How to Make a Secret Book Safe

Crafting with Damaged Books: How to Make a Secret Book Safe

Making a secret book safe is a lot easier than I thought.  It’s one of those things that I thought I’d have to buy because I thought it’d be a really cool gift.  But before I spend any money to buy one, why not try to make it myself??? Here is how to make a secret book safe.

Materials: 

• Thick hardback book
• Decoupage medium or glue and water mixture
• Paint brush
• Sharp knife
• Metal straightedge

Step One:

I wanted to keep a few of the front pages in tact to show the copyright date and an illustration. I covered the front cover and those pages plus one page with plastic wrap.

Step Two:

I used Mod Podge, a decoupage medium, and a paint brush to seal the three edges. Make sure you saturate them with approximately three coats.  Allow the Mod Podge to dry (about 15 minutes), meanwhile set something heavy on top of the book to create pressure.

Step Three:

Next, using a straightedge and a pencil, I marked the area I wanted to cut out.

Step Four:

Using a sharp knife and a metal straightedge, I carefully cut out a few pages at a time, making sure to remove small bits and pieces along the way. Take your time while doing this step.

Step Five:

After I reached the desired depth, I sealed the inside edges with Mod Podge and allowed it to dry completely.

Step Six:

I then used Mod Podge around the top edges and glued the extra front page on top.  After a few minutes, I used the knife to cut out the center.  This top page gives it a nice clean look.

Notes:

Save the book pages for other book page craft projects. Also, consider using ribbon to cover the inside edges or decorative paper to cover the inside back for a more finished look.

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