Make Scribble Books

A Basic Handmade Book Project

© Jennifer Hollowell

Nov 5, 2007

The handmade books created from this project are quick, inspirational, compact and kid-friendly. Great for a rainy day!

Not only does this project require few materials, it can also be created in one sitting. Let's get started!

Materials needed:

  • one piece of white paper, 12 inches by 18 inches
  • one empty cereal box
  • two pieces of construction paper, 8.5 inches by 11 inches
  • paper cutter
  • glue sticks
  • markers
  • cording or yarn
  • upholstery needle
  • pencil
  • ruler
  • scissors
  • small hole punchStep one: Prepare the paper.Using the markers, scribble on the front and back of the white paper. This can be done neatly, symmetrical, geometrical, or however else. Fold each piece of paper into quarters. Using the paper cutter, cut along the folds of each paper. There should be four pieces of white paper and eight pieces of construction paper when finished. Fold each piece of paper in half so they each look like small greeting cards.Step two: Prepare the coverCut the side panels, the top and the bottom off of the cereal box. The front and the back of the cereal box should be cut down to 4.5 inches by slightly larger than 6 inches. Set the pieces aside with the construction paper pieces for now.Step three: Prepare the pages.Nest all of the white pages inside each other and make a sharp crease. Unfold the papers and measure to the center of the crease. Mark it with a pencil. Measure one inch above the mark, one inch below the mark and mark each with a pencil. Punch holes in each of your marks. Nest all of the pages inside each other again and, with the upholstery needle, thread the cording through the top and bottom hole from the inside out. Bring both ends of the cording through the center hole and tie a knot inside the book. Trim the ends.Step four: Assemble the book.Glue the cereal box covers cardboard side up to the front and back of the book. Press firmly. Inside the book, glue the folded pieces of construction paper on the right hand side of each page spread. Position each piece so they're in the center of the page and fold the opposite way of the book. Place two pieces in the center spread. The remaining piece of construction paper can be wrapped around the binding of the cover.Step five: Adding embellishments.This book is now ready for creativity. As promised, it's portable. Using a black marker, add inspiration text, journal entries or quotations throughout the book. Break out some additional supplies and "art up" this book art journal, altered book or scrapbook style.

    • The copyright of the article Make Scribble Books in Mixed Media Arts is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Make Scribble Books must be granted by the author in writing.




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