If you’ve spent any time lurking around here, you already know I have a soft spot for books – especially the kind that lean toward the eerie, the arcane, and the delightfully macabre. Over the years, I’ve curated a modest library of Halloween-centric volumes covering everything from costuming and haunted decor to folklore, history, and the occasional sinister recipe.
I’m particular about my books. No moisture. No margin scribbles. And absolutely no dog-eared pages – ever.
That said, I do keep a separate stash of antique and well-worn books strictly for decor and creative experimentation. Old medical texts? Disturbingly charming. Vintage dictionaries? Even better.
Which brings us to today’s project – one that pushes me ever so slightly out of my comfort zone.
We’re tearing into an old dictionary.
Not gently. Not respectfully. But with purpose.
The result? A quick, striking Halloween book page garland that feels equal parts literary relic and haunted artifact – crafted with the help of something unexpectedly perfect: Halloween cookie cutters.
So before hesitation sets in, let’s make the first cut.
Love this darkly literary DIY? Don’t let it vanish into the void—pin it to your Halloween decor board so it’s ready when the crafting mood strikes.
For this project, we will need:
Assorted Halloween cookie cutters (bats, pumpkins, ghosts, etc.)
An old dictionary or book of your choosing
Stamp pad or pencil
Scissors
Loop pins
Twine, yarn, or ribbon
Start by flipping through your dictionary and selecting words that fit your desired mood – think apparition, nocturne, pumpkin, October, etc.
As each dictionary is different, before ripping out pages (oh, my hear!) – consider how each definition will sit within the shape of your cookie cutter. Too close to the edge of the page and it won’t fit within your cutter.
If you want to skip the digging, you can always grab a curated list (300+ Halloween words and phrases) from the Haunted Library and dive straight into the good stuff.
Carefully remove your chosen page and lay it flat on your work surface. Take a moment if you need one – this is the point of no return.
Lightly ink the edge of your cookie cutter and press it onto the page, centering your chosen word or definition within the shape.
Prefer a little more control? Trace around the cutter with a pencil instead.
Trim along your stamped or traced lines to reveal your shapes. Repeat until you have enough pieces to form your garland.
This is where it starts to feel less like vandalism and more like artistry. (I promise!)
Poke a small hole near the top of each cutout. Insert a loop pin, then thread it onto your twine, ribbon, or yarn.
Adjust spacing as needed until your garland feels balanced and just a little bit ominous.
Surprisingly, tearing into that old dictionary doesn’t sting nearly as much when it transforms into something this atmospheric.
Draped across a bookshelf, mantel, or gallery wall, this garland reads as subtle from a distance—but up close, it reveals its true nature: fragments of language, suspended like whispers from another time.
If your aesthetic leans a little more theatrical, try edging your shapes with a whisper of glitter. Just enough to catch the light and flicker in the dark.
This project is quick, customizable, and just transgressive enough to feel thrilling – perfect for those of us who like our decor with a literary twist and a shadowy edge.
Until next time – stay spooky.