Repurposing Vintage Books into Spiral-Bound Journals

Have a peek at my latest crafty project — these four spiral-bound journals! 

Well loved by various owners over the years, these vintage books had seen better days. So I reclaimed their lovely covers and gave these rescued relics new life.

Starting at the left, Chubby Cheeks is a rare book that was originally published in the 1890s. Featuring charming illustrations on the front and back, it also sports an inscription on the inside front cover. Now its interior is filled with recycled cream-colored paper stock with fibers and flecks. 

At Home and Away is a 1940 primer. I love how the sweet illustrations on its covers have crayon marks made by a child long ago.This notebook is now filled with ivory parchment paper. 

Skipping Time is a rare book that was published in the 1880s. I filled it with Strathmore watermarked paper stock in white paper to match the little girl's apron. Along with its darling illustrations on the front and back, I included the first page with an inscription writen in 1888. Isn't the handwriting beautiful? 

Originally published in 1922, Children's Hour with Puss in Boots and Other Stories features a picture of Puss on the front cover. Now this reclaimed book is filled with ivory parchment paper. 

I am so pleased with how these journals turned out. And from now on, I won't pass up tattered old books with beautiful covers. I'll simply repurpose them into notebooks brimming with vintage appeal. These four can be found for sale in my Etsy shop here.

Susan 

Comments

[Ann]

Wow! I've seen books myself with interesting covers and too many missing pages to bother with. This is great! Makes me want to journal.

[Elsie]

Susan I love the one with the cherries on it. That is such a cute name "Chubby Cheeks". All of them are wonderful.

[Louise Houghton]

Oh Susan, as somebody who enjoys creating journals with great covers I think these are simply vintage fantastic!! I really wish I had a binding machine of my own to make something like this!xx