It’s Diana here. I have another accordion book hack for you today. Much as I love accordion books plain, there is always an invitation to play with them and change things up.

Supplies

Joggles Accordion Book – 6 x 9 inches – 10 panels

Joggles Stencils – Starlight [10-33801]

Joggles / Margaret Applin Designs 6″ x 9″ Stencil – Global #1 [33807]

Tim Holtz Distress Oxides Ink Pads: Fossilized Amber; Seedless Preserves; Peacock Feathers;

OLFA 18″ x 24″ Self Healing Rotary Mat [RM-SG] 

X-Acto Knife X-2000

Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool [40965]

Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Replacement Foam [40972]

Inkssentials NonStick Craft Sheet

Inkssentials Mini Mister

Other: scissors; metal ruler; bone folder; glue

Process:

This is an easy hack that limits the opening of the book and provides pockets for inserting ephemera, tiny photos, or tags. You can see the techniques in today’s video. 

You can use either an X-Acto knife or scissors to cut the diagonal lines into the book. I measured down 2” from the left side of the page and 4” from the right side of the page. Once you “bind” the book later, you’ll have two pockets there. I used a 2” circle punch at the top of more panels that will become pockets as well.

These pockets can hold the tag art we all love making. 

To decorate the front and back covers, I used Joggles stencils and Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks in Fossilized Amber, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves. You could use regular Distress Inks or any inks. First swipe the Fossilized Amber ink across the top of the cover, then use the Peacock Feathers across the middle, and then use the Seedless Preserves across the bottom. 

Use a blending tool to spread the color around. Lay your stencil over the cover and spray it 4-6 times from about 8”-10” above. Let the water sit for a moment to react with the ink and then lay a towel over the words to absorb any additional water. Lift your stencil. The pattern will become more pronounced as it dries. 

Now for the binding …

Using 1 1/2 “ x 2” (approximately) strips of painted paper, I glued them around the spine of the book. I used 3 strips: middle, top and bottom. Use a bone folder to make sure that all is well adhered. Simple!

I went through my collage materials, die cuts, etc. and began to glue things down to embellish. I look forward to working in this lovely little book and will be sharing pictures now and then. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will build your own Pockets Accordion Book!