One Page Book with Pockets with Kirsten Varga

Hello! Kirsten here back with another bookmaking adventure! This month I am making a cute little book with pockets from one piece of paper and no sewing! Follow along with my step by step photo tutorial!

My one piece of paper is a sheet of lightweight mixed media paper that is 12"x18". I used my favorite brayer to apply black paint to one side and a blend of pink and purple to the other.

I chose the StencilGirl® Wildflowers Botanical Mask (L910) stencil and paints 

in shades of red and iridescent white to layer onto the black side of the paper.

I am very happy with the texture and depth of color that was achieved! 

Make sure the paint has dried completely before you move on to the next step.

Fold the paper in half along the long edge with the pattern on the outside.

Rotate the paper so the fold is at the top and then fold up the bottom edge to form the "pocket".

Flip over and repeat. You now have a "pocket" on the front and back.

Unfold the paper (not the pockets) and place it pattern side down. Fold a short side over about 3/4".

With that little edge still folded over fold the entire sheet in half 

with the pattern and pockets on the outside.

Our goal is to accordion fold the paper so the next step is to fold the top layer down to the bottom fold.

Then flip it over and fold the top (with that little folded edge) down to the bottom.

Below is what the result should be. An accordion folded paper with a little folded edge on the right.

Carefully flatten the paper patterned side up (with the pockets still folded). Make one cut along 

the middle fold from the top perpendicular fold to the last perpendicular fold.

The result is shown below. 

To form the book, first fold it in half pattern side out and then push in to form a "+" shape.

Flatten it and then glue the little folded edges together.

I also added a small line of glue to the other open flap.

Close the book and see which side works for your cover.

Try different configurations until you find one that works for you!

Now your book is ready to be decorated!

I chose to fill the pockets with handwritten love declarations from books

written by Jane Austen paired with some found photos of couples. To make these I used 

some Kraft cardstock and glitter paint pens along with some classic photo corners.

Happy Creating!

STENCIL USED: 

Wildflowers Botanical Mask - L910

SUPPLIES:

Lightweight Mixed Media Paper 12"x18"

Acrylic paint in black, reds, purples, iridescent white

Brayer

Paintbrush

Bone Folder

Ruler/Craft Knife

Glue

Kraft Cardstock

Glitter paint pens

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Five-Slot Longstitch Book with Kirsten Varga

Welcome to another bookmaking adventure with StencilGirl® and me, Kirsten Varga! This month I am featuring the five-slot longstitch book.There are numerous variations of longstitch patterns. A quick internet search will deliver a multitude of tutorials from many talented book artists. 

I was inspired to try this book structure after perusing Cherryl Moote's book titled "Longstitch Books". So, grab your bookmaking supplies, a few snazzy stencils and let's dive in!

I started by preparing my book block and that means picking out paper for the signatures. The signatures of my book are made from single sheets of heavy weight mixed media paper. Usually signatures are comprised of 3-5 sheets of folded paper nested together but since the paper I chose is so thick I opted to have just one folded sheet be my book's signature. I made about twenty of them but in the end I only put fourteen into my book. 

I colored my signatures with watered down acrylic ink after I folded them in half. I wanted to take away the black page and give my book a "weathered" look. The dried acrylic ink won't react to wet media so I will have the freedom to use many different mediums inside my book.

The cover is made from a large piece of chipboard that was part of some packaging. I painted and stenciled directly on the surface and then folded it in half and glued the unpainted sides together.

Instead of holes (to attach the signatures to the cover) this structure uses slits cut onto the spine. Then the signatures are sewed onto the cover with a running stitch. The result is a book with a decorative spine that allows the pages to open flat! 

I created a tutorial video to show you all the details! Find it on the StencilGirl® YouTube channel HERE! 

Happy Creating!

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Stencils used:

Graphic Mod Mask 3: Bubble - L865

Stone and Mortar Version 2 - S375

Abstract Grid - L850

Other Supplies:

Mixed media paper (6"x9")

Chipboard (approx 13"x19")

Acrylic Inks

Acrylic Paints

Matte Gel Medium

Craft Knife

Ruler

Scissors

Awl

Needle and Linen Thread

Bone Folder

Piercing Cradle

The Stencil of My Dreams- October 2023 StencilClub Exclusive

If you are not already a member of StencilClub, here's a few reasons why you should be. 

Join Today! 

Kirsten Varga - October StencilClub

Welcome back Creatives! Kirsten Varga here with a bookmaking project using the fabulous October StencilClub designs by Cat Kerr. The bold imagery is festive and fun. I pulled out my GelliArts printing plate and my stash of specialty papers to create this beauty. The name of this structure is a Gate-fold Book.

A gate-fold book has a cover that opens like a gate! :) I decided on a "gate" that is evenly divided but feel free to change it up. The left hand side could be wider or vice versa. The covers can overlap or not. Let your imagination and curiosity explore the possibilities.

My book contains two signatures created from a variety of papers in my stash like old dictionary pages, painted papers, handmade papers and patterned papers. All of them are the same height as the book but the width varies. I chose to do that so the papers could overlap to create interesting visual combinations.

I used a GelliArts printing plate to print the stencil designs with black and white paint onto deli paper. I like working with deli paper because it goes mostly translucent when glued to a surface.

The cover is a piece of 140 lb watercolor paper that is painted with vibrant acrylics. The deli paper prints are then glued on the entire surface, front and back of the cover, with matte medium.

I attached each signature to the cover with the 5-hole pamphlet stitch. This is one of my favorite bookbinding stitches because it is easy and fast!

This book is ready to be filled with pictures, drawing, poetry, songs, memories and more. I hope this project inspires you to create something to honor and remember a loved one.

Check out the video below for all the details:

Happy Creating!

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Join StencilClub by October 15 to receive these exclusive stencils and accompanying video tutorial with PDF (both downloadable!), and 25% OFF STENCILS EVERY DAY!!

Stencils used:

Other supplies used:

140lb watercolor paper

various text weight and cardstock papers

deli paper

acrylic paint

matte medium

paintbrush/cataylst scraper

GelliArts® printing plate

brayer

ruler/pencil/scissors

bone folder

waxed linen thread/needle

eyelets and setter/hammer

3/4" circle punch

binding clips

Kirsten Varga - September StencilClub

Welcome back! Kirsten Varga here with a Circle Accordion Book featuring the September 2023 StencilClub designs by Trena Brannon and Mary Beth Shaw.

I haven't made a circle book before so I gathered my supplies and started to play. I am sure there are a plethora of ways to create an accordion from circles and I went with a simple approach. (I am also looking forward to making another one so I can try a different way to make an accordion from circles!)

The book pages are made from 140lb. watercolor paper that have been colored with acrylic inks and paint. I made sure to decorate both sides of the papers!

After the pages were cut out I joined them together with small pieces of rice paper and a glue stick. I also added more stencil details

The covers are made from chipboard that were gessoed and painted with acrylic paint. Then I used a gold Posca paint pen to highlight the details of the design.

I stenciled the front and back of the inside pages to add even more visual interest.

If you want to see the entire process check out the video tutorial below.

Happy Creating!

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Join StencilClub by September 15 to receive these exclusive stencils and accompanying video tutorial with PDF (both downloadable!), and 20% OFF STENCILS EVERY DAY!!

Stencils used:

Other supplies:

140 lb. watercolor paper

chipboard

gesso

acrylic ink and paint

Posca paint pen

rice paper

glue stick

scissors/ruler/pencil