Watercolor Painting Book

I made this for a birthday last year and forgot all about posting it. 

What you need:
Zutter Machine

Wire coils for binding
cardstock
cardboard
watercolor paper
watercolor pencils
permanent marker
paintbrush

First I made the covers by cutting cardstock and cardboard to size.  I also cut the watercolor sheets to size.  I think I cut the larger watercolor sheets in half twice to get 4 smallers sheets out of the one big sheet.  (probably around 5"x7" size)

I used this tutorial to make the pages.  Next I traced lots of images onto the watercolor paper.  I went with a princess theme.

More images.

I searched images on my computer and used my monitor as a light table.  I just held a sheet of the watercolor paper up to the monitor and traced.

See?  Easy!

Next, use the Zutter machine to punch holes in the covers and the watercolor sheets.

Put the pages in order.  I colored a couple of the pages at the beginning and then included one already painted so the recipient could see how it works.

Then use the Zutter machine to bind it all together.

Now this one I colored so it is ready to be painted.

This one is ready to be colored and then painted.

Another page ready to paint.  I included a set of watercolored pencils to make a complete gift.

FREE - printable instructions!

Simple Blank Book

Recently, I made a simple blank book for a girl's birthday.  I thought it could be her journal or diary or doodle book...whatever she wanted it to be.

Here is what you need:
paper
glue (I used mod podge)
cardstock and cardboard
tape (I used packing tape that requires water to activate the glue)
binder clips or hand clamps
rulers or paint stir sticks

Pick up a doodle pad at walmart for $2.

Cut the pages in half...you can make 2 books from 1 doodle pad.

Grab a couple or rulers or paint stir sticks and some binder clips.  Once the paper is all lined up, clip the paper between the stir sticks.

Make sure the spine is above the stir sticks.

Apply glue along the spine. I ended up just using my finger instead of the paintbrush.  Don't forget to glue where the binder clips are.

If you are not careful when you apply the glue...you will glue the first page to the stir stick like this.  Please note that I did this on purpose to show what would happen when you aren't careful when applying the glue.  If this happens, take an xacto knife and carefully cut the paper from the stir stick.

What a pretty spine

 Cut cardstock and cardboard to size and glue together.  I used the cardboard to give the covers more stability.  Next time I will probably glue the cardstock to the cardboard first and then cut to size.

Place the covers over the paper and clamp together.  My binder clips were no big enough for this part.  I couldn't find my husbands hand clamps...all I could find are those massive clamps.  Glue along the spine gluing the covers to the paper.  Since I had to use those ginormous clamps, the book was kinda warped once it was done (from drying in the above position and not drying flat).

Cut the packing tape to the length and width desired.  Fold around the spine.

Remove the tape and crease the fold lines.

Since my tape is water activated, I started at the back.  I only applied water to the back part, adhered that part.  Then I added water to the side and top parts of the tape and adhered.  Then put the book under something heavy or clamp again.

All done!

I paired the book with a feather pen for the Birthday present.

A blank book ready for doodles or whatever the recipient desires.

FREE - printable instructions!  (just click on the image)

Beach Art - easy framed starfish

Here is a quick and easy beach art project.  All you need is a picture frame, a piece of scrapbooking paper (can be a scrap piece depending on the size of frame you use), scrap piece of burlap, white finger starfish, spray adhesive, and hot glue gun.

Cut a piece of paper to fit your frame.  My frame is a 5"x7" frame.  Next cut a piece of burlap a little bit smaller than the paper.

Use the spray adhesive to glue the burlap to the paper.  Let dry.

Using a hot glue gun, glue the starfish on.  I found it easiest to glue the center of the starfish on first.  Then gently pull back the paper/burlap and apply a little bit of hot glue to the the fingers of the starfish (one finger at a time, and let set before gluing the next finger).  The tips of each finger curl up slightly, so you will be gluing about halfway down each finger.  Just look closely to see what part of the finger lays on the paper before you glue.

Put it all back in the frame with the glass beneath the paper.  Use double sided tape if you are worried about the starfish and paper pulling away from the glass and falling out.  When you get tired of this look or the season changes, make a new one and put it in the frame.

All done!

FREE - printable instructions!

Backyard Stick Sailboat

Have you seen those cute sailboats made of driftwood? Like here?  Well I haven't been to the beach in awhile, so I am running low on driftwood.  What's the next best thing you ask?  Well that would be sticks from the backyard!  I also saw this for the dry brush painting technique (although mine ended up being painted all over).

Gather some sticks.

Get you hot glue gun ready with wood glue sticks.  If you can't find them at the craft store, go to menards (they are probably cheaper there anyway).

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Also, grab an old shirt like this jordache shirt with perfect nautical looking fabric.

In order for the wood glue to stick you will need to expose the wood from under the bark.  Take a pocket knife (or I used a utility knife of my husbands...sshhh don't tell him).  Scrap off the bark until you get to bare wood.

Glue the sticks together to make the sailboat shape (an upside down capital T).

Hold until the glue is set.

Paint with white paint.

Let dry.

To make the sticks look weathered, add some grey.

Here is a closeup.

Let dry.

Lay the boat over the fabric to see how big you need the triangle.

Cut out 2 triangles and get your regular glue sticks ready.

Glue both triangles at each point.

All done!

FREE printable instructions