Valentine Accordion Book How-To

This little accordion book is heart shaped and patterned after old fashioned button books. The art was done in watercolor and the illustrations outline a family recipe of my mother's for making sugar cookies. They are a favorite with my husband and I try to make them every Christmas and Valentine's Day. I painted small wooden hearts for the front and back cover and coated them with a layer of Mod Podge. The actual book is only 1 1/2 inches tall.

 

However, you don't need to be an illustrator to make your own book. The layout is outlined below. Stamping, collage or simple handwritten words of endearment would make a sweet gift for your beloved!

 

I did my original art about 25% larger than the size of the wooden hearts that I was using for my front and back cover since I was planning to reproduce the art on my printer. Watercolor paper, especially for such a small book, would have been a poor choice in terms of the weight of the paper. So, you can use your origianl art to make the book, just keep in mind the kind of paper you pick. Your book could have fewer or more pages than mine, but it does have to be an even number. Also, you will need the blank space at both ends, that is the part that will be glued down on your back and front cover. You will be folding the art along the center line where the tips of the hearts match. This way your front and back pages will line up.

After folding along the center line use a glue stick to adhere the back to the front. Cut out around your hearts. Fold. Glue to your heart shapes with white glue.

Happy Valentine's Day!