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| Would you like to make some sweet little books? |
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| Start with a 12x12 piece of paper. You can use double sided scrapbook paper or cut up your own paper.... |
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| Since the paper I used for this one was white on the back (and no fun), I gave it a watercolor wash, dripped some paint on it and hit it with a gold dabber.....I let it dry on wax paper under some heavy books so the paper would stay flat... |
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| Then just fold the paper in half -- |
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| and in half again......so you've got four quarters... |
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| Measure up two-inches on top and bottom and fold up. These are going to be the pockets in the book...... |
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| Then fold each quarter to the center fold so you end up like this.... give it a good crease with a bone folder... |
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| Now you will cut along that center fold from left to right -- cutting the first three sections on the middle fold and *important* leaving the forth section intact...(It kind of looks like I only cut two sections here but I cut three...right on the the crease....) |
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| Then you just fold in half like this..... |
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| You've got an accordion book.....just fold it open and fool around with it so you get the front and back covers without a pocket....it's easy to do but hard to explain.... |
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| I glue those little sections (above center of photo) closed so the pockets aren't opened like that... |
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| You can glue a ribbon on the back cover of the little book and then tie it closed....rather charming... |
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| Now the fun part -- filling the book up with tiny surprises and treasures for a friend.... |
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| I put stamps and stickers and little notes inside the pockets... |
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| Themes are always good......how about an air mail theme? Or birds? Or a Holiday theme? Valentines Day is coming...I'm just sayin'..... |
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| I had fun with this airmail theme... |
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| And a bit of a Valentine theme... |
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| You've got time! You can made some sweet little Valentine theme books too. I think these have potential for all sorts of little projects, don't you? I think a gift card would fit inside a pocket.....or a love note...I know I'd like to get one of these.....and I bet you all know someone who would too. Now go forth and make some stuff and eat some chocolate and have some fun! SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL This post is coming rather close to the last one but I thought it might be inspiration for making something for Valentine's Day. Romance is on my mind since my wedding anniversary is a week later........ |
Well this is a really awesome idea! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara -- hope you have fun making them....
DeleteMy anniversary is also, well, on the 23rd! My eldest son turns 20 on the 16th...Thanks for the fun booklet idea, Pamela!
ReplyDeleteMine is 2/21........hope you have fun making a booklet....big mama bird....
DeleteLooks fun and easy
ReplyDeleteCindy -- it is!
DeleteWhat a great idea and since I have a friend whose birthday is on Valentine's Day I know what I'll be doing today!
ReplyDeleteAnna m -- I bet that will make your friend very happy!
DeleteThanks for the tutorial! Such a nice little book.
ReplyDeleteTomoyoHime -- thank you! Fun to make and fun to receive!
DeleteSweet tutorial and book. Thanks for the goodies. xox
ReplyDeletexo Very welcome, Corrine....
DeleteGreat tutorial! And, you could make one with an upcoming vacation theme to carry with you while on said vacation, filling it with bits and scraps of notes, so that when you got home, a travel journal is pretty much done but for a bit of glue and some additional closing memories!
ReplyDeletePostMuse -- oh! What a terrific idea! Why didn't I think of that? Ooooo you could put ticket stubs and metro tickets etc in the pockets....how fun....
DeleteNice tutorial! Your pages are always inspiring, Pamela, and romance-on-your-mind makes it even better :-))
ReplyDelete(seeing Mr. Zip makes me think that a Mr. Zip themed boekie would be fab!)
Thanks, Marie W -- I have been planning a Mr Zip zine for a long time......
DeleteSuper! Great ideas you always have...!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Nancy Lee -- appreciate the comment.
Deletebeautiful blog... I will put you on my sidebar! ciao, bella!
ReplyDeleteCaterina -- Coming from you, I'm honored! Many thanks.
DeleteThis has worked out well with some marbled paper that was a workshop reject given me by a perfection minded friend. I love the flaws.
ReplyDeleteOh yes -- marbed paper would be lovely. And I like flaws too......perfection isn't as interesting.....would love to see your book...
DeleteOh, yay! I have been looking for this tutorial since I lost it a year ago. THanks.
ReplyDeleteLinda -- oh good -- now you are back in business!
DeleteThank You!!! I've been looking for a tutorial on just this item! Perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat, Pam -- it is quick and easy -- have fun making one!
DeleteWhat a fun read, Pamela. And thanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving such a sweet comment.
ReplyDeleteI've made similar books, but mine didn't contain all the wonderful goodies you made for a friend. That was truly a special touch. Your tutorial was fun and well planned out. Nicely done!
Thanks so much, Bleubeard and Elizabeth -- nice to see you here!
DeleteSweet! Thanks for the nifty little tutorial and postal goodness. And happy pre-anniversary! Your anniversary turns out to be on the same day as the birthday of a close friend of mine ...a good day for celebrating.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen -- let me know if you make some of those little books. And I know you have stamps to put inside the pockets!
DeleteThank you for the tutorial, Pamela. I am making one of these right now, and I have a question: Does it turn out to be an accordion fold on each end, with a single page (pocket on each side) at the middle? (Not sure if that makes sense, but that is what I've ended up with, and am wondering if that is how it is meant to be.)
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad, Andria -- I can't figure out how to explain it....each page of the book has it's own pocket except for the front and back covers. See that photo -- nine down from the top? That cut in the center gets pushed together from each side and then you fold the front and back covers and sort of push in the pages....ah.....it can be a bit tricky but keep playing with it and you will get. Three blog readers have sent me books they made from the tutorial and I'm going to show them in a post -- want me to make you a book? Just say the word....you can see how it should look.
DeleteWell, you know I would never turn down one of your books....but IN ADDITION TO THAT (ha!), I will send you one that I have made and you can tell me if it looks right. I better be getting it right, because I've made several!
ReplyDeleteDeal!
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