A paperback Kwanza book has seven pages, one for each day of celebration. The holiday's daily themes are reflected in the passages enclosed in each envelope.
In the gardening book, each envelope holds seeds, with tips and instructions for planting.
Tools and Materials
Envelopes
Awl
Bookbinding tape
Cardstock or heavyweight paper
Craft glue
Glue brush
Bone folder
Ribbon, ruler
Utility knife
Scissors
Decorative scissors
Bind envelopes as in step 1 of Envelope Books: Cloth Binding How-To.
1. For the cover, cut a long rectangle from heavyweight paper. Its length should be four times the width of the bound envelopes, plus the width of the spine of the bound envelopes; the width of the rectangle should equal the length of the envelopes plus 1/4 inch. Locate the center of the rectangle. Using a bone folder and a ruler as straightedge, score a crease to either side of the center, marking a band as wide as the spine. Fold inward along creases; press with bone folder; open again. From each crease, measure outward the width of an envelope plus 1/4 inch; score and fold inward along these creases.
2. Place bound envelopes in central band; cut two strips of bookbinding tape the length of envelopes and 1/2 inch wide (3/4 inch for scalloped edges). Affix bound envelopes to paper cover with tape.
3. With awl, poke holes halfway up each cover, 1/4 inch from spine; poke another hole at the same height, 1/4 inch from outer edge of each cover. Thread ribbon through holes.
Return to Envelope Books.
I can not believe.. it looks so nice and no so hard. Even I (with "two left hands") could make this. Thank you.. great idea.
This would be a great way to keep Christmas Cards. Once the holiday season is over, gather your cards
I made these also with my bind it all and it worked great. I also made one with the chip board cover and used my We R Memory Keepers [filtered word] punch that goes through chip board or even tin like butter. I also used saddle soap and brown wax shoe polish to give the envelopes a vintage look.