Decorating a nursery can be a lot of fun, especially where DIY projects are concerned! I must admit, while I am rather crafty and handy with power tools, I certainly am not talented in the area of illustration. Which is kind of a bummer, because illustrations make for great nursery decor, and I just so happen to be decorating a nursery right now. But it's okay! There are plenty of beautiful and inexpensive illustrations right at our fingertips. Just look inside some of your favorite children's books!
Dahlov Ipcar is one of my favorite children's book illustrators, and while looking at her books is quite the treat for the eyes, I decided to take things to the next level and turn her illustrations into art for the nursery. I ordered an extra copy of the beautiful book I Like Animals for the sake of turning the pages into art, but boy was it ever hard to cut into! If you're against using books for art, you might want to find a damaged old book you could use for this project on Etsy or at a local thrift or antique shop.
Supplies:
-illustrated book (I used I Like Animals and The Cat at Night.)
-tree slice (I found mine at Michaels.)
-spray adhesive (I recommend Scotch Super 77 for a lasting hold.)
-scissors
-pencil
Step One: Create a template for your tree slice. I made mine by photocopying the tree slice and cutting out the inside area of the copy. If you don't have a copier, you can trace the outline of your tree slice and cut away a little margin around it.
Step Two: Remove the page you want to use from the book (I used an X-Acto for this). Then, using a window or a light table, hold your template over the backlit illustration so you can see what portion of the illustration will make it onto your tree slice. This can be tricky if both sides of the page are illustrated, but even so, I've found using the light is very helpful in composing the scene that will decorate your tree slice. When you get it positioned how you like it, trace around the template.
Step Three: Cut out the illustration, making sure the pencil lines are on the scrap edge of the paper.
Step Four: Spray the back of the illustration with an even coat of spray adhesive.
Step Five: Hold the sticky side of the illustration slightly away from the tree slice while you make sure the illustration is properly positioned. When you have it positioned just so, place the sticky side all the way onto the tree slice and use the back side of your hand to smooth the illustration, adhering it to the tree slice.
Use picture hangers or adhesive strips to hang your tree slices on the wall. I placed mine in our kiddo's nursery, but these little guys would be perfectly acceptable in other rooms of the house too! –Mandi
Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson. Photos edited with Stella from the Signature Collection.
36 Comments
I adore everything about this idea!
Love this, I have illustrated books in my store room, now I know what to do with them!
these are SO cute!
xx nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
Will have to find a slice. Not just for the kids room…spring boarding here I come.
Sooo clever!!!
Those look amazing.
Fabulous project!
Just NO! Can’t imagine cutting up a book like that. That’s just too offensive for me. But I totally can imagine doing it with other pictures, though. The idea is very cool!
Great idea, I am always looking for ideas for home decor, and the rustic look is very ‘in’ right now!
This is the cutest idea! I have a really hard time cutting into books, but I could probably make myself do it if it was from the thrift store and damaged, haha! I may just have to do this for Asa’s room once we have our own space again!
xo
Kristina
www.eccentricowl.com
Oh, this is precious! : )
This is awesome…just happen to have a tree slice in my stash…now gotta find a cool illustration… thanks for this DIY..totally gonna do it..
xo
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
Great idea! This is very nice and can be used with any kind of illustration, artwork, or room!
I can’t believe how simple and cool this is.
These would be perfect for my family’s ski house!
-E
http://amie-eo.blogspot.com
Being from Maine, I absolutely adore Dahlov Ipcar! The fact that she’s in her 90’s and still making playful, fun illustrations makes me so happy. Plus I love anything made from wood,so this is perfect, especially since I cannot afford to buy her artwork! Thank you so so much for sharing this and making my day! 🙂
That’s a great idea! Thanks for the tip. -Mandi
Sure! I didn’t want to risk the pages getting wrinkled from too much moisture, so I decided not to. But I would suggest checking an art supply store for the spray that artists use on artwork to preserve it. I considered using a polyurethane spray on mine, but again, was too worried to try it! It was kind of a big deal for me to cut into the book, so I was afraid to ruin the pages. 🙂 -Mandi
Can you do anything or use any kind of sealer to the front so that it is completely smooth or more resistant to time and light?
Great idea!
I love Dahlov Ipcar’s illustration style! And the graphic textures in the drawings really go well with the wood and birch textures.
One change I would make in the process, is just place tracing paper (or a sheet of acetate) on the wood slice to make the template. I think it would also be easier to see where you want to cut the illustration, without having to hold it against a window.
Wooow these are amazing. I think I’m going to try this with black and white pictures.
Thanks for the inspirtation.
X Willemijn Sofie
Amsterdam So Fashion
These really are beautiful keepsakes that you’ve created! I love them.
I once received a book from some dear friends that I loved so much I ordered a second copy to cut up some of the pages and frame. They really are some of my most treasured pieces of wall art, but it was hard nonetheless to make those first few cuts!
xx Kathryn
http://www.throughthethicket.ca
That’s amazing! The blue one is so perfect!
The best thing is that we can use any king of book/photo/posters!
xo
www.erevything713.blogspot.com.br
I’m so glad! They have these at Michaels in the wood crafts section, but I’m also pretty sure they sell them at most large craft stores. Michaels has the biggest selection of them I’ve seen, though. -Mandi
I’m not sure it’s legal to reproduce the images of the books, though maybe it would be for personal use? Anyway— I didn’t want to risk doing something like that for a project I’m posting publicly. If you do it, I won’t tell anyone! 😉 -Mandi
I’m not sure that’s legal, but if you do it, I won’t tell anyone. 😉 -Mandi
Great idea for an easy wall decoration! There are so many gorgeous print outs that would look great on wood slabs!
I love home diy!!! 🙂
This is gorgeous idea!!! <3
http://mademoisellejuliet.blogspot.com/
Love this idea, and that you could do so much more with it too. Wallpaper or printed out photos might be cute too. Thanks!
This is such a fantastic idea! You could totally do this for the holidays or in the kitchen…oh I’m so ready to some crafting!
You may have just solved a HUGE holiday issues I was having. I found a great vintage piece of wrapping paper?? (not sure what it is, but it features a black schnauzer). My sister-in-law and brother have one and I was going to frame this cute 3×3 square, but this is a better option – since it has “Merry Christmas” on it!
Now to get the tree slice – I have not seen them before at Michaels. Will need to take a closer look! – thanks for saving the day
What about getting a high quality photocopy of the pages that you like? Saves money and guilt for cutting up a book 😉
So cute and easy! Like a “Why didn’t I think of that??’ kind of thing. Totes fab!
How cute! I love how different this is. Thanks for sharing!
Ooh I’d find it so hard to bring myself to cut up a book, but this is really beautiful! A touch of rustic with the tree slice and a touch of modern with the illustration 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
this is brilliant!! i might have to do this!!
(you could also, instead of buying a second book for diy/crafting purposes, just photo copy the picture you want to use and cut into that one – instead of the book!) ^-^
I love this idea!! I’m crafty but can barely draw a stick man!! Thanks for sharing!