How to Make a Book Using Old Greeting Cards

Handmade books and journals are very popular, but when it comes to repurposing greeting cards, this project is perfect. It will keep the cards you have recieved, and can't bear to part with, in an orderly manner and creates a keepsake in itself. By using odds and ends you might have around the house, you and your family can make this wonderful treasure.

Things You'll Need

• Thin cardboard
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Colored gel pens or markers
• Tacky glue
• Hole punch
• Ribbon or heavy yarn
• Scrapbooking or colored paper (optional)
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Measure the largest card in your collection. Trace the closed card onto the cardboard. Cut 2 pieces of cardboard, one for the front and one for the back of the book.

2. Measure 4 pieces of colored or scrapbooking paper to the same size as the covers. Cut them out and glue the first piece of the paper to the cardboard to form the front outside and the inside cover of the book. Glue the other 2 pieces of paper to the back cover (one piece on each side of the cardboard) to form the back cover.

3. Cut the cards at the fold line. Cut the verse and signature (optional) from the inside of each card. Glue the verse to the reverse side of the front of the card. If you wish to have only the front of the card in the book, you can use colored pens or markers to make a journaling note on the reverse side of the front of each card.

4. Cut a piece of decorative paper the same size as the cover so the smaller cards will fit in the book when it comes time to lace them together. Glue the smaller card faces onto the decorative paper. If there is enough space on the page for the verse and/or signature, then add them to the page as well.

5. Measure 1 1/2 inch down from the top right corner of the paper and the covers and from the bottom right hand corner upward. Mark the measurements using the pencil. Use the hole punch to punch each piece of cardboard and paper in order to assemble the book.

6. Place the pages in the order you want them to be seen. For instance you can use an occasion as the beginning (wedding, birthday, anniversary) of the book and work from that point forward in a chronological order, or you can set the book up the way you wish. Make sure the holes align properly.

7. Cut 2 8-by-10 inch pieces of yarn or ribbon. Lace the book together starting with the front cover, slide the ribbon through the holes toward the back cover leaving a 4- to 5-inch length of ribbon on the front cover. When the upper part of the book is completely laced, tie the ribbon loosely and lace the bottom of the book. When both laces are in place, tie them securely with a knot and then make a bow.

Tips & Warnings

• Add embellishments to your cover using decorative paper, fabric, dried or silk flowers glued to the front. Instead of scrapbooking paper, use scraps of cloth for covering the covers.

• Tacky glue is non-toxic, but children should be monitored when using it.