Decorating for Halloween is super fun since it allows you to channel your inner child. Today I am sharing how to craft some unique spooky decor for the upcoming holiday. This Halloween spell books DIY is fun to create and can be personalized to your own style.
To create these spell books, I used ideas I have pinned and tutorials I found on the subject. Here I am sharing the techniques I used to create this collection of Halloween books from everything I learned. This compliments the potion bottles I also crafted to complete the witchcraft story.
how to DIY Halloween spell books
The best source for book craft projects like this includes thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and the Dollar Tree. I actually have a bit of inventory left over from my consigning days so I just used a few books from my stash.
Book Covers
Start by applying a quick coat of paint on all the books.
I used Annie Sloane Graphite since I like how AS chalk paint adheres to different materials, ie. wood, cloth, metal, etc.
Only one coat of paint is necessary since you want the books to look weathered and grungy. I did however go around a second time dabbing the sides of the covers and the page edges for a more detailed look.
Using stamps, add the titles you want for the books on the spines.
I used acrylic craft paint to stamp the titles.
I have a wide variety of stamp sets in my craft area so I used a variety of fonts.
Stamping Tip
Always test a stamp on a scrap piece of paper first for placement, spacing and pressure. Always.
Viola- you have a library of hocus pocus books!
Spell recipe inner page
Print out the graphic of the page you would like to use as your spell recipe cropped to the same dimensions of you book page.
My main book is my book of spells, and I used a free printable from Marie @ the g*rated blog.
Find where the book opens to naturally and mod podge the printables to those pages.
Once the printables are adhered to the book pages, paint all around the edges of the open pages using the same paint you used on the covers.
Misting the pages also helps to mold and curl the edges to age the look of the book.
Distressing Tips
You can age and distress the book as much as you want with more water and paint.
You can personalize these details depending on the “look” you are going for.
Of course, I wanted my book to look all grungy like it had been around for centuries.
I also added a ribbon down the middle of the pages, holding the spot for the perfect spell recipe.
Simply adhere the ribbon using tacky glue or the adhesive of your choice.
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“You’ve always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.”
The Wizard of OZ
These are awesome, I am so going to do this next year! Thanks for sharing!!
thanks cheryl. you’ll be so happy when you get it done nest year. thanks for stopping by & leaving a comment. xo- mj
More spooky fun! Your creative juices were really flowing. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Great transformations! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Oh, how fun! I love the idea of transforming these books! Thank you for sharing this tutorial at The Halloween Blog Hop and $100 Giveaway! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
So clever! I love the way you transformed these books. Thank you for linking up and stay well.
Great project and a great way to recycle old books. Thanks for sharing. #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Michelle. It was a fun project once I got started. Thanks for stopping by.
XO- MJ
Thanks Donna. Yes! I am all about recycling, upcycling and repurposing… Thanks for stopping by.
XO- MJ
Love this! I’ll definitely be making a set of my own! I’m going to feature your post on tomorrow’s Crafty Creators & on social media over the next week.
Thank so much for the love Niki. I truly appreciate it. XO- MJ
I am so in love with this project MaryJo. You did such a great job on the tutorial too. I’m pretty sure even I can follow it! Thank you! Pinned!
Thanks so much Denise. Lol. These were the days before we videoed everything so I am glad it’s a good tutorial. Thanks for stopping by. XO- MJ
Love these Mary Jo! They turned out so great. Featuring when my link party opens up tonight. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Carol!! I’ll “see” you tomorrow. XO- MJ
Such a fun and ‘spooky’ project MaryJo!
Thank you for sharing this DIY at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne