By Carol Duvall
These are in the group of what I refer to as "good-to-know things," because you just never know when you might want to make one of these little fold-and-cut books. Most of them have been around for a long time, but just in case you forgot or just never knew how, we show you the techniques. You supply the fancy finishing touches. Materials: decorative and solid papers
card stock for covers
scissors
craft knife
ruler
ribbon
beads
glue
colored pens or markers
photographs, stamps, stickers, etc.
envelopes (book 4 only) Steps: Book 1 1. Fold an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper in half horizontally and unfold (figure A). 2. Fold each end into the center fold line and unfold (figure B). 3. Turn the paper a quarter turn so it is now facing vertically, and repeat the folds. You will now have 16 small rectangles (figure C). 4. Make three cuts as indicated by the dark lines in figure D. 5. Starting at the lower left corner, fold the first rectangle up toward you, fold back on the next fold, up on the next, and continue to accordion fold until the entire sheet of paper is folded and you have a small accordion-folded book. 6. Cut two pieces of cardboard or card stock for the cover. Cut them each about 1/4 inch larger than the book pages. Cover with decorative paper and glue one piece to each end page of the book. 7. If desired, insert a ribbon between the book page and the cardboard cover in the back of the book (figure E). About six inches of the ribbon should extend above the top edge and another six inches beyond the bottom edge. Close the book, bring the two ends of the ribbon around the book, and hold together either by tying or threading through a wooden bead. Book 2
This book is read by opening it and returning it to its original flattened state, so any decorating, rubber stamping, writing, etc. is best done at this point so you can see where it will be on the finished page. 1. Start with a square of paper (ours was 8-1/2 inches square) and fold in the same manner as Book 1 above. You will again have 16 sections, but this time they will be squares. 2. Starting one square in from the left side of the page, cut from the bottom edge up to within one square of the top edge. Turn and cut along the fold to within one square of the side edge. Continue to cut in this spiral fashion until you are in the center of the page (figure F). 3. Beginning at the first cut along the outside edge, start to fold along each crease accordion style until you once again have a small book. 4. Cut two squares of cardboard the same size as the pages, cover with decorative paper and glue to the first and last pages of the book. Secure with a ribbon if desired. Book 3
This "book" is yet another version of the folded paper starbursts that we have featured in numerous ways and reincarnations. This time the "pages" are larger and the ends are not joined but left unattached for the book to be read as a book or to be hung on the wall as a hanging. Though the pages could be decorated with stamps, stickers, embellishments, etc., ours are decorated with photographs. It makes a wonderful little--or big--album. We saw these made of black photo album paper for sale at the last craft trade show! You buy them readymade and just add the pictures! 1. Fold a square of card stock or heavy paper (ours was 8-1/2 inches square) in half. Crease well. 2. Open, turn a quarter turn and fold in half in the other direction so when opened, you have four squares. 3. Turn square over and fold in half diagonally. Crease well and open (figure G). 4. Turn square over to its original side so that the diagonal fold is a mountain fold. Bring these two corners up and together in the center (figure H). 5. Squash down so that you have formed a square. This is page one of your accordion book. 6. Repeat the above process with additional squares of cardboard or card stock until you have the desired number of pages for your book. You might start with three or four, and after you have them together, you can always add more. 7. To assemble your book place one of the folded squares in front of you with the open sides facing to the right. Lift up the top layers so that just the bottom square is revealed. 8. Pick up the top section of the second folded square, and with the open edges facing left, insert the top square into the first square (figure I). Glue the two together. 9. Turn over so you once again can reveal the bottom square of the second "page" and repeat the process with the third page (figure J). Continue until your book has as many pages as desired. 10. Decorate with photos, sayings, stickers, etc., and use as a tabletop album or hang on the wall. 11. Don't forget to cover the front and back covers with paper covered cardboard. Book 4
This too is an accordion book, but no squares or rectangles of paper are required. This time all of the pages are envelopes, so the size and shape of your book will depend on the size and shape of the envelopes you select. 1. Open several envelopes (one envelope per page) and place them with the open flaps all facing in the same direction. 2. Run a strip of double-faced tape on the inside of the flap right along the crease between the flap and the envelope itself. 3. Moisten the flap of the first envelope and place the second envelope over the flap of the first. Position it so the bottom edge of the envelope is lined up with the crease of the first one (figure K). The second one will be held in place by the strip of tape and the moistened flap. 4. Repeat the above procedure with several other envelopes. Push the flap on the last envelope inside the envelope rather than moistening it. 5. Decorate as desired.
RESOURCES :
envelopes
ANW Crestwood
(formerly Paper Adventures)
Website: www.anwcrestwood.com
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