Children's Art Storage w/Anne Jo Alexander

 

Today I'll share with you how to create a book from scratch, using your cardstock (why not dive into your scraps? You don't have to stick to my measurements, just make your own book larger or smaller as you please :) ), patterned paper and some embellishments - plus a sewing machine :)

First, I'd like to share the story behind this book with you.

From the finished images you can see that there's drawings and stickers adhered to some of the inner pages already; my daughter kept taking drawings from her notebook and was repeatedly placing them on my desk because she wanted me to help her keep the pages gathered & together. I'll admit, they just kept cluttering my desk, so I told her I'd make her a book in which she could safe-keep them in. She happily agreed, having only one condition: it needed to have Hello, Kitty attached to it.

So, here's my book, I hope you like the idea :)

The Essentials: Portrait Patterned Papers, Paper Doll Stickers and Chipboard, Snow Days Brads, Tag from Elle's Studio, Large Corner Decor from Heidi Swapp, and Hello Kitty Chipboard.

Start with trimming sheets of cardstock or other scraps, measuring 6" x 9”.

 

Grab three sheets and fold them in half, using a bonefolder.

 

For my book, I used five such booklets, which means I trimmed 15 sheets at 6" x 9".

 

Using a piece of scrap cardstock (from the sheets you just trimmed – measuring 6”), start sewing along the first fold onto the scrap piece of paper.

 

Here is the first booklet sewn onto the scrap paper.

 

Try to place the next one as close to the first one as you can manage.

 

I’m not good at getting it as close as I want, mine gets skewed a bit, which ends up leaving room between the two booklets.

 

But that’s just fine, because the third one will be sewn in the middle.

 

There – all the booklets are sewn onto the scrap paper!

 

Now, tuck the loose threads on the book edge back, so that all the threads are gathered on the spine-side. Trim them short, but not too short. Feel free to trim away the scrap-excess as well.

 

Take the paper you want to use for the book-cover. Trim it slightly higher than your book-pages(mine’s 6.25x12”). To reinforce the cover I’m using three pieces of pink cardstock (cardstock gives me a soft cover, if you want a “hardcover”, try using chipboard/cardboard instead). The cover/backsheets are approx 6.25" x 4.6”, and the spine’s height is 6.25”. The width was trimmed by measuring the actual width of the book-spine.

 

Pre-fold the coverpaper accordingly (place the pink cardstock on the patterned paper, well spaced apart, crease w/your bonefolder). Do not adhere the pieces yet.

 

Start working on your front-cover. Feel free to use the sewing machine (we’ll cover the sewing-tracks with the pink cardstock when done).

 

I like to create clusters like this and then add them to my projects like this cover.

 

For extra dimension, feel free to place 3d foam dots behind the top of some of the “flaps” sticking out.

 

When done with the cover, adhere the pink cardstock to the back of it. NOTE: LEAVE some space between the three pieces so the book can be opened/closed nicely, I think the space should be like 0.2” or something like that – eyeball it.

 

For the spine: apply liquid glue to both the cover-spine and the booklet-spine (make sure to cover the threads w/it) and press together.

 

Make sure the spine really is well adhered because this kinda holds your book together.

 

Tah-dah – looks like we’re done!

 

Thanks for reading all the way through!  ~ Ania

 

Comments

[Lacey I]

Looks great - i love making journals. Love the idea of having it a art storage for kids!

[Lisa Westphal]

this is so sweet! Love the creativity! :)

[Annette a.]

WOW that is so awesome....me likey....

[christy a]

This is gorgeous!

[Sarah Martina]

I can't wait to make one for my kiddos for their Easter baskets! :) Thanks for the inspiration, Ania!

[Shereen]

Good call to your daughter on the Hello, Kitty. I've ALWAYS loved her. And nice job Momma on the album. A lot of work went into that. Just think what a treasure it will be 20 years down the road!

[Vera Rhuhay]

Wow...This is Gorgeous! Would love to make one for my kid! Thanks for the inspiration,Ania!

[ava]

wow, that is some book project that looks and feels great.......i want to squeeze it.

ava

[Leanne]

This is gorgeous!!! I LOVE it!! Thanks for sharing...x

[Heather I.]

This is one amazing project!!!! Thanks so much for sharing it!! I am totally going to give it a try, my son's birthday is coming & he's all about notebook & such. I know this would be a fantastic add on gift to him!!!

[Cristina]

This is gorgeous!! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Nina Macaulay]

Woweee!!
I love it!
I have bookmarked this page and this project is on my to-do list!
I just love the design papers you have used.
This kind of book can be made for all sorts of things!
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Good weekend
Regards Nina x

[kristi]

I just love how you put this book together, it is wonderful!
Thanks so much for your detailed instructions ♥

[air jordan retro]

As long as it gives me pleasure, it is my hobby.

[Air Jordan Retro]

The subject was one that demanded solitude and a friendly discussion.

[Jordan Shoes]

In the kingdom of blind men the one-eyed man is king.

[גני אירועים]

Amazing art storage shared by you. And really it's creative idea to make this types of art storage for children with colorful paper.

[קורס איפור]

I love the this creative concept that you used. This kind of book can be made for all sorts of things! Thank you very much for sharing with us.

[מנהלת חשבונות]

Beautiful children art storage. I like to read such wonderful tutorials which helps to children to store their awesome arts.

[loans]

Truly an art form. I was truly stunned.