My Playbox Annual Journal

Hi everyone,

Last summer, I found a lovely old children's annual in a National Trust second-hand book shop. It only cost me £1.50 and I thought it could be upcycled into something fabulous, but I wasn't sure what at the time. It wasn't in great condition, but had obviously been well-loved by Peter, the little boy who was given it by his Aunty Margaret back in 1950.

Having enjoyed my first go at coptic binding for my Life Book 2016, I wanted to make my own journal for Wander Lust 2017, so I was looking about for something to use for the covers - bingo!!
I love the colours, the charming illustrations, and the perfect title :o)

Here's my finished journal, all ready to fill with arty-farty adventures ...


I stacked a couple of buttons and stuck them on with Glossy Accents to make a closure. Here's a better look at the binding ...


... not too tidy, but does the job, and the great thing about binding this way is that every page lies flat when the book is open ...


That's the inside front, which I re-covered with patterned paper from G45. I've filled it with a mixture of smooth and textured heavyweight watercolour paper, A3 folded in half to create A4 pages and grouped into "signatures" of three. Then I found I had to trim them down a bit because the covers weren't quite A4. I left the inside back as it was ...


See, it's still lying perfectly flat. I left the back cover as it was as well ...


Ok, so in a way it seems a shame to cut up an old book, but on the other hand, this way I'll be enjoying every day - it makes my heart sing just to look at it. And I've saved all the innards to use for something else. Now I'm looking at some of my other treasured old books with new eyes :o)

Thanks for popping in today, see you again soon

Annie xxx

Comments

Helen Wallace said…
Such a beautiful old book Annie - you found a treasure and now you will bring it to life again. So interesting to see the binding and I look forward to watching the insides evolve :D