How to Make a Chunky Board Book

Create a Book to Embellish Later

© Jenn Greenleaf

Nov 18, 2008

Chunky board books are a lot of fun to work with because they allow for a lot of versatility. Mixed-media artists have the option of painting one page spread, using colored pencils on the next, and collaging on another if they choose. Or, they can create a themed book carrying the same mediums and subject matter throughout.

Materials:

• Standard size cereal box
• Paper cutter
• Scissors
• Construction or craft paper
• Straightedge ruler
• Pencil
• Glue stick or white glue
• Bone folder

Instructions:

1. Cut the top and sides off the cereal box and store them away for use on a project in the future. Cut the front and back panels of the cereal box using the paper cutter. Cut them down to 4-inch x 4-inch squares.
2. Cut the craft paper (or construction paper) into rectangles that are 4 inches wide x 8 inches long using the paper cutter.
3. Fold each piece of craft paper (or construction paper) in half, and burnish the edges flat with the bone folder.
4. Create a stack of cardboard cereal box pieces and craft paper. Start with a folded piece, and then glue a piece of cardboard on top of it. Repeat this until all the pieces of cardboard and folded paper have been used up.
5. Cut a strip of craft paper and wrap it around the book. Mark off the size of the book and cut it out using the paper cutter.
6. Glue the piece of paper on to the book to create a cover. Smooth out any creases with the bone folder, and create a sharp edge along the binding with the bone folder.

Variations:

• Use tea stained paper, rather than craft or construction paper, to give the book a vintage feel.
• Increase the size of the book so there is more space on each page to create.
• Use a corner cutter to create rounded edges for each page.
• Add eyelets to the book cover along the binding, and thread some beads through before gluing it down to the outside of the book.
• Use all black paper for the interior and exterior of the book so white or pastel milk-gel pens can be used with the book.
• Rather then creating clean straight cuts for the interior pages of the book, deckle them slightly for added interest when the book is closed.
• Consider using distress ink along the edges of the cover, as well as the interior pages

Create several books at once when working on this project, each using different colors and different types of paper. Try not to think about what the theme or purpose of the book will be during the creation of each chunky book. That way, you’re not stifling your creativity and you’re staying in the moment.

Print Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds