How to Make Secret Hollow Book for Hiding Treasures

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By skyedanzer
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Turn an old book into a secret hollow book for hiding treasures.

Have you seen those secret hollow books in television shows and movies? A secret hollow book is great for hiding small treasures. You can secretly hide money, spare keys or other items in this type of storage. They’re not only handy to use for hiding items, but fun to make. Making a secret hollow book for hiding treasures should take about a weekend to complete. This is a fun project to do with older children or suggest to teens on a rainy day.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Small bottle of all-purpose glue
Measuring cup
Hot water
Small bowl
Spoon
Sharp craft knife or box cutter knife
Ruler
Pencil
Hard-Cover book
Large-tipped general craft painting brush

Step 1

Get out an old book that you don’t mind cutting. The book should be hardcover to do this project. Open the book to the fourth or fifth page.
Step 2

Mix 1/4 cup of hot water with 1 cup of all-purpose glue into a small bowl. Stir well to completely mix together.
Step 3

Dip paint brush into the glue mixture (from step 2). Allow the paintbrush head to completely fill with the mixture.
Step 4

Lift the right-hand side of the book with the most pages. Hold the pages together with one hand. Paint the edges of the pages with the glue mixture (from step 2). You want to get the edges really wet but not drenched or dripping. This will form the casing for your secret hollow book for hiding treasures.
Step 5

Hold the book in place for approximately 5 minutes after painting (from step 4).
Step 6

Repeat with the top edges and bottom edges of the secret hollow book. By this point you will have glued all three edges and not the binding of the book. This will help to form the casing for your secret hollow book for hiding treasures.
Step 7

Lay the book down on a flat surface. Place a separator from the painted pages (from step 4)and the loose pages (from step 1). You can use anything in your home to separate the pages. The trick is to keep the loose pages (from step 1) from sticking to the glue-painted pages.
Step 8

Allow the secret book to air-dry for about 40 minutes. This is a good time to think about what treasures you’d like to hide in the book later.
Step 9

Open the secret hollow book for hiding treasures. Use a pencil and ruler to draw a straight line 1/2 inch from all the borders (including the spine).
Step 10

Use a box cutter knife or craft knife to cut through the pages of the book, following the straight lines (from step 9). Don’t cut the loose pages (from step 1). Only cut the glued together pages. You will probably have to cut a few pages at a time and remove from the secret hollow book for hiding treasures.
Step 11

Turn the book upside down and lightly tap. This will remove any paper dust or loose pieces from the cutting you just completed (from step 10)
Step 12

Dip the paint brush into the paint mixture (from step 2). Paint the inside edges of the hollow you made in the book (from step 10). You want the edges wet but not dripping.
Step 13

Allow to air dry with the secret hollow book open for 24 hours.
Step 14

Fill the secret hollow book with your treasures. Place book on a bookshelf or even on a nightstand or coffee table! No-one will know you have treasures hiding in the secret hollow book.