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Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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DIY Library Pockets

January 15, 2014 5 Comments

DIY Library Pockets for Kids' Play or Lending Your Personal Library

As a child I used to build Lego computers so I could play library. I’d check out books to my stuffed animals, whose library cards were my parents’ old business cards. It should come as no surprise then that I’m a real life librarian today (seriously). Why not let your weirdo kids explore their bookish side and build them an at home library kit?

And for those of you who don’t have kiddos, like myself, you can use a grown-up version of this idea to turn your personal collection of books and movies into a lending library. This will help get your books back, I swear. Just don’t go charging your pals late fees –  I can tell you from professional experience that NO ONE likes late fees.

Supplies

 #1 coin envelopes, which are 2.25 x 3.5 inches
scissors
1/2″ circle punch
ultra fine permanent marker
acid free glue
old business cards or cardstock cut to fit in a #1 coin envelope
fancy date stamper (optional)

DIY Library Pockets for Kids' Play or Lending Your Personal Library

Directions

All you need to do to make the pockets is cut the flap of the envelope off at its crease, as shown. Then, use the half inch circle punch to cut a half circle out of the flap (non seam) side of the envelope. They’re really simple but look really elegant when they’re done.

DIY Library Pockets for Kids' Play or Lending Your Personal Library

Next, just use a few dots of non-acidic glue to attach your pocket, seam side down, to the inside cover of your books. You can use some old business cards or cardstock to note when a book is being lent out/due back, and you can personalize the envelopes however you like!

DIY Library Pockets for Kids' Play or Lending Your Personal Library

I love this idea for lending books to friends, as well as for letting kids play library. But you don’t have to take my word for it! :)

DIY Library Pockets for Kids' Play or Lending Your Personal Library

Filed Under: How-to Tagged With: books, craft, crafts, date stamp, diy, lending, library, library pockets, play library

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

Previous Post: « Knitters, the provisional cast on is pretty great.
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Comments

  1. Amanda

    January 15, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    When I was little, I wrote books just so that I could attach homemade book pockets and force my family to check them out of my makeshift library. I, too, am now a librarian. :)

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 15, 2014 at 3:46 pm

      Lol, YES! That’s awesome.

      Reply
  2. Julie

    January 16, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I will definitely be doing this for my kiddos! (just yesterday they were playing library thanks to the enormous stack of books that we brought back from our local branch this week….)

    Reply
  3. Erin

    January 16, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Genius! This totally brings be back to school days. I have a fear of lending books and not getting this back. Definitely giving this a try :)

    Reply
  4. Amberjane

    May 7, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Such a cute idea – thank you for sharing :)

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

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There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
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A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
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Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
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rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
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Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
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Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
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