DIY: Pages of Memento – make your own book!

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Once again, the long, relaxing days in the sunshine is approaching an end. The busy days of school life is doggedly following close behind what is the last wisp of the freedom gained during the summer holidays. Perhaps you are starting a new school; perhaps you are returning to the same old. Whichever it is, the carefree spirit of the two enjoyable – or maybe monotonous – months will soon be missed. Before you take a step forward, it is always nice to document the unforgettable experiences of travel or hanging out with friends; or maybe you haven’t done anything exciting during the summer like myself… now’s the time! Make your own little book of memories, make a nice clothbound notebook, or even surprise someone with a gift!

A scrapbook I made for my friend, Michelle. Photo credit goes to her.
A scrapbook I made for my friend. Photo credit: Michelle.

Materials you need

  • card stock paper
  • scrapbooking paper
  • fabric
  • (optional) button and sewing suppies
  • (optional) string / ribbon
  • cutting instrument (scissors / X-acto knife)
  • adhesive (glue stick / double-sided tape / double-sided foam tape)

Instructions The Pages

1. Cut the card stock paper into the desired size of your page spread (that is, twice the size of your book). The easiest way with the least hassle is to cut letter-sized pages in half.

Feel free to put anything in your pages - you could start off with a blank slate and use the finished product as a scrapbook, or you could print off pictures and start from there!
Feel free to put anything in your pages – you could start off with a blank slate and use the finished product as a scrapbook, or you could print off pictures and start from there. It’s totally up to you!

2. Fold the card stock paper in half.

All pages folded and ready to go! If you have pictures on your cardstock, remember to fold the pages inward so the pictures end up on the inside.
All pages folded and ready to go! If you have pictures on your card stock, remember to fold the pages inward so the pictures end up on the inside.

3. Glue the pages together.

If you have pictures on your page spreads, make sure they're right side up before gluing!
If you have pictures on your page spreads, make sure they’re right side up before gluing!
Keep at it! Glue all your pages together like this.
Keep at it! Glue all your pages together like this. Be sure to keep the side that’s open glued on the same side – you don’t want to end up with an accordion!
Eventually, you'll end up with something like this.
Eventually, you’ll end up with something like this. Your book is half finished! Now on to the cover…

The Cover

1. Measure the thickness of the glued pages.

By accounting for the thickness, the spine of the book can be made.
By accounting for the thickness, the spine of the book can be made.

 2. Cut a piece of card stock with a height just a little longer than the pages and a length just a little longer than the length of the page spreads plus the thickness of the pages.

5-Cover
A diagram of the dimensions.

 3. Fold the card stock as shown in the diagram above. The thickness of the glued pages will be centred on the cover card stock paper as a result.

4. Cut a piece of fabric a little larger than the cover card stock.

6-Fabric

5. Using double-sided foam tape, glue the fabric to the card stock. If you don’t have double-sided foam tape, it is suggested that you cut a piece of cardboard for the cover instead, so that the cover is nice and stiff.

Be sure to use a separate piece of tape just for the spine portion of the cover, or the cover won't fold properly!
Be sure to use a separate piece of tape just for the spine portion of the cover, or the cover won’t fold properly!

6. Fold the extra bit of fabric on the edges onto the other side of the card stock. Glue the edges down.

8-Fabric Taped

7. (Optional) Sew a button onto the front of the cover. Attach a piece of looped string or ribbon long enough to reach from the back of the cover to the button.

When attaching the loop of string, account for the thickness of the pages.
When attaching the loop of string, account for the thickness of the pages.

The Assembly

1. Cut two pieces of scrapbook paper with the same size as the page spreads. These two pages will be used for attaching the core of the book to the cover.

2. Centre the book pages on the spine of the cover. Glue one side of the scrapbook paper to the book pages, and the other side to the cover. Repeat for the back cover.

10-Attach

  The Final Product Violà! Your own little book of memorabilia is finished!

11-Collage

Photograph and instruction credit: elena

I hope you enjoyed my DIY! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them down below. Don’t forget to check out other DIY projects here!