Instructions

1. First, you will need an old book. Go with a paperback so that you have an easier job dispensing with the front and back cover. This also gives you a flexible binding to work with, which is necessary to complete this project. A book with an old, damaged binding is best since the binding will bend easily.
2. Before you get started with this project in earnest, you will need to make sure that you remove two pages from the book. Try and make sure that they are still attached to one another when you do this. Otherwise, you will need to tape them back together. Set these aside. You will be using them for a later step.
3. Once you have gotten rid of the covers and removed and set aside the extra pages, you are ready to begin. Set the book on your work surface in front of you. Take the first page, and fold the top corner down and over toward the binding. Press it flat.
4. Next, fold over the same page again toward the binding to create a more acute angle.
5. Now, turn the page.
6. You will have a little triangle of paper sticking out at the bottom. Fold this up so that you again have a flat edge at the bottom.
7. Now, proceed to the next page. Repeat steps 2-5 with that page as well.
8. Continue to the next page, again repeating the same steps. Do this with all of the pages in the book, one after the next.
9. Once you have folded all of the pages, you should be able to wrap the book around end-to-end to create a cone shape like this. This will be the angel’s body/dress.
10. Remember the pair of pages which you removed and set aside at the beginning of the project? It is time to make use of them now.
11. Take the pages and fold back and forth like you would if you were creating a paper fan. Make sure that you do this from the top of the pages to the bottom (not from left to right across the pages). It is easier to see what I mean by this in the video. The reason you need to do it this way is because each of the pages will become one of the angel's wings.
12. After you have finished folding, pinch the pages together at the center so that you have one "wing" fanning out to either side.
13. Next, you will need a Christmas ball ornament to serve as the head of the angel. I chose to go with a gold ornament in order to create a nice, neutral color scheme, but you can choose any color you want.
14. Use hot glue to attach the ornament to the top of the cone of pages. You have now connected the angel’s head to its body.
15. Hot glue the angel’s wings to the body. Connect them right at the top of the cone below the head.
16. Now, we will be making a bow. Get some satin ribbon and cut it to the appropriate size. Then, tie it in a bow and secure it using some twine. Is the twine really necessary? Maybe not, but I found it very helpful in ensuring that the bow would not come undone. Once again, you can use any color you want for the bow, but I stuck with a neutral ivory color. I felt like the neutral color scheme made for a more elegant decoration. It also ensured that the decoration would not look out-of-place outside the holiday season. That way it can be displayed all year.
17. This step is optional to prevent fraying. If you have a lighter handy, hold it up close to the edges of your bow. Make sure that the flame is not actually in contact with the polyester. You do not want to burn it. You simply want it to melt at the edges. That way, the fabric will not be able to fray. This ensures that the bow stays in good condition.
18. Hot glue the bow to the front of the angel at the “neck.” At this point, you're almost done. But there is one final step to really add some sparkle to this project.
19. Apply some glue to the edges of the pages which are serving as the angel’s dress. While I used a regular container of glue to do this, it occurred to me later that adhesive spray would probably work just as well, if not better.
20. Sprinkle on some glitter. Pick a color which matches the ball ornament and ribbon that you have chosen. Since I used a gold ornament, I chose to use gold glitter as well. You have now finished turning an old book into a beautiful angel!