When is a book nook not a book nook?

When I need more storage for junk journal things.

Help!

My junk journal collection of what-nots

is out of control.

Junk journal people can relate I'm sure.

It's bad enough keeping scraps

from card making, tags and pages.

But when you junk journal

every single little piece becomes a treasure.

So I decided to create more storage

using the

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

Book Nook Large (CU3B)

I'm giving it a 90 degree turn

so I can use it as an open topped box.

First thing I do is retro-fit the pieces together

without gluing

so I know what goes where.

There are 5 pieces total as follows:

a bottom piece that has notches and on all 4 sides

2 large side pieces with notches on 3 sides only

(the top of each piece is flat)

2 side pieces that are notched on 3 sides only

(the top of each piece is flat)

Cut the papers for the inside of the box first.

It's easier to decorate the inside

before the box is put together.

Did you notice my Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts glue holder in the background?

I almost always make the smallest cut first

then the larger cut.

It seems to save paper.

Glue the 2 pieces (cut above) to the

2 largest pieces of chipboard

making sure to not cover any of the

notches or slots.

The paper will come all the way up to the

flat top of each piece.

Use wet glue to adhere the paper.

Next, cover the 2 sides.

Cut 2 pieces each measuring

3-3/4" W x 6-3/8" T

Once cut, add those pieces 

to the two side chipboard pieces,

again using wet glue

&

not putting paper over the notches or slots.

It's time to put the container together.

It's handy to use either a large rubber band

or

painters tape

once the pieces are glued together.

Since you're building a dimensional box

you'll want to make sure everything stays together

until the glue is thoroughly dry.

I use wet glue to put the chipboard pieces together.

Make sure to place all pieces at 90 degree angles

to create a box.

Place glue (see photo above)

at all the notches & slots that will touch each other.

Insert the notches into the slots

and tape into place with painters tape 

until the glue is dry.

Repeat these steps all around

until you have a 4 sided box.

The last step should be to put the bottom in place.

I leave the tape on until I'm sure

everything is thoroughly dry.

In the meantime, you can cut paper

for the outside decorations.

You will need 2 pieces that are

6.5" T x 10" W.

and 2 pieces that are

5" W X 6.5" T

and 1 piece for the bottom that is

4" x 10"

Using  your scoreboard,

put the 5" W paper up against the top of your scoreboard

and score at 1/2" and at 4.5".

These side pieces will wrap around the

front & back corners.

Here's my project so far:

I'm using beautiful papers from My Mind's Eye.

Gift Idea 💡

Why not try this same project with your favorite

Christmas papers

and give as a gift to hold Christmas cards?

I'm considering the photo above

to be the front of the box.

The top is a bit plain so I'm adding an

Art Deco Border (D56A)

It's so intricate and beautiful!

I'm leaving it in the *housing* it comes in

and painting it with

Tim Holtz Speckled Egg Distress Paint.

Once the paint is dry, 

you'll see two places where the top of the border

is connected to the chipboard *housing*.

Carefully cut through that connecting piece.

Do not attempt to tear

as the border will probably tear as well.

I use wet glue with a precision tip

to apply the glue to the border.

The corners can be added but . . . 

I'm saving them for a junk journal.

Here are the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

used on this project:

Art Deco Border & Corners

Book Nook Box Large

Thanks for reading through this blog post.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Nancy Wethington