Word or Phrase Book!

Today's gift idea is way cool and once you know how to do it VERY easy :)

I'm sure you've seen those books you can alter that have a word or phrase on the ends of each of the pages. They are way cool but often expensive, hard to find or they don't have just what you need. Trust me, I know this feeling well...that's precisely why I came up with this tutorial!!

Well now you don't need to search any further!

You can make your own phrase/word book in a very short period of time!

Supplies:

Chipboard

Die-cut Letters or Alpha Stencils

Pencil

Scissors or Exacto Knife

Binding of Your Choice (Ideas: Bind it All, Book Rings, Ribbon, Twine, Fibers, etc.)

Paint, papers, photos etc to decorate the finished book

NOTE: Just a few words about the letters you use to make the book ~ If you have an electronic Die-Cut machine available you can vary the size of letters used anywhere from 1" up. These machines offer a great flexibility when designing these books but don't fret ~ you can print desired text off your computer using some sort of design software (whatever you have will work) and size it as needed. Simply print onto cardstock, trim the letters and you have ready made stencils! Pre-cut die-cut letters and the plastic alpha stencils work too!

So there are plenty of options to vary the font style and size.

Instructions:

1. Determine how large you wish the finished book to be. I am using 2 1/2" letters so I cut my pages to 3". No matter what size page/letter you use add an extra 1/2" or so. So for example your letters are 4" tall, cut your pages 4 1/2" tall, etc...

Cut the necessary pieces of chipboard to size (the amount will vary depending on your word or phrase.)

2. Trace the letter(s) onto the right hand side of each page.

You'll have something like this...

3. With a sharp pair of scissors or an exacto knife, cut out the letters. When you get the the left side of the letter where the page is ~ simply cut part of the way down on each letter and round the pages off as shown in the photo.

4. Align the letters so they over lap just a bit.....

5. When you have the letters aligned, flip the book over and mark where the last page falls on the other pages - in this case I marked where the 2nd M fell on the O page and first M page. Trim off the excess pages.

6. Your word should now be properly aligned along the letter edge and all meet on the left edge as shown.

7. Your pages are now ready to be decorated and bound. How you do so on both accounts is totally up to you. You could use paint, pattern paper, rubber stamps, dye sprays, etc. Use whatever you have in your stash! Binding is also your choice ~ you could use eyelets and some sort of fiber, ribbon or book rings, you might use a bind-it-all or some other binding system if you have one available, or maybe you want to use a fancy book binding stitch. Whatever you choose, remember to have fun!!

I added a couple more pages to my book, painted and added Distress Stickles. I used the Bind-It-All to bring it all together. It's now ready to add photos, collage images, text, etc. There really are no limits!

I hope you enjoy this little idea and give it a try :)

Well, not sure if I'll get to post tomorrow or not. My oldest son is bringing his new girlfriend here to "meet the parents"! Of course he just told me this after he got off work today so now I need to pick up the house, think up a nice menu and fix a stunning meal.

He say's it's no big deal but you know ~ first impressions and all...

If I don't see you before, Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there...Hope you have a wonderful time with your family!