Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge WEEK 64

This week's challenge is set by me!! I have chosen New Beginnings for my challenge as it tied in nicely with a project I have been working on.
I have made my brother and sister-in-law a keepsake book for their baby girl ... due shortly (and hopefully still a girl LOL!!!)
It is like an accordian recipe book with inserts to pull out and add journalling and photos.
I have kept everything simple as they are very unfussy people.

Here's how I made the book - please forgive the photos, most of the work was done in the evenings and the light is terrible.

This is the template I use for the envelopes that make the inside of the book up.
I cut out 12 envelopes and scored them, and then stuck the flaps down.
So they look like this:
I then decorated the front and back using a selection of co-ordinating papers. I punched semi-circles out of the centre opening to make it easier to put things in and out. I made 12 envelopes.
Stick the envelopes together so they concertina out. I use double sided tape down the middle of mine. It is important not to stick them at the edges as they won't concertina.
So it should now look like this.
So that's the inside of the book made.

Next I made the book, using chipboard.
I used 2 7"x5" pieces, 2 3"x5"pieces and the flap which is 4"x5" before cutting. You can use pre-made book covers if you want.
I masking tapes the pieces together, with the edges flush, no overlapping. The masking tape needs to be strong, but also have give in it to allow the book to close.
So it looks like this when the pieces are folded.
I covered the front and back of the book, leaving gaps where the joins are.
These I covered with ribbon. If you use paper it won't give, whereas ribbon will.
So it looks like this now.
And folds up like this. I added a couple of magnetic fasteners to keep the book shut.
I then decorated the front - still no baby so the label will be journalled after she is born.


Now you need to fix the inside into the book. Just like when I attached the pages together I use the same principle, just a bit more tape down the inside covers. Make sure they are decurely attached.
And it now should look like this.

All that needs to be done is making the card inserts for each page. I used white cardstock as the base and decorated the inserts front and back with co-ordinating papers.
I punch a ribbon slot and add ribbon ties to make it easier to pull the cards out.
This is the first page. The envelop is 3" square, with additional tabs added and then decorated with co-ordinating cardstock. The label is inked and the details stamped on.
So it fits in like this.

As it has a new theme I am entering it into this month's Cute and girly challenge.