Welcome to the first installment of our new #MovieMonday series! Every month, a group of fellow bloggers and I will be crafting DIYs, sharing recipes, and creating all kinds of fun content inspired by a different movie. If you loved my Christmas movies blog hop, you’ll enjoy this new adventure!
With Valentine’s Day coming up, we couldn’t resist starting with one of the most iconic love stories in cinematic history – The Princess Bride. Wesley and Buttercup’s love story is a timeless one, and if you’re anything like me, you probably quote this movie at least once a week. I mean, who doesn’t say “As you wish” whenever the moment calls for it?
Since The Princess Bride is based on a book and has that charming “reading a book aloud” feel throughout, I wanted to create a craft that involved books. Conveniently, I’ve had a box of old books in my basement for ages – you know, the ones I kept meaning to donate but never quite got around to. Some of them were too tattered for donation, so they found new life in this project!
Here’s how you can make your own Princess Bride-inspired wall art, perfect for Valentine’s Day or just because you love this movie as much as I do.
Supplies Needed
- Old book pages (I used some vintage romance novels)
- Mod Podge
- Paper punches (heart and circle shapes)
- Craft gems
- Tacky glue
- Red and black ink pads
- A wooden skewer or pencil (for curling edges)
- A board or shelf for the base (I used an old wooden shelf)
- Your favorite quote from The Princess Bride (I used “As You Wish”)
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Prepare the Base:
Start with your wooden board or shelf. If it’s got some old paint or scratches, you can lightly sand it down, but a little wear adds character. Apply a layer of Mod Podge over a section of the board, working in small areas to ensure the glue doesn’t dry too fast.
Attach the Book Pages:
Tear out a few pages from your old books (I went for vintage romance novels because, well, it’s The Princess Bride). Lay the pages over the board, smoothing them out as you go. Let them overlap haphazardly for that casual, layered look. Don’t worry about getting it perfect – a little wrinkle here and there adds charm! Once your pages are in place, brush another layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal them.
Wrap the Edges:
Fold the book pages over the edges of the board for a finished look. Apply more Mod Podge to the edges and press down to secure. This will give your wall art a polished, almost book-like frame.
Punch Out Paper Shapes:
While your board dries, use your paper punches to cut out hearts and circles. These will become your flowers and decorative elements. I used red and black ink pads to stamp along the edges of the hearts and circles, a nod to Buttercup’s red dress and Wesley’s black pirate outfit.
Create Paper Flowers:
With the help of a wooden skewer (or a pencil), curl the edges of the paper shapes to give them some dimension. Stack the hearts and circles together, using tacky glue to hold them in place. Add a craft gem to the center of each flower for a bit of sparkle, and set them aside to dry.
Add Your Favorite Quote:
Now it’s time to add the quote that ties it all together. I went with “As You Wish” because, let’s be honest, that’s the line from the movie. You can either freehand the lettering or print it out and transfer it onto the board using carbon paper. If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you can definitely use a cutting machine here, but I opted for ink because I thought it blended better with the paper.
Assemble the Final Look:
Once your board is dry, arrange your paper flowers around the quote. You can glue them in clusters or space them out – it’s all about personal preference. The end result is a piece of art that feels romantic, timeless, and uniquely yours.
Optional Finishing Touches:
If you’re feeling extra creative, you could add a bit of distressing to the edges of the board with sandpaper or ink to give it an antique feel. You can also experiment with gold leaf accents or add a layer of clear varnish to seal everything and give it a more polished look.
Inspiration Behind the Project:
I loved creating this piece because it combines two of my favorite things: crafting and The Princess Bride. Plus, it’s a great way to repurpose old books that would otherwise sit forgotten in a box. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the sweet simplicity of Wesley and Buttercup’s love story – and now, you can bring a little bit of that magic into your home, too.
Don’t forget to check out the amazing projects my fellow bloggers have created as part of this #MovieMonday series! They’ve come up with some truly fantastic DIYs and recipes inspired by The Princess Bride, and I can’t wait for you to see them.
