When Miss Magoo was born, I looked all over for a baby book. I was so excited to record everything about her (I know, first child and all that).
However, as time went on, I found that I didn’t really like her baby book. There was so much in it that I didn’t care to record, like the bestselling book of the year, or how many pounds Daddy gained while Mommy was pregnant.
And there wasn’t enough room for the things I did want to record: the stories of things she did and said.
Finally, in exasperation, I grabbed a composition notebook and started jotting down the silly things she did, the milestones she reached, etc. And you know what? I loved it!
The stories of her life were more important to me, and writing them out in a composition notebook seemed more meaningful to me than filling in a few blanks in a baby book. Plus, this was able to carry along through her life, to record the crazy things she said as a toddle, the funny things she did as a preschooler, and the sweet things she did in elementary school.
I wanted to make it look cuter, so I made it into a memory book.
I have to thank my friend Devin for teaching me this awesome skill around a decade ago (dang, we’re getting old!), and my mom for giving me the stories she wrote to my grandma about my sister and I when we were little, which inspired me to write the stories of my kids.
Are Memory Books only good for Babies?
These memory bookes would also make a great way to document fun memories as a family, to use for a journal for a trip, or just as DIY Christmas gifts or Mother’s Day presents.
They are cheap to make, especially if you pick up composition notebooks during the back-to-school sales. But even at full price (about $2.50), this project still comes in around $5 or less!
How to Make a Memory Book
For $5 or under, you can make your own Memory Book. Perfect for recording the stories of your children's life, a vacation, or anything worth recording!
Materials
- 1 Composition Notebook
- 5 pieces of Scrapbook Paper
- Glue Stick
- Embellishments (if desired)
Tools
- Scissors
- Pencil
Instructions
- Pick out what scrapbook paper you want to use. This is surprisingly hard for me. I second guess myself, or find one piece of paper I love, but then can't find anything to go with it. You will need one piece on the front, one for the back, one for the binding, and 2 for the insides. (5 pieces)
- Lay notebook down on the wrong side of the paper. Draw a line about 1 1/2 inches past the end of the book, and cut that chunk of paper off. Don't get crazy about making sure this is perfect- it doesn't really matter. Do this again for the back of the notebook.
- Place your inside paper inside the cover of the notebook, and trace the shape of the notebook.
- Cut just inside of your tracing, so the paper comes out slightly smaller than the actual cover. Set these pieces aside- they will be used last.
- Glue your front and back pieces of paper to the front and back of the notebook, with the excess hanging over the open edges.
- At the corners, make 4 cuts, first cutting straight out from the edges, and then cutting smaller pieces in between. Be sure not to cut out a piece on accident.
- Glue each piece inward, pulling tight enough to make the edge somewhat smooth, but not enough to tear the paper. You will end up with a layer in the corner.
- Glue the top and bottom to the notebook, and then the side piece.
- Repeat this for the other side of your notebook.
- Cut a piece for your binding that is wide enough to go around the front and back, and overlapping the pieces that are already glued on a little bit.
- Glue the binding on. Then make a wedge-shaped cut in the binding piece, with the point of the wedge where the notebook is bound.
- Glue the binding pieces up.
- Take the inside pieces, and see if they fit correctly. You may want to trim them a little bit, and that's much easier to do if they aren't already covered with glue (speaking from experience). If they fit well, glue them in place.
- You may want to put a couple heavy books on top of the memory book for a while, just to make sure everything glues well. And if you want to add embellishments, feel free. Ribbons, pictures, pretties, whatever you can imagine. Otherwise, you're ready to start writing memories!
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April Top 5 {2013} - Coffee With Us 3
Saturday 5th of October 2013
[…] Fresh Strawberry Muffins and Make a Memory Book […]
Jamie @ Huckleberry Love
Friday 31st of May 2013
Thanks so much for linking up to Much Ado About Monday. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us next week!!
Have a great weekend,Jamiewww.huckleberrylove.com
Jamie H
Thursday 30th of May 2013
Thanks for the invite, Jamie! I linked this up, and I look forward to taking part in your link parties!
Jamie @ Huckleberry Love
Thursday 30th of May 2013
Great idea. Those pre-made books do often have a lot of space for useless info. I would love for you to come and share this on our weekly link party. http://www.huckleberrylove.com/2013/05/much-ado-about-monday-no-11.html
Hope to see you there,Jamiewww.huckleberrylove.com
Kasey Norton
Wednesday 17th of April 2013
Well you sure made that look simple! I love the idea and it's creative and fun! Congratulations on your sweet baby girl that is growing within! Thanks so much for linking up last week at Walking Redeemed!