Graphic 45 & May Arts ABC Primer Book {Tutorial}


Welcome to day 5 of the May Arts and Graphic 45 Blog Hop! I'm happy to be participating along with these talented bloggers:


Nancy Wethington


Upcyling old books is an absolute passion of mine! The ABC Primer collection from G45 was a perfect match for a tattered junior dictionary I found at a library sale. This book would be a wonderful gift for a special teacher, a great scrapbook for school time memories, or for an art journal. Here's how you can make your own:

Remove the book block {all the inner pages} from an old book.
Use a brush to add glue {I used Collage Pauge} to the inside covers.
Add 2 lengths of 1.25" May Arts black silk ribbon {12" each}
{To determine the placement of the ribbon, center it on where the knob will be on the front cover of your book} Scroll down this page to see the knob on the front cover.

Measure the height and width of your book, and cut paper about 1/4" less all around.
The ABC Primer Paper is 12 x 12, so I had to cut an additional piece to cover the entire inside. To cover the resulting seam, I added a piece of Cavallini washi tape.

Use the ABC Primer paper to create 4 signatures for your book with 4 sheets each. The pages will be 12" wide, and should be the same height as the paper you used to cover the inside of the book. Fold each sheet in half, and stack 4 sheets together for one signature. The outer pages should be the full height and width, but some of the inner pages can be shorter in height.

Grid paper helps you create an easy sewing jig for your book! Simply cut it the same height as the book and the same width as the spine. Measure 1" from the top, 1" from the bottom, and in the center. Mark 4 evenly spaced holes as shown. Paper clips will hold the sewing jig in place. Use an awl or a paper piercer to punch each hole. If you don't have either, a large push pin works great!


Create a sewing jig for your signatures as you did for the spine, marking 1" from the top, 1" from the bottom, and in the center. This signature includes a shorter piece of paper in the center. Just make sure your shorter pieces don't interfere with any of the holes for sewing. Paper clip the pages and then punch the holes.

Sew each signature to the spine of the book, making sure to line up the holes. I used 1/4" black silk ribbon from May Arts to bind the book. Wrap the ribbon around the height of the book about 3-4 times to determine the length needed. Use a large eye needle {a size 22 tapestry needle works well} for the sewing. Begin stitching in the center hole on the inside of the signature. Leave a 3" tail {hold it in place with washi tape or masking tape} and then go through the top hole to the outside of the spine. Skip down to the bottom hole, then back inside through the center hole. Make sure the ribbon ends are on opposite sides of the center ribbon. Tie a square knot and snip off the extra ribbon. Phew! So easy to do, but tricky to describe! This is a basic 3-hole pamplet stitch. For a great visual diagram of the method visit this link at booklyn.org, a wonderful resource for anyone interested in bookbinding!


Embellish the spine by punching out some of the ABC Primer chipboard. Tie them together with silk ribbon and then tie on to the middle two binding ribbons on the spine.


Decorate the front cover with paper, washi tape, and a metal doorplate and knob from Graphic 45. The doorplate has a brad to attach it to the cover. The hole for the brad shows through on the inside cover, so I covered it with some 1.5" May Arts black velvet ribbon, and topped that with a ruler cut out from one of the papers. Embellish the signatures as you wish, and the book is ready to use!
I hope you've enjoyed the Graphic 45 & May Arts blog hop as much as I have! Don't forget to visit the other participating blogs, and be sure to leave comments at May Arts and Graphic 45 for a chance to win some amazing prizes! Thanks to both these wonderful companies for sponsoring a week of creative fun!





Comments

  1. Amazing! Wow what more can I say. Love this! janiceaeschliman.blogspot.com

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  2. What a great recycling project. Just fantastic!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  3. I love to recycle books, too! You did a great job!

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  4. What a beautiful book! Thank you for the step by step instructions and most of all - the inspiration!

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  5. Gorgeous!!!!

    Sheron N

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  6. Your book is amazing...I would have never thought of using an old book cover.

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  7. Fabulous project and perfect for the primer paper!

    Mary

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  8. Love your altered book, great way to use papers and ribbons we love.

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  9. That rocks!!! totally cool project! thanks for sharing!

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  10. Eeeek, this is so cute and darn darn gorgeous!

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  11. That is the cutest altered book I have seen. The theme for a teacher is great, and what aq great collection from Graphic 45 to make it all come together. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I love your book and what a wonderful way to use old books.
    sdenimandlace1@aol.com

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  13. Beautiful recycling of this old book!

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  14. I love making books and this one doesn't disappoint. Just beautiful and very creative too. Thank you for sharing. Sara T

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  15. What a terriffic idea, never thought of altering an old book, I always made a new book look old, I'm new to cardmaking and scrapbooking, There is a lot to learn your book turned out amazing. Thanks for sharing and all the inspiration,I'm blog hopping but I'll be back to look arround some more.

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  16. Very Nice. I could never be this good. I may give it a try one day. You are all such an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing!

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  17. Can't wait to upcycle a book. Thanks for the step by step instructions.

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  18. Oh my!!! What a great idea!! I love repurposing books...I'll be scraplifting this one! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity! Graphic 45 has such beautiful paper and embellishments.

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  19. What a super cool idea! Love it! TFS! Merry Christmas!

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  20. Your book is beautiful -- what a great gift for someone special.

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  21. Wonderful looking book.. happy hopping..

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  22. I've never made anything like this. Intriguing...

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  23. You have inspired me to create a picture book for my granddaughter using beautiful graphics of G45 and the very touchable and soothing ribbons of MayArts. What a beautiful way to rock her to sleep with a made up story while she looks thru the book. Thank you, Mary Werner

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  24. This is such a neat project! Love those G45 papers, and all the photos you showed. Thanks!

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  25. graphic 45 have such lovely papers.. this reminds me of my childhood!

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  26. This is wonderful--I adore this paper and I re-use books all the time--great ideas

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  27. So love this! Thanks for sharing all of your steps. Also love your ribbon flowers below.

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  28. Love this! Will definitely bookmark the tutorial. TFS

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  29. I too love this! Stunning! I would love to make one of these for my daughter! Thank you for the how to!

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  30. You know that I'm your follower now one!!!
    Loved your project, I have been looking for some kind of a very unique book that I want for my 40th b'day (like a art journal) and that's it,
    I just founded it!!!
    Thank you very much for sharing your creativity with all of us!!!!

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  31. I am absolutely impressed with your Altered book... I am going to try to do this as I am so into Graphic 45's ABC Primer stack... Your explanation of the binding was superb!!

    May you have a very Merry Christmas and a joyful, healthy and prosperous New Year!!!

    Karen
    http://www.facebook.com/karen.bahit

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  32. Fabulous, Kimberly...I am so going to try this!

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  33. Now that is cool. I've never done that before.

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  34. This is a cool project... love your altered book! Thank you also for sharing all of the 'how to make' this great project!

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  35. What an excellent project and tutorial. I have that same dictionary on my shelf. I believe it is about to see a change.

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  36. The altered book is a great project. thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

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  37. Spectacular!! Thank you so much for the tutorial, this has just gone to the top of my to do list. Love it..... Hugs x

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  38. Absolutely LOVE this , just looked at papers last night planning a gift for someone ... GREAT ideas ... embellishments are so cool... may have to "scraplift" !

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  39. wow what a great way to use old books. Really nice with this graphic 45 paper.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Marianne

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  40. WOW, really something new for me..it is a wonderful design. Thanks for showing all the details. Could be a winter project for me!!!
    Love the variety of ideas you all have come up with. A very talented crew.

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  41. WOW, the project is awesome. And you also completed it with instructions! Thanks for sharing.

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  42. So pretty. Thanks for the chance to win, Denise
    roseyandbasil at yahoo.ca

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  43. Your project is wonderful...and such detail. It will be a challenge for me but I have to try.
    Debbie
    2violet4@sbcglobal.net
    (had to be anon as it won't let me post even though I have an account)

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  44. This is beautiful - I have tried making handmade books, but found it extremely intricate and time consuming. You created a beautiful book. Happy Holidays!

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  45. Love to alter things. I have considered the book idea but now I will surely give it a go. Great project! E.Valencia

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  46. that is amazing ,I want to try that! THanks for sharing it

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  47. Love this paper line. It is my favorite so far by G45. Love the idea of using an old book cover and sewing the pages. Great job.
    Christmas blessings,
    Peggy Allen

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  48. Wow, this is an amazing book. You did such a wonderful job and, your instructions are so detailed. Thanks for sharing your creation. patnbobcuddy at gmail dot com

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  49. This is a truly fantstic project and idea..I am like you..I love using old/vintage books in my scrappy projects. Thanks for the detailed tutorial on how you created this : )

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  50. Oh my goodness, this is so awesome! Great job on putting this beautiful album together.

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  51. kim, i too like to alter old hard cover books...thanks for the detail on how you created your lovely book.
    ava

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  52. Wow, this is amazing.....I might have to try this out after Christmas~! Thanks for the great instructions!

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  53. looks like a fun project, making your own book is so very crafty. thanks for the tutorial.

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  54. This is amazing... thanks for the tutorial!
    Crafty Holiday Hugs,
    Pendra
    pendrasplace.blogspot.com

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  55. Great idea to use that paper with the
    Cavalini tape...Thanks so much for the tutorial!

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  56. This is fabulous!
    Pam
    panutting at gmail dot com

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  57. Great project, thanks for the tutorial!

    Carol B
    ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. A girlfriend of mine did one of these...now I can give it a try...thanks for the details. Beautiful project!

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  59. Kim - Your journal is gorgeous and your instructions are great!! It is even prettier IRL!!

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  60. Greatness!! Thank you for your participation! Inspiration galore. Thank you for making me love Graphic 45 and May Arts even more!!

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  61. Oh my goodness, this is adorable and that black velvet ribbon is awesome!

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  62. Muchas gracias por el tuto, me encanta!

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  63. Love that velvet ribbon! Great project.

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  64. Love your project--what a great album!

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  65. Love the vintage books....I remember that dictionary....

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  66. LOVE this! I upcycle old books too--but only use the covers and not the binding. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  67. Amazing! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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  68. I love this project! I will try to do one of my own! Thanks for sharing!

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  69. oh, my! this project turned out beautifully. you must be very proud. thank you for sharing. rush88888 at gmail dot com

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  70. A lovely altered book....this collection is one of my favourites too :)

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  71. I so love making books and am so impressed with what you've created.

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  72. This is so beautiful! I KNEW you'd work that doorknob in perfectly!! :)

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