
For a recent project at University, I had to create something that I felt could represent myself. I chose to make this box, in which I could put things that are personal to me – and at the end of it, i’d have a beautiful box for my new bedroom.
It was rather simple to make, but quite time consuming – so you’ve been warned!

To make this box yourself, you’ll need to find some stackable books that you don’t mind destroying! I chose 3 that were lying around at home. You’ll need to decide which will be the top, middle and bottom book, and then get cutting and sticking!
To learn how to hollow books, simply read this tutorial. I’d tell you how myself but they’ve already done it so much better!
For the book that will act as the lid, remember to leave the cover un-stuck. Also bear in mind that you need to cut all the way through the top book (excluding the cover but including the back), through the whole of the middle book, and through the front cover and pages of the last book, leaving the back cover (and a few pages if you wish) as the base.


Once all your pages have been cut (hopefully neater than mine were), glue again from the inside, and glue together any bits that have come apart whilst cutting. Put something heavy on top of the books whilst the glue dries.
When it’s dry, you’re ready to stick the books together to form the box, I used a strong PVA glue to seal them together. Once again, put something heavy on top until it is ready – and voila – you have a box. Albeit a rather messy one.

To finish the box, I used the leftover pages as a lining, which I ripped up and glued over the bumpy inside of the box to give it a seamless, neat look. For this, you can use anything you like – you can even create a beautiful collage on the inside of the lid.


And there we have it, your Book treasure box – a welcome addition to any bookshelf. Use it to keep your memories, or your photographs, or your buttons or your jewellery!
Have fun x













This is amazing! Will definitely try this
ahhhh I love this! I might have to try it one day. It works so well and it’s such a great idea!
xx
how adorable
i actually just bought three boxes in the shape of a book.
they aren’t made of real books though, which is a shame.
and have you seen bookbook from twelve designs?
http://www.twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook/gallery/
you must check it out! i bet you’ll love it.
i’ve already purchased mine and waiting for it’s arrival :p
It must have taken such a huge amount of time to cut the pages out but it would make such a wonderful and personal present… I might have to try it one day!
Beautiful! Would make a great present for a friend x
that is so cute. Need to do that this weekend :*
wow, great project, and idea
and it looks really great, but I would have a problem with destroying any book. I`m a bit crazy about that, and with books, but this really looks great
I have a similar project in mind – creating a scrapbook from scratch, with hand painted pages and handmade cover…
And I am always amazed with your photos…
Oh wow ! This is fab, thanks for sharing this. I would have loved to have done such delightful things at uni!
that´s so lovely. What a great gift idea. Thanks for that inspiration, I´ll definitly try this, but I need some nice looking books like yours!
This is wonderful!
this is so pretty
so romantic and poetic
leen
damn amazing!
Wow, that’s a cute box! Thanks for sharing
hahahha cool!!!
i am not good to do this stuff…but i’d like to try!!!
teehee! it looks lovely in the photos my dear!
Can’t believe how shit my box was in comparison haha!
x
That´s so amazing!
At which University are you?
love.
aah i’m going to try that soon, it’s so lovely looking!
kisses.
sooo cute! i’m thinking less treasure box and more secret-book-on-the-shelf-to-hide-stuff heaheahe
this is so lovely! perfect place for hiding treasures.
xx
That’s beautiful.
I love this!
Good work Carrie
<3
Wow this is so cool, thanks for sharing!!
x
i saw this on your flickr, i love it. although i would feel almost naughty cutting a book up like that! (the librarian in me…)
this is so cool! i must do one of this!
XX
R&S
that’s just brilliant!
I am so doing it!
Aww I made one like this for my mom when I was about 10. With help of my dad of course. Mine was only with one book though.
Now I really want to make one again with more than one book. Lovely pictures as always. Very inspiring.
love this! new project!
that is lovely! I tried making something similar once, but it ended in tears. maybe I’ll try again now that I have more patience..
I really wanted to make one of these when I was little, but my parents wouldn’t help me. I suppose I have no excuse not to give it a try now. Thanks for the tutorial!
I am in love with this wonderful bag long long time ago….
I am trying to earn money so that I can afford it, but it’s a bit difficult, I really love going shopping, so I need a lot of self-control!!! But if the prize is Alexa, I think I can do it!!!
by the way, lovely pictures!!
Yeaah i like it! When is was a child i did this so much for suprises haha
Ahh I really like this
cute x
This is such a great idea! I might try it one day
I love this project! The result is especially lovely. I’m sure all those tedious hours cutting away were worth it in the end.
Oh, how absolutely beautiful! Just my type of craft, I’m quite enamored with book arts, and book making, and altering books and all of that lately (though always having had a love of books, and art, I think it was only a matter of time). Thanks so much for sharing, just might try my hand at it!
Love your blog, truly! ♥ I think I’ve once visited before, but it’s been quite some time…
xoxo,
S-C
Oh, I must, must, must make one! I love it and it looks ever so beautiful! xx
Oh this is lovely! I had something similar when I was younger, a lockable box hidden in ‘a guide to junior mathematics’ – I remember my sister being very puzzled when I was happy to receive it for Christmas! This is much prettier though. Lovely photos too!
What a lovely box! Would it be possible to make one as beautiful as yours is? I’m sure that finding books like that won’t be easy… <33
super cool idea.
that is so lovely! xx
oh, you’re so cute! It looks lovely
This is so charming and vintagely poetic, congrats for the great project !
this is lovely!
wow, i think i’ll be making one of those…. : )
eventhough it hurts a little to destroy books, this is GEORGOUS Carrie !!!
wow, thats so lovely!
i’m going to have to make one. i know this little bookstore with lots of old and used books, i can buy one there.
thanks for the tip!
Hey Carrie – sweetest thing.
I think I may actually have to make one myself now…!
I actually prefer yours to the really ‘perfect’ ones (as you said hopefully we’d do it neater than yours is…!) as I think it’s more personal etc than a really spot on one.
Hoping to see you in 3 weeks – yay! Xx
It’s really fantastic this box, I can’t do it by Myself
Your are a welldone girl!
Greetings from Rome
Roberta
I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS!!!
thanks for the inspiration.
i really love your blog.
now i’ve started mine. thanks again for the inspiration!