Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Santa's Big Book of Secrets

This past Halloween, my mother-in-law bought the cutest wooden book that said Black Cat Magic on it. I fell in love with it and I wanted it. Bad. But I didn't want to pay $30 for it.  So I decided that I wanted to design a book cover and make one myself.  Well, I never got around to it.  Now with Christmas around the corner, I decided to design a Christmas themed book cover. The best part about it is it only cost me around $7.00.





Here's a list of things you'll need:

*2 cardboard boxes 
(I got mine at Joanns, but I've also seen them at Michaels and Hobby Lobby. The bigger book is $4.99 and the smaller one is $3.99, but with my coupons I spent just under $7.00. And did you know that Joann's takes Michael's coupons? 

*Santa's big book of secrets and reindeer magic printables:
(make sure you click on the picture to make it bigger and then print it from there)





*White Spray paint. 
I used Rust-oleum Painter's Touch in white. The pictures shows Krylon, but the Krylon was too runny and not sticking to the cardboard. 

*Mod Podge and craft brush
*Optional items: Ribbon, glitter, and gel stain


STEP ONE:
Spray paint boxes on sides and edges. No need to do the front and back cover because they'll be covered




STEP 2:
Print off your front and back covers



STEP 3:
Mod podge your print onto your book. Before you mod podge the top of your paper (as shown in the picture) make sure it's completely dry to prevent air bubbles. 



I always try and smooth out any air bubbles by using a credit card.
STEP 4:
Mod podge the top of your book cover. And let it dry completely

STEP 5: (optional)
I outlined some words and dots with mod podge and then put glitter on top of it. I liked the effect it gave. 

STEP 6: 
After it's dry, take some sand paper and sand around the edges of the book.
STEP 7: (optional)
Take some cute ribbon and tie it around the box. This is the glitter I used for step 5. It's the Martha Stewart brand and I got it from Hobby Lobby. Ribbon is from Michael's.

STEP 8:
Sit back and enjoy the fun craft you made!




*Notice: in the first picture I have the gel stain pictured because I thought I would use it to after I mod podged it. I didn't end up using it because I liked the way it looked without it. Feel free to try it out though. Let me know how it goes. 
















14 comments:

  1. Such a great/Cute idea.. I love love love this!
    Thank you!!

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  2. Aw that is really cute :)

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  3. Love it, I often stare at the books and think of what I could do with them. Thanks for sharing!!

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  4. Just darling! And thanks - I didn't realize Joann's accepted Michael's coupons. Cool!

    Would love you to stop by this weekend and link up to Passion for Paint.

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  5. So cute!! Link up!
    http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/2010/11/glam-party-3.html

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  6. Very cute idea! I just might have to make a few for myself :)

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  7. thanks so much for the idea! i found you on blue cricket's linky party and shared your post on my blog, she's crafty....happy holidays!
    http://crafty.littlerockmamas.com/index.php/2010/11/26/25-crafts-of-christmas-nos-5-and-6/

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  8. Very cute! Did you make the trees in the background too? I have been wanting to make something like that.

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  9. What a great idea. Very nice books.

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  10. So cute! Did you print the covers onto cardstock or photo paper?

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