First you’ll need to fashion your book cover from the paper bag. Many of you have been making these simple book covers for years, but if you’ve never made one they are quite simple.

Cut down one of the bag’s seams until you reach the bottom of the bag. Now cut out the bottom of the bag and discard or recycle it.

Lay the brown paper down flat and place your book on top. First, open the book and leaving about four inches on each the left and right sides of the book, trim off the excess. You will be folding the top and bottom edges to make the bag of equal height to the book. To do this, use a marker to draw a line from the top and bottom edges of the book to the edge of the brown paper.

Fold the top and bottom edges and place the book on top again. The paper should be the same height as your book. Fold the left side of the paper over the open left cover. Repeat on the back cover.

Make sure the book fits nicely and is as even as you can get it, then fold all the edges to create noticeable creases. Remove the book and set it aside. Open up the brown paper and mark your creases (on the inside of the paper, the side that touches the book) with black marker. Also, write the words “front cover” inside.

Open up the paper and turn it over so that your markings are face down.

Apply decoupage to the back of a piece of scrapbook paper and press down onto the paper bag. Repeat until the entire bag is covered. You can cut paper for a cleaner look or tear the edges for a more rustic look. Give the entire thing a coat of decoupage.

You can decorate by using rub on transfers, stickers, stamps, whatever you like. Be sure to decoupage over everything and let it set.

When the decoupage is dry to the touch, use the lines on the back of your paper to guide you and refold the book cover. Place the book inside and insert the front and back covers into the flaps.

If you want to add embellishments (I used gears and keys) you can attach them with hot glue.