Tutoriali - razno

Here are some great ways to create wall storage folders out of old books bound for the dump!

This is a 90%  recycle/reuse project!  Other than rescuing the books from the Goodwill bins and buying a small package of buttons, everything else used to construct these wall storage folders came from project leftovers.

While I was at the bins, I saw lots of discarded children's books.  If I had school age children, I would be making these for their rooms to store school art projects, homework and other treasures using large format children's books in good condition. 

Diane inspired me earlier this year with a post announcing a library class in which she was teaching purse making using old book covers.  I immediately realized the idea could be adapted to create wall storage for all those millions of recipes and craft ideas all of you wonderful cooks and crafters have been sharing on your blogs. 

Now when I print them for later use, I just pop them into my beautiful wall folders!  Not a permanent storage - just until I can get around to organizing them.  After Christmas maybe!

These are EASY and QUICK to make.  I've included several simple construction options within the mini tutorials , so feel free to scan through and mix it up a bit.  You could literally make one very quickly by cutting the pages out of a book that's in good shape, use the string and button method to create hinge straps, attach a bulldog clip to the top and - DONE!

Before we begin - one cautionary tale!  DO NOT DO AS I DID and use original Mod Podge when applying fabric to the book covers.  Use the Mod Podge designed to be used with fabric.  Amy of Mod Podge Rocks fame, has provided a very useful and thorough discussion of the many kinds of Mod Podge and their applications.  Please take my advice - read and heed her words! 

LETS BEGIN BY REMOVING THE PAGES FROM THE BOOKS

I was amazed at just how easily pages can be removed from books! This particular book has pages that are glued into the spine section.  Remove a few at a time using an exacto knife. (Pages are being saved for other projects!)

Since this book is in excellent condition, I am not even going to finish the inside. Just remove the pages neatly and - Done!

Removing pages from a bound book is even easier!  Simply cut the liner paper along the edge close to the binding.

Same with the back. The entire set of pages comes out in oner piece.

If you wish to give the inside a more finished look, simply cut pretty paper to size and glue in place with original Mod Podge.

USEFUL NOTE:  Once you have removed the pages, you have created the framework for your folder. In most cases, the book cover will hang horizontally on the wall; therefore, when I refer to the "top" of the cover or the folder, I am referring to what used to be the long side edges from which you would open the original book.  When I refer to the "sides" I am referring to what used to be the top and bottom edges of the original book.

NOW WE CAN BEGIN MAKING WALL STORAGE FOLDERS!

To make the simple recipe folder:

The book I chose for storing recipes just happened to BE a recipe book!  Believe it or not - I did not plan it this way!  But when I saw some of the beautiful illustrations I had cut out - well - I just had to use one for the cover.  Since I adore Biscotti with a cup of coffee, this image was a perfect choice! The green and white borders were actually part of another page.

Glue paper to the cover using Mod Podge.   Brush on two over coats of Mod Podge for protection, letting dry between coats and over-spray with an acrylic spray to seal.

Another option to make your recipe storage folder more "practical"  - attach several often used recipes and hints to the cover where they can be seen easily when you need to refer to them.

Use an ice pick to "drill" holes for a simple hanging system and simple hinge straps. (Not reccommended for a very hard cover.)

For the hanger, make two holes in the back cover 1-1/2" in from each side and 1/2" down from the top edge.  Pull a piece of ribbon through both holes, tie in a knot or double bow and hang.

For the hinge straps, make the holes in both the front and back covers.  Place them  approximately 2 1/2" down from the top edges and 3/4" in from the side edges and proceed as shown below.

The inspiration for this simple hinge strap came from a package sent to me from Joan who writes a lovely blog Nini Makes.  She sent me treats this past spring wrapped in stamped brown paper and tied with string and a button.

Thread a needle large enough to accommodate your string or embroidery floss, but small enough to go through the button.  Place the needle through the button you have selected for the front, then through the hole you just made on the front cover.  Pass the needle through the hole in the back cover and then through the button you have selected for the back.

Now take your needle back through the other hole of the back button, back through the back cover hole and then up through the front cover hole and the front button.

Leave about 2 1/2 to 3" of string between the front and back, as shown, and tie a knot in the front button.  Cut the string leaving enough of a "tail" to tie a bow.  Ignore that black ribbon for now!  We will talk about that in a bit. Repeat on the other side.

Finished!