Book Clock (tutorial-ish)

Friday, June 24, 2011

So when I found some old children's books at a garage sale last week ($0.25. Bam), I knew that I wanted to make one of them into a clock for baby's room. A friend of mine asked how you do it and I thought I would give a little tutorial...

Now, honestly, it is so simple that I kept forgetting to take pictures. And also, I originally followed the awesome tutorial found here.

But if you don't feel like clicking through the internet, I'll show you what I did.

You will need:

A cool-lookin' book

A cheap-o clock with cool-lookin' hands
(I got mine at a thrift store for $1)

A drill
(although you COULD just use a knife and a pen. I've done both, and I HIGHLY suggest using a drill)

An ex-acto knife

Step 1: (sorry, no picture) Bust the guts out of your clock. My husband does this part- not because I can't, just because he likes to be destructive. You will only need to save back piece that holds the battery and the clock hands.

Step 2: Drill a hole in the middle of your book cover (or wherever you want the hands to be)

(Hey- look at that! A picture!)

Step 3: Place your clock piece inside the book and trace around it.

Step 4: Hack away. Use your knife to slice out a hole the same width as the clock piece

It should look like this when you're done:

Step 5: Close the book (with the little clock spoke sticking through your drill hole) and attach the hands on the front.


Above was my finished product. Easy-easy, cute, and thrifty.

There are a lot of things you could do with this- like drill a hole in the bottom right corner and have your clock in a funky place. Or get vinyl numbers to put right on the book. I love making these out of those old Reader's Digest books you always see at thrift stores. These make great gifts and are so inexpensive and simple- which is right up my alley.

5 comments:

  1. I love the irony of using Rip Van Winkle!

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  2. THANK YOU! I'm glad someone recognizes it haha!

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  3. Oh yah, I noticed that right away too - I think that is why I clicked initially, because the Rip Van Winkle is so clever! I love how easy the tutorial is too - I would not have guessed that! Thanks for a great idea:)
    Lindsay
    craftyladylindsay.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous8:25 AM

    Hi, Carrie Lynn! I'm sending you an email to your hotmail address right now. I would love to feature your blog & this post on About.com. Look forward to hearing from you!
    Tonya Lee
    About.com Guide to Budget Decorating
    http://www.budgetdecorating.about.com
    About.com is a New York Times Company

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your blog and this project - so creative and fun! I've seen clocks like this before, but it's amazing to know that I could make one! Just wanted to let you know I featured it in my roundup of clock re-dos and makeovers here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )

    -Mel the Crafty Scientist

    ReplyDelete

I like to hear all of the beautiful things you have to say.