cardboard
Cutting mat
Scissors
Scrap paper
Paper clips
Glue gun with glue sticks
Metal ruler A metal ruler is always better than a plastic or wooden one when working with a cutting blade because the metal can’t be accidentally sliced.
Extendable cutting blade I use Olfa; X-ACTO makes them too.
HOW TO MAKE THE LETTER HOLDER
STEP 1 Open the phone book at its midpoint and cut through the center of the spine with a cutting blade or scissors to make equal halves. Working with one of the halves, cut a section of pages across the top or bottom that is the same width as the ribbon. Remove the remaining cover piece.
STEP 2 Cut a 3 ½-inch (9 cm) piece of corrugated cardboard that is the same width as the ribbon. Glue the phone book spine to the center of the cardboard piece.
STEP 4 Pull six sections to the left, leaving one section to lean toward the right. Squeeze hot glue into the divide and insert the end of the ribbon. Take the single section (number 1) and roll it tightly outward until it reaches the cardboard. Holding the roll in place, squeeze glue onto the cardboard near the right edge, and carefully glue the ribbon so that it holds this section in its tight roll.
STEP 3 Use scrap paper as bookmarks to subdivide the phone book segment into seven sections. The five center sections should be twice as thick as the two outer sections. Although the following may sound complicated at first, an easy way to do this is to divide the phone book into four equal sections and then subdivide each quarter into three sections, resulting in twelve equal sections. Then use a single subdivided piece for each of the outer two sections, but use two of the subdivided pieces for each of the center five sections. Once the sections are subdivided, keep them separate by paper clipping each one as a unit until it is time to roll it.
STEP 5 Turn the unit around and roll the other exterior section (number 7) into a tight, outward-facing roll to match the first section. Hold it in place while squeezing glue into the seam between the two sections (numbers 6 and 7) and press the ribbon in place, using a ruler to tuck it closely to the spine.
STEP 6 Take the next section (number 6) and subdivide it into three pieces. Curve the two pieces inward toward one another, using the third piece on the left to wrap over and around them.
Tips!
To make the cut through the depth of the phone book section, hold the ruler down very tightly and start slicing through the pages with a sharp, extendable cutting blade. Cut slowly over and over, trying not to slice through too much at once. Keep a firm grip on the ruler so it will hold the bulk of the book in place, resulting in an even cut. The slice doesn’t have to be perfect, however, because once the letter holder has been rolled, the imperfections won’t be noticeable.
The section that is being sliced off will slide away from the cut line so it is easier to see. Continue slicing and extending the blade until the book section is sliced completely through.
STEP 7 Once again squeeze glue into the seam between the two sections (numbers 5 and 6) and use the ruler to press the ribbon into place.
STEP 8 Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for the next section.
STEP 9 Take the center section (number 4) and divide it into two pieces. Curve the left piece toward the center, then curve the right piece over and around the left piece, bringing the ribbon with it. Glue the ribbon into the seam between the two sections (numbers 3 and 4).
STEP 10 Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the final two sections.
STEP 11 After the ribbon has been glued over the last of these sections, it will be back at the first tight roll that was glued in place, and where the ribbon began between sections 1 and 2. Cut off any remaining ribbon close to the binding.
Tip!
In lieu of cutting your phone book with a craft blade, check with your local office supply store. It may have an industrial paper cutter that can slice through any book with ease.
Crepe Paper Lilacs
by Jenny Jafek-Jones
Spring comes to my studio in a riot of color; the faded browns and grays of winter disappear in a matter of days. A little rain and sunshine together make the clay of the red dirt road vibrant again, and emerald clumps of clover cause the colors to pop even more.
Many of my favorite people live in other states and big cities, so my local flora doesn’t represent spring to them in quite the same manner. When I send them flowers to celebrate the season, I go with a classic: lilacs. They’re gorgeous.
Many people associate lilacs with childhood memories and family time, but for me, lilacs also signify the renewing aspect of springtime. In the Victorian language of flowers, they represent youthful innocence and the first emotions of love.
I realize that the incredible fragrance of lilacs is part of their charm. The trade-off in making them from paper is a good one though: no sneezing and sniffling if you have allergies, no fighting off bees, and the flowers will bloom when watering is forgotten.
As the recipient, you’re assured that someone thought enough of you to put everything aside for a couple of hours in order to make you something beautiful. As the maker, you put a little of yourself into a project that can literally bring someone joy for years to come. That’s a reward of its own.
Tips!
Doublette brand crepe paper is sold in folds and typically features two shades of a color, one on each side. Each fold measures approximately 10 x 48 inches (25 x 122 cm). A single fold of each color (green and lavender) is more than adequate for the project.
Sunrise brand wrapped wire is sold in packs of 25 and measures 14 inches
