board book, what am i doing wrong

[Maria in France]

I am quite new to crafting and decided, following reading some of this forum to try to alter a childs 8 page board book i got in a charity shop. I dotn understnad what is goign wrong.

I have so far covered the front and back (separately) with paper and added a loose piece around the spine to join them (but its a good 1cm bigger than the original spine so it wouldnt be tight). I have just covered the inside of the front cover and the next page and suddenly the book wont shut anymore, and is stiff to open or close at all. I presume because there are now an additional 4 sheets of paper in the book. How do i get round this? I mean am I supposed to 'break the spine' of the original oen first? my paper coverings dont go right up to the spine, so it isnt that. Perhaps i have to remove a page? Is there a sort of step by step guide anywhere on here

I would be so grateful for any light anyone could shed. I dont want to abandon it as i have used my nice basic grey paper to cover it! and I am in France so cant readily get english books or go to the library.

thankyou
Maria

[Olbas]

Firstly you're not doing anything wrong, its the nature of the beast. Whether you add paint, fabric or paper and embellishmnets, the book won't close as easily as before.

As you have indicated, to allow more give in the book, you cut into the spine. When you open the book up and lie it flat down, you'll see the spine pops up and there is a gap. cut down this and then decorate to hide the cut.

It will still have resistance when it closes but not as much. You could incorporate a fastening to tie the book together when it is closed which will also help

HTH

Paul x

[Maria in France]

Thank you so much. I will give it a try
Maria

[pinkle]

Hiya,

I have altered a few board books - the first one was purely using paper and it doesn't close anymore!! However, a friend of mine had a fab idea...if you get a craft knife under the first layer of the page, this is usually the shiney one, you can then peel this off and it makes the pages thinner...so you can then add paint and stuff cos the book will, in effect, be like a plain chipboard book!

Hope this helps

I have some of the books i have done on my Blog if you want to have a look hun

Hels x

[Maria in France]

ooh pinkle. your board books (the whole blog actually) was lovely. liked the music too - have never heard of Micahel Buble.
I have done my board book now, and although it doesnt close i still love it.
will have a go at uploading it
Maria

[pinkle]

Hiya, glad you have had success and thank you for your kind comments hun...I love Michael Buble - he has a brilliant voice - so relaxing!! Look forward to seeing your pics x