it seems that areas of the house for showing minis are fast filling up, but everyone has a little bookshelf space left for a hidden treasure. This little porch-in-a-book project also helps use up some of those odd leftover scraps from bigger projects, and uses a recycled book.
Large old books are available everywhere from second-hand bookshops to charity stores and flea markets. Try customising your own. A book with a special greeting is a great gift for a birthday, or a special occasion.
Porch instructions
Each volume varies in size, so no measurements are given.
Carefully cut the entire page bundle from the back binding, leaving only the binding. Measure the thickness of the bundle of pages. If old paper lining is patterned, cut cardstock to cover it, and attach with with an all-purpsoe glue -I used Granny Stover’s.
A sharp craft knife works best when cutting foamcore board. Use a steel ruler or metal straight edge, and apply gentle pressure to the blade. Do several light cuts, first through the paper, then the foam, and finally through the backing paper. Cut foamcore board into strips the width of the bundle of pages. Cut the strips into lengths that will form box sides the same size as the back lining paper. Form box and attach to binding using tacky glue.
Cut a strip of cardstock the length of the box height. Fold in half and glue one side to front of book, lining up the fold with the edge of the cardboard on the front. Allow this to dry completely.
Apply glue to the other half of the folded card-stock strip. Close book and align cover so it looks straight. Open carefully and rub strip down on the top edge of the foam box. Strip edge may be trimmed when dry, or just folded over into box. Cover exposed foam edges with a strip of cardstock for a more finished appearance. Edges, front cover, and cardstock strip can be painted. I used the siding colour, antique white.