Looking for a simple Christmas project? These DIY book page trees are a creative way to use vintage carol pages. Step-by-step DIY included.

Have you ever been so happy that you felt it all the way down to your toes?

Oh, good.

Me, too.

That was yesterday. I filmed my FIRST EVER OFFICIAL YouTube video. I’ve had a channel for years. And every now and then I’d put a video on there of something random, but just between us? It never really had a purpose. It was just a random thing that I stuck over there and forgot about. But yesterday? Yesterday after my friend Kim encouraged me to show all the stuff I do on a daily basis that I never document, I just pulled out my phone and filmed it.

It is NOT fancy.

I didn’t overthink it.

I just put the phone on a tripod and pressed the play button and styled my kitchen island.

I literally have on a t-shirt with fourth-day hair.

(total aside: I’m not really sure if you are even supposed to admit to ANYONE that you have fourth-day hair.)

It took me 6 minutes and 34 seconds to completely style the kitchen island with these amazing bottle brush trees that ordered on Black Friday during the 30% off sale. And when I was done IT WAS SO EXHILARATING. And exciting. And thrilling. And SO MUCH EASIER than I could have ever imagined.

I put the video at the end of this post so you could follow along with me and my fourth-day hair.

I also added a few links to where I found things that I used to style the island in the video. And the best part? I’m going to do this every week. I have so many projects and things I decorate around the house that I never document. I can’t wait to bring you along with me now.

And now?

You can see the styling video at the end of the post, but I also made a craft yesterday. In the future, I’m going to be videoing projects like this, but for today, here’s a simple tutorial for these simple DIY book page trees created from a vintage carol songbook.

DIY Book Page Trees

supplies:

book pages of carols (or copies of book pages of carols)

glue (or double-stick tape)

scissors

Step 1: Find a book of carols

This book was given to me by a friend. It has the most amazing versions of vintage carols.

I didn’t want to mess it up, so I had copies made of the book pages.

It’s a simple tip if you want to keep your books, but still make book page projects.

Step 2: Make a cone

Using one of the sheets of carols make a cone.

Simply wrap the paper into a cone like this.

Then tape or hot glue it into place.

Trim off the bottom to make sure it’s even.

Step 3: cut strips

Next, cut strips of the carol paper.

Each strip will be about 3″ wide and the length of the paper.

Fringe the edges with tiny cuts about 2/3’s of the way up the paper.

Step 4: add the strip to the base of the cone

Ruffle the ends of the strip so they are fluffier.

Next, hot glue (or tape) the strip of fringed paper to the bottom of the cone.

Trim off the excess of the strip and glue (or tape into place).

Step 5: keep adding layers

Repeat step 4 and add the next layer of the fringed paper as shown and glue into place.

Add the next layer.

Keep adding layers until you have reached the top.

Step 6: add a star

Cut out two stars out of paper.

Glue the two stars together on either side of the tree.

You can make them in different sizes to create a display.

And when you are finished?

The DIY book page trees look like this.

Aren’t they the cutest?

And almost free to make.

I placed them in front of the Christmas tree and looked at that star against the twinkling lights.

And thought of this:

Star of wonder

Star of night

Star of royal beauty bright

Westward leading

Still proceeding

Guide us with thy perfect light

May your days be merry.

And your Christmases be bright.

PS Here’s the video I filmed yesterday.

If you follow along on YouTube here it will alert you whenever I post a new video.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Jennifer Jennifer

    Gorgeous and you are too cute! Your voice is exactly as I imagined it. Also, didn't anyone tell you that fourth day hair is the new third day hair??? Subscribed!

  2. Image for Amy WILLIAMS Amy WILLIAMS

    You are my favorite decorator from The North Pole, to anyone in Texas. And you know Texas! Okay the world, I adore you. Love all your creativity!

  3. Image for Denise Cox Denise Cox

    Goodness, girl!! Four day hair?? Mine barely looks that good on day two ( of course, I haven't had it cut in five months either... 😁). Good job with your video and I eagerly await the forthcoming ones... 👏👏🤗

  4. Image for Jessica Lardinais Jessica Lardinais

    You are seriously gifted and make it all look so easy, yet accessible! I learned so much just watching (from texture to color scheme)...LOVE!

  5. Image for Charlotte S Snodgrass Charlotte S Snodgrass

    I love your style!! Always have. Thanks for sharing yourself and ideas and I'm looking forward to your videos.

    1. Image for Sue Sue

      Lol ... narrow, shallow ... don’t we love her happy, Creative, kind hearted, generous, tips, ideas and time spent being creative!! ♥️

  6. Image for Perry Perry

    This was wonderful. All the natural colors left me with a calm feeling. So quickly set up and such a lovely end product. Talent! I always thought I should be using odd numbers,,and yet you had four-even. Thank you for sharing.

  7. Image for Kris Kris

    SO jealous that you can get away with 4th day hair. For me, 3rd day hair is a stretch. I feel like my second day hair is a gift--no washing or styling that day! Hooray! Anywhooo, love this project. It turns out so cute and yes, I would be one of those who couldn't bear to rip up an old songbook and would instead copy it.

  8. Image for Sandra Vigil Sandra Vigil

    Thank you!. I am such a visual person and appreciate you taking the time to do a step-by-step Instructional video. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  9. Image for Be Be

    Loved the trees, as I love music!!!! The video was awesome!!!!!!!!! So fun to hear your enthusiasm in teaching others a great project!! I am excited to see the future videos.

  10. Image for PJ PJ

    These are too cute. I sometimes feel like there are too many fun Christmas ideas and not enough Christmas. Going to check out the video. Thanks for sharing.

  11. Image for Donna Bray Donna Bray

    You did it again! I LOVED THE VIDEO and your fourth day hair, so jealous. 🙃 Your totally inspiring. I feel like I've known you all my life. Merry Christmas sweet girl. Wishing you peace and joy. Keep inspiring sister ❤️

  12. Image for Sue Sue

    Cute, but I am assuming those Christmas music pages were copies, not actual old, vintage paper versions that would be loved and handsomely paid for by collectors? Sorry, just like the books so many people chop up to make into decorations? A total desecration of a possibly valuable and collectable item? Please tell me that is so.

  13. Image for Michele M. Michele M.

    TY for tutorial on those fab paper trees. I have a huge pile of antique french music - bet that'd work nicely. Loved your video - and if that's 4th day hair, oh my - too cute. ♥

  14. Image for june june

    Loved the music trees. How fun to watch your video...you make it look so easy. Looking forward to more. I wish I had that beautiful accent❤️

  15. Image for Sally Jo Sally Jo

    So cute and inexpensive!! What a great way to start the day here in Pennsvlvania ...in jammies, with 3-day hair and it's only 6 am. Have a great day and thanks a bunch KariAnne

  16. Image for Sharon H Sharon H

    Miz karianne, that was so much fun watching you and hearing you as you put your display together! Look forward to more videos for sure, and I love your version of songbook trees.

  17. Image for Chloe Chloe

    So sweet to add a little touch of Christmas to a mantel or any little vignette throughout the house! Heading over to check out the YouTube video! HUGS!

  18. Image for Pastor Suzanne Pastor Suzanne

    KariAnne, you did it again! You gave me a neat idea of a Christmas craft to make with my great grandsons. Will use appropriate colored construction paper and glue sticks to make those trees. They will like doing them. Also, my 15-year old grandson likes crafting. He and his girlfriend will enjoy making some, too. Thank you!

  19. Image for Lisa C Lisa C

    Great video, and what a fun, simple and pretty centerpiece. Thanks for sharing - now I'm a new subscriber. Looking forward to more videos in the future.

  20. Image for Pamela Griner Pamela Griner

    I love your posts. I can be having a terrible bad day...horrible runny nose coughing sneezing sore throat cold...imagine the hair that goes along with all that!...and your "fourth day hair" comment just cracked me up and made my day better! Thanks...as always!

  21. Image for Kim Kim

    Oh, such a lovely and beautiful paper craft! I will enjoy doing this one....thank you, Karianne, you're a treasure!

Comments are closed.