How to make a fall leaf book page garland to decorate your home for fall. Simple, rustic DIY farmhouse decor.
When someone gave me these old hymn books they were planning to throw away (because the pages were literally falling out), I immediately envisioned a book page garland.
Even though the idea came to me a long time ago, this project remained simply an idea in my mind, because I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to cut into the pages!
Finally, I realized that probably no one would want a book that was already falling apart and missing pages. This gave me the courage to actually get started on it!
How to Make a Fall Leaf Book Page Garland
This project uses some very simple supplies which you likely already have around the house. If you don’t have an old book to use, check at garage sales or thrift shops. Or, simply buy some scrapbook paper with words or music printed on it.
I’ve also included a free leaf template printable to use for the leaf shapes.
Supplies Used in This Project:
Affiliate links included below. Read my disclosure here.Â
- An old book (or scrapbook paper with words or music printed on it)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Jute Twine
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Printable leaf template (download your free template here)
First, I printed off this leaf template to trace the leaf shape onto the book page. Then, I just cut out each leaf, took a page out of the book, and traced around the leaf shape.
I found that it worked better if I traced the leaf upside down. Since the leaves hang from the stems on the garland, this way the words aren’t upside down.
I also did my tracing on the side of the paper that wasn’t going to be showing (so that way I don’t have to worry about seeing pencil lines).
Next, simply cut out the leaf shape you traced. Repeat this process for as many leaves as you want.
Cut a piece of twine the length you want. I knew I was planning to hang my garland over the chalkboard in the kitchen, so I made sure it was the right size for that.
Position the leaves where you want them while you heat up your glue gun.
When the glue gun has heated up, add a dot of glue to the back side of the leaf stem. Since this is just paper, it doesn’t take that much glue to hold the leaf on the twine.
Press the stem with the glue on it against the twine for a few seconds to make sure it’s secure.
After you glue all of your leaves on, it’s time to hang up your garland!
Handmade Fall Decor
I think it looks great draped over our kitchen chalkboard (which I got from Hobby Lobby with a gift certificate a few years ago).
In the photo below, I’ve also got a couple of other DIY projects in the photo with my new fall leaf book page garland. It goes well with these mineral-painted candlesticks and a rustic burlap pumpkin!
Supplies Needed for This Project:
- An old book (or scrapbook paper with words or music printed on it)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Jute Twine
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Printable leaf template (download your free template here)
Pin This Post for Later:
Related Posts:
Farmhouse Fusion Mineral Paint Candlesticks
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure here. Sharing here.Â
Your garland is simple, yet so sweet Joy.
Thank you for sharing you fall leaf book page garland at Create, Bale, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring this project at tomorrow’s party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Thank you!
This is really cute. I love how you styled it, too, on the chalkboard. Pinned!
Just wanted to let you know, also, that I’ve featured this at the Thursday Favorite Things party. Congrats, and thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you, Pam!
This is darling!
Thank you, Lauren!
So cute. The leaves are singing hymns.
Thank you!
Simple but so very pretty!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you!
This is so simple but sweet.
I would still have a hard time cutting up a book, especially a hymn book. But it helps that it was old and tattered.
Thank you for sharing at the Homestead Blog Hop!
Blessings!
Laurie
Oh, I know what you mean! I hesitated quite a bit before going through with it! If some of the pages hadn’t already been torn and some missing, I couldn’t have done it. 🙂
Love this! I think it would be great with hearts for Valentine’s Day as well! Thanks for sharing with us at Friday Favorites. I’m featuring you this week.
That’s a great idea to use heart shapes!
Joy, this is so simple and pretty in a window for the fall and early winter. You are so creative! Blessings, J
Thank you so much, Jacque!
I love how easy this looks. Now I need to find a book to use too. Thanks for sharing another beautiful idea with us at #OMHGWW.
Thanks for stopping by, Alice!
What a lovely idea and turned out so cute! I love it when you can reuse old book pages in a new way:)
Thank you, Tiffany! I was thrilled to find a use for them.
Oh my gracious. I grew up with that hymnal. I would have had a difficult time cutting into as well☺. What a way to use songs that continue to speak to the heart.
I know, it was hard to do! I couldn’t have done it if it hadn’t been falling apart already. I’m planning to carefully remove and frame my favorites (like “It is Well”) to preserve and enjoy them further.
I love this! What a cute and simple way to dress up the house for fall!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy
Thanks Amy!
I luv this idea. Definitely going to make one Thanks for sharing with Wall to Wall diy wednesday
Thanks Ann!
Love this! I have been planning to make sheet music leaves for my music room fall decor. I just shared my summer to fall home tour with lots of sheet music crafts for my music room. You might enjoy seeing it:
https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/transitioning-from-summer-to-fall-home-tour/
Pinning!
Thank you, Amber! Heading over to see your home tour now!