Making a Book, Step 2

I think I'm going to start with the red color scheme for the ladybug journal. I've decided I want it to be 6x9 inches, which is a good size for journaling, so the first thing I have to do is cut the covers from book board (sometimes called chip board) or mat board. I have used plain old cardboard in the past, but it isn't as sturdy (though a lot easier to cut!). I had to cut these twice, because the first time they were 1/4 of an inch off. Arrgh. I hate measuring.
Once the covers are cut, I covered them with the papers I've chosen, and added a light coat of craft polyurethane, just to protect the covers from damage while I'm working on them (and beyond). The front and back covers of home-made books are often different patterns, which is one thing that makes them unique. Once the polyurethane is dry, I'll press the covers beneath something heavy over night. A book press would be great, but my giant, 2-volume Oxford dictionary works just as well.

The ladybug won't actually be attached until the last step, but I wanted to see how it would look!