Seed Storage

It turns out I have quite a few seed packets in my possession and I needed some seed storage. I first tried a little tin box but that turned out to be annoying to file my seed packets in. Apparently I have too many, and not all of them are in the same size packet. (I don’t get paid for any of the links, this is just what I used.)

I also wanted to be able to clearly see them so I got myself a 3″ binder and seed insert pockets. This worked way better.

The problem was the binder was seriously weak. It is so weird because I have two other 3″ Avery binders. One is from 20 years ago. It’s still going strong, and sturdy and protects my art work. This one, though? The sides were so bendy it just annoyed the crap out of me.

I decided to make my own binder using the hardware. I bought some bookbinders hardboard off Amazon, and some paper off Etsy and followed some simple Youtube tutorials.

I drilled out the rivets holding the 3″ binder rings in the old binder so I could just use some Chicago Screws to screw it to the new binder. I really like Chicago Screws as they are internally threaded. I have used them on random book related projects before.

I then measured and laid out the book boards, and covered the whole thing in butcher paper. Which, immediately bubbled up with the glue, and took a lot of work to smooth out. I used some random rust colored linen backed with interfacing as a book cloth for the spine so it would last longer.

I glued the whole thing up, and drilled holes big enough for my Chicago Screws to put the binding rings back in, and covered the interior with paper.

I added a pocket, which I am not really sure I like, to the front cover, and screwed the binder hardware in, and added my seeds and an alphabetizing rainbow divider in.

I like to put my seeds in a little seed envelop, paperclip the top, and keep the seed packet for directions. My irrigation plans are on the yellow legal paper in the pocket.

It looks a little warped but further drying with the Modge Podge and it straighten out.

Struggles with this project:

1. I used butcher paper as a base layer on the hard boards. The second it touched the glue, it bubbled like crazy. I had a very difficult time getting it flat and smooth because using butcher paper like that is a terrible idea.
2. Precision. This has some minor measure issues because while I can measure and cut, when you add wet glue, and bubbling to the equation, it was a lot harder to get things to line up with precision for me. This might just be a me issue, but that was rough.
3. Hardware. Getting the hardware on was so easy, I did not initially test it with the binder closed. When I did, the spine angled out because I had placed the hardware too close to the spine, and had to move it in by a 1/4 inch. I should have checked this, but did not. I fixed it by filling the old holes I had drilled through the hard board with balls of cover paper and Modge Podge. Worked just fine as it was all under the green cover paper.
4. Glue choice. I had Modge Podge on hand and used that, but I am not sure it was the best choice. I will probably get an acid free bookbinding glue next time. I just felt this bled through the papers so much.
5. Book Cloth. I watched some YouTube videos on using iron on interfacing to make book cloth so I did that with the rust orange linen I had on hand for this. As soon as it hit the glue, the whole thing wanted to peal off, and I had bubbles, and it was stressful. I almost started over at that point. Whatever interfacing brand I had, which I have no idea, just didn’t want to work with this. It’s iron on, so I have no idea. I will probably get the actual Heat’n’Bond as recommended next time.
6. Outer cover paper. This was a hand made green leafy paper, and I think it was too porous. The Modge Podge bled through funny in some places. It’s alright, but I think I would look to treat it differently to prevent that in the next version.

However, all in all, I am happy. This is as sturdy, or more so, than my 20 year old version of a 3″ binder. Even better, it looks cool. I might try to Cricut cut some dividers that are all mine, but I haven’t decided yet.