It's especially meaningful if I can recycle something that would probably be thrown in the trash. That is the case with this project. 

I've gotten many rude comments about using old books (mostly on Pinterest). More specifically, old Little Golden Books (LGB), and believe me, I get it! These books are very nostalgic for a lot of people, myself included. We remember these books, which take us back to find memories of our childhoods.

Some LGBs are rare and more valuable however those are not the books that I use in my craft projects. The books that I'm using are very common, I see them all the time at thrift stores, and in some cases, I have multiple copies of the same book. The books I choose to cut up for crafts are already damaged. The pages have been colored on, torn, etc., and some are missing parts of the cover. But if it bothers you to see a book cut up and repurposed, no matter the condition, then this post is not for you.

On to today's project!

Recycled Little Golden Book Treat Boxes

I used some of the pages from my books in another project so this was a perfect way to use the adorable book covers!

I'll show you how I made the Frosty the Snowman box.

Step One - Cut the book

First, cut the main image out of the cover being careful not to cut through the title if possible. You will use it on the front of the box. I tried a utility knife but found that scissors really worked better.

Here is Frosty all cut out!


Cut the back of the book cover into four equal sections to make the box. You can use the back of another book for the box bottom or cardboard.

Cut the pieces that will be the sides of the box a little shorter than the front and back pieces to make a smaller box like mine, or leave them uncut for a larger box.

Cut some scrapbook paper that coordinates with the image you have chosen to cover the box pieces and adhere them to what would have been the back of the book with Mod Podge.

You could also use wrapping paper (as long as it is thick enough to cover the images), music sheets, etc.

Step Three - Create the box

Once you have covered the pieces with the paper of your choice, punch holes along the sides and bottoms of what will be your box sides and all the way around what will be the box bottom. I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes through the box pieces. 

If you do not yet own one of these, I highly recommend adding one to your supplies. They are amazing, I have even used mine to punch holes through metal! I provided a link in the supply list above and you can check out my other favorite tools in my Amazon store!

They should look like this.

You can also cover this side of the box pieces with the paper if you like, I didn't mind the design.

Stitch the box together using a blanket stitch and coordinating yarn. There is a great tutorial HERE from Allison at Dream a Little Bigger if you need a tutorial 😊

It will look something like this now.

Step Four - Finish the box

Glue the image that you cut from the book cover in step one to the box. I recommend Aleene's tacky glue but hot glue will work too.

Add glitter if you'd like. I glittered the hat and mittens.

Cut out the book title from the cover and glue that to the front of the box and cover the back with more paper.

TIP: Use Mod Podge and add the paper. Once it is dry, use a utility knife to trim the paper around the image.

Add any additional details to finish the box. I added a glittered snowflake to his hand. It would also be cute to add a little red button for his nose.

I also made a Santa box from The Night Before Christmas book.

I made the box for this one smaller and used tape to hold the box together and then covered it with paper instead of lacing it together.

Santa got a pom-pom on his hat and glitter on all his coat and hat cuffs.

I made the box for this one smaller. It would be perfect for candy!

I did not cover the back of this one.

What do you think? Aren't they cute?