DIY Stacked Book Decor: Easy Farmhouse Project!

Instructions

STEP 1: PAINT YOUR STACKED BOOKS

Making DIY Stacked Books is such a fun project. I just love that you can customize the stack to your style and how they add the perfect touch to any room in your home.

Your stacked books take a little time to prep so I recommend planning to paint your books the day before you add your vinyl and decorations to ensure that everything is dry.

So let's get started. First lay something down to protect your work surface from the paint, I used butcher paper.

I used FolkArt White Chalk Paint to paint my books. With a foam brush, apply an even layer of paint to the top and spine of your books.

After about two hours, I applied a second layer of white chalk paint. I found that two layers was enough to cover my book covers but if you can still see through your paint, go ahead and apply as many coats as you need until you get the right coverage.

TIP: Don't rush through your painting. If you apply coats too closely, the paint may clump and pull up part of the previous layer.

Once your last coat of paint is fully dry (again I waited about two hours), then you'll apply Mod Podge Matte, making sure to cover the whole surface. I also used a foam brush to apply the Mod Podge.

Your Mod Podge may appear to dry quickly but I recommend allowing your stacked books to dry overnight before putting them together and applying vinyl.

STEP 2: UPLOAD AND PREPARE YOUR DESIGN

Next, time to download my Stacked Books Decor designs from my free resource library — it's design #323.

TIP: If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app. 

There are 16 different designs to choose from! This is what my Stacked Books Decor SVG files look like when uploaded to Cricut Design Space.

First, click ungroup so that you can hide or delete the designs that you don't want to make. Either choose "Delete" at the top of the layers panel or click on the "eye icon" to hide.

The spine of one of my books is 1 5/8" thick. If you are using something different, be sure to measure the spine so that you can resize your designs accordingly.

TIP: You can use a rectangle shape and size it to the dimensions of your book spine to visualize how your design will look on your books. To do this, click Shapes, then select Square. Click unlock and change your dimensions to match your book spine. I changed the rectangle to white and then clicked "Arrange" and "Send to Back."

The fun thing about Stacked Books Decor is that you can create any wording you'd like! I used the fonts Baltimore Typewriter and Homework. You can download any typewriter font to make your own designs! Here are some free options at dafont.com.

TIP: Need help installing a font in Cricut Design Space? Check out this video and blog post I made that explains everything step by step.

Once you've sized your designs correctly and deleted or hidden what you don't want to make, click on Make It in the upper right corner.

On the next screen, you do not need to make any changes. It is okay that the words are not attached because we're going to cut them apart when we apply them to the books. Click Continue in the bottom right corner.

Select your material. I am using Cricut Smart Permanent Vinyl (or you can use Cricut Premium Vinyl Permanent). I recommend cutting your design with More pressure.

Time to put your Cricut to work and cut your design!

STEP 3: APPLY YOUR DESIGN AND DECORATION

Once your Cricut is done cutting your vinyl, unload the vinyl and flip your Machine Mat over to remove your vinyl. This keeps it from curling. 

Next, cut your design apart so you have the three separate pieces that you are going to apply. Time to weed your design! Remove all of the excess vinyl and remember to get all of the pieces inside some of the letters, too! These are called counters.

We are only going to apply one word at a time. Apply a piece of Transfer Tape over one word and peel away the backing of the permanent vinyl.

TIP: If you are have trouble removing your backing, use your scraper tool to burnish the design to the transfer tape.

Apply your design to your book spine and remove the Transfer Tape. If your design peels away with the Transfer Tape, use your scraper to burnish the vinyl onto the book spine. Repeat these steps to apply all of your designs. I chose to align my words to the right but feel free to align them however you like best!

TIP: I found it easiest to stack the three books standing up when applying the vinyl to visually see the alignment as I placed the words.

Once your vinyl is applied, it is time to decorate your Stacked Books Decor. You can use burlap ribbon, jute twine, wooden beads, artificial greenery and more! There are so many options to get creative with.

MAKING A BURLAP BOW: I cut about 4ft of burlap ribbon for the wrap and bow. Wrap your ribbon around your stack and allow extra to tie your bow. This bow is really simple, like you'd tie shoes, but feel free to make yours more elaborate.

MAKING A JUTE TWINE WRAP: I wrapped my jute twine six times around my books and tied the ends together in a bow just like the one above. The total length of my twine wrapped around and tied was 13ft.

Once your ribbon/twine is wrapped. You can attach a strand of wooden beads, a holly branch, or artificial leaves.