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Coupon Book

© Merrideth Chenoweth

Scrapbooking is a lot of fun, sure, but the techniques we use in scrapbooking are much more vestal than I tend to give them credit for. So, the next few articles are going to outline ways in which we can apply our scrapbooking abilities, either through decorating, altering, or what not, for more practical purposes! To kick start this series, we'll be making a coupon book!

So you may wonder, 'why a coupon book?' My friend Tawanda* showed me a coupon organizer she had just bought, then rolled her eyes at me when I said: "Yeah, that's cute, but I'd rather make one." She rolled her eyes because I say that a lot! So I was challenged to make my own which I'm going to share it with you! The book, as well as the paper piecing patterns, is all my own design.

Tools

• Adhesive of Choice
• Brown Pigment Ink Pad
• Fine Tip Black Pen
• Paper Trimmer
• Pencil
• Scissors

Supplies

• 1 Sheet 12 x 12 Cardstock
• 6 Sheets of two-sided coordinating 12 x 12 paper (like Chatterbox)
• Scrap paper in coordinating colors
• Rub-on or Sticker alphabet

Directions

1. Cut patterned papers into strips that measure 4.5 inches by 10.75 inches. You should end up with twelve strips. Set scraps aside for future projects.
2. Score patterned paper at 3.75 inches from the bottom, then fold. Glue both side edges to make a pocket. Repeat for all 12 strips. Ink the edges.
3. Adhere the back of each pocket page to another, so that you have front and back pocket papers. I used my xyron machine to ensure good adhesion, but you can use any type of glue.
4. Cut textured cardstock into two pieces measuring 4 2/3 inches by 7 inches. Ink the edges.
5. Arrange book so that the cardstock is on bottom, followed by all the pocket pages, and then another piece of cardstock. Bind your book with ribbon. I used a Roll-a-bind system to bind my book, and if you want you can go to a copy center like Kinko's and have them bind the book for you.
6. Cut a piece of patterned paper 1 x 3.5 inches. Ink the edges. Using rub-ons or stickers, put the word "coupon" on the paper, then mat with coordinating paper, and adhere to cover of book
7. Using my patterns and coordinating scrap paper, make paper piecing, and then attach them to the pocket front on each page, according to how your local grocery store is organized.

Last Words
Feel free to customize my design. I inked the edges of my covers and pages so that I won't feel bad about any scuffs as I use the book. If you don't enjoy paper piecing, then use stickers or photographs of foods or items that represent the category you'd like to represent.

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