The idea sent in by Kathleen Fullerton of Pacific Junction, Iowa is a winner! I couldn't wait to try it. I only hope that you will be as enthusiastic as I am about this nifty way to store the small stuff.
Kathleen wrote: "I see by watching your show how much you like projects created from free or inexpensive items, your love of papers and useful items. Well, I think the videocassette book I've included seems to fit all of the above criteria and the supplies are readily available in all regions of the country."
Kathleen was right on all counts and I couldn't wait to try her book from a videocassette cover, which turns out to be a perfect place to stash stuff . . . everything from the diamond brooch to stickers and pens and other small craft supplies!
Kathleen used one of the translucent plastic cases that are free for the asking at video stores. She also purchased some old books at the library for 25 cents each and lined her book with wallpaper from one of the free give away wallpaper books available at most paint and wallpaper stores! Kathleen obtained all of her supplies in Pacific Junction, Iowa. I was able to get the same things in Onekama and Manistee, Mich.
Steps:
1. Open the book, hold all of the pages together and hold them up (figure A ). You will see that they are attached to the cover by just one piece of paper down each side of the pages. This can be easily cut with a crafting knife to separate the book from its cover (figure B).
2. Cut a piece of wallpaper to fit inside the cover as a lining. Attach to the cover with glue or tape. Kathleen used double-sided industrial-strength tape (Red Line Tape, Wonder Tape, etc. available at rubber stamp and craft stores) (figure C).
3. Cut three pieces of wallpaper to cover the two ends and one side of the cassette holder. Glue or tape to the holder (figure D).
4. Place the cassette holder inside the book cover and attach the bottom with the tape (figure E). Done!
Note: It is recommended that you take the cassette holder with you when selecting books to be certain that you get the right size book. The cassette holder should be just slightly smaller than the book cover.
And Then I Tried . . .
I was so taken with the idea of using those plastic covers as places for stashing stuff that I got several of them to use as is . . . almost . Because they all have those little plastic knobs in the center of the case I wanted to remove them. After trying everything from an electric knife, a sander and hot water I decided that the easiest and most satisfactory way was to use a clippers to cut down the sides of the knob, about every 1/4 inch or less, then twist off the individual sections with a pliers. Worked just fine. Once covered with a piece of felt, you wouldn't even know they had been there.
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