Ever wonder what you could do with those games you loved in childhood but never play anymore? It's a shame to get rid of those games. Well here is a way to feel like a child again and hang onto those great memories. This Instructable will show you how to make a journal from a game board.

Materials:
-a game board
-a stack of paper - I used computer paper which you can get a lot for cheap. You can use just about any paper as long as you adjust your cover size. You could use heavier weight drawing paper, lined paper, or even recycled scrap paper.
-decorative paper -This is for the cover page and to wrap the unfinished edges. I chose a paper that was the same color as the back of the board.
-large needle
-heavy thread - a heavy thread used normally for upholstery or quilting works best
-card stock paper
-glue
-band saw (utility knife) - this is for cutting the game board. A band saw is fast and easy, but if you don't have access to one a utility knife will work.
-twill tape
-lightweight muslin fabric
-marker or pencil
-ruler
-clamps and plywood scraps or book press

Step 1: Step 1: Fold Paper

Fold 50 8 1/2" x 11" sheets of paper in half and group together in sets of 5 sheets.

Step 2: Step 2: Cut Game Board

Look at the design of the game board and pick a section that you want to feature as you journal cover. Mark the game board for two covers each 5 3/4" x 9". Cut the folding seam with a utility knife. For the rest of the board a band saw works best, but if you don't have access to one you can cut the boards with a utility knife. When cutting on a band saw, it helps to put a scrap piece of cardboard under the game board. This keeps the edge of the game board from fraying. An average size game board will give you 6 covers or enough covers for 3 books.

Step 3: Step 3: Wrapping Edges

Cut some 1" wide strips of your decorative paper. If you chose a color to match the back of the game board, you will have one or two edges on each board that you won't have to cover. You'll need 2-4 strips 5 3/4" long and 0-2 strips 9" long. Cut the corners at an angle. Cover the paper strips with glue and wrap raw edges of boards.

Step 4: Step 4: Punch Holes in Paper

Stack your sets of paper together and mark out where you are going to punch the holes. The take your needle without thread and punch the hole where they were marked. Watch your fingers while punching the holes.

Step 5: Step 5: Sew Pages Together

Now thread your needle and sew the pages together. Starting with the first set of pages stick your needle down the first hole and up the next. Continue like this to the end. Take a second set of pages and hold it next to the first. Stick your needle down the first hole of the second set across from the last hole of the first set. Continue sewing up and down the holes to the end. Tie the two ends together. Add the third set just like the second set. When you get to the end loop your thread through the thread connecting the first and second set. Continue adding sets until you've got them all sewn together. If you run out of thread tie another piece on and continue sewing. Slip short pieces of the twill tape into the loops you created with the thread. Pull the thread tight and tie off.

Step 6: Step 6: Assembling Spine

Cut a strip of decorative paper 3 1/4" x 10". Cut a strip of card stock 3/4" x 9". Glue the card stock piece centered on the back side of the decorative paper. Then glue the covers 1" onto the decorative paper. There should be a gap between the covers and the card stock. Next wrap the ends of the decorative paper over both the cover and the card stock.

Step 7: Step 7: Gluing End Papers

Cut two 8.5" x 11" pages of your decorative paper. Fold them in half. Put a line of glue down the folded edge of your pages and lay your end paper in. Repeat on other side. Cover spine with glue, rounding slightly. Put weight on it while it dries.

Step 8: Step 8: Gluing Fabric

Cut a strip of the muslin fabric 4" x 7 1/2". Put more glue on the spine and lay on the fabric strip.

Step 9: Step 9: Gluing Spine Paper

Cut 2 strips of computer paper 1 1/4" x 8 1/2". Glue each of these onto the spine. Let this whole thing sit under a weight until dry. When dry, trim the extra paper.

Step 10: Step 10: Finishing Spine

Glue the twill tape to the end paper. Then glue the extra edges of the fabric over the twill tape. Cover the whole end paper and fabric with glue and position on one of the covers. Repeat on the other side.

Step 11: Step 11: Finishing Journal

Finally, you'll want to press your journal while it dries. You can use a book press or you can create your own. A simple way to create a book press is to take two scrap pieces of wood slightly larger than your journal. Sandwich your journal in between these boards and clamp it all together. You want even pressure across the book, so space the clamps out as evenly as you can. Let it dry over night, then you can remove it from the press. Open the book carefully and check that the glue feels dry and none of the pages are stuck together. When it's dry, you can start filling it with new ideas and you've saved a game from the landfill.