Altered Children's Songbook - Part 1

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart.

During Music Time in Primary it's sometimes hard to find that certain song and we don't always have "Scripture Power" on hand. So I am posting a few tutorials on not only making the Children's Songbook cuter, but also making it more functional. These altered songbooks also make great gifts!

The inside cover of the Children's Songbook is plain, after all it's just the inside cover. Every-time you open up the Songbook you should smile! So for the first tutorial we will be lining the inside cover of the Songbook. Pick out 2 pieces of your favorite scrapbook paper and lets alter that songbook!

Supplies:

• Hardbound Children's Songbook
• 2 12x12 pieces of your favorite scrapbook paper.
• Paper cutter and/or scissors
• Dry glue like a Xyron Cheetah or a permanent glue stick
• Emery board or sand paper

First cut your scrapbook paper to the dimensions shown above. You may want to cut ever so slightly larger to leave room for mistakes. The excess paper will come off when you sand the edges.


Slide the larger paper under the spiral bound part of the book. Match the edges of the paper to the edges of the book.


Close the book while holding the paper, making sure to crease the paper. Afterward take the paper out and lightly fold the paper back and forth on the two creases.


Apply your glue to the wrong side of the paper. If you're using a glue stick make sure to work quickly, it dries fast! Put the paper back in place, under the spiral of the book and line it up with the edges and creases of the book. Then take something that's not too sharp to rub the paper creases into the creases of the book. I used the handle of a butter knife. You could also use the eraser end of a pencil or an emery board. Rub those creases well. The paper will tear in some places which adds to the look of the book.



Now it's time to work on the back of the book with the other piece of paper. I decided it was easier to cut the tabs off the paper and apply them separately. Cut the tabs off then apply lots of glue to the backside and slide them in place under the plastic. Do the same at the top and the bottom. Make sure you apply lots of pressure to get that glue to stick!


Now apply glue to the rest of the paper and slide it under the plastic. Make sure it lines up with the edges of the book. We're almost done!


The final step is to sand down the edges with either an emery board or sand paper. The emery board is a little easier on the hands.


Make sure to sand all the edges, even the creases you've made.


And the lining of your Children's Songbook is finished! Next week I'll post a way to make finding those songs a lot easier.

lady m