Stamped Gift Book

Steps:

1. Squeeze one to three acrylic paint colors onto paint palette. Dip the sponge square into paint and blot the excess color onto a paper towel. Using a light touch, sponge color onto your paper or fabric. Build a nicely textured surface with sponged color.

2. Place the rubber stamp face up on a paper towel. Squeeze one to three acrylic paint colors onto paint palette. Dip the sponge square into paint and blot the excess color onto a paper towel. Using a light touch, sponge color onto your paper or fabric. Sponge the remaining paint onto the rubber stamp, covering the surface of the stamp completely. Turn the stamp face down onto the paper. Press vigorously on the back of the rubber stamp, then remove the stamp. Repeat sponging and stamping until ready to use a different stamp. Wash the stamp with a toothbrush and water. Repeat the process.

3. Squeeze out one color of acrylic paint onto palette. Dip sponge into water and dilute the acrylic paint into a creamy consistency. Sponged washes can be done first or at any point in the creative process.

4. Highlight some of the stamped images using a line squeezed from an applicator-tipped paint.

5. Cut the 60 lb. card stock to the desired book size using a steel-edge ruler, a cutting mat and a craft knife. Using the same tools, cut book pages slightly smaller than the book cover. Cut a 2-1/4" band the same height as the book cover using 60 lb. paper. Decorate the band with rubber stamping, sponging, etc. Fold the band in half and crease sharply.

6. Use glue stick to apply the decorative piece on the cover. When using a glue stick, place the piece face down onto a clean piece of paper. Apply glue to the edges and middle of the piece. Turn the decorative piece face up onto the cover. Press to adhere.

7. Place the pages inside the covers of the book. Eight pages per book is a good rule-of-thumb to follow.

8. Punch two holes in the folded 2-1/4" band. Place the punched band over the edge of the covers and pages. Mark the punched holes of the band onto the covers. Punch each cover separately. Punch four sheets of the book pages at a time.

9. Place the punched band over the left edge of the book. All of the holes should line up. Use masking tape to bind the end of a length of raffia 10 times the height of the book.

10. Turn the book face up with the band on the left side. Working from the top down, push the taped end of the raffia through the lower holes in the band, cover and pages and through to the back of the book. Pull the taped raffia end through the top holes to the front of the book. The raffia should now be through both holes. Pull so the raffia is positioned toward the top of the book band. Tie the raffia in a double knot, securing the covers, band and pages into place. Make a few buttonhole stitches on the raffia ends and embellish with beads if desired.