A Handmade Photo-Book or Journal
I’m sharing a quick mini-scrapbook or journal idea today, that even the most uncrafty of you can make. Really! I’m going to show you how to make a handmade photo-book (that could be used for many other things besides photos!)
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The final size of mine was 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 (half sheets of letter sized cardstock), but you can make yours any size you like. Yours, of course, does not have to be this frilly! This one is for a little girl.
If you have some basic craft supplies, you’ll have what you need for this. Substitute other colors, types of ribbon, cardstock, etc. I’ve made many of these for baby gifts, but you can customize it for any occasion. (Think birthdays, anniversaries…) You could use lined paper for a journal, or pretty scrapbook paper, or…
Supplies for your handmade book:
Cardstock cut to your desired size for cover, back, and pages (I just cut 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock in half.) If the book is going to be used for photos, or if you are generally concerned about its longevity, use acid free cardstock. I’ve even used higher quality HP printer paper for the pages of journals, because it’s acid free. (The printer paper is great for journals, but not quite heavy enough for photos.)
Cardstock strip to bind the left edge of the book (I used corrugated cardstock for texture and interest. Mine was a 3″ wide piece, so about one and a half inches on the front and back.)
Hole punch
Ribbon (I used sheer organza ribbon.)
Rubber stamps, embellishments, etc. (This is when you pull out all of those supplies you have been hoarding collecting.)
Here’s how to make a simple handmade book:
Stamp or decorate your pages. I hand lettered the name in Italic on the cover and used rubber stamps and torn mulberry paper, but the options are all yours. (Hint: It’s easy to tear mulberry paper if you wet a q-tip and draw a wet line with it before you tear.)
Punch two holes in the pages, then fold the binding strip in half, and punch two holes through it along the right edge. (It’s helpful to use one of your pages as a template, so that all of the holes match up.)
Slide the pages into the folded binding strip. Then insert one end of the ribbon into one of the two holes, pull it through, and tie it all together with a pretty bow.
That’s it! It’s ready to give or use.
How will you use yours?
Linking to:
Lou Lou Girls
Brag About It-VMG
Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy
You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday
So cute and this looks easy to make! I definitely want to start scrap booking.
Thank you Valerie! This little book is a very non-threatening way to scrapbook, because the pages are small and not as intimidating as a big blank page. It's fun!
That is adorable!! What a great gift idea for the holidays, too! #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Jamie! It makes a great gift.
This is a great gift idea for people like me who love to write in journals. I like that it has a personal touch to it. I can also see using it at a baby shower too. Thank you for sharing this with us on the #HomeMattersParty.
Yes, great for people who journal! I love little books and use them for so many things.
I love the idea of a mini scrapbook. It's so cute and could be used in so many different ways. #HomeMattersParty
Yes, a mini-scrapbook is easier for me to work with–much less intimidating.
Have never done scrapbooking but I love that idea always. Never thought to make a small one. Will try someday. Yours look so cute. I love the different texture of papers you have used.Happy to be co-hosting with you, Pam #HomeMattersParty
Love the idea. 🙂
I always love these special little stamping projects. So cute. Thanks for sharing and co-hosting at #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
I love scrapbooking. I used to do it all the time and a lot of gifts I gave were scrapbooks. I love hearing how others still love looking at the scrapbooks! #HomeMattersParty
That's very elegant and pretty. The binding strip really gives it a professional finish.