Instructor's Class Plan for Ready-to-Go!® Blank Board Books from Create & Treasure®

Click here to download a full-color pdf of this lesson plan.

NOTES TO INSTRUCTORS & SHOP OWNERS
Ready-to-Go Blank Board Books do not need to be prepped, like reclaimed children's board books. They're literally ready to be stamped, covered, painted, embellished, altered and decorated in any way. Students will love jumping right into their creative mode. And so will you!

This lesson plan gives suggestions for using the board book in classes for altered books and scrapbooking. The following Create & Treasure authors offer their creative ideas to help you develop a class or demo. So get scrappin'!

— From Sue Astroth, teacher and author of
   Spectacular Cards (C&T Publishing, 2005)
   Fast, Fun, & Easy Scrapbook Quilts (C&T Publishing, 2004)

Below are some ideas for quick in-shop demos. Add several together for a 1-3 hour class. Many of Sue's creative techniques are detailed in her book Spectacular Cards: Fabric, Paper & Game Board Greetings and can easily be adapted to board books.

• Painting of book - review and demonstrate various paints, paintbrush styles, foam stamps. Get creative using one's finger to add, rub, sand, buff, glitz, etc.
• Ink pads - use ink pads and show direct-to-book technique. Review and demonstrate various styles of ink pads alone or over paint.
• Fabric covers - demonstrate covering book with fabric, heat and bond fusing, again using various styles. Review how to layer fabric too. Bring photos printed on fabric, or provide an all-in-one printer and demonstrate printing photos onto fabric. For a personalized cover, have students come with favorite photos and let them print onto fabric.
• Paper covers - show several ways the books can be covered with paper, such as using a Xyron machine vs gluing paper. Perhaps have the Sizzix die-cutting machine to show a variety of shapes you can make using cardstock or decorative paper. Demonstrate a basic way of covering a page with paper. And finish by showing how to cut and cover a page with a window.
• Fibers - add color and texture to your board book for that special finishing touch! Demo drilling holes in pages and covers, bows, knots, and which glue to use.
• CD tin - show how the small 3"x3" Blank Board Book can fit inside with a message
• Windows - show how to cut a window from the books
• Embellishment - Use bees wax and collage front of book
• Theme books - students love classes centered around a special occasion - Valentine's Day, Halloween, Mother's Day, etc. Build a class around these themes:
  • Autograph book, memory book of an event
  • Child's ABC, numbers or color book
  • All About Me - take and print out a digital. Demo photo transfer or printing images on fabric or paper using an all-in-one printer
  • Just for her - using the 3"x3" Ready-to-Go Blank Board Book and cording or ribbon, make a necklace

— From Jan Bode Smiley, teacher and author of
   Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond (C&T Publishing, 2005)
   The Art of Fabric Books (C&T Publishing, 2005)

The class is suitable for the curious crafter, beginning book artist, mixed media crafter, visual journaler, and scrapbook enthusiast. It would be to the instructor's benefit to offer separate sessions for each sub-group if possible; otherwise, be prepared to be extremely flexible as you assist each student with their chosen focus.

Consider making up kits for the class, to include Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond, a Ready-to-Go! Blank Board Book from C&T, adhesive, background papers, neutral fibers, ephemera, and embellishments such as buttons, charms, etc. depending on what you stock in your shop.

After one or more successful classes, consider starting a "book club" in your shop to encourage students to create another, and yet another artful book. Your sales of Blank Board Books, supplies, and embellishments will soar!

Instructor Supply List

• Finished samples to inspire students
• Examples of fabric backgrounds, paper backgrounds, and painted backgrounds
• Supplies ready for demonstrations
• Table covers to protect tables from paint and adhesive

CLASS DESCRIPTION
This hands-on workshop introduces students to making altered art, creative scrapbooks, and artful journals, using a Ready-to-Go! Blank Board Book from C&T as the base for their artwork. Altered Board Books can be introduced in one full-day session, or 2-3 separate half-day or evening sessions. A more advanced full-day class could include die-cutting "windows" in Blank Board Books and other techniques that take longer to execute.

Student Supply List

• Required textbook: Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond by Jan Bode Smiley
• Required board book: Ready-to-Go! Blank Board Book from C&T Publishing
• Optional add-on: The Paper Crafter's Color Companion by Joen Wolfrom
• Fabrics and/or papers
• No scrap is too small
• No need for anything larger than about 6" x 15"
• Rubber stamps
• Alphabet rubber stamps, alphabet stickers or rub-on letters
• Acrylic paints or stamp pads to use with stamps and to color backgrounds
• Foam brush for applying paint
• Trims, fibers, twill, ribbon
• Embellishments
• Scissors
• Adhesive appropriate for your materials
  Optional items:
  • Hole punch, eyelets, and eyelet setter
  • Pens or markers for journaling
  • Photographs if working on a scrapbook
  • Paper towels or baby wipes to clean up paint and adhesive
  • A variety of adhesives for students to try
  • Alphabet rubber stamps, alphabet stickers or rub-on letters to share
  • Clean Styrofoam trays for mixing paint, or sharing adhesive

IN THE CLASSROOM

1. Begin class by showing samples of completed Altered Board Books to inspire the students. Mention the advantage of using a Blank Board Book as their base. No preparation is needed; the book is ready for their artwork immediately.
2. Have the students start thinking about what they want to include in their Altered Board Book.
3. Demonstrate the proper techniques for adhering paper and fabric backgrounds in the board books, (as described on pages 22 and 30 of Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond).
4. While the adhesive is drying, discuss paper and fabric types, show samples of a variety of different designers' lines of paper and fabric, and share information on where to find these materials if you don't sell them in your shop. Show lots of samples of various papers and fabrics.
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of adhesives (see page 7 of Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond).
• Xyron
• Wet adhesive, such as Crafter's Pick The Ultimate!
• Glue sticks, such as Uhu
6. Demonstrate painting backgrounds (page 10). Share source information if you don't carry paint or stamp pads in your store.

Get Students Started on Their Own Blank Board Book

1. Encourage each student to use at least 2 different types of backgrounds in their Altered Board Book in class while you are there to help and encourage.
2. Cut or tear fabric or paper to size - use more than one piece if desired.
3. Glue paper or fabric to book, or paint background.
4. Collage artwork on top of finished background.
5. Add embellishments.
6. Remind students to sign their work!
7. Have each student show their work, describing to the others what worked well and what they might do differently next time.

For more information about Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond and Ready-to-Go! Blank Board Books, contact C&T Publishing at 1-800-284-1114 or www.ctpub.com.