There seems no end to my love of things made from upcycled books - can't resist the urge to chop them up. And also to read snippets of sentences as I use them, which is sometimes a truly bizarre experience. 
See, I just couldn't get the image of these out of my head. They were speaking to me of pinecones. So I punched a load of small circles out of a hapless book and used sewing pins to fasten them onto a polystyrene ball. And my paper pinecone itch was scratched. I may try a few more (right after I buy another tub of pins).
Oh! Imagine a tree decorated only with ornaments made from upcycled paper!
We saw a display of paper cutting embellished books in Cambridge the oher day and thought of you. Little pop up trees and houses complete with battery operated tealights. Gina knows who the artist is ... unless, of course, it was you.
Posted by: dottycookie | 08 December 2010 at 13:36
Stylish and beautiful Ali.
Posted by: Sue | 08 December 2010 at 14:01
What a lovely idea, I can just imagine a few more of the hanging from those bare branches in a very stylish and festive way, you definitely need to nip out for more pins!
Posted by: Julie | 08 December 2010 at 14:37
You are just so darn clever at this crafty business!
Lisa x
Posted by: Lisa | 08 December 2010 at 14:40
Oh how wonderful! I'd love a tree covered in these! I think you should run a paper ornament making course for next year. I'd sign up straight away!
K x
Posted by: kristina | 08 December 2010 at 15:13
In a weird (chop up a book) way that is truly beautiful.
Nina xxx
Posted by: nina - tabiboo | 08 December 2010 at 15:39
Oh how beautiful! You clever clogs!
Posted by: domestikate | 08 December 2010 at 15:40
Stunning! I'm fairly ceratin the artist whose work we saw in Cambridge was Su Blackwell... unless of course it WAS you?
Posted by: Gina | 08 December 2010 at 16:53
Stunning. Oh! Really stunning.
I have the exact same itch as you but I'm using different stuff to make them: silver (obviously) and that air drying white clay. Ooh.
Posted by: Emma | 08 December 2010 at 17:13
Those are very pretty, and how clever to use pins instead of glue or something else equally messy.
Posted by: Jennifer | 08 December 2010 at 17:42
Oooh, I have an itch, a very big itch.
Posted by: Rebecca | 08 December 2010 at 17:48
that's so sweet. It makes me feel like I want to chop up my old books too
monda
x
Posted by: Monda | 08 December 2010 at 18:19
I love this!
Posted by: Jennifer | 08 December 2010 at 20:00
Well, I've got the books and my circle punch on hand. I will just need a tub of pins and some of those balls! I know what I'll be making this weekend.
Posted by: Katherine | 08 December 2010 at 20:43
you're insane.
But in a good way.
And I like you a lot.
Posted by: Monica | 08 December 2010 at 22:35
I'm too much of a scaredy cat to cut up books for some reason, although I agree with you they do make terrific art. Your ornament is lovely...
Posted by: lina | 09 December 2010 at 01:18
Ooooh I love it!! Funnily enough I'm off to buy some polystyrene balls and pins today but I have had a request for sequins!!
Posted by: Louise | 09 December 2010 at 02:12
you know, i've never quite gotten past the notion i'd be struck down by lightning if i cut up a book (the upside being, i could finally say 'smote by the hand of god'!). but you might just have nudged me to the other side with this one...
genius.
Posted by: Molly | 09 December 2010 at 02:17
What a lovely and unique decoration. It looks great with the black and white ribbon.
Posted by: Di | 09 December 2010 at 07:37
Circle punch? where do I find one of those? and are some better than others?
LOVE the decoration
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna | 09 December 2010 at 10:09
Hi Ali
You probably already know about this but if you go on UK Handmade web page and read the blog, there is a post showing some amazing decorations/structures made from paper. Love your creativity!
Posted by: Anne | 09 December 2010 at 10:50
Maybe that's what I should do with the excess of books on my TBR mountain range - chop them up. Your pinecone is beautiful!
Posted by: Annabel | 09 December 2010 at 11:39
Can't get beyond the anxiety caused by cutting-up-books-is-BAD which was drummed into me as a child but DO love the ribbon.
Posted by: Alice C | 09 December 2010 at 23:20
Those are very, very CUTE!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 10 December 2010 at 05:09
Wow! These are so beautiful!
Posted by: Lisa | 10 December 2010 at 12:23
You know, until 2 mins ago I didn't need to find a polystyrene ball or some more pins, and now I do, because those look so cool and you make it sound so very easy. Thanks.
Posted by: Catherine | 10 December 2010 at 12:53
I love them! Although I would never be able to bring myself to cut up a book. I was an English student for too long. Mind you, I was fine with writing in them, and I can't think of a better way to 'retire' a book than one of these lovely pine cones. Great idea!
Laura
Posted by: nimblefingersandsteadyeyebrows | 10 December 2010 at 17:42
Gorgeous! It looks so perfect, thanks for sharing it!
a-m x
Posted by: a-m | 10 December 2010 at 23:30
Love 'em!
Posted by: lazylol | 12 December 2010 at 08:49
ooooh, these are super cool. Keep the upcycled book ideas comin'!
Posted by: urban craft | 14 December 2010 at 00:03
What a fantastic idea. Thank you. I shall try these out later today I'm sure I've some of those polystyrene balls somewhere.... wanders off to find them.
Posted by: Julia York | 18 December 2010 at 09:55
hope these are only right-wing books!
Posted by: Aimee | 05 March 2012 at 14:38