Book making part 2

My Luddite PDA

Skimming the internet, especially Etsy, can provide so much creative inspiration.

Ivy Lane Designs has some great handmade books using cereal boxes.  One type of design uses 1- 1 1/2″ square sections of candy and cereal boxes pieced together in a grid to make the cover of the book.  This is a great project to do with a group of kids.  Every kid brings a bag of squares and share.  The focus could then be on design and balance.

Crown Bindery uses simple rings to bind little books together.

I know I am admitting how Luddite I am, but I needed a book to keep phone numbers (from friends to doctors), insurance info, and directions handy when we travel.  I combined Ivy Lane Designs’ upcycled pieced printed materials idea with Crown Bindery’s binding technique to create a handy little 4″ book.  The rings make it easy to flip fully open and to change the pages.

Keeping business cards handy

The outside covers are 1″ squares from state park pamphlets acquired over the years.  Three rings, spaced carefully, allow me to punch business cards and insert them.  Every thing has its own section which is separated by part of a state park map.

Inside cover and section divider

The inside cover is a section of a Blue Ridge Parkway map.  I punched the 3 holes before painting the cover with Modpodge to help protect it because it will get tossed around and beaten up.

Lost Button also provides directions and templates for mini books.

Easy Bookbinding

I’ve gotten on a bookmaking kick.  I haven’t been able to convince The King to join me yet, but elementary age kids can certainly make these with some help.  For an even easier version, requiring only paper and a stapler (or needle and thread) and scissors, check out Plum Pudding’s Paper Pocket Booklets.

Materials:

Matboard scraps or other stiff board (cereal boxes aren’t sturdy enough, but you could try gluing two layers together if you can’t find anything thicker).

Paper to cover the outside (60-80 pound cardstock/scrapbook paper works well.  Typing paper is way too thin.)

Paper to cover the inside (can be thinner than the outside paper, but regular typing paper is still to thin to handle the glue.)

Paper to make your pages from (Now you can use typing paper or any other thin papers.  And remember, all of the pages don’t have to be the same type or color.)

Scissors

Glue (plain white glue works well) with a matboard scrap to spread it with

Hole punch (Make sure your hole punch can punch matboard before starting the project.  I just bought the Crop-a-dile and love it.)

Ribbon (12-18 inches per book)

Ruler

Heavy books or other weight

Popsicle sticks, optional

Step 1 and 2

Step 1: Cut 4 pieces of matboard- 2 pieces that are about 1 inch long and as wide as the book and 2 pieces that are about 6 inches long and as wide as the book (4 inches wide works well).

Step 2: Cut 2 pieces of paper that are 1/2 – 3/4  inches larger in each direction than the matboard (see photo).

Step 3: Drizzle Elmer’s glue over the back of one large piece of matboard then use a scrap piece of matboard to evenly and very thinly coat the matboard.  (I lay the matboard on a flattened ceral box to spread the glue.  I then move the box aside to have a clean space to work with the paper.)  Position the gluey matboard on the paper, turn over and rub gently from center to edges with the flat side of the popsicle stick (or another scrap of matboard).  Place under a pile of heavy books for a few minutes while you repeat the process with the other large matboard piece.

Step 4

Step 4: Spread glue over one of the little matboard pieces.  Line a ruler up next to the big, already glued piece to help position the little piece.  Tightly wedge 2 popsicle sticks (or 2 pieces of matboard) between the large and small pieces.  This creates a necessary gap so that the cover will hinge and open without tearning your papers.  Remove the ruler and popsicle sticks and carefully place under heavy books.  Repeat with other cover.

Step 5 and 6

Step 5: Snip off the corners of the paper, leaving a little more than 1/8 inch of paper extending beyond the corner.  If you cut off too little it will be hard to fold the paper over the corners.  If you cut off too much, the matboard will peep through on the points.

Step 6: Fold the edges over the cover, creasing them with the popsicle stick as you go.  Then spread a very, very thin line of glue on the edge of the matboard.  Use your popsicle stick to help press down the paper as you fold it over.  You may have to glue 2 opposite sides then let it sit under your heavy books for a minute before doing the other 2 opposite sides.

Step 7

Step 7: Cut the end pages to go inside the cover.  They should be 1/8-1/4 inch smaller in every direction than the book cover.  Spread glue on the end pages as you did above then carefully position on the inside of the cover.  Put under a weight for a few minutes.  Before it is completely dry, run the popsicle stick in the crack between the large and small sections to make a crease.  This will help it open more easily.  Press under weights until completely dry.

Step 8: Cut the pages for the book the same size as the end pages or slightly smaller.  A stack of paper about 1/2 inch is good for this size book.

Step 9: Punch holes in everything.  I usually make a template that I hold over the covers and each section of papers to know where to punch the holes.  About 1/2 inch from the short end and 1 inch in seems to work well.  To make the template, get a scrap of paper the width of the book, measure carefully where you want your holes then punch them through the template.  Use this to punch holes through the cover then trim it down from both ends to match the smaller size of the pages.  Make sure everything is lining up well before you punch all of your holes.

Step 10: Use bulldog clips to hold everything together in it’s right place then tie it all up.  Thread the ribbon through the cover (make sure it is smooth on the back), the papers and front cover then tie.  I usually do a double knot and then the bow.

Finished book

For an even easier version, requiring only paper and a stapler (or needle and thread) and scissors, check out Plum Pudding’s Paper Pocket Booklets.

Recycled Putt-Putt

The university here offered a challenge for their EarthFest: build a putt-putt hole using only recycled/repurposed and natural materials.  It has been a great family project.  The King has gotten practice with using the drill.  He’s been thinking about design and function.  It has challenged us all to listen, think through and communicate about our ideas.  We’ve brain stormed and drawn diagrams.  And we can no longer drive down the street without looking to see what people have put out as trash that can be so easily repurposed as fun!

Here is the description submitted to the university:

None of our materials were purchased for this project.  We used pallets, peg board, miscellaneous wood scraps and cot fabric that were all found on the side of the road.  Broken matchbox racetrack piece, Styrofoam, plastic pots, wire, metal vent pipe, discarded chess pieces, used aluminum roasting pan and foil, water bottles, and old keys are all things left over from other projects that were saved for recycling or re-use.  We also used vines growing in the yard.  To stick everything together we used nails, screws, staples, wood glue, hot glue and duct tape.  Some of the fasteners were salvaged or left-over from previous projects; none were purchased for this project.

Harry Putter is the title of our putt-putt hole.  It is based on the six enchantments at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The ball must travel through Fluffy’s doghouse, down through Devil’s Snare, past Flitwick’s keys, Wizard Chess and Snape’s potions to get to the Mirror of Erised and the hole.

Several sections of the course (e.g., potion bottles and chess pieces) can be arranged in different configurations or even removed completely to adjust the difficulty of the hole.  After we tire of playing with the putt-putt hole, the doghouse can be removed and used as a toy tunnel or station with matchbox cars and wooden train sets.  We have also considered re-engineering the pallet bases to make a swing.

Homeschooling Ourselves

The J Lane Hawk

Hurry, scurry

Worry, flurry

There go the grown-ups

To the office, to the store

Subway crush, traffic rush

No wonder

Grown-ups

Don’t grow up anymore

It takes

a lot

of slow

to grow.

Eva Merriam Jamboree Rhymes for All Times, quoted in Lucy Calkins Raising Lifelong Learners

We watched the neighborhood hawk for what seemed like an eternity today.  It was right outside our windows.  I wanted to watch, but kept thinking about all that needed to be done before nap.  I was thrilled to see it then wanted it to fly away so we could get back to work.  The King needed to finish his reading and writing, The Sage needed to finish making and cutting hearts.  It is hard to remember the need of not doing, the need of watching, the need to be slow.  As a grown-up, I’m still not grown-up and must remember that it takes a lot of slow to grow.

Chinese Calligraphy and brush practice

The King practicing the character 'person.'

There are two main challenges in watercolor painting: controlling the amount of water/ paint on the brush and controlling the movement and pressure.  We have a great new toy that allows The King to focus on the pressure and movement because it controls the first part for you.  The Pentel Color Brushes are not cheap (about $7 at Hobby Lobby without a coupon), not washable, I don’t know how long they will last, and haven’t figured out if you can refill them, but we really, really like them.  Crayola has also just started making “5 count Brush Paint Pens.”  I have seen these at Michaels and at Target.  They are about $5 for 5.  These would probably be a great treat on an airplane for a kid who loves to paint.

Our wonderful new toy!

Working with Chinese calligraphy encourages kids (and adults!) to focus on pressing down to make a thicker line, lifting for a thin line and going slowly to observe and reproduce the line’s curves and length.  These pens are not the proper materials for Chinese calligraphy but do work quite well except when it comes to making some of the little knobs at the ends of the lines.  Our favorite Chinese calligraphy book is Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy, though The King says it should be titled Chinese Calligraphy Made a Little Less Hard!

Must read posts on education

Of the education blogs I keep up with, Camp Creek Blog is certainly the best.  This week there are already 2 excellent and thought provoking posts.

So, as I feel guilty about not doing more,  White Space reminds me of balance.

I can certainly attest to the Teacher Effects.  I never (no, not overstating this) had a good history teacher.  Thirteen years in public school and never even a decent history teacher is a pretty sad statistic.  Certainly not odds to go to Vegas with!  That said, I was fortunate enough to have an amazing art teacher through high school as well as attend a magnet school with more great art teachers.  Never had a bad art teacher.  The effect?  I love art and am fairly clueless about history.

Adaptable Counting Game: Toddlers – Third Grade

Here is an easy game I made for The King and have pulled out again for The Sage. If you have the materials, you can make it in minutes. First, you need a die. I use wooden blocks from the craft store and add small dot stickers, little dots of paint or even a sharpie. Since this is for super simple counting, have 1 dot on 2 sides, 2 dots on 2 sides and 3 dots on the other 2 sides. Next, cut a strip of paper (cardstock is best, typing paper will do) about 1-2 inches wide and 10 inches long. Use a marker to divide this into 10 even spaces. You can write the numbers in each space if you choose. Last, find 20 or more pieces.  I have lots of tiny seashells, so I’m using those. I’ve also used punched paper shapes.  I’m hesitant to use things that are too fun, like matchbox cars because I think The Sage would get distracted by the cars.

How to play: take turns rolling the die. Count the dots on the top together if your child can’t do it alone or for him/her if they can’t do it at all. Then count out the same number of markers (shells). Put one shell in each spot on the number line. Now it is the next person’s turn. When the line is full, you simply point out that it is full and let them put the shells back in the box and continue to play. When the other person’s line is full, they do the same. We don’t play winning or loosing games at this age.

This game is intended for the earliest counting practice but there are a number of adaptions to make it more complicated. You can make the board larger (15 or 20 spaces) and use a 10 sided die to work with counting larger numbers. With the same medium sized board, you can use 2 dice with a small number of dots on each to work with simple adding. Then you can increase the number of dots to add larger numbers. You can do the same thing with subtraction.

You can make a huge board (10×10 grid) to work on how big 100 is. Add (or multiply) dice together to fill the board.

You can use the 1-10 number line to work on the different ways to add to 10. You roll 4 dice with 1-6 on each. You can add any 2 of them together to make 10. Each time you make 10, you get to place one marker in one spot.  Another way to use the 1-10 line and the 4 dice is  to roll them all and add, subtract, multiply and/or divide to get the number written on the line. For example, if you roll 4,5,1 and 2, you could say 4+5= 9 and put a marker on the 9 and 1×2=2 and put a marker on the 2. You could also say 5-4=1 and 1×1x2=2 and put a marker on the 2. You have to use at least 2 numbers, but don’t have to use all of them.  Convoluted and crazy is fine.

How to practice with chopsticks

This is a very easy way to introduce cultural differences, work on motor skills and have fun.  Get 2 bowls, cotton balls, pair of chopsticks, and a child who wants to play.  Use the chopsticks to move the cotton balls from one bowl to the other or pretend to eat dumplings.  We have several different types of chopsticks.  The King did this as a toddler with regular chopsticks, but The Sage finds the cheater chopsticks (top in photo) we got at Doc Chey’s much easier (you can also order them from China Sprout or read Tilt’s explanation of how to rig up your own in the comments).

Here is a wonderful video about how to use chopsticks and Chinese dinning etiquette.

Make your own Chinese Lanterns

The Lantern Festival (February 4, 2009) is the 15th and last day of Chinese New Year but lanterns are used as decorations long before then.   We love Stefan Czernecki’s Paper Lanterns- a story of an old master paper lantern craftsman and the young boy who sweeps the floors and desperately wants to become an apprentice.  And while we greatly respect anyone who can form bamboo and rice paper into fantastic lanterns, we chose the simple road.

There are several ways to make your own paper lanterns.  The first only requires a sheet of card stock or construction paper, scissors and glue or stapler.  Here is a step by step tutorial.  Any child who can cut a generally straight line with scissors can do this one.  We made one when The King was 3.  Next time we make these, I’ll add a piece of yellow tissue paper on the inside to help it look lit up.

The second method is more involved.  You’ll need balloons, white glue or mod podge, a sponge brush, tissue paper or crepe paper and a string or wire to hang it from.  Cardstock, ribbons, paints and glitter glue are optional.  Look at this step by step tutorial first.  I’m leary of fire close to flamable objects, so we will light ours with a string of patio lights, but a friend is going to try a babyfood jar with a tea light in it.  The battery tea lights are not bright enough for this.  A small, but bright flashlight tied at the top might work, too.

Red layer finished, yellow started

You need to use 5-6 layers of tissue paper or crepe paper, torn into strips.  I used mod podge watered down to about half strength, but white glue could work as well.  Use a sponge brush and lightly cover the paper with glue- it is fine if you miss spots.  Try to use as little glue as necessary to make it stick together.  You want at least 2 layers to be red, including the top layer.  I found that alternating the colors made it much easier to keep track of what area still needed to be covered.  Yellow, white, orange, pink would all work well for under layers.  Leave about a half inch to 1 inch around the top of the balloon that isn’t covered in paper.

The King's secret message lantern

The King's secret message lantern lit up.

You can add a secret message by gluing red opaque paper (like cardstock) designs, words or Chinese characters (links below) before you add the last layer of tissue paper.  The message won’t be clearly visable until you add a light inside.  The King did this and decided that it was super cool.  We also did one with black paper so the design shows up when not lit.  You can also paint the lantern after it is fully dry.

After you finish the last layer of tissue paper, brush an even, not to thick layer of mod podge over the entire lantern.  If you start tearing the paper while doing this, let it dry a bit then add the last layer of glue.

Depending on how much glue you used, you’ll have to let it sit an hour or more to dry enough to pull the balloon out.  I put a string on my dinning room light and clothespin the balloon to it.  When the balloon is no longer sticky (it is ok if it is a little cold still), cut the top of the balloon with scissors.  Do not be alarmed if your lantern begins to look like an overgrown raisin as the air is released.  Pull the balloon out and trim the top of the lantern so you can fit your hand inside (about the size of a soup can).  Hold the lantern in one hand and put your other hand inside to help reform it as needed.  Let it sit and finish drying.

When it is dry and firm, you can continue to decorate.  If you paint a design on it, I suggest using a somewhat thick paint like acrylic and not runny watercolor.  Simple Chinese lanterns usually have a small cylinder at the top and bottom (these would both be openings but not in ours) rimmed with gold fringe.  To make the small cylinder, cut a piece of cardstock an inch or so wide and long enough to fit the circumfrence of the opening.  Fold the long side over about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.  Then snip this side with scissors about every 1/4 inch.  Doing this will enable the paper to bend more smoothly.  Make two pieces like this for each lantern.  The top piece should be bent so that the snipped tabs stick outward then overlap the ends slightly and glue the ends to make a circle (a clothespin will hold it).  The piece for the bottom should be bent and glued so that the tabs stick inward.  Glue the tabs to the bottom center of the lantern (you may need to keep a hand inside the lantern a few minutes to help it stick).   Put glue on the tabs, then work the top cylinder into the top of the lantern.  Press the tabs against the top inside of the lantern, with the top of the cylinder sticking out.

Cylinder for the bottom, cut, folded and glued

Once this dries, you can add ribbon, fringe or paint to the top and bottom.  To make a handle, I simply sewed a piece of twine through both sides and tied it.  You could also glue a cardstock handle in the top.

YouTube video: making paper lanterns with folded and stapled paper.
YouTube video: making traditional lanterns with bamboo and paper, step 1.

Chinese characters: coloring pages
Chinese characters: good luck characters
Other Chinese New Year coloring pages
Other Chinese New Year crafts
A good overview of some Chinese New Year activities

Wonderful lanterns made by two young friends.

Chinese Knot Tying

Chinese New Year decoration in hotel. Gui Yang, China. 2008

This is the best tutorial I’ve found for tying Chinese Good Luck or Fortune  knot (which is relatively simple compared to the knot in my photo).  Don’t rush it and pause the tutorial as needed if you need to catch up.  I suggest using safety pins on a cork board or a covered foam surface (like a cloth couch) instead of tape and paper to hold the string down.  Before you start, slightly burn/ melt the cut ends of the cord with a lighter so they won’t unravel.  I got the cording at Hobby Lobby ($2 for 24 feet if not on sale) and hope to pick up a 12 inch cork board.  Since our furniture is leather I probably shouldn’t be sticking pins in it!

Here is a tutorial for tying Dragonfly Knot part 1 and part 2.

Once I can do these in my sleep, I may have to get Chinese Knotting by Lydia Chen.  This links to Google books which has some pages excerpted including directions for the Clover Knot and the beginning of the Good Luck knot.  With younger or less patient kids, I might stop the Good Luck knot at the end of step 2 (all that is given in the excerpt) rather than doing the more complicated knot in the tutorial above.

This Chinese Knotting page isn’t fancy but does have several knots with clear step by step photos.  Click on the knot then on How To.  I have to try the flower knots as soon as I get the Good Luck knot down.  Flowers on New Year’s day are auspicious, but since we don’t have camelias,  I think knot or paper flowers are the only one’s I’ll find.