What child doesn’t love a good story book—especially one where he or she is the main character? With a little paint and a few photos and embellishments from your stash of supplies, you can create an easy collage picture book starring your own child and his or her adventures. This little book is so easy to create that you and your children can paint and embellish it together.

Designed by Debra Cooper

SUPPLIES:

• Ready-to-Go!® Blank Board Book 6″ x 6″ Accordion, available at papercraft stores or www.createandtreasure.com
• Zip Dry adhesive
• Embellishments:
  • Buttons in various colors: red, yellow, grey, blue
  • Red rickrack
• Acrylic paints
  • Medium blue
  • White
  • Teal
  • Medium/dark blue
  • Matte finish clear gloss
• Paper
  • Brown for the tree
  • Black and white paper with birds, flowers, and other nature images (Optional: draw your own images with ink on white paper to photocopy and cut out)
• Pens
  • Black fine or medium-point Sharpie
  • White medium or wide-tip gel pen
  • Glitter gel pen
• Black and white photos of your child
• Paint brushes or sponge applicators

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Paint the blank board book on all sides with a brush or sponge applicator, using blues and whites for the sky and greens for the land. Paint the sky first, layering the colors in this order:
   1. Teal
   2. Medium/light blue
   3. White and dark blue.

   Use a horizontal motion when you paint to blend the colors and create a variegated effect.

2. When the “sky” has dried, use the green paints to paint the “land.”
3. Apply a coat of clear gloss over the whole surface.
4. Draw in the clouds with the white gel pen. When dry, embellish their top edges with sparkle gel pen.
5. Cut out and adhere paper shapes to the painted background:
   1. Black-and-white photos of your child
   2. Brown paper tree (Optional: use a die-cut tree)
   3. Black-and-white nature shapes: birds, flowers, butterflies, and any other shapes you’d like to add
6. Glue buttons on the tree to resemble leaves or fruit.
7. Use a black Sharpie to write “Once Upon a Time” on the front cover. Continue your story on the inside, using words that will be meaningful to your child.
8. Adhere red rickrack to the top and bottom edges of the front and back of the book.

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