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I just purchased my first composition book to alter. I know, I am a little behind the times on this. I am looking at it and have a question for all of you that have done this before. What do you do about the black binding on the spine? I read one tutorial that said to cover it with cardstock. It looks great but I'm wondering how that holds up to being opened and used frequently. Any thoughts? I appreciate all of your help!
__________________ Kristen
�Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.�
I leave the black spine and just cover the patterned parts of the covers. I don't think cardstock would hold up well with lots of opening and closing of the notebook.
I always cover the spine with black velvet paper. Or sometimes chocolate or green velvet paper. I don't like the look of cardstock for the binding. And because that particular area gets the most use, I always use red liner tape on the spine.
I've left it alone (black) and covered it with heavy patterned paper (more flexible than cardstock). Both work well and the TAC paper has held up just fine. ;-)
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
I used to cover it with pp, but no, it doesn't hold up. A couple of years ago I discovered colored electrical tape!! Yup--Walmart had a lot of colors that will go with whatever paper you choose. So, that is what I use now when I am making them.
Oh, Home Depot has the tape too, but the last time I shopped for it the tape at Walmart is wider.
I use a solid colored paper...not cardstock...cardstock will bend and crick all sorts of different (and ugly) ways. Leaving it black is a good option too depending on the color of your pattern paper on the front.
Here's a great video on how to do it. Love it.
chicnscratch.typepad.com
Sorry, I couldn't post it as a link so you'll have to cut and paste. It's on the left hand side by the video tutorials.
I just leave mine black. . . .I never had the nerve to try any of the wonderful other ideas - but it sounds like there are a lot of options!!!! I usually use a lot of black, so it always just works into my design and color scheme! Have fun!!!! I just finished one this week - I think its a really fun project!
And have you seen the TINY marble comp books? I did a matching big and little one once, that was SOOO fun!!!
I made a covered notepad where we ran the cs thru the little tool that makes it look corregated (having brain loss here, can't remember the name of the tool) and then put it on the top - it gives it some "stretch" that way - HELP what tool am I talking about???
I covered my spine with paper and I found that it has held up over time. I used double sided tape and it has been fine...Either way looks pretty...I am a big fan of these!
I have just come back from a class where we covered a composition book and altered it. For the spine we stuck wide (about 2 inch) double-sided tape onto fabric, burnished well and then cut out the size we needed for the spine. We used pinking scissors to cut the long sides and with the double-sided tape behind, it shouldn't frey. Looks great, is flexible and co-ordinates with pp used to cover the book. Just another option.
I made a covered notepad where we ran the cs thru the little tool that makes it look corregated (having brain loss here, can't remember the name of the tool) and then put it on the top - it gives it some "stretch" that way - HELP what tool am I talking about???
What a fabulous idea. I'm going to try that. It's the crimper!
I've always attached designer paper to the spine with a nice even coating of Rubber Cement. It seems to adhere really well and not move later. Not acid free or anything, but it isn't a scrapbook that needs to last forever. It's always worked for me.
I cover the spines using fabric sheets found in scrapbooking sections of craft stores. If you use the red super tape it works very well. I choose to cover the spines because I add a ribbon as a place marker for the book...I just tape the ribbon onto the spine then cover with the fabric sheets.
I've left it black and used acrylic paint, after it completely dries I will hodge-podge over the paint; although I like the look, and there are so many colors to choose from; it takes longer to finish a book...hence leaving it black so I can complete more than one a day.
I used to cover it with pp, but no, it doesn't hold up. A couple of years ago I discovered colored electrical tape!! Yup--Walmart had a lot of colors that will go with whatever paper you choose. So, that is what I use now when I am making them.
Oh, Home Depot has the tape too, but the last time I shopped for it the tape at Walmart is wider.
I laid out composition books, embellishments, a wide variety of papers, pens, a cover pattern, stamps, and letters for my 8th Graders to use, and they created very unique journals that they used all year. Because they made them, they held onto them and wrote "secrets" and essays, poems and letters throughout the year.
Did you know that you can run fabric through a laminator with really good results? Some students used that as the foundation and glued embellishments onto that.
I have one i did several years ago that is used frequently. i used cardstock for the black part and applied it with double sided tape. it has held up very well.
YES!! The crimper is what I couldn't think of!! Since I may teach a class for caregivers and have them make these things, I am so glad I found this thread for a variety of ideas. Thanks everybody.
I like em covered with DP, it bends better than CS imho: minis
I use mono multi (the flat side of the applicator) or Scotch brand quick dry liquid adhesive.
This is a great gift idea for teachers and friends or family that journal. Do you have the instructions on how to do this or can you tell me where I can find them? I work at a school and this would be a great gift to give teachers I work with. Thanks for sharing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kris2056
I just purchased my first composition book to alter. I know, I am a little behind the times on this. I am looking at it and have a question for all of you that have done this before. What do you do about the black binding on the spine? I read one tutorial that said to cover it with cardstock. It looks great but I'm wondering how that holds up to being opened and used frequently. Any thoughts? I appreciate all of your help!
I have never used this, but would wall paper work? You can usually get the discontinued sample books free. I would attach it with the red line tape. Let me know what you guys think!
Sue
__________________ Take a peek at my gallery and my new albums!
IF you get really lucky you can find comp books that already have different colored spines!!! I have some that are green, purple, blue, that I think I found at walgreen's. of course I have no pic to show cause they are still sitting in a tub waiting to be decorated!!! LOL.
Have fun!
I have never used this, but would wall paper work? You can usually get the discontinued sample books free. I would attach it with the red line tape. Let me know what you guys think!
Sue
That sound like a great idea. Just think how hard it is to remove from walls, at least from what I've heard, lol.
I just leave mine black. . . .I never had the nerve to try any of the wonderful other ideas - but it sounds like there are a lot of options!!!! I usually use a lot of black, so it always just works into my design and color scheme! Have fun!!!! I just finished one this week - I think its a really fun project!
And have you seen the TINY marble comp books? I did a matching big and little one once, that was SOOO fun!!!
Yes, I bought some of the tiny one from Staples several months ago. They are so cute! This thread has motivated me to get busy decorating all the large and mini ones I've collected! Hope to share some pictures soon.
Altered Composition Notebook
