Hula Monkey’s Adventure Book

This cute little album is so much fun to make! But be warned…it might not be a good idea to show the little ones what you are making till you are done, they really cannot wait for the paint to dry!

I have been mulling around for a while now on how to make a little interactive album for my Daughter. Something fun and imaginative and where she can use her very own unique story making skills.

Well thanks to these adhesive Velcro Strips…the world is my oyster!

Remember this album is not suitable for Kids 3 and under.

Supplies you will need for this project:

DIGITAL:

This fun kit is just a  perfect addition for your Summer pages and Hybrid Projects… be sure to grab it!

Hula Monkey by Amy Sumrall

Amy Sumrall specializes in Kid Friendly Digital Kits and is also the creator of the very special ‘Shape Up‘ Create and Learn Kit designed just for kids!

You can easily use any kit for this project just make sure it is Kid Friendly and has some great little Characters like these adorable Monkeys!

PHYSICAL:

• 3′x3′ Inch Chipboard book by Creative Imaginations
• Epson Premium Matte Photo Paper
• Adhesives (Liquid Craft Glue, Double Sided Tape and Glue Dots)
• Trimmer, Scissors and Craft Knife
• Nail File
• Velcro Adhesive Strips/Dots
• Crop-A-Dile/Hole Punch and Eyelet Setter and Eyelets
• String/Twine
• Distress Ink and Applicator
• Piece of Scrap Card stock same size as your Characters/Monkey’s
• Mod Podge and Applicator
• Optional: Flowers, Buttons and Rhinestones.

STEP 1

Measure your Album and determine the Width and Length of the Inside Pages and the Outside Cover. For my Outside Cover the dimensions are 3′ inches for the Front plus 0.75′ inches for the spine and another 3′ inches for the Back; so it was 6.75′ for the width and 3′ for the height. The Inside measured 3′ inches plus 3′ inches; that is 6′ inches for the width and 3′ inches for the height.

I created one 6.75′x3′ inches Shape and 4 6′x3′ inches Shapes and clipped my Papers to it.

I arranged them on 2 documents (8.5′x11′ inches @ 300dpi) and in the open spaces I added 3 scalloped borders included in the kit, 1 Floral Border also included in the kit and 2 sets of the Monkey’s. You can also add extra flowers or elements in the open spots on your documents.

NB If you want your Monkey/Character to be double sided remember to Mirror the image so keep one at its original position and change the 2nd image to the mirror image. You can do this in Photoshop by clicking on the Edit Menu and selecting the Transform<Flip Horizontal.

Print out your pages onto the Premium Matte Photo Paper.

STEP 2

Trim your album pages and cut out your borders.

Adhere one set of monkey’s to the scrap piece of card stock.

Cut them out with your scissors.

Now glue the Mirror image to the back of the first Monkey.

Repeat this with the remaining Monkey.

Feel free to play around and add some interesting embellishments to decorate your monkey…some felt/corduroy to add to the monkey’s hat and maybe a little flower for the girl, or even some grass for the hula skirt!

Ink the edges of your Monkey’s; I used Tea Dye Distress Ink by Ranger Ink.

Apply 2-3 coats of Mod Podge to the Front and Back.

Let it dry between individual coats.

STEP 3

While the Monkey’s are drying…arrange your page borders on your album pages. I layered the scalloped Borders to simulate ‘water’.

Adhere your strips with Glue Dots (You don’t want to glue down the whole border but want to leave pockets for the monkey’s to ‘swim’ in)

Now adhere all your Inside Album Pages with Craft Glue.

Do not adhere the album cover just yet!

Let it dry.

STEP 4

Trim the edges with your Craft Knife and using the Chipboard Pages as guides.

Sand the edges of the album with your sanding file.

You can also ink the edges with your Distress Ink.

Sanding and inking edges are a great way to disguise those little mishaps! It is also a great way to finish off a project.

Now Apply 2-3 thin coats of Mod Podge to each page.

Let it dry thoroughly before doing the next page.

STEP 5

As soon as the inside pages are dry apply the Velcro strips.

NB Make sure to only apply the softer strips to the inside pages…leave the more bristly/negative strips for the Monkey bodies to ensure that they stick.

The Glue on the adhesive strips need to set for at least 24 hours before use so keep this in mind when creating these little books.

It might be best to complete these at night when you don’t have little bodies around who cannot wait for you to finish! Trust me been there done that!

STEP 6

Apply the Negative/Bristly side of the Velcro adhesive strips to the back of the monkey’s.

Please Note: If you are accident prone as I am rather use  Card stock to print your monkey’s out, the ink is ‘absorbed’ which makes it unlikely that the colors/printed image will come off like mine did when I Mod Podged it.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing! But luckily it will be on the back so nobody *should* notice?

STEP 7

Using your Crop-A-Dile/Hole Punch punch a hole in the center at the top of the Monkey’s head.

Insert an eyelet into the hole and set it with your Crop-A-Dile/Eyelet Setter.

Adding an eyelet will ensure that your monkey will not easily tear off and make it last just a little longer.

I highly recommend investing in a Crop-A-Dile for your craft projects…I really use it nearly in each project and is so versatile.

They go through Chipboard and even Thin Sheets of Metal like Tin Buckets.

STEP 8

Cut a length of string/twine twice the length required for the monkey’s to reach the front page.

Loop the string through the hole and pull tight.

You can use ribbon or even fishing line.

STEP 9

Using double Sided Tape (Terrifically Tacky by Provo Craft is an excellent choice) stick the ends of your twine to the back of your album as shown.

Now adhere the Book Cover with some Craft Glue.

Let it dry.

The twine is a bit lumpy on the back, you can also apply them to the spine if you like.

Use your craft knife to trim the edges.

Sand and Distress the edges.

We are almost finished!

STEP 10

Apply 2-3 Coats of Mod Podge to the cover.

Let it dry thoroughly.

Now if you have managed to keep the little critters away while creating this special activity book; kudos to you!

Gather them to come and test this one out and make their own special stories.

My dd could not wait to test it out! She loves telling me the story of the monkeys who walk in the garden, swing on the vines, surf in the sea and splash in the pool.

I would love to see the stories you create!

Other Articles by Mari Koegelenberg:

• Envelope Travel Album - June 23rd, 2011
• The Doilie Project goes Hybrid! - July 12th, 2010
• Cupcake Boxes and your Die-Cutting Machine - April 15th, 2010
• Easy Printable Christmas Advent Calendar - December 4th, 2009
• Trick or Treat!!! - October 30th, 2009