! So many incredible ideas that inspire me to use my old books! I just can’t thank you enough for so many wonderful ideas! You are truly amazing!❤

[@kathiegriffin864]

This book video was absolutely unreal! So many beautiful ideas and I love that we can save books from the landfill by using them in other ways. They are treasures❣️

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@hopeg674]

Your videos are my favorite! Thank you for helping spark creativity.

[@lillye5301]

Wow stunning projects.. you're so talented God bless you and yours. Thank u for sharing these beautiful inspirations with us 💜😍🙏🏽

[@jflclc]

I really love these projects. I've been making junk journals and have so many books. I'll have to try some of these. Yay! 😊

[@beckleeman]

I love all of your videos but this one is GREAT! You are such a blessing!

[@Becky-nn3pu]

WOW! I love these! I especially like the book lamp and the cookbook notebook. All of the ideas are very doable. Thanks for such a great video with absolutely fantastic ideas!

[@reginaclark1816]

You see all the possibilities!!! I love it!

[@helengibson8196]

This is my favourite video so far. I love upcycling books and there are ideas here that I haven't seen before. Thank you 🌷

[@CanterburyCottage]

You are so welcome! I try really hard to come up with new and different ideas (even though sometimes they don’t turn out as expected)!😜

[@daraphillips1455]

Books!!! My favorite thing! That quote by Mother Teresa is one of my favorites also. Thanks Sherry, this was wonderful.

[@lisamcbride8921]

The table is genius! ❤

[@alenazima7474]

Creative as always!!! My favorite project was five books with IOD , they look lovely. Thank you for sharing your unique work. God bless you my n all that you do👍🏻❤️

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much!

[@caroltaylor3261]

Hi Sherry-All your projects were amazing! Favourites were the birdhouse, paper flowers, book shelf and the book end table. Great work! So lovely!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much!

[@marynovara4777]

Sherry...you are BRILLIANT!!!!!❤❤❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you, Mary! You are too sweet!

[@releasingendorphins232]

Your outdid yourself again. All those ideas are wonderful and I'm sure a lot of your fans will be using your ideas. Thanks for sharing. You are just so wonderful. I wish you the best. Barb

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@julieelizabeth4856]

I love the street name idea! I could really have fun with that. I'm from Minnesota and my first childhood home was on Minnesota Street. Then we moved to Spring street and I grew up there. My first college address was on Bunting Lane. My first house with my husband was on Tern Court. Minnesota, Spring, and birds - perfect for this time of year especially! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@yvettechambers4187]

LOVED,LOVED,LOVED, THIS EPISODE ❤️ THANK YOU . I WILL BE TRYING SEVERAL OF YOUR GREAT IDEAS😊

[@nancychannel8513]

I have made the lamp like yours from books. It was surprisingly easy

[@nowvoyagerNE]

i love robins, the heralds of Spring! i love what you did with project 2: the open robin book with pretty robin blue eggs! delightful!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much!

[@CharlieW-yx3rw]

Hello 👋 Pardon if I did intrude your privacy wrongly I feel is a platform to make new friends and ideas. Hope I haven't been rude?

[@nowvoyagerNE]

@@CharlieW-yx3rw : *buzz off.* this isn't a dating service, a coffee klatsch, a pick up joint, a "get your green card here" site, a "squeeze some money out of this old gal" site, a bootie call site etc. *buzz off and leave the ladies alone on these channels!*

[@WakeUpAndCraft]

Amazing idea as always! I love the side table with the belt and the "book" shelf book the best! You are so clever! 😎 All are so wonderful! Thank you for sharing!💝🌞💖

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@sherilynpeters6459]

Wonderful and creative ideas. I can always count on you for great ideas.

[@jacquelyndevitte4992]

This was so fun! I have a weakness with books and want to try my hand at some of these ideas. Thanks!

[@adeledelarosa7819]

You are amazing in putting together ALL your repurposing ideas...but these book creations I believe are your best, not typical, original and so special. In the way they are created it seems to me that several of the items portray a love of home, a respect of a book, especially old books. I myself seek old books for decor/risers, strolling thru thrift stores etc....in a particular book idea of yours I was drawn to, I may attempt. Thank you for sharing, God bless.....from So California

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much! 😊 I am so glad that I can share some ideas with you!

[@arlenecook7883]

Wow, so many great ideas. I loved the little books, table and the hide away book. ❤❤😊😊

[@patriciacaceres3167]

EXQUISITE! What an imagination!!! Love always from Lima, Peru

[@pattyashcraft4518]

Love the book lamp and the end table. The IOD rub on transfers made a beautiful display too.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much, Patty!

[@maryanngastaldo6751]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO clever--and gorgeous!! Great ideas!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@karashea7823]

Another amazing video full of ideas I’d certainly never think of! 📚 📕 📖

[@CanterburyCottage]

Yay, thank you!

[@jodihepler6202]

I have tons of old books. Thanks for the great ideas.

[@ruthlowrey3962]

I just loved all your recycled book ideas, especially the stack with the IOD transfer and using the one book binding with the Mother Theresa quote. Turning stacks of books into table legs was genius! I"ve got to take more time to look for old books. When my mom was moving into a retirement community, we let go of so many books! I"m kicking myself. Thank you for sharing.

[@murielbaith5445]

Love your book tables and lamp for an academia look.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jodeeclarklompa852]

I remember some of these diys from previous videos that I just loved. I'm going to be smarter this time and save this video. Thank you so much for your wonderful ideas!

[@nonisnest9718]

As always, ever idea is a winner and I want to try them all!

[@anamiller5778]

Thank you so much for sharing! You inspire me to start crafting.

[@kaiongamingyt8243]

I love your projects its inspire me lot

[@MsShanarun]

Still watching, but @ min 28, the nest in a book? Sooooo clever. Love it!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Oh, thank you so much! That was a fun project!

[@jormond7266]

The bird house is beautiful. Nice job! I'm only up to there, so far. Hope you all have a peaceful and happy Easter.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you! You too!

[@katherinemnusa]

I absolutely love this idea 💡 I love old hard covered 📕

[@kristymh823]

Love all of your ideas for books. Can you please tell how you print all of the pictures of books, or anything you print, to the exact size you need. Aside from converting pixels to inches, I’m not sure how to get them the perfect size. Thanks!

[@alicejump2290]

You hit the mark with me! I love books and everything you made with them! I made book shelves by putting L brackets between the covers! They worked great in a narrow hallway! I think you made book covers from a bird print, which I loved! Blessed a joy filled holiday!

[@edithlepagecrete9356]

So great ideas! I love it! You have such a fine voice to explain your projects. Thank you so much!

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much!

[@Cherie5353]

These ideas are awesome. I absolutely love everything. Wow! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@deborahtanzy7624]

I absolutely love your book bird house! You are so creative.

[@CanterburyCottage]

Thank you so much!

[@chalmadanes405]

I love the way you create beautiful unique bling