Olympic Event #4: Craft & A Giveaway

Welcome to Event #4 of the Bloggy Olympics! I hope you've enjoyed all the fantastic projects from the other Olympians over the last few weeks! Make sure to stop over to the other Events and check out the winners from each. Also, get your crafting supplies ready if you are planning to participate in this event. You can create a project from one of the three tutorials shared for this event, or make something all your own - as long as it's a craft!

I'm excited to show you my project, so here it is:

Craft:

Coupon Book

If you are going to participate in this even with me, you will need the following gear:
[This looks like a super long tutorial, but I promise it doesn't take too long. I just wanted to provide clear, detailed instructions.]

1. Chipboard or cardboard (a shoe box will do)
2. Envelopes
3. Scrapbook paper
4. Tacky Glue
5. Hot glue gun
6. Mod Podge
7. Scissors or paper cutter
8. Stickers/embellishments (optional)

Alright, let's start with the covers of the book. I used 4.5x6.5 inch chipboard for my covers. You can cut them out of cardboard if you don't have chipboard.

Lap #1: Covers

Step 1: Take the patterned paper you want for the cover, cut a piece large enough to fold over all sides of the chipboard, and then glue one side of the chipboard to the white side of the paper. [I used tacky glue here.]

Step 2: On the other side, fold and glue down two of the opposing sides. For the other two sides, fold down the corners [like wrapping a present].

Step 3: Glue the other two sides with the folded corners. [I used hot glue for this part, to make sure it stays.] Do this for both covers.

Step 4: Cut a piece of patterned paper to glue on the insides of the covers. This will cover up the chipboard and the folds.

Lap #2: Binding

Now on to the binding. I did an accordion-style binding for this, so there is room for stuffing coupons in the envelopes. I measured a piece of chipboard or cardboard to fit the height of the covers (4.5 inches), and 4 inches wide. Then, scored it every half inch and bent it to make the accordion.

Next, I used my hot glue gun to glue the covers to the outsides of the accordion.

To finish off the binding, I cut a piece of paper to wrap around the binding and glue to each cover.

This holds the accordion in so the book doesn't open too wide.

Lap #3: Envelopes

Now it's time to work on the envelopes.

I started by cutting the flaps off the envelopes. Then I glued some patterned paper to the inside of the envelopes -- for decoration and to reinforce them. After that, I used hot glue to fasten the envelopes to the accordion binding.

Now, decorate as you please. [I decorated the cover, and added label tabs to the envelops.] Once I was done decorating the covers, I brushed the front, back and binding with Mod Podge to protect it from the dangers it will face while inside the mysterious inner realm of the purse.

Lap #4: Sprint to the Finish

If you wanted, you could be done at this point. [I would recommend using a rubber band to hold the book together in your purse though.] But, I was not about to end this event without giving 100% of my crafting efforts. So, I persevered. [Only a few more steps, I promise.]

To add a built-in elastic band, I used my tiny hole puncher to create two small holes in the back cover. Then I used a skinny hair tie - that's right - and cut it so I had one long string, then threaded it through the holes. I tied knots on each end and hot glued the knots to the inside back cover. Then I glued a note pad to the back inside cover, which conveniently covered up the knots.

Finished!

After all of that, here's how I finished the event:

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed my detailed, albeit long, tutorial. Make sure to head over to C.W. Frosting and Freaking Craft to see how they performed in this event as well. And don't forget to link up your projects for this event on Thursday!

Now that you stuck around to the end of my tutorial, you will be rewarded with a chance to win...

A set of THREE washi tape to one lucky winner from Pretty Tape washi tape. Head over to her shop to take a look at all the fun types she offers! To be entered to win, all you have to do it leave a comment saying which type of tape you like the best in the shop! The giveaway will be open from today through the end of the Event #4 linky party on Friday. I will announce the winner on Saturday with the features from the party.

Thanks for playing along in the 2012 Bloggy Olympic Games!