Handmade Books
Handmade books are a joy to make and a joy to own and use. Making a book gives you the opportunity to have fun with many different paper craft techniques.
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When you know how to make a book you can create them for many different purposes:
I could list many more examples and you can probably think of other books that you would like to make. |
Your books can be useful for organisation - diaries and planners - or somewhere to store all the bits and pieces of paper you collect - in a smash book or paper bag album. Or your book can be purely to create in, somewhere you can paint, doodle and write - an art journal or artist sketchbook.
A beautiful book can be inexpensive to make, especially if you use recycled materials.
You can start making a book with very few supplies: paper, a pair of scissors, card, glue and a needle and thread. These are the basics you need to make most of the books I show on these pages.
Techniques and Supplies
My projects will show you how to make a book using fairly easy techniques with materials that are readily available.
As well as details of my projects you can also find instructions for some book binding techniques such as saddle stitch and coptic binding.
Even though these books aren't made with professional book binding techniques you can still create books that look wonderful and are incredibly tactile.
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In addition to the basic tools and materials you need to make the books, you can use any of your paper crafting or scrapbooking supplies to decorate and embellish your books. Play and experiment with your papers, stamps, inks, paints, embossing powders, die cuts, images etc. I also use my sewing supplies such as fabrics, lace trims, ribbons, buttons and threads when making my books. |
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Handmade books can make a unique gift:
- A mini scrapbook album for a wedding anniversary
- A family recipe book given to a young person leaving home for the first time
- Diaries and notebooks are ideal Christmas presents or stocking fillers
- A smash book, given with some paper craft supplies on a teenagers birthday
- A travel journal presented at a retirement party
They can be personalised for the recipient and so make a thoughtful and well received gift.
This is why I find creating handmade books so enjoyable - the possibilities for making and using them are endless.
Click on one of the links below to take you to one of my projects or tutorials.