I just ran into a little bit of a dilemma...when I stacked up the paper and saw how thick it was!

This is going to be a wedding guestbook for a client, and the number of pages is pretty much set (one page for every guest at the wedding) The guests will be filling out a flat card at the event (a recipe for love fill in the blank card), and then the bride will insert the loose pages one per page afterwords. The recipe cards are 6" square, and theres not much room to change them.

I was hoping to make this just a simple hardcover, 7" square book. I have an image of the bookcloth I just ordered below. How should I approach this now, without making a stiff brick?? Should I reformat to a longer book, a 7" by 14" and cut the paper thickness in half, or is there a binding method anyone can wield this? 

I'll be honest I did these last summer, but the pictures have been sitting on my hard drive unloved since. I think it's about time to share!





This was a stained ivory bag from my grandma (aren't they the best?) with a gold chain hideous strap. I dyed it my favorite color, then gave it a yarn and leather strap that I don't trust, haha. But this bag is super cool for those wanna be classy days. Now I just need to mod the purse I actually use every day!



This is my little camera bag. It was black and not something I every carried around unless I was adventuring outside with no where else to put it. I cut off some stuff, then painfully hand sewed a layer of pink mesh and a layer of amy butler loveliness. I also added ribbon and flowers on the front, AND added a pocked on the back! It holds my extra battery(and business card), and there is a pocket inside for memory cards. Also the ugly strap got hacked off and I made some old belt and more ribbon braided madness. This bag was the perfect size for my old camera, but now I have a a slightly larger cam with a neckstrap that only fits this bag when neatly folded. So it's unused ='(

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/762493415_6d90ef71dc.jpg?v=0

Beautiful no?

...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1013/763352566_91df99de95.jpg?v=0

...just lovely.

(more)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eccoxile/sets/72157600733476079/


Okay. This is a century old victorian photo album that I just found. It really needs some love. Now, the good thing to do, for something that should have some value...is restore it...right?
But before I knew what it was I just wanted it for parts for a portfolio book.
So I think maybe keep the original look, same binding...but make it fit larger images...and perhaps brass covered pages instead of the really plain paper (Normally these books have a rich cherry wood paper for the pages...mines not good enough)
But I'm still not sure if I want to search for a blue velvet or see about something else.

I also need some nice quality materials for replacing ...most of it. But I think I'll wait until I have this disemboweled to get a list. (All the metal is held down with nails on a wood frame..fancy!)


Right now all I'm looking for is some ideas(basically, what would you do with this?), some places to look at (maybe a more booksy forum, materials website, etc.), some people that know restoration?

(in the meantime...I don't post enough here... )