One month ago, after meeting up with my blog pal Jen and local readers, we offered up a Goodwill Challenge. I bought a thick hardcover book.
I know, it’s not much of a make over, but I’ve always wanted to make a book safe. A 15 cent book is a good tester, too. Jen’s challenge was an even better excuse to get started.
First, I separated the first few pages and the front cover, keeping everything bound with binder clips. Then I mixed plain ol’ Elmer’s glue with a little bit of water and brushed it all over the edges of the book. Mod Podge would work for this, too, but I only had glossy and I wanted this to look as realistic as possible.
With the edges glued together, I put a few pencils between the front pages and the glued pages. To help the pages dry tightly, I popped Ben’s jug of wine on top. Twenty or so minutes later, the glue had completely dried.
To get started cutting, gather a pencil, ruler and a sharp utility knife. Draw a border on the front page (I used the text as my guide). Use the ruler to cut a straight edge, going through as many pages as possible.
Pull the pages out and keep on cutting.
Don’t stop now. Cut along the edges.
As I cut, my edges got messier and messier. This doesn’t matter. It will all be covered up.
After about 15 minutes of cutting, I had removed enough of the inside to fit my iPhone inside and close the cover.
Once you’ve hollowed the book to the depth you’d like, cover the inside edges with the glue mixture. Spread more glue along the top of the hollowed border and let one page out of the clips. Set the page down and cut out the inside for a clean top page. Put something heavy on top to dry. Now you’ve got a handy book safe to keep all your worldly possessions inside.
I have to admit, after cutting to the iPhone depth, my new camera arrived and I quit working to fiddle around. And I haven’t gotten back to cutting yet. But you get the idea.
Now, let’s do the Safety Dance.
Have you ever made a book safe? Wanted a book safe? What’s your favorite book?
Chance @ Designed by Chance
/ January 24, 2012I once made one of these for my best friend. i was ten. She still has it. (some twenty years later)
Mrs. Delightful
/ January 24, 2012Great tutorial!
~Mrs. Delightful
ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Shirley
/ January 24, 2012This is pretty nice I have never thought about making something like that.
Tiffany
/ January 24, 2012I would store chocolate in it. My own personal chocolate. What would you store in it?
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication
/ January 24, 2012That’s really cool. I’ve actually thought of making one using a really big book and storing remotes in it so I can use the book as decoration on my coffee table.
ourhumbleabowed
/ January 24, 2012Hey Chance, That’s awesome that your friend still has it!
Hi Mrs. Delightful, Thanks! Glad you like it.
Hey Shirley! Thanks!
Hi Tiffany, Oooh yeah! Hide that chocolate stash! You know, I don’t really have anything to put in it…yet. I’ve thought about storing our extra check books and such in there because we have them in a kitchen drawer and that’s not necessary.
Hey Ashley! That’s an awesome idea! I love that it would be a pretty way of disguising something ugly. Let me know if you do that!
Thanks!
Amanda
melissa
/ January 24, 2012Great project!
Rachel
/ January 24, 2012Is it crazy I’ve never heard of this?…but I LOVE it!!! I am definitely going to make one of these, (though as a complete bookworm, it will be hard for me to cut into a book!) thanks so much for the idea!
Caitlin @ Hardly Housewives
/ January 25, 2012Haha, now I’m going to have the Safety Dance stuck in my head all day!
I’m trying to think of stuff I’d put in mine. Good idea on checkbooks. It could also be a great gift idea – wrap up an old book (safety-tized) and have something awesome inside!
Kim @ Yellow Brick Home
/ January 25, 2012Hehe, I love this!
ourhumbleabowed
/ January 25, 2012Hey Melissa! Thanks! It was pretty quick, too. I’m not sure it’s the most useful thing I’ve made, but it was fun.
Hi Rachel, Really? That is kind of crazy. Just buy a book that you don’t really like. Haha.
Hey Caitlin! You’re welcome. Haha. S(s)-A(a)-F(f)-E(e)-T(t)-Y(y) Dance. Such a lame yet fun song. It’s on par with She Blinded Me with Science. You’re welcome for that, too.
Definitely a great part of a gift. Maybe with a flask or technology inside.
Hi Kim! It’s a fun little project. I know you’re up to your elbows in office updating, but it could be a cute way to hide some ugly desk stuff…
Thanks!
Amanda
Amy @ Lovely Nest
/ January 25, 2012This is a great DIY, though the thought of cutting all those pages is not exciting, but it would be fun once it was done!
Amelia
/ January 25, 2012Looks good, Amanda! I totally wanted to join the link party for the Goodwill Challenge, but I didn’t see a post on Monday; did I miss something?
ourhumbleabowed
/ January 25, 2012For some reason InLinkz doesn’t like me. But my blog BFF Jen has a link party for us.
Stop by here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/01/trash-to-treasure-link-party.html
Dina
/ February 16, 2012It’s such a great idea but i love books i can’t do this for a book