Hey there, It's Alec. Im a big fan of taking old books and bringing new life to them through multiple uses. So for this case I chose to make a photo guestbook.
Items that I used can be seen here. The Instax Camera definitely works great for this. Film can get a little steep price wise but I am a big fan of the small size and it fits in a book quite well. The book I picked up at the thrift store along with the old photo album. Other items include glue, pens, scissors, and photo corners that I picked up at Michael's for really cheap.
First thing I did was take the old photo album, peel the pieces of plastic off each page and then cut the pages out a couple at a time.
Next, I ripped out all of the binding in the book and said goodbye to the pages.
Following that, take the pages from the old photo album and fold them in half, and then trim them to the size of the book, and in accordance with the look you are going for. I left the edges ruff for character. Then I used the tip of my scissors to punch holes in each folded piece of album paper.
After that, take the twine and thread it through each of the holes and knot it, leaving a small amount of play in the tightness.
Next, put glue in the middle of your vintage book, and sit the bound album paper firmly on the glue.
I would let this sit until it is completely dry, but make sure to check it every once in a while and open the pages to make sure there is no glue in between the pages too far inside the book.
After the drying has stopped, open each of the pages in the book to stretch it out a little bit, then proceed to glue photo corners where you deem will be best for the type of guest book you want. I went ahead and did three per page.
Well well. you now have a rockin photo album to use for any occasion! Customize to your liking or event and make it fun, and enjoy. Alec
[Alec, Thanks so much! This is super adorable! I can't wait to make one... elsie]
pretty cool!!
xo.
Posted by: tiffany. | April 12, 2010 at 03:17 AM
Oooh, I did something similar a few months ago. I made a little mini book for a friend, and during her birthday party we took instant photos, stuck then in, and we all wrote inside. I posted pics here (text is Hebrew, but you can take a look at the pics!)
http://israblog.nana10.co.il/blogread.asp?blog=561504&blogcode=11521506
Posted by: Hagit | April 12, 2010 at 03:22 AM
heck yes, this is awesome!
I can't wait to make one.
XX.
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | April 12, 2010 at 04:04 AM
this is pretty much brilliant
x
Posted by: becky | April 12, 2010 at 04:44 AM
i would love to try this...but hmmmm...with what time??...and for what event??...
...you have gotten the mad hostess creator juices flowin', LC, my dear.
;)
Posted by: Amanda Z from NYC | April 12, 2010 at 05:11 AM
This is great! This might work nicely for art journalling as well!
Posted by: AnnaDenise | April 12, 2010 at 05:36 AM
This is great! Thanks for sharing. C:
Alecia
Posted by: Alecia | April 12, 2010 at 06:08 AM
awesome idea!
Posted by: Maria Isabel | April 12, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Darling idea - how cute for a birthday or special event / occasion. Thanks for sharing !!
Posted by: vicki grobels | April 12, 2010 at 09:00 AM
Fabulous....LOVE taking something old and making it new again! TFS
-Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Mullanix | April 12, 2010 at 09:37 AM
that's SUCH an adorably cute idea. love your blog, girl.
xoxox
Posted by: Cara | April 12, 2010 at 10:32 AM
What a great project! I did something like this a while ago and it was so much fun!
By the way, I'm hosting a lovely little giveaway on my blog that you might be interested in entering! Here's the link:
http://moonfaceon.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-quotes-notes.html
xo,
Cassie
Posted by: Cassandra Marie | April 12, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I was just joking to my husband that we need a guestbook for our guest room, since it's booking up like a B&B. This is perfect!
Posted by: Roxanne | April 12, 2010 at 11:35 AM
This is great! What an awesome idea.
www.loloholmes.tumblr.com
Posted by: Lolo | April 12, 2010 at 12:09 PM
What an interesting concept to bind it that way. I bind mine with a Coptic stitch that takes some time to accomplish. Does your gluing the book signatures in hold up well? Right now I'm using one of my altered books to keep a log of a 800 page history book and with my added transparency maps and stuff, it's taking quite a beating. If gluing the book together makes just as sturdy of a book, this I must try.
Veagan Ann
Here's a link to my Etsy listing of the books.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41417067
Posted by: Veagan Ann | April 12, 2010 at 02:27 PM
I think it would be fun to have one of these by the door in my apartment, and have everyone who came in snap a quick photo. As the years passed, it would be really neat to see how everyone changed (or didn't)!
Posted by: Haley | April 12, 2010 at 04:18 PM
i haven't been able to find film for my polaroid cameras!
Posted by: marla | April 12, 2010 at 04:53 PM
The idea is good, but your pictures will turn yellow in no time, trust me ... enless you use a stuff to make it acid free.
Posted by: julie | April 12, 2010 at 07:27 PM
What a cute DIY. Isn't it sort of like a scrapbook?
Anyways, I wanted to point out something really cool to you. It's a blog and artist I know you'll adore because she's the CUTEST thing:
http://colormekatie.blogspot.com
Posted by: Anne | April 12, 2010 at 07:38 PM
I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Alicia | April 12, 2010 at 08:38 PM