CRAFTer Dark – October: Book Art

Milton Library hosts CRAFTer Dark, a monthly program geared toward adults. The goal is to provide programs that make art/crafts accessible to all skill levels in such a way that each participant produces a stunning piece, even with no prior experience.

October is synonymous with fall colors, harvest festivals, and, of course, pumpkins. But for the creative minds at CRAFTer Dark, it’s also the perfect time to reimagine everyday objects into something entirely new. This October, the group took on a unique challenge: transforming old copies of Reader's Digest Condensed Books into three-dimensional pumpkins—a fun, crafty spin on the season’s most iconic symbol. Here’s how they did it.

Before the crafting even began, CRAFTer Dark was gifted an incredible treasure trove of books. The Friends of Milton Library and the Friends of Alpharetta Library generously donated stacks of old Reader's Digest Condensed Books, which would otherwise have been gathering dust. These books, though outdated in their content, still held a world of possibility when it came to creative projects.

The process of transforming the books into pumpkins was an artful blend of cutting, folding, and gluing—much like the pages of a good story.

1. Preparation: The first step was to remove the covers of the books, leaving only the pages attached to the spine. This created the perfect starting point for the pumpkin form.

2. Creating the Template: To ensure uniformity, participants created a simple pumpkin template out of copy paper. They folded the template in half, which would later serve as a guide for cutting the pages into the desired shape.

3. Cutting the Pages: With the template in hand, each participant carefully traced the shape onto the pages, cutting along the lines. They put the fold of the paper at the center spine, ensuring that the pages would remain attached to the book’s original binding. The result was a neat stack of pages, each perfectly sized to form part of the pumpkin’s rounded shape.

4. Bending and Gluing: Once the pages were cut, it was time to bring the pumpkin to life. The participants bent the stack of pages into a circular shape and glued the first and last pages together, forming the base of the pumpkin.

5. Adding the Stem: No pumpkin would be complete without a stem. Participants had a few creative options for this final touch. Some chose to glue a separate stem made from a thin stick sourced from a tree branch, adding a rustic, natural element to their creations. Others extended their pumpkin template to include the stem, so it was cut as part of the page cuts rather than being added separately. This method ensured that the stem was seamlessly integrated into the pumpkin’s structure, giving the entire piece a cohesive, unified look.

6. Finishing Touches: To add a bit of extra charm, some participants went the extra mile by attaching felt leaves and raffia for a rustic touch, giving their pumpkins that final fall flourish.

You might be wondering: why books? The beauty of this project lies in its ability to give new life to something that might have been discarded, all while embracing the spirit of sustainability. The Reader's Digest Condensed Books—with their yellowed pages and timeless appeal—became the perfect medium for a seasonal craft that celebrates both the written word and the magic of fall.

So, the next time you’re looking to celebrate fall or upcycle old books, take a page out of CRAFTer Dark’s playbook—turn your discarded reading material into a fun, functional piece of seasonal art. It’s a simple, yet impactful way to craft a little bit of magic in your home, all while giving new life to something old.

Have you ever tried turning old books into something new? Share your creative ideas with us in the comments!