Making Books From Vintage Paper Samples

I finally did something with the amazing vintage art papers I received last spring. Christmas was coming, and it occurred to me I should share the bounty. Despite their age, most of the papers are in good shape, so I made four books, three of which are pictured here.

I took advantage of the stab binding of the Oriental Printing, Fantasy and Art Papers book and the fact that all the papers were the same size with holes already punched. I even used the hard covers from the sample book. My idea was to fill each book with a selection of papers to be used however the owner pleased: journal, sketchbook, collage materials, etc.

Three of the books are more like pamphlets. I folded the pages in half and tied them together on the back edge using the existing holes. I didn’t bother to attach them where the spine would traditionally be. That way the papers can be used as pages in the existing book, or removed entirely for use in something else.

I added an envelope with a card explaining the purpose and possible uses of the book to the ones I made as gifts. I also put in additional pockets so I could tuck in smaller bits of paper. I quickly found out why there are so many videos about filling the pockets of a junk journal on YouTube — putting stuff in the pockets for someone else to play with is addictive. Once I started finding scraps and stickers to include, I didn’t want to stop.

I’ve already started using my “Papers” book. I cut pieces off some of the pages to include in the collage work I did during Dephemerember. I’m finding it a handy way to have access to special papers. The book sits on my shelf and I just pull it down and flip through it when I want something unusual to add to a collage.

One of the books went to the woman who so kindly gave me all these papers to begin with, and she was pleased. She felt this was a good way to give these papers a new life. I hope everyone has as much fun using the papers as I am.

What would you do with a book like this?