Den for Hidden Messages by Tom McCormack
I learned to make little books like this on a workshop with Kathryn Sturrock on the Hochanda stall at one of the craft fayres before the world descended into madness. They’re fun, fairly simple to make and can be decorated any way you wish.
The Products I used…
Greyboard
All pieces 11 cm tall, one at 8cm wide, one at 6.5cm wide, one at 5cm wide, and two pieces 3cm wide.
Black card
One cut to 29cm by 13 cm tall
One cut to 26.5cm by 10.5cm
Multifarious Card
One cut to 7.5cm by 10.5cm
One cut to 6cm by 10.5cm
One cut to 4.5cm by 10.5cm
Lavinia Stamps used
Tree den
Rufus
Brodwin
Snow Falling
Inks
Elements Sundance
Versafine Clair Nocturne and Twilight
Smoothie
Fan brush
Glue
Post-it note pad (however you could add pages to make a mini journal if you prefer.
The Steps in creating “The Den”
(click on the first image to view as a slideshow)
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- Taking the pieces of grey board, number them as seen in the picture which also shows the aforementioned sizes, and place them as shown on the black card that is cut to 29cm by 13cm, making sure to leave the same space between each piece, and an equal amount either side, which will be pulled over and glued in place.
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- Cut the corners off as shown in the picture, this will make it easier when folding over and gluing the edges down.
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- Using a bone folder, fold the overhanging sections over burnish
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- Score in between the sections of grey board.
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- Add glue to the edges of the black card that you have burnished, and a little onto the grey board, and hold in place until the glue taken.
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- Add some glue to the third panel, then add the other piece of black card, making sure it is centered, again, hold in place till the glue has taken.
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- Add glue to each section in turn, bringing the section up, rather than adding while flat, until all panels are glued securely.
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- This is how the book should look now, before you decorate and add the panels.
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- Add glue to the post it note pad and attach to the inside of the book
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- Apply Sundance elements using a smoothie all over the three pieces of multifarious card.
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- Add some splatters of water using a fan brush, leave for a few seconds, and then mop up with some kitchen towel.
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- Stamp each section as shown in, with Versafine Clair Nocturne, and add some Versafine Clair Twilight through the stencil.
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- I made a mask using a piece of scrap paper to protect the tree den stamp, while stamping the snow falling verse. I had the pieces of card next to each other without any space between.
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- Add the decorated panels to the book, making sure they are the right way up
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- I used a hair band to secure the book, although you could use some Velcro pads as a closure.
I hope that this was easy to follow, and you enjoyed it.
Have a fairytastic day.
Tom xx