Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams: DIY Potions and Poisons Book

It's day 4 of the 13 Days of Handmade Halloween and today we're featuring a DIY Potions and Poisons Book from Bellagrey Designs

Halloween has become one of my favorite holidays, especially since I have had kids. I have been eyeing those Toxins and Potions books for awhile now, you know the ones you see at the craft stores this time of year? But they are not exactly what I wanted, so I made my own and want share it with you! Here is what you will need:

An old book {we used a 6"x9" book}
Brown, Black and Gold Spray Paint
Gloves
Mod Podge
Paint brush or foam brush
Spray bottle filled with water

Let's get started! Start by painting the outside of the book and lightly spraying the pages {while the book is closed} we used black. Let it dry for about a half hour. Come back and spray the pages again with brown and gold, so it is a good mix.

Once the pages are dry, open your book to the middle and and spray the page edges with water. Roll the wet edges with your thumb so they curl upwards.

I wanted a little more "vintage" look to mine so I wet the sides of the pages with water to get that effect. Leave the pages to dry for about an hour or so. If you are in a hurry, you can use a hair dryer to speed up the drying time.

I then sprayed the middle pages with black and gold, as you see here. I wanted it to look worn and vintage once I placed my "new" pages in the book.

Next DOWNLOAD the pages and cover, then cut them out.

You can choose to have the parchment paper for the entire back or the bat on the back like I did. Pour enough Mod Podge on a paper plate or bowl to cover the entire outside of the book, once the cover is cut out, place the cover onto the book and fold along the edges of the book. To make it easier and not to see the "cut" page, I folded the front cover over the book first then cut just below the "spine" wording then attached the back cover.

Place the cover on while the book is open so it will be a little loose the the book is open. Feel free to make two books so you can leave one closed and the other open.