Silly Technical Question From a Novice

[llqool]

I have gotten a lot of inspiration from these boards and now have some ideas about what to do for my 4 yr old's autograph book. But I have a technical question about doing the cover of the book -- if the book is spiral bound, how do you get the paper under the rings of the spiral? do you take a tiny hole punch and make the appropriate holes and then make little slits and slide it under? I have seen some photos of great covers, but I am wondering how y'all did it?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Usually if it's a true spiral I just adhere the paper to the existing paper right up to the edge of the spiral holes. If it a spiral that is more like loops I gently separate the loops and take the pages out and replace it with scrap paper. That is what I did here. If I had to do it over again I would just layer the scrap paper over the existing paper. I made 3 books for the boys and it was very time consuming. I hope this helps!

 

[Mickster]

When I made my spiral circle journal, I was able to take the cover off and put the paper on that way. I think in a recent Creating Keepsakes magazine, they said to cut slits for the holes, but I just used my hole punch. It wasn't perfect, but I really liked the way it turned out. Hope that helps.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

When I made my spiral circle journal, I was able to take the cover off and put the paper on that way. I think in a recent Creating Keepsakes magazine, they said to cut slits for the holes, but I just used my hole punch. It wasn't perfect, but I really liked the way it turned out. Hope that helps.

Did you just punch 1/2 circles so it would slip under the edge? Or did you use your hole punch and cut the slit to slide it over? I never thought of doing that, cool idea!

 

[Mickster]

I took the cover off. Covered it like a present and then took my larger hole punch and just used the holes that were in the cover as a guide to make the holes. They were square on the real cover, but circles for mine. It worked pretty well. I was able to fix any "oops" paper issues. But there weren't many. I think I need a new hole punch. I can't personally send a picture until May (as it is on my CJ), but maybe Caitsmama can take one.

 

[party of 3]

bernardandmissbianca,

I just love those books!!!! i wish i could do something like that. so i started reading the other replies and i don't know if i'm having a brain cramp, but i'm just not getting it today!!!!!

 

[llqool]

Usually if it's a true spiral I just adhere the paper to the existing paper right up to the edge of the spiral holes. If it a spiral that is more like loops I gently separate the loops and take the pages out and replace it with scrap paper.

once you did that, how did you reattach the paper so it would stay in?

beautiful work, btw! mine won't be anywhere near as nice, but you gave me some ideas!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I just squeezed the loops back together. They aren't perfectly round but they stay closed. I just thought of a new idea too. At Staples I think they sell the plastic flexible looped binding, you know for making your own manuals. Could you cut one of those down to however tall you want the book? That would give you the flexibility of making the book thicker.

Like these:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...10051&langId=-1&productId=85323&cmArea=SEARCH

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I took the cover off. Covered it like a present and then took my larger hole punch and just used the holes that were in the cover as a guide to make the holes. They were square on the real cover, but circles for mine. It worked pretty well. I was able to fix any "oops" paper issues. But there weren't many. I think I need a new hole punch. I can't personally send a picture until May (as it is on my CJ), but maybe Caitsmama can take one.

I'm not sure who makes it but there are hand punches with a square cut out. They have purple handles, I got mina at ACMoore.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I just squeezed the loops back together. They aren't perfectly round but they stay closed. I just thought of a new idea too. At Staples I think they sell the plastic flexible looped binding, you know for making your own manuals. Could you cut one of those down to however tall you want the book? That would give you the flexibility of making the book thicker.

Like these:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...10051&langId=-1&productId=85323&cmArea=SEARCH

If this doesn't make sense I will try to take pictures.

 

[llqool]

I just squeezed the loops back together. They aren't perfectly round but they stay closed. I just thought of a new idea too. At Staples I think they sell the plastic flexible looped binding, you know for making your own manuals. Could you cut one of those down to however tall you want the book? That would give you the flexibility of making the book thicker.

Like these:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...10051&langId=-1&productId=85323&cmArea=SEARCH

i had actually thought of doing something like this, but never pursued it. I even think that staples will bind a book for you (b/c they had a back to school offer where you could make a personalized spiral notebook). but i was in a hurry the day i rushed in and didn't get to go over to that area to ask them if i could give them card stock to use and if they could make it smaller than 8 1/2 x 11 and how much it would all cost. i think i will try and go there tomorrow. time is running out -- we leave in 10 days! I know i should be excited but i'm panicking about little things like this!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

If you are really pressed for time, you could just make some precut tags, mine were 3x5 and 4x4. I just threw them in a ziploc bag so they wouldn't get wet. Take the used ones out every day. Then you can add them in after you get home. Staples sells mini clip boards so you would have a hard surface to write on. Just remember that the larger the paper the larger the siggie. Characters love to take up the whole page, especially if they are being playful with other characters. We got into that once with Chip and Dale, they were trying to one up each other.

Don't forget to post the results!!! I want to see!

 

[llqool]

If you are really pressed for time, you could just make some precut tags, mine were 3x5 and 4x4. I just threw them in a ziploc bag so they wouldn't get wet. Take the used ones out every day. Then you can add them in after you get home. Staples sells mini clip boards so you would have a hard surface to write on.

that's a great idea, too! and it would give me time to decide the best way to proceed. plus, i wouldn't be limited by the number of pages in the book.

see, I knew i was right to post a question on this board -- ya'll have such great, creative ideas and it gives me another perspective on the problem! who knows, maybe once i do this book, i might actually start scrapbooking!

and, yes, I will definitely post whatever i end up doing.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Glad we could help, if you have any other questions ask away!

 

[party of 3]

that's a great idea! thanks bernardandmissbianca!
i think i'll have to steal that idea! then you can decide how to scrap them when you get back! the book seem way to complicated for me, but the tags i can do!!!!!!