How to make a Hollow Book

Fellow readers stay your angry hands! I promise I would never carve up a good book. All the books I use are from discard at the Library. They have been drawn in my children or generally tore up. A plus of this is you can usually get them at the library sales for around a penny.

This is my first attempt at a Hollow Book, but I wanted to share the steps in case anyone cared to try it them selves.

STEP 1:

Mark off 1/2 an inch from all sides, this will be your guide for where to cut.

STEP 2:

Using a carving set: Which can be found for around ten dollars - like this one on Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/SE-Precision-Craft-Carving-Set/dp/B0044GI5R6 Carve away the inside of the book. If an edge breaks (and they will) don't panic. We will be gluing them all together at the end. Holding the page as you are cutting helps keep everything clean. Also, make sure you don't cut into the spine.

The book should look like this when you are carving. There isn't a set depth, but remember you want it deep enough to hide something in it.

STEP 3:
Using Modge Podge and Elmers school glue make a half and half mixture. You will not need much, the little bit in that cup sealed two books and we had some left over. Modge Podge is about 10 dollars for a bottle but trust me - it will last!

Step 4:

(Optional)

If you want to use a piece of scrapbook paper for a backing of the book: Cut out a page just slightly smaller then the pages of book. Gently wedge it on top of the last uncut page. (Like a book mark) You shouldn't have to glue it in as the weight of the pages when sealed should hold it.

Step 5:

Next the sealing process. Taking a paint brush begin to paint the inside of the hollow book. It will drip on your backing page, just smooth it out. It will dry clear. Make sure you are holding it down while you seal to keep everything aligned.

Step 6:

Next seal the exterior.

Step 7

Wrap the front cover and full pages in the front with wax paper to keep the glue from attaching to them. Then place it under a heavy object to keep pages together while it drys. Leave it under the object for about 45 minutes.

(seal it 2 or 3 times and return it to the weight until the pages have the feel of a solid wood block)

Step 8:

Using the same paper as your background cut and glue them to the top cut page as a boarder.

STEP 9:

TA-DA! My first Hollow Book!!!!

Thank you Christina for introducing me to a new form of crafting!