I wanted the first tutorial for the "Love-Filled Valentine's Event" to be a biggie and I think this one is perfect!!
The time has come for the tutorial you have been waiting for...
The time has come for the tutorial you have been waiting for...
Let me start by saying...
I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS IDEA!!
These "52 Reasons..." books have been posted all over the internet recently and I thought it was such a great idea that I wanted to make one for my husband this year. As with any and all crafts that I make, I'm sharing the tutorial with you!!
Other people that have made these books have said that the hardest part was coming up with the 52 reasons. However, after spending the last 12 years of my life with my husband, it was super easy to come up with my 52 reasons!! I actually struggled with the embellishing step the most!!
I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS IDEA!!
These "52 Reasons..." books have been posted all over the internet recently and I thought it was such a great idea that I wanted to make one for my husband this year. As with any and all crafts that I make, I'm sharing the tutorial with you!!
Other people that have made these books have said that the hardest part was coming up with the 52 reasons. However, after spending the last 12 years of my life with my husband, it was super easy to come up with my 52 reasons!! I actually struggled with the embellishing step the most!!
I know you're all just dying to see this tutorial, so here it is...
"52 Reasons I Love You"
Deck of Cards Book Tutorial
SUPPLIES
Deck of cards
Scrap paper
Pencil
Scissors
Ruler
Hole punch
Eyelets & eyelet setter
Paper & cardstock variety
Glue
Embellishments
Permanent markers
1/8" Ribbon
Step 1: ADDING THE HOLES
Adding the 3 holes to the edge of the cards first was really helpful because it allowed me to keep the deck of cards together without needed a rubber band or other closure. Plus, when it came time to bind the book, the holes were already there!
*MAKE A TEMPLATE*
Trace one of the cards onto a scrap piece of paper and cut it out.
Experiment with the hole placement until you get it just right.
*HOLES IN COVERS*
Place the 2 Joker cards so that the Jokers are facing each other.
Put your template on top of the 2 cards and mark where the holes will go.
Punch out holes in the locations you marked.
I added eyelets to each of the covers to strengthen them a bit.
*HOLES IN PLAYING CARDS*
Take your stack of 52 playing cards and place them face up.
Place your template on top so that the holes are towards the left side of the cards.
Mark were the holes are onto the top card.
Punch the 3 holes though the top 3-5 cards.
Repeat this process until you've punched 3 holes in all 52 playing cards.
Step 2: CUT WRITING AREA SHAPES
When designing the format of my cards, I wanted to incorporate a heart into the writing area. I decided that I would write the reason number on a large heart that would go at the top of each card. The actual reason would be written on a rectangle underneath the heart.
*DETERMINE SIZES*
Find a heart template or punch that will make hearts that will fit to the right of your punched holes and still be centered on the card. (See the photo above).
Measure the size of the center of your card; this will be the same size as the King, Queen, and Jack images on the face cards.
*CUT OUT SHAPES*
Using the templates, punches, or measurements described above, cut out at least 52 of each shape from various papers.
Note: I made sure that the rectangles were all solid colors because I wanted the reasons to be very visible. As for the hearts, I used some mildly patterned papers that I could still write on.
Step 3: ATTACH WRITING AREAS TO CARDS
I learned the sanding "trick" the hard way. I glued half of my writing areas to half of the cards only to find out they would peal right off!! Do not skip sanding the cards!!
*SAND CARDS*
Note: Do not skip this step and don't sand the entire card unless you want a rough, worn look.
Determine what portion of your card your writing area shapes will be covering.
Sand down this part of the card in order to remove the glossy finish; this will allow the paper to adhere to the card.
*COVER PLAYING CARDS*
First glue the rectangle towards the bottom center of the card - approximately 1/8" from the bottom.
Next glue the heart at the top of the card in the center so it overlaps the rectangle. (See photo above.)
Repeat this process for all 52 playing cards.
*COVER JOKERS*
Trace the cards onto cardstock and cut out.
Using your template mark where the holes should go and punch them out.
Sand the enter Joker side of both covers.
Glue the cardstock pieces over the Joker images.
Step 4: DESIGN COVERS
Step 4: DESIGN COVERS
Consider adding a personal message to the inside of the covers.
Note: For my book, I wrote a short note to my husband on the inside front cover. On the top of the inside back cover, I wrote, "...and we will live happily ever after." Towards the bottom I just added that it was made for my husband with love for Valentine's Day 2012.
Step 5: EMBELLISH CARDS
Decorate the 52 playing cards, but make sure to leave enough room to write on your hearts and rectangles!!
Here are some embellishing ideas...
Glue ribbon, lace, and trim to the edges.
Add stickers.
Glue on gems, die cuts, etc.
Doodle on the cards.
Punch holes on the wrong side of the cards and weave ribbon through them.
Add brads & eyelets.
Just let your imagination run wild!!
Once all of your cards are embellished, mix them up so that no two similar cards are together.
Once all of your cards are embellished, mix them up so that no two similar cards are together.
Step 6: ADD REASONS
NOTE: You can find my list of 52 reasons at the end of this tutorial along with a link to another list of 52 reasons!!
Write the reason numbers (1-52) in the hearts on each card using permanent marker.
Add the actual reasons on the rectangles of each card.
Here are some examples from my cards...
Step 7: BINDING THE BOOK
I wanted this book to look like a book, not a round address book - if you know what I mean. I cam up with a way to "bind" the book so it has a spine, while keeping the "chunkiness" of the book that I love so much.
*THREAD RIBBON THROUGH HOLES*
Thread 8" lengths of 1/8" wide ribbon through the holes in the cards as shown above.
*TIE & MEASURE*
While tightly squeezing the book closed, tie the ends of the ribbons together.
Measure how thick the book is when it's being squeezed shut.
Untie the ribbons and gently set the book aside.
*MAKE BOOK SPINE*
Cut a piece of chipboard that is 3.5" long and is as wide as your book is thick.
Punch holes in the chipboard as shown above, making sure the distance between the holes is the same as on the cards.
Punch holes in the chipboard as shown above, making sure the distance between the holes is the same as on the cards.
*ATTACH SPINE*
Using the ribbons coming out of the back cover, thread them through the chipboard piece going towards the front of the book. (See photo above).
Tie the ribbons very tightly into a bow; then tie a knot using the loops of the bow to secure them.
Squeeze the book closed if it opened while tying the ribbons.
Tie the ribbons very tightly into a bow; then tie a knot using the loops of the bow to secure them.
Squeeze the book closed if it opened while tying the ribbons.
FINISHED!!
52 REASONS LISTS
In addition to my list of reasons below, you can find another list of 52 reasons HERE.
Some of my reasons were personal, so I've simply left them out.
I really hope you enjoyed my tutorial for my version of this super fun project!! I must say that I can't wait to give this to my hubby on Valentine's Day. I'm so lucky to have a husband that is not only interested in my crafts, but appreciates and compliments everything I make. I just know he'll treasure this book!!
Thanks for reading!! Until next time...
52 REASONS LISTS
In addition to my list of reasons below, you can find another list of 52 reasons HERE.
Some of my reasons were personal, so I've simply left them out.
- You make me laugh...alot
- You've sacrificed so much for me
- You love me for me
- You know how to handle me when I'm angry
- You make me proud to be your wife
- You give me a reason to wake up every morning
- You always know what I need (and want)
- You'll make an amazing father
- You're a "hopeless romantic"
- You are my strength
- Your hugs make me feel secure
- You know all of my favorite things
- You have the perfect kiss
- You appreciate my arts & crafts
- You've never given up on me
- We share the same hopes & dreams
- You hold & comfort me when I cry
- You make me feel important
- I never know what to expect from you
- You are patient with me
- You leave love notes on the mirror
- Our love for one another constantly grows
- We have silly pet names for each other
- You know what to do when I go crazy
- You're my dream man
- You are willing to grow & change
- We like the same things
- You're so sappy & mushy
- You always know what's best for me
- You don't mind girly stuff like this
- You're not afraid to be yourself
- We make great memories together
- You inspire me
- You stand up for me
- You love me despite my bad habits
- You never give up
- You don't pick on me...much
- You support my craft addiction...err...hobby
- You say you're not perfect, but to me you are
- We communicate with one another
- You tolerate my odd sleep patterns
- When I'm with you everything is perfect
I really hope you enjoyed my tutorial for my version of this super fun project!! I must say that I can't wait to give this to my hubby on Valentine's Day. I'm so lucky to have a husband that is not only interested in my crafts, but appreciates and compliments everything I make. I just know he'll treasure this book!!
Thanks for reading!! Until next time...
I saw you on Creative Princess! That's a lot of work but the project turns out great! I bet your husband will love it!!
ReplyDeleteOh my GOODNESS!!!!!! I love this!!! How long did it take to create??
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog too :) I also have a linky party going on.. I would love it if you shared your creation.
thediydreamer.blogspot.com
You may not have invented this idea but you've created the best version I've seen :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to share at Pin'Inspiration Thursday. Hope to see you on Saturday to help "Beat the Winter Blues". Have an awesome day.
I just made one of these for my hubby! :) I didn't go into as much detail as you did with yours, but it was still fun! I'm mailing it to him tomorrow (he's in the Military)! I'm so excited to hear his reaction to it. It's the first thing I ever made him!
ReplyDeleteAdorable!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOooh! I like how you made a binding! I had never seen that before. Better start thinking of 52 reasons!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at my party :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a meaningful, special gift! I love the list of reasons, and the book itself looks great...it also looks like a lot of work, lol! I'm sure he's going to LOVE that! Thanks for sharing at Shine on Fridays!!
ReplyDeleteI just finished mine! I loved the binding you used and it definitely makes it look more sophisticated. Thanks for the great project - although it did require a lot of time. I used magazine clippings as decorations on the inside :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove your book!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch inspiration. I'm having my Girl Scouts do this project for Mothers Day.
ReplyDeleteomg, this is just what i needed to find for my man, he has been so down and i want him to know he is appreciated and loved, and lucky i own and ork at a tattoo shop so i have all supplies, and this is what I will be doing for him tomorrow!
ReplyDeletethanks for this!
Liz
Thanks for your great information, the contents are quiet interesting.I will be waiting for your next post.
ReplyDeleteCustomized Playing Cards