This Washi paper hand-covered journal is the craft I made for the adult Pass-the Parcel game for the Japanese Society of Northern Ireland Christmas Party. It didn’t take too long, and I love it because it was fun to make, it’s practical, and also beautiful.
I purchased a hard-covered notebook in our local Post Office shop. I used some Japanese washi paper that I still have from my time in Japan. I love washi paper and hate to use it, but I thought it would be an appropriate gift for this occasion. In addition I used some tacky craft glue, scissors, coordinating card stock, double-sided tape and clothes pins for the main book.
I measured around the book and added about 1.2 – 2 cm around this to give myself room for the overlap.
I then cut out the paper.
Next I covered the front of the book with tacky craft glue using a glue paddle. I just made a thin and even covering over the entire front of the book.
Next I carefully placed the book onto the paper and smoothed the paper down to clear any wrinkles. Then I moved on to the spine of the book, and finally the back of the book, repeating the process each time.
After this was done and any wrinkles smoothed down, I then smoothed some glue along the inside edges of the book and gently but firmly folded the paper over. I used some clothespins to hold things in place while the glue dried as sometimes the paper likes to open up again.
Once this was all dry, I cut out 2 rectangles from some coordinating card stock to fit on the inside of the covers, but not all the way to the edges. I used double-sided tape to hold these in place and cover the rough edges of the washi paper that had been folded over.
And that’s how this book was made! Of course, you can use any type of embellishments you’d like to make it more pretty/personal, etc. Because this was for pass the parcel I wasn’t sure who would receive it so I didn’t want to make it look too feminine. I think it looks quite beautiful with the washi paper itself. I did, however, make a bookmark for it that you can see in this photo.
I really love my washi papers, and this turned out so well I’m thinking of doing one for myself! It would make a lovely keepsake book of the children’s little sayings, etc. Now, what else can I cover?
You don’t have to use washi paper if you don’t have any. You can use almost any paper or fabric and add lace, silk flowers, beads, embroidery, etc to personalise it.
If you enjoy making gifts, try your hand at our easy garden stone pendant or home made flannel board!
Visit our Father’s Day ideas page or Mother’s Day page for more inspiration. Or follow us on Pinterest to stay up to date with our creations.
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