My style file

A while ago, Marcy gave me some binder hardware to create "something". well, i've had this altered hardcover book for some time and decided it was too cute to just have sitting there, so i have turned it into my "style file".
my style file has all the clippings i've collected out of old magazines. i only keep the items that inspire me. the rest of the magazine gets tossed.

So here is how i created my "file".
1.Find an old hardcover book. find a workable size for what you need..I chose a size that was not too big, a more portable size..i don't have a ton of stuff clipped so it all fits nicely.


2.now you are going to strip the book down. i used a craft knife to keep things super clean and tidy..next i chose the patterned paper for the cover...know this can be tricky because its best to have one big piece of paper to cover your entire book...i happened to have this striped paper that came to me in the mail from Veer. but you could use any fun wrapping paper or even oversized sheets of patterned paper ala martha stewart.


3.OK. here i hot glued the paper to the spine. not the most glamourous way, but i didn't want the paper to be moving around...this worked pretty well. i also took my binder hardware at this point and made the holes where it would be attached. definately this is something you'd want to do early on. i used a combination of glue stick and sticky tabs to get the paper to stick on the cover. also folded over the 2 side pieces first..i also used sticky tabs to hold them in place.


4.next i did the top and bottom flaps. i "gift wrapped" the corners. just a little tuck to keep it neat.


5.I knew i wanted to cover the inside too, so i used masking tape to secure all the folds.
i just made sure not to go too close to the edge.


6.next i used some cardstock to cover the inside of the book and used decorative tape to further reinforce my folds.


7.Lastly i attached the binder hardware and it is good to go!!!

.

the next few photos are just to show how i further personalized the book. i made some dividers as well to separate the clippings. One section is for colourful ideas, one for all around great layouts, one is just for elsie layouts (still love her!!) i also made a template page for the back of the book. this template will show me where to punch holes, and what size not to exceed. its super handy! glad i thought to do that!!





what kind of style file will you create!!!
later!!
Jen