Rescues from the recycling bin are perfect for many of the projects in Creative Book Art. Covers that have lovely gold decoration or lettering look very pretty with this birdcage theme. Use a sharp blade in your craft knife since the front cover board in old books is very thick.
YOU WILL NEED
Cover from an old book, preferably with pretty decoration or lettering
Several pages from a book
Pencil
Tracing paper
Craft knife
Cutting mat
Scissors
Glue stick
1. Using the pencil and tracing paper, trace around the birdcage template of your choice.
2. Position the trace on a page of text from the book so that the base of the birdcage is in the blank margin at the bottom of the page, and the rest of the birdcage is in the type. Use the craft knife to carefully cut out the birdcage.
3. To embellish the birdcage, choose one of the decorative templates. One design is a pattern to be cut out directly from the base of the birdcage, while the other two require a pattern to be cut from a section of text and stuck on. For the first alternative, trace the decorative pattern onto the base of the birdcage and, using the craft knife, cut out the pattern. For the second option, trace the decorative pattern from the template onto another page and, using the scissors and craft knife (see illustration below), cut out the pattern. Secure the pattern to the base of the birdcage with a dab of glue.
4. Place the cover on the cutting mat and, with a very sharp craft knife, cut out a decorative section from the front cover of the book (or use the whole thing).
5. Place the birdcage over the decorative lettering or motif, and secure with a few blobs of glue. Using the template, trace the bird with the pencil and tracing paper, transfer to a page of text, cut it out, and stick the bird into position with a bit of glue.
This project is from Creative Book Art by Clare Youngs. To get more free projects like this one - direct to your inbox - sign up to our mailing list here.