How to Make a Written Memory Book

Find inspiration in a beautiful handmade memory book.

Memory books are a fun and inspirational way to record special memories and thoughts. By adding a few thoughtful words and images to trigger memories, you can create something beautiful that will last a lifetime. You can make memory books for specific events such as a birthday or college graduation, or for general memories and journal writing. They are simple and inexpensive to put together, and they make great presents for family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Dark ink pen
• 15 to 20 sheets of decorative paper (8-½-inch by 11-inch)
• Three-hole punch (heavy duty preferred)
• Single-hole punch (heavy duty preferred)
• Scissors
• 3 hinged metal binder rings (½-inch or 1-inch diameter)
• Glue stick
• 2 sheets of light-duty chipboard (8-½-inch by 11-inch)

Instructions

1. 

   Use quotes from your favorite books to bring back special memories.

   Look in your favorite books, magazines, or websites for a few words of wisdom or humorous lines from your favorite author. When placed in your memory book, these quotes will spark ideas, memories and thoughts.

2. 

   Choose off-beat images of family members, favorite places and special memories for more impact.

   Find and print images for your pages. Look through your photo albums for funny, sentimental or artistic images that will help bring back happy, thought-provoking or important memories. Have them professionally printed or print them at home using an ink jet or laser printer. Clip art, old postcards, comic strips and magazine images also work well.

3. Write one quote with an ink pen, or attach one photo with glue stick, to each sheet of paper.

4. Stack your decorated papers on top of each other, alternating between sheets of quotes and photos. Use a three-hole punch to make binder holes along the left side of the papers.

5. 

   A heavy-duty three-hole puncher works well for this project.

   Make binder holes along the left side of both chipboard sheets with the three-hole punch. These sheets will be the front and back cover of your memory book. Thicker than card stock, light-duty chipboard is heavy enough to provide protection for your memory book but is still easy to work with. Chipboard is usually brown or gray, but it can also be found in other colors such as black and white. You can purchase chipboard at your local art, craft and school supply store.

6. Place your stack of decorated papers between the two sheets of chipboard, making sure to align your holes. Secure the covers and the pages of the memory book with three half-inch to 1-inch hinged metal binder rings.

7. Decorate the front cover of your memory book with paint, a photograph or quote, along with the memory's book title and date. Write a short note or inscription on the inside cover for a special and personalized touch.

8. 

Tips & Warnings

• Printed images that measure 3 inches by 5 inches or smaller work best because they allow more room for written memories on each page.

• Choose your paper with care. High-quality textured, resume and handmade papers make personal and beautiful books. Textured and resume paper can be found at office supply stores, while handmade and decorative papers are available at stores that sell craft and art supplies.

Resources

• Exploratorium: Handmade Paper