This year we are giving the young women in our ward cute, paper-covered, pocked-size (military edition) Books of Mormon for their birthdays. One of the wards in our stake had made them at an activity, and we got a copy to look at, assuming that we could figure out how to do it. I could see how it was put together, but didn't know what kind of adhesive to use. I searched online, knowing that we are not the first to do this (while I was at the distribution center picking up the books, there was a lady ahead of me in line with at least 30 of them in her basket, and she told me they were making them for each girl in her stake). I had no luck finding any reference or instruction for this, so I'm posting my trial-and-error results in case anyone else is in the same boat.
Here are the supplies you'll need for each book:
1) a military-sized Book of Mormon
2) a cute piece of cardstock
3) a paper cutter and scissors
4) ribbon
5) two brads
6) a small hole punch
7) adhesive (I used Krylon High Strength Spray Adhesive, which worked great).
First, I bought a variety of cute 12x12 paper (all on sale or clearance) and had the YW write their name on a piece that they liked (without telling them what it was for—we told them it didn't have to match their room or anything, just something they liked).
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Next I laid the book on the opposite side of the paper and traced the spine and both sides to make a template. I cut the paper about 1/2" bigger than what I traced, using my paper cutter, so the edges would be straight. Then I used the scissors to cut off the corners, just leaving the traced point. Cut a notch where the spine is, as pictured below.
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This next step may seem sacrilegious, and definitely felt wrong to someone who doesn't even like to bend pages or crack the spine of a book, but I couldn't figure out a way around it. I had to rip out the first and last pages, because they were glued to the cover about a quarter-inch in, so there was no way to fit the cover on. I can only hope that if the young women need to look up referenced to ziff, zion or zoram, they have a standard size set of scriptures at home.
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After desecrating the holy book, take the paper, lining up the notches for the spine, and fold the edge in around the cover, so that they are creased.
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Here's what it should look like:
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Once you know it fits properly, I recommend removing the paper and using it to make as many templates as you need, so you don't have to repeat the tracing step each time.
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Next, place your ribbon around the book, leaving enough length to tie a small bow where the pages open. Use the hole punch (a small one—I think mine is 1/8", or maybe even 1/16th") to punch through the ribbon, paper and cover, as below on both the front and back (don't worry, this will get covered):
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Cut two coordinating pieces of cardstock (often two-sided, so you may be able to use the opposite side) to use on the inside of the cover. I cut mine 3 1/4" x 5". Then spray these pieces with adhesive and apply immediately (the directions say it will be a stronger bond if you wait 30 seconds before applying, but I found it was too tacky to position and made a mess). There is no need to glue the outside cover first, the inside cover will hold it in place. I used a piece of wax paper to set the inside pieces on while I sprayed them. Also, while we're on the adhesive, I mentioned trial and error, and I don't recommend a glue gun—it'll work, but it's too thick.
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Here's the finished product:
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I think they turned out super-cute, and they're just the right size to carry in a purse. Ellie is begging me to make one for her. She may get the one I used the glue-gun on for now.