Birthday Book - Une livre d'anniversaire

I had the idea of making one of these for my sister-in-law's birthday when she said she'd like to be more organised with remembering birthdays this year. She is another card-maker so I thought it would help her organise card-making in advance. I left her present with her when we were over at Christmas and will send a book instead of a card with a note tucked in the first pocket. So I have made two this week: This one is actually for me and is my proto-type and I have to finish off the second one to post to her (and remember to photograph it first!).

I'm entering this in Hels birthday challenge to celebrate the 'Sunday Stampers' being 2 years old. Hels makes all sorts of wonderful art so I recommend a hop over to her blog if you haven't found it already. AND, this challenge is sponsored by The Artistic Stamper with some gorgeous Mabel Lucie Attwell stamps and Kling-on.

My book is made with 2 pieces of chipboard covered with Dovecraft 'Wild Blossom' paper and chipboard, 6 pieces of 12"x12" card and the Bind-It-All. This is how I folded the thin card, making sure the folds were well flattened with a bone folder:

I folded the card in half then turned up 4" (or whatever you want as long as you do the same on each), creased it really flat and then folded it out, cut sections off to get a slanted pocket (you could punch the edge for a different look), then refolded. This gives an 6"x8" book - plenty of space for standard size cards and envelopes. Once it was all ready I punched the holes with the bind-it-all and fixed the wires, using over-sized ones to allow for cards to be inserted as well. I printed the months on matching plain paper and stuck them in.

Hopefully it means my sister-in-law and I will both be more organised this year!