The handmade books presented here are meant to spark outings and offer creative ways for you to explore your personal style and interests: Make treasure hunts even more special with a personalized Treasure Hunt Collection Bag and Notebook. Take notes at the beach with a Waterproof Book made with Tyvek pages. Make a canvas-covered Camping Songbook to take with you to the campsite. In this collection of twenty Japanese bookbinding projects, traditional techniques meet contemporary style, from easy-to-fold accordion books to the intricate Japanese stab-stitch bindings.

Book artist Erin Zamrzla makes bookbinding easy and unintimidating. Her clear step-by-step instructions make even the more complicated stitches easy to re-create. Information on the basics of bookbinding—including terminology, tools, and techniques—is included, and many projects encourage the creative use of ordinary and recycled materials.

The projects are:

Everyday Outings



• Grocery List Pad
• Lunch Box Notes
• Necklace Book
• Cross-Stitch Cover
• Write Your Own Story Journal



Outdoor Play

• Treasure Hunt Collection Bag and Notebook
• Little League Score Book
• Waterproof Book
• Bicycle Book
• Texture Collector



Nature Excursions



• Observation Journal
• Leaf and Flower Press
• Fishing Log
• Stargazing Log
• Camping Songbook



Road Trips


• Tiny Tickets Memorabilia Book
• Photo Notes
• Notes from the Road Postcard Book
• Fold-Out Map Booklet
• Things to Check Out