Looking for an original idea for the sports fan in your life? Learn how to make bookends! These baseball bookends use scrap wood and Mod Podge to personalize.
Need a great project for the sports-oriented man (or woman) in your life? This week Man Podger Walter delivers the perfect wood craft idea – decoupage baseball bookends.
All you need are wood and Mod Podge (well, and a few other things). I’ve never told you, but my grandfather was a Brooklyn Dodger. Yep! His name was Herbert Olson and he was a catcher. I’m not sure for how long – but I know it was in the late 50’s/early 60’s.
He passed away not so very long ago, so I kind of think of this decoupage idea as a tribute to him. Man Podger Walter had no idea that he made something with so much meaning to me.
I think this would make a great Father’s Day craft, or something special for your favorite baseball fan.
I think he hit a home run with this project! Try different variations to fit your liking. Don’t forget to make two so you have a complete set of baseball bookends.
Here’s how to make these for yourself.
Make Baseball Bookends
Equipment
- Screwdriver
- Ruler or tape measure
Materials
- 4 Wood square(s) 5" x 5"
- 2 Baseballs
- Mod Podge Gloss
- Acrylic paint
- 8 Wood screws
- Self stick rubber pads
Instructions
- Measure 1 1/2" in at each end from both the left and right sides of one of the pieces of wood. Drill two holes; I used a countersink bit so that the screws would sit flat down in the recess.
- Hold the drilled 5" x 5" piece of wood upright next to the other piece (base). Insert an awl and penetrate the base.
- Paint both wood pieces with the acrylic paint and let dry.
- While the paint is drying, cut pieces of paper to fit the pieces of wood – both the front and back, as well as the sides.
- Decoupage the paper and cardstock to the wood. Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes before applying a top coat.
- To assemble, attach top with two screws into the bottom base using a screwdriver. The base is complete. Repeat with the other side.
- Attach the baseballs in place. You can use industrial glue like E-6000 to attach the baseball in place. Personally, I eyeballed where the contact point was and drilled through the upright piece and then screwed the baseball into place.
- Attach four self stick rubber pads to both bases before using.
Notes
Walter, thank you so much – you totally hit a home run. To all of you, please visit the rest of the Man Podger projects here. Also don’t forget to check out these other projects:
Ah these are awesome! I have to make some for my husband and my dad for their next birthdays or Christmas. Love it! I would love it if you would stop by and link this up to the crafty link party going on right now at Lines Across My Face.:) Rachel
What a great idea. I have a party every Monday. I would love for you to stop by and link up your bookends and any other projects you would like to share. https://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
Those are so fabulous. My son has a couple signed balls from the local teams around here. It would be cool to make him a set with those:)
Aaack! I love these! I still have some ‘yard’ baseballs from my son’s little league days. I’d love to make these for him now that he’s a dad himself and is coaching his own son. (Yes, I’m THAT old!) But I gotta tell ya, I think I’ll just buy some bookends and go from there 😉
I love this!!!! I am thinking of all the little league pictures of my brother! I can’t wait to try this!
So cute! Visiting from tt&j. I just linked up a Mod Podge project too!
These are actually really cool!
Walter that is perfect! Easy to do, practical and very, very cool. Terrific!
Very clever!
What a great idea for my grandsons! They love anything to do with sports and I would love to make these for them! Thanks for the great tutorial!