I made this scrapbook from recycled materials to celebrate some of the "highlights" of my relationship with Jeremy. I listed out ten things that I love about our life and then used a highlighter pen and cut them into strips for each page. It's the perfect small book for our coffee table at home.
Here's a look at each of the inside pages. I printed out ten photos that I love, they don't necessarily have anything to do with my list of favorite things. The pages are super simple... just a photo, a journaling strip and some washi or masking tape.
Here's a look at the front and back of the book, as well as the inside of the last page. I loved using recycled papers to make the book.
Here's a little bit about how I made this book. First, I saved papers for a few weeks. Anything that could be used to make a scrapbook, I saved. I used a girl scout cookies box, several paper shopping bags, a fabric bag and some cardboard coffee cozies.
Step 1: Trim all pages. I chose a 6x6 inch size for my book. The pages don't have to match exactly, but they will be easier to bind if they are nearly the same size. Step 2: Use masking tape to bind all the pages together on the inside of the book. Step 3: Continue adding more and more pages until you have 10 inside pages and 2 cover pieces attached. Trim excess tape from each page as you go. Step 4: Use as many pieces of masking tape as you need to to bind the outide spine of the book together.
There you go! This is a super simple way to make a journal or scrapbook from scratch with recycled items. After this just add the photos and journaling to your book!
A few tips for the highlighting.... I printed out my text and then highlighted it, but I had problems with smearing (seen above). To prevent this problem, I used the smeared version as a guide to highlight a blank sheet of paper (I held them together against a window) in the same spots. After the blank sheet was highlighted I let it dry for 5 minutes and was careful to put it into my printer in the exact same direction as the first pieces printed. Then I printed the same text over the highlighter areas and this took care of my smearing problem!
Have fun creating your own highlights book! xoxo, elsie
I love this idea of creating your own book from recycled paper! I definitely want to have a go making this, maybe for my mum's upcoming birthday!
www.styleisalwaysfashionable.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kate | March 27, 2012 at 03:31 PM
I'm loving this so much. great idea.
Oh and the printer trick-- you deserve 10 points for that.
Sónia from Cats and Sisters
http://catsandsisters.blogspot.pt/
Posted by: Sónia | March 27, 2012 at 03:48 PM
Inspiring! Such a great idea!
Posted by: Silk&Whiskey | March 27, 2012 at 03:50 PM
What a cute idea!!! :-) I just gave my man a photobook of our first year together and he absolutely loved it. :-) I'm pretty sure, if I make something like this, he would also be so happy!! Thanks for sharing the idea!
xoxo
Ida
Posted by: A Splash of Ida | March 27, 2012 at 03:57 PM
This is such a sweet idea, what a lovely memento.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Zoe | March 27, 2012 at 04:07 PM
So glad to see you dipping your toes back into scrapbooking...sorta! Love your ideas!
Posted by: Holly S | March 27, 2012 at 04:08 PM
This is such a great DIY. I'm going to have to try! Love! xxxo.
www.lisapriceinc.com
Posted by: Lisa Price | March 27, 2012 at 04:21 PM
I can't tell you how happy I am to see some scrapbooks on your blog again - I missed your art journals! Such a cute way to recycle grocery bags :)
Posted by: Mademoiselle Marie | March 27, 2012 at 04:23 PM
cutest idea! how do you come up with them all? :)
Posted by: sofia | March 27, 2012 at 04:31 PM
Okay, first of all I have to say that your solution for the smearing problem is GENIUS. Simple *genius*!!! :) & secondly, I love this scrapbook!! It's so cute! Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: fafuna | March 27, 2012 at 04:52 PM
How cute!! I love this and can't wait to create my own :)
Posted by: Daily Jenn | March 27, 2012 at 04:56 PM
I love this!!!! :) How cute.
Posted by: LARY @ Inspiration Nook | March 27, 2012 at 04:58 PM
so fabulous! i've been doing lots of highlighter action the last few weeks in my scrapping - think its the neon ;)
Posted by: Helen | March 27, 2012 at 05:02 PM
Wow! This is such a great idea! You two are so cute together!
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca
Posted by: Allison | March 27, 2012 at 05:04 PM
This is a great idea - I love how it turned out. Very Creative!
Posted by: Anna | March 27, 2012 at 05:27 PM
All inspiring as always. Totally doing this one!
♥ sécia
http://www.petiteinsanities.com/
Posted by: sécia | March 27, 2012 at 05:48 PM
Beautiful book and I love your quick fix for the smearing!!!
Posted by: jessica tingle | March 27, 2012 at 05:48 PM
Great idea girls. I wish I had more free time for scrapbooking. But this is lovely inspiration.
xoxo
www.natashafatah.blogspot.com
Posted by: Natasha Fatah | March 27, 2012 at 05:51 PM
I love this idea! I've been making something similar to this for my fiance as a wedding gift. It has recycled materials as the pages, and is filled with memories, receipts, photos, parking tickets, and so much more! Thanks for sharing your finished product, it looks wonderful!
Katie
Posted by: Katie | March 27, 2012 at 05:53 PM
Very cool Elsie! Loving this project, you are very creative. Also, the highlighting before printing to prevent smearing - genius idea!
Posted by: Sheila | March 27, 2012 at 06:14 PM