Gorgeous Book Box Tutorial
December 8, 2011 by Bobbi
Happy Thursday, HowDoesShe Gals!! I’m so excited to introduce another FAB guest writer today! Let’s welcome Kendra from Key Lime Digital Designs: Momma and Wife by day and Blog Designer by night. Please pop by her blog and wave hello! She is sharing an idea that I think would make an amazing homemade Christmas gift. Take it away, Kendra!
I love this up-cycled project! It is super easy, only requires a couple of supplies, and is the perfect storage for special notes and small treasures!
First you need to gather your supplies:
- - An old hardcover book. Any width will work but the thicker the book, the deeper your box.
- -Exacto knife
- -Mod Podge
- -Any embellishments you would like. [envelopes, flowers, chipboard, paper clips, etc]
- Ruler and Pencil
First Step: Flip open the book to the first page. Using a ruler, measure and mark a rectangle the size you want your “box” to be. I suggest you make it big enough to fit a note card or envelope, but it is really just up to you!
Second Step: Using the exacto knife, cut along the edges of the rectangle that you drew on the first page. You can cut several layers at a time. The first few pages are a little more difficult to cut, because you have to make sure you are cutting straight but once you have cut down a few layers, it is super easy!
Third Step: Keep cutting, cutting, cutting. Do multiple layers at a time. [this is a good time to turn on your favorite chick flick!]
Fourth Step: When you have cut the book down as far as you want, get out the Mod Podge. Being very careful not to glue to cover down to the first page, cover all the sides of the book with Mod Podge. Use your thumb to flip through the pages a little so that the Mod Podge gets in between the pages. You may have to do a few layers. Then let the Mod Podge dry.
Step Five: Embellish! [The really fun part!]
Step Six: Fill your new upcycled keepsake box with letters, notes and cards!
Thanks, Kendra!! We love this idea. I can’t wait to make one! Read more about Kendra and her fabulous ideas on her blog! Did you know she is one amazing digital designer? Wow. Check out this freebie on her site:
Love At Home Free 8X10 Printable
Thanks, Kendra! And happy crafting!
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It’s a cute idea, but wow, I couldn’t cut into a book like that! I’m old school.
As a maker of keepsake chests and boxes, I love this idea! I do think my hand would be killing me though after that many cuts with an exacto knife. Wonder if there’s an easier way to cut the book? If you want to use the pages you’ve cut out, The Nature Conservancy has a tutorial on making a wreath from an old book http://blog.nature.org/2011/11/diy-video-holiday-book-wreath/
I agree that the pages you cut out can be recycled into a wreath or possibly paper flowers or something like that…I was thinking that the inside sides can be lined with those cut out pages to give it a finished look.
It would be nice that to prepare a page with custom message and put it as first visible page of an old book. Just a small touch to make this box book perfect
I have my brother’s GF for our Christmas gift exchange this year and I barely know her. But how could I go wrong with something like this?? Perfect!
Hi Bobbi!
This is such a neat project! I hope I can get a chance to make one in the coming new year! Thank you for sharing!
Kindly, Lorraine
Too cute! I want to make this for a friend asap!
My son would be crushed to see a Clive Cussler book cut up like that
He’s his FAVORITE author!! LOVE the idea though!!!
this is such a fun idea! I’d love you to add them to my What We Wore and Made Party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/search/label/WWWMW
We made these for our kids, but left the outside looking like a normal book. They are ‘secret’ books’ as kids can hide things in them.
I think this is a fun idea!
You are beautiful! Should take much more photos!Congrats!
Brilliant idea!
This is so Fabulous. I think for my hubby May2 Big Day would be nice to add some momento’s etc. in it. Thank you so much.