Blessed Girlhood: Autograph Album

Have you ever heard of an autograph-album? A few years ago when my sisters and I did an activity booklet to receive a little bundle of writing material, there was a autograph album in there. I was quite uncertain as to what it was for, but I did later figure out you were suppose to have your friends sign their names in it. However I was still confused as to the point of it. I eventually figured it out.

An autograph album is simply to collect autographs from your family and friends. This was started in the 16th & 17th centuries by the Germans, more specifically college students. The albums were elaborate coated with hand-painted designs. The student mostly used the albums to capture sketches of amusements, hand-cut and painted silhouettes, and it wasn't until the Victorian era did the autograph albums become sentiment books between friends, family, and teachers. In the 19th century the albums were then embellished with flowers and figures, hand-painted with much grace. Some just signed their names, others wrote a little sentiment about the person or wrote a prayer for them. There were even those who took the time to draw a little sketch or write a poem. As the albums became more popular other ideas of sentiments were involved such as locks of hair or calling cards were pasted onto a page. All little blessings and memories from dear loved ones to remember and cherish.

I think it is a sweet idea - an autograph album - as it only takes a few minutes to write one's name, which you will have forever. Autograph albums can be very elaborate or just practical, but they are easy to make and easy to use.

I asked Miss Emily Rose if she would join me to show you how to make a autograph album of your own. Her's is simply fantastic and with little supplies you can make one of your own! If you have any questions about the directions feel free to ask!

Supplies:

• Blank Cover of an old book (to give it a vintage look)
• Razor Blade
• Boning Tool
• Eyelet Punch
• Hammer
• Paper Cutter or Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Twine

Directions:

1. Cut the cover of the old book from the binding. I found that a razor blade works best, but please take all caution when using one.
2. Use boning tool to put crease in book cover. Mine is about 1.25" from the edge.
3. Repeat step 2 on other side.
4. Bend the cover backwards where the creases were made.
5. To punch holes in cover, use an eyelet punch and hammer to go all the way through. Make sure to have a protected surface underneath (I used a self-healing mat).

6. Cut paper to the desired size that will fit inside book cover. I cut 8.5"x11" sheets in half, making 5.5"x8.5" sheets.
7. You can make a template out of paper by punching holes in the correct place, then align the template on top of the cut-out paper, and make a mark in the center.
8. Punch a hole with the dot in the center. In this way each page should line up just right.
9. Cut a piece of twine that will be long enough to go around both holes, with extra length to tie a bow. I doubled my twine because with only one it was too loose and the holes were too large.
10. Poke the twine through the hole from the outside on the back cover. Pull about half the length through.
11. Take the other end and poke through the other hole, and pull the rest of the way through until each side is about the same length.

12. Poke each side through the stack of cut and punched paper.
13. Pull through until each side is even. Add front cover and pull through.
14. Knot securely and add a bow for prettiness.

A few ideas for extra beauty: Old photos, lace, ribbon, buttons, etc. I have not added any decoration to mine yet, though I do plan on doing so.

I have all my supplies ready, but was just a wee bit busy to complete it before now to be able to show you! I will be following Emily's directions, maybe personalize mine more, and perhaps post about it later on this month. If you make one of your own please make sure to subscribe to GGM in case I do post so you can add your link to your Autograph Album for everyone to see!

You can also download and print off this image with all the signatures of the GGM team to paste into your Autograph Album!

Thank you Miss Emily Rose for taking the time to show us how to make our very own Autograph Album!