So my new project was to make a book stack inspired by Jeanette who can be found at
http://scrappinhappyxo.blogspot.com.au/
Jeanette's one was a bought book box but I started from scratch and googled and you tubed to find out what I was doing.
To begin you need two or three hard-covered books. It is preferable to get ones that have been stitched together but as I am impatient I used what I had on hand.
The first thing you have to do is glue the outside pages of your book and leave to dry. I weighted them with some heavy books to make sure all the pages stuck.
Then the slow process is cutting out a rectangle on the inside so that you can have a hollowed out area that could be used to hide things in or you could put mini albums or anything else you chose. I've left mine empty for now. I think if I do another stack I wouldn't bother with this process or I would make them into drawers which I have seen since starting mine.
Then once you've cut them out you have to glue the inside area and wait for it to dry.
I then painted all mine inside and out in cream as that fits in with my look.
Then the fun began. The decorating. Again mine are done to match my decor so are in apricot and cream. I have used several different papers. I cut and then used double-sided tape to adhere the paper with. I have had bad experiences using wet glue with paper and it wrinkling so to avoid this I stick to tape. I papered the front then the sides/spine. Then added the lace. Then it was flower time. The flowers are all sourced from different places as well.
I am very grateful to a business colleague who gave me the brooch I have used in the layout on top. She had made that herself. I have used a doily under the flowers but over the picture (which was cut from a decoupage book).
I have lined each secret hiding place with pieces cut from doilies. Then the three books are glued together to make the stack and again weighted down with heavy books.
Then the finishing touches were adding the heart, cupid, cameo, butterfly and pearls.
I really love how the whole thing has turned out. Let me know what you think by leaving me a comment below. Till next time. Keep crafting. Glennis
