How to Make a Graduation Cap Autograph Book

My son graduated from high school just last year. One of the things that I made for his party was a graduation cap autograph book. It turned out to be quite a hit. Everyone had fun passing it around and leaving a personal message for my son in it.

It really is easy to make this special party keepsake. It takes a bit of time and very little investment to make. It is also something you will treasure for years. Here is what you will need to get started.

1. A Square Book
2. Scissors
3. Enough Construction paper to fully cover the book
4. Glue
5. A small tassel with the year on it
6. A button the same color as you will be making the cap
7. A pad of paper that will fit in the book

Getting Started
I found that it was very easy to find a children's book at the local Goodwill Store. It was also very inexpensive. Look for any book that has clean empty pages in the front and back.

Once you find a square book to work with , you will want to cut out all the pages that have writing on them. The easiest way to do this is to use a razor knife. If you do not feel comfortable using a razor knife, carefully cut out all pages with writing. If you book has front and back empty pages, leave them in place.

Adding the Pages
The most important part of this process is to use a relatively small amount of paper. Find a nice thin pad that will easily fit into your graduation cap autograph book. Glue the pad into the center of the book between the two blank pages that came with the book. Press the pages in very firmly and give them plenty of time to dry before moving the graduation cap.

Covering the Book
This is actually the hardest part of this craft project. You will want to lay your book flat on your construction paper. Fold one end neatly in place and glue it. You will have to let this completely dry before going any further.

The reason for letting one end dry is that when you go to fold the other side, you have to be sure to fold it with enough space for the book to be open and closed. Fold the second end and practice opening the book before adding glue. Once you have it perfectly folded with enough space left. apply the glue to the second end.

An Extra Unique Touch
One other thing that you can do to add some fun to this autograph book is to add special pictures of the graduate in the center pages. You could also add a picture to both the first page and the last. This is something you can really have fun with and also show the progression of your child growing up through the years.

It takes a bit more time and just a bit more glue to add photographs to the autograph book but it really is worth it. It will get people talking about how they remember when the graduate was this age and that. Be sure to add at least one baby picture that will give everyone a laugh and one really flattering picture to make it up to the graduate.

Final Touches
There are several ways that you can puncture the very center of the top of your graduation cap autograph book. The most important part is to keep the hole extremely small. You will want the loop on the bottom of your button to barely fit into the hole. Add the tassel around the look of the button. Then, dab a very small amount of glue to the loop on the bottom of the button. Attach the loop and tassel by pushing them firmly in place in that very small hole.
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One of the great parts of making this gift for the student that is graduating is that you get to be the first to sign it. Be sure to add your sweetest wishes and hopes for the future for the graduate. Also be sure to mention that you put much love into making their graduation cap autograph book and you hope that they treasure it.

This is also a gift that you will want to place in the center of a table in a room that will be used by most for the party. Make a point of mentioning it and passing it around for everyone to sign and leave messages for the graduate. Another smart move would be to have ample pens ready in case one or two decide not to work.

If you enjoyed this craft idea, please click here to take a look at some of my other craft ideas.