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Encyclopedia Crafting….

November 14, 2008 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 46 Comments

Old encyclopaedia’s are often out of date and are fast becoming redundant in the computer age. I have been making some gift tags using elements cut from encyclopaedia print. I also embellished a candle for gift giving by wrapping it with paper and tying with a ribbon (if you do this, be sure to remind the recipient to remove the paper before lighting the candle!!). With 20 plus volumes to use, you will no doubt see encyclopaedia’s used in all manner of projects around here in the future.

I had some great responses to my plea for ideas for encyclopaedia craft. You should check out all these creative ideas for using old books!

Curlypops suggested making a collage
Jellybelly*Jellybrain suggested checking out the Book Art at Whimsy Love
Debbie has altered an old book to create a memory book for her Mom
Liz suggested photocopying special pages and using them as backgrounds for journal pages or as wrapping paper
Lolly suggested using them to make tags, possbily aged with ink and distressed
Kssnnikkel – uses them to line drawers and shelves in an old dresser
Vickie recently received an altered home ec book for her birthday. With verses added, and lots of embellishments.

You must try these Spicy Pumpkin Muffins – perfect for school lunch boxes or served warm with a cup of tea!

2 cups of self rasing flour
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
100g butter
2 eggs
1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin

Measure the dry ingredients into a bowl and toss with a fork to combine.
In a separate bowl, warm the butter until melted, add eggs and beat well. Stir in pumpkin. Add this wet mix to the dry ingredients, and fold together without over mixing.
Line 12 muffin pans with liners. Divide the mixture between the pans and bake for 15-18 minutes in an oven at 200 degrees.

Posted by Lisa

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. The Faerie Queen says

    November 15, 2008 at 4:04 am

    That is a very sweet idea, using old books, I really must have a go at these. Thanx for sharing such a great Idea.

    Reply
  2. LollyChops says

    November 15, 2008 at 7:34 am

    I absolutely love the tag and candle wrapper you made!

    I still cannot eat anything just yet but those muffins sure do look tasty!

    Hope you are doing well! Missed ya!

    Reply
  3. Dancin' Puffin says

    November 15, 2008 at 10:22 am

    Hey Lisa, great encyclopedia recycling – love the classy look. I thought possibly use excerpts on cards that are specific to the person. The muffins look so scrummy.

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    November 15, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    These are all great book page ideas! I’m checking them all out! : )

    Reply
  5. Christy says

    November 15, 2008 at 12:17 am

    What a chic project you’ve come up with. Very well done! Your pumpkin muffins look delish too!

    Reply
  6. Suzanne says

    November 15, 2008 at 1:31 am

    What a good idea. Thank you for sharing your receipe.
    Your quilt in the previous post is beautiful. I love its colours.

    Reply
  7. Kathryn says

    November 15, 2008 at 1:49 am

    The candle is lovely, must pull out my old encylopaedia’s.
    With Smiles
    Kathryn

    Reply
  8. Catherine says

    November 15, 2008 at 3:23 am

    What a cool idea…gives me an idea for Christmas Candles at school, Thank you.Love the black and white!! Cathy

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    November 15, 2008 at 3:25 am

    all i can say is i LOVE checking your new projects…you girls are just so clever…
    i would have never have thought of that and i looks amazing…
    i have some old books laying around myself…and i could do one of these with a christmas theme…
    thanks heaps…

    Reply
  10. princess pudge says

    November 15, 2008 at 3:36 am

    those muffins look divine, but then so does ALL your baking!

    i LOVE your candle and tag, i may just have to look out for redundant books to do something similar 🙂

    Reply
  11. Hoppo Bumpo says

    November 15, 2008 at 4:29 am

    What a lovely candle and tag – they look stunning. With so many volumes at your disposal does this mean you will no longer be frequenting hardware chains for paint colour swatches?!

    I really like the look of that recipe. I have some pumpkin to use up, so I’m going to give it a try – yum!

    Reply
  12. crafty things says

    November 15, 2008 at 4:35 am

    The black and white looks stunning. The muffins look mouthwatering!

    Wow – I got a real word for the verification – piers

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    November 15, 2008 at 4:45 am

    I’m having my morning cup of tea and those muffins would be delicious with it. I love recipes. Great projects. I’m looking forward to all you have to share using your old encyclopedias. I have a complete set in the basement. I love how you share projects that cost very little but look expensive.

    Reply
  14. Vickie says

    November 15, 2008 at 5:15 am

    Wow! You surly did get a lot of great ideas! Thanks for posting them and including mine! I can’t wait to try those pumpkin muffins! They look great!

    Reply
  15. bluebird-lyn says

    November 15, 2008 at 10:59 pm

    Hi Lisa and Sarah, I love what you did with the colours for the candle very classic black/white/grey.Must try your pumpkin muffins. Regards Lyn

    Reply
  16. Debbie says

    November 15, 2008 at 8:49 am

    Love your project. Thanks for mentioning me. I will get some pictures of my book that I made for Mom. I was having so much fun with it, that I over stuffed it, it won’t shut. lol.. But she loved it and thats all that mattered.

    Thanks again,

    Debxoxo

    Reply
  17. Terriaw says

    November 15, 2008 at 10:03 am

    What a great way to use up pages from old encyclopedia books. I adore pumpkin muffins, so I will have to try this one, especially when our family comes to visit. Great complement to the brunch table!

    Reply
  18. Cindy says

    November 15, 2008 at 10:18 am

    Yummy muffins! Great ideas with the recycled books. They turned out really nice!

    Reply
  19. jacquie says

    November 15, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    i got a package from kajsa of syko fame and she had cut a piece from an old book and slipped in in the plastic bag as a backing to show off the piece i ordered. it was such a cute idea and great recycling too. i’m copying this recipe…i love anything pumpkin.

    Reply
  20. our shabby cottage says

    November 15, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    Love the encyclopedia craft. I have been looking for those plain white tags for ages – where did you buy them?? I must try the pumpkin muffins too….

    Reply
  21. Cheryl says

    November 15, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Your projects are always so INSPIRING to me and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next! I have to try that muffin recipe!!

    Reply
  22. Thimbleanna says

    November 15, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    Very, very clever! Thanks for all the great ideas for encyclopedia crafts!

    Reply
  23. Ali Honey says

    November 15, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Black and white is such a clean yummy combination!

    Reply
  24. Alison Boon says

    November 15, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Who would have thought you could do so many things with an old encylopedia.

    Reply
  25. Fiona @ Dragonfly-Crafts says

    November 16, 2008 at 1:42 pm

    Love what you girls have been up to lately. Great ideas…. Thanks for always sharing.

    Reply
  26. Renee says

    November 15, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    I love the black and white gift tag – very chic!

    Reply
  27. Roseanne says

    November 16, 2008 at 4:14 am

    I love your candle. what a great idea. your muffins well they look yummy.

    Reply
  28. Philigry says

    November 16, 2008 at 11:33 am

    oIlove that idea! it looks great with the black and white! You always, always inspire me! what will you be up to next?

    Reply
  29. Dandelion Quilts says

    November 16, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    Don’t those look nice??? Creative! I love pumpkin thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  30. Jessica says

    November 16, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    Those pumpkin spice muffins look soooo very yummy!

    Reply
  31. lesley says

    November 16, 2008 at 1:03 pm

    What a great idea. I must dig out my old encylopaedia’s and have some fun! Those muffins look delicious. xx

    Reply
  32. periwinkle says

    November 16, 2008 at 2:44 pm

    I don’t know where you get all your amazing ideas from –
    lisa x

    Reply
  33. Soo says

    November 16, 2008 at 8:25 pm

    very nice! the candle looks great and I especially love the gift tag!

    Reply
  34. Ruth says

    November 17, 2008 at 12:05 am

    I love the candle… it looks great!

    Ruth xx

    Reply
  35. JuliaB says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:05 am

    Oooh! what a good idea for an old enyclopaedia! x

    Reply
  36. Ritch in Love says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:40 am

    Soo…I have to find a site to convert your recipes because I don’t know how much 100g of butter is. 🙂
    I’m going to do that candle project with the kids for Christmas. Very cute!

    Reply
  37. Knit and Sew City Girl says

    November 17, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    The pumpkin muffin sounds interesting. I might give it try once I find some time.

    Mary

    Reply
  38. Rosezilla says

    November 17, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    You could be a craft consultant for a living! All the things I don’t know what to do with and think surely something could be done, but it doesn’t work out. Then I see the stuff you come up with and I’m always really impressed. At any rate, I wish we lived closer because I could supply you with all sorts of crafts material that I’ve given up on finding ideas for!

    Reply
  39. Emerald Arts says

    November 17, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    That’s so cool, I recently made a zine of Book Art and am researching stuff for volume two. Thanks for all the links to chase up 🙂

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15770284

    Reply
  40. Melanie Gray Augustin says

    November 17, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Your tag and candle came up great, so stylish. There are a lot of good ideas there too, I might have to borrow some at sometime.

    Reply
  41. Kris says

    November 18, 2008 at 1:28 am

    Isn’t papercraft the best! I am so jealous of your encyclopedias! I am hoping to find just one at the op-shop!

    Reply
  42. The Buchanan Family says

    November 19, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    I have an old phone book from 1966 and wanted to use it in some way or another, any ideas?

    Reply
  43. Cascade Lily says

    November 26, 2008 at 3:44 am

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. What a fantastic and beautiful way to reuse old encycs!

    And I am DEFINITELY going to try those pumpkin muffins!

    Reply
  44. Jenette says

    December 6, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    What wonderful ideas! Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  45. Sara's Sweet Surprise says

    December 8, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    Tags are such a simple embellishment that produces such a beautiful finishing touch.

    Muffins and tea. Time to head to the kitchen for some baking. Thanks for the recipe.

    Sweet Wishes,
    Sara

    Reply
  46. Lisa says

    December 30, 2008 at 7:52 pm

    I just came across your blog and seen that you mentioned me about the shelf lining, wanted to say thanks! :)Lisa

    Reply

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