52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 42

Rubber Band Book

The idea for this book came from Kari McKnight-Holbrook's DVD "Backgrounds To Bindings".

Kari shows you how to create a journal using one sheet of 22" X 30" watercolor paper into a beautifully colored book for embellishing, journaling, collaging or to use in any way that brings out your creative spirit.

You start off with a 22" X 30" piece of watercolor paper and start layering by first adding texture, which can be old book pages, collage papers or anything else you have on hand that you would like to use.

Then you start adding color.  You can pick 2-3 colors, but I would say no more than three.  You can stencil, stamp, print, etc. on your paper.  I first started with the color blue, ranging from light to dark,

and then added my second color, purple, ranging from light to dark.  You can use any color combination, but be careful not to add colors that are opposite on the colorwheel from each other, otherwise you will end up with mud.  If you really like these colors together, then wait until one color dries before adding the next.

I folded the paper in half so that the two halves are now 15" X 22" (DO NOT TEAR JUST FOLD).  Now tear your paper into thirds, lengthwise.  Now you have three sheets that are 30" long.  Fold each side toward the center fold line and glue.  Punch holes in your book using a Japanese hole punch.  

Using small rubber bands, loop one end into one hold and the other end into the other hold. 

I used a paint brush to use to go through the loops, but you can use a pencil, chopstick, etc. Finish looping the rubber bands to the remaining holes.

Viola!  Your book is done!

For more information on Kari McKnight-Holbrook, or more inspirations, check out her website here.