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Dec 2, 2012

Book Tree


We have a large bay window upstairs at the front of the house. I know you've seen it from the outside when we replaced and repainted the trim, but it also give an amazing view from the inside of our entire street. It's the dogs' favourite place to hang out. All.Day.Long.

Sasha & Chloe - turtles and tails blog

I thought a tree would look good there, but we only have one tree tall enough to show out the window. Other than the fun one made from tree branches we put in the basement TV room.

A few weeks ago we went through the bookcases and thinned out the books that we didn't want any more. How badly do I really need old chemistry or accounting textbooks? (My favourite - Semi-micro Qualitative Analysis. Makes me sound so brainy. Or nerdy. Your pick.) Since then the books have been stacked against the wall waiting to go to Goodwill.

I decided to put the books to use and turned them into a tree. I started with the textbooks, worked up to the hardback thrillers, and then the paperbacks. The base is an old end table that I'm planning to refinish - if I ever get time to do it. Just add it to the list.

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

The tree is topped with a wooden moose hand-carved by Tom's uncle. I wrapped his little body with white lights so he'd look like a star.

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

And I found some little battery-operated lights at the dollar store that are the perfect proportion for the "tree".

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

There you have it. Such a fun, easy project. I'm feeling pretty resourceful for using items on hand. And it keeps the books out of the way until after Christmas when I'll have time to get them to Goodwill. Win-win.

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

Book Tree - Turtles and Tails blog

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I'm linking up here this week!

34 comments:

  1. What a cute idea! God knows I have enough books for this...maybe I'll try it! :) (PS: I shudder to think of the amount of barking that would go on 24/7 at my house if I had a window like this. Your dogs must be in heaven!)

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  2. Yes, there's a lot of barking! Drives us crazy! But sometimes they'll just sit there for hours watching and it's adorable.

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  3. How original :) Thanks for sharing.
    x

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  4. Oh what fun it is to have a book tree. The lights on it are a great finsihing touch!
    Enjoy it this Christmas season!



    hugs x
    Crystelle

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  5. This is so fun! Thanks for linking up at the Country Christmas Party, I featured your book tree on my FB page :-)

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  6. Thanks, Alecia!

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  7. I adore these book trees that I have been seeing!

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  8. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good CakesDecember 5, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    What a neat idea :) Thank you for sharing at All my Bloggy Friends this week!

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  9. I've been seeing these online this year and totally love this idea. Yours is beautiful!

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  10. How fun is this!

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  11. Hi, Barb
    This is just too cute and a great way to use your books. Love it! Found your lovely blog on Eye Heart link party. Love looking around your lovely blog and I am a new follower. Love for you to stop by www.homesweetbutterfly.com. Have a great weekend. : )

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  12. I love this. I wish I had a library room to put one in. Thanks for sharing it on "I Gotta Try That" Have a great weekend.
    Marcie

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  13. laura at Top This Top ThatDecember 8, 2012 at 3:05 AM

    oh my- how clever! featuring this creative tree on my weekly wow's on Sunday.

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  14. erica -We Three CrabsDecember 8, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Loving this! I'm a book lover/former librarian. This is right up my alley.

    I host a Pinterest Tuesday Link up over at my blog. I'd like to invite you to link up this post or any other pinterest idea you have. Hope to see you on Tuesday.
    Erica
    We Three Crabs
    http://ericabarker.com

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  15. Adorable! I love decorating with books and book pages but this is so unique -- sending this to my DIL and Son who are book "nuts"!

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  16. this makes
    my literary heart
    go thumpity thump!


    love this idea
    for filling an empty spot
    with creative Christmas cheer
    so much
    that i pinned it


    thanks for sharing
    at Fridays Unfolded!


    {alison}

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  17. I love this, I think it would be a fun way to decorate my husband's office for the holidays. You are being featured today over on the blog.

    http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2012/12/pintastic-monday-20.html#.UMYl8Kzxxgg

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  18. What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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  19. this is such a fun idea! i love its unique look!

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  20. Love this! I am featuring you tomorrow! Thanks for linking up!

    Kim

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  21. Tres cool! Unique, useful (disguises a pile of books after all!) and pretty.

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  22. another great idea! love it ... great use for all those books!

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