Today I want to share a little project that I absolutely love - turning one sheet of paper and a pile of scraps into a handmade book. This one is inspired by my summer in Cornwall, but honestly you could use any colours, papers, or memories that mean something to you.
It’s quick, it’s messy, and it’s such a lovely way to hold onto memories in a way that feels more alive than a photograph.
Starting with Scraps
I began with a big piece of A2 cartridge paper and gathered together a box of collage scraps. I pulled out colours that felt like summer: bright, open, a bit carefree. All those little fragments are about to get a new life.
I also grabbed some matte medium, Neocolor crayons, and a few oil pastels to scribble into the layers later on. Nothing fancy, just the basics I had to hand.
Playing with Layers
I cover both sides of the big sheet with collage and marks. At this stage, I don’t think too hard about it - in fact, I try not to think at all.
It’s just about getting colour and texture down so I’m not staring at a blank page later. I glue scraps on top of scraps, leave bits of white space, then make quick, loose marks. They’re not drawings, just gestures - traces of movement, like the wind, or tide lines on the sand.
It’s messy and freeing and that’s the whole point.
Why I Make These Little Books
For me, these handmade books are a way of holding onto memories without being too literal. I always take loads of photos on holiday, but they can feel a bit flat when I get home.
Making a book like this lets me capture the feeling of a place - the textures, fragments, and emotions - rather than just what it looked like. It’s like gluing down memories as well as paper.
Tearing It Up
Once both sides of the paper are covered, I simply tear it into smaller pieces. No ruler, no measuring. I actually love the rough, uneven edges. Each piece becomes its own page, and the best bit is the surprises - sometimes something unexpected appears that I love, sometimes I don’t like it at all. But that’s okay, I can always cover it up later.
Putting It Together
I stack the pages in a way that feels right - not planned, just instinctive. That randomness means when you flip through later you get those great, unexpected combinations.
To bind it all, I keep it super simple: a pamphlet stitch with three holes, some thread, and a needle. Done.
The Finished Book
When I flip through the finished book, I’m straight back in Cornwall. I can hear the seagulls, smell the sea air, and feel the memories woven into those pages.
It’s not polished or perfect — and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s small, messy, personal, and completely mine.
Why You Should Try It
If you’ve got scraps of paper hanging around, or a place you’d love to revisit, I’d really recommend giving this a go. It doesn’t take much - just a bit of time and a willingness to play.
You might end up with something that holds far more meaning than you expected.
More creative sparks…
If you’d like to see how the collage papers I used in this project started out I’ve got a blog and video tutorial here
If you’d like to learn how to add photos to a playful book like this by printing them on tissue paper you might like this course
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