Bin-bound recyclables made into handbound notebook :D
 

I've just finished making this notebook as a Christmas pressie for my mum - it's my first attempt at making one and I'm really happy with how it's turned out.

It's made from cereal boxes & cardboard, old magazines, school copy books my son never used, and some scraps of paper and card I had left over from other projects. Cost me nothing but the price of the thread!

I'll post a detailed tutorial soon, in the meantime here's a video with instructions for the coptic stitch used for binding. It looks daunting but it's actually nice and easy once you get going :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHAJy...e=channel_page

from Admin
 

A fabulous and unique piece of work, magiceight. Well done!

Regards
Chris P
Admin

I remember when I was a child, I took some A4 pages and folded them over and made a cover out of cardboard and then I stitched it together with a needle and thread- wow I was so proud of myself, I still remember the feel of the book- nice memories only topped by the time I got a jewellery making set that had resin and some other liquid and you had to mix the two liquids and it hardened clear so I placed stones in them- that was the business- does anyone know where I could get a similar kit- I'd say the fumes are a bit dangerous for little kids, but I'd love to help my daughters to make some similar items.
Well done on your notebook- it's fab

Jeana

Oh - just yesterday I saw a resin kit in the Art & Hobby shop in Dun Laoghaire. I'd been wondering where to get my hands on some. I didn't buy it but am going to next time I'm there, never worked with resin before so not sure how safe it'd be for children...

Well done!
 

This is really lovely, I've been keeping a pregnancy diary for baby to read when he/she is older and after seeing this I'm going to have make one and transfer it all from my shop bought notebook! Although I did the same for my daughter and afterwards transfered all the pages to a scrapbook, it'll make a lovely present on her 16th birthday (13 years to go lol!)

Thanks guys :)

LOL Kiara, now that's what I call forward planning... wish I was that organised :P

Beautiful piece of work Magiceight. well done and i bet your Mum will love it.

Absolutely divine, will wait for the tutorial to try my hand, but this is inspirational, well done, it will make a fabulous xmas present x

The smell when you mix the two liquids for resin is very strong for children so adult help is essential- but it's just wonderful for kids- It's like magic for them- I remember I put tiny shells in the resin and attached different things like a pin for a broach or earings or a pendant.
How do they make the grain of rice with your name on it or the sand art in a bottle--oohh I love that kinda stuff lol

book
 

Quite beautiful! Well done.

Just brilliant magiceight :o) Can't wait to do the tutorial - We go through copious amounts of cereal here so there's no shortage of cardboard :D. Looking forward to making cushions with you soon :o).

Tutorial coming soon! Sorry about the delay, I just started a new job (woohoo!) and I have lots of info to take in so the rest of my life is on pause while I'm training in!!

Mickey - yes we'll make that cushion appointment soon lol... things should be calmer around here in the next week or two :)

That really is gorgeous. it looks like it took a lot of work. well done

that looks really cool...fair play to ya :)

WELL MAGICEIGHT WHAT DID YOUR MUM THINK OF HER BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
REGARDS LINN

Aw, she loved it, she was really pleased :)

lovely work I am sure she was just delighted I know I would be

Wow! Fabulous work, well done. I'd love to try this some time.

magiceight's blog
 

...and even more great ideas for repurposing and crafting can be found on magiceight's groovy blog...here:

http://notbeige.wordpress.com/

Regards
Chris P
Admin

Photo below: Table-leg salt & pepper shakers (of course!)

Cinderella and Eily very kindly let me feature their furniture revamps on my blog: -
http://notbeige.wordpress.com/2009/0...niture-recons/

If anyone else with a nice before and after would like me to include them, give me a shout, I'd love to hear from you!