Saturday, February 28, 2009

The Hogwarts Charms, Spells and Potions Book

I really wanted the kids to have Spellbooks as party favors. I looked for some to buy with no luck so we decided to make our own. I wish I could say this was easy. I found the information on the internet and thought oh this will be easy enough to copy into Word, change the font and print at home. I didn't count on Word having some major formatting and spacing issues that took hours to fix. I assume this is because I was copying web content.

I thought I'd be able to print them at home but then realized that a 50 page booklet isn't easy to print if you don't have a duplexing printer. So I thought I'd have it done at Fedex Kinko's. But they didn't have the paper I wanted so I bought that from the Paper Zone and brought my custom stock with me. The black cardstock was thick and with 12 pages of paper the booklets had to be trimmed to look their best. After the hours I'd put into them I figured $5 extra was worth it.

Then I had my husband design the labels using a Hogwarts crest image I found on the internet. We made some modifications in Photoshop and printed them onto full sheet (8 1/2 x 11") labels I purchased at Office Depot. I then cut them with a paper cutter and applied them to my booklets.

I was surprised at the amount of time and money these booklets took but in the end it was worth it. The kids loved them. I anticipate my kids will use them for years. There are references to the books which I hope are accurate but figure if they aren't it'll give the kids something to do to check them.

The finished cover.

The title page. Obviously we aren't real publishers this was just to make them look authentic.

There were three sections: Charms

Spells

Potion Ingredients

Potions

  Each section had a place to take notes at the end.

The Spellbooks on display in "Diagon Alley".

*Edited on 8/20/10. As I said above I got the information for my booklet off the internet. It would be illegal for me to sell the booklets and I don't feel comfortable giving them to others.  If you want to make them yourself that is your choice but as I warn, it was a LOT of work and they are expensive to print. How I did it is explained above. For those whove been unable to find the spell information themselves you can find a list of the spells on Wikipedia and the potions and ingredients at The Harry Potter Lexicon.  There are probably other sources for this information as well.

63 comments:

  1. I want one of these!! How did u make them?!!!!!

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  2. yes how did you make these? where do i get the information? im having a harry potter party for my son next month and would love to add these! thanx :)

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  3. These ROCK!!! Any chance I can get a copy so I can make them for my son's b-day party?

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  4. My son's Harry Potter Party is this weekend. Any chance that you are sharing? brandylee@me.com

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  5. I would love to use this for my daughter's HP party! Would you please send me a copy? leslieseeley@gmail.com

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  6. Greetings.
    My son would also love to have any information you could provide on this fun idea. Thank you in advance. My email jrketterling@charter.net

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  7. Hello,
    my name is Kelly and my daughter is having a harry potter birthday party.I was wondering if u can send me some information about this casts and spells book..thanxz so much..
    email me at kcorey05@gmail.com

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  8. can i get a copy of this- am willing to pay for it:) jrmontessori@gmail.com

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  9. Hello there - I know alot of people have requested a copy of your fantastic book, could I also ask if you could send a copy to me?? My e-mail is vikingess@msn.com

    Many thanks Emma

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  10. You're amazing! You should sell them on etsy.com.
    If it will be possible, I'd love a copy too.
    suntear@gmail.com

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  11. This is really great! I'm going to try to make one for my daughter's party. Thanks for the tips! I would be interested in a copy of your if you're willing. Email wft513@gmail.com. Thank you. -Bill

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  12. What font did you use when making the books?

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  13. You are right! Your blog inspires you to have a do a party of your own. Is it possible to get a copy of your booklet. osanchik@yahoo.com

    BTW I once had to do a CD booklet for a friend a found it useful to have individual pages arranged in PageMaker for duplex printing.

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  14. I would love to have these or at least the information. These are awesome!!!

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  15. An easy way to avoid formatting issues when you're copying from the web: First, copy and paste your text into the "Notepad" or "Wordpad" program if you have Windows or "Text Edit" if you have a Mac (these programs always come preloaded on your computer). Then in the file menu at the top under "format", choose "make plain text".... this will take away all the weird formatting. Then you can copy and paste into Microsoft Word or Pages (Mac).

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  16. I just did these for our party, and yes, a TON of work, even with the above tip on Text Edit (which IS a great tool) Even so, I did a Potions, Potions Ingredients, and Charms/Spells sections, plus a cover page and a page of "classwork" for our 3 potions we made at the party. It was 39 pages (and I should have probably increased the font size, as once shrunk down to the booklet-size, 11 point was pretty small)...With cover stock, I paid about $4.25 each, and spent 18-20 hours copying, pasting and formatting, and I do have a good bit of experience doing so. For the unexperienced, plan a few hours more, maybe 24-30? Definitely a labor of love. ;)

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  17. I would love a copy, if you are willing! ekgsmith@hotmail.com

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  18. hey...I So want a copy of these lovely books...!!

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  19. uhm hey. one question, am i going to copy and paste that to word?

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  20. I would appreciate you emailing me. I have a few questions about your book. Thanks! jenosting@hotmail.com

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  21. This is awesome! May I get a copy, please? if you are willing erikaruizvargas@gmail.com

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  22. do you think that you could email me a copy please and thank you.... Big Harry Potter fan and would really like to have one of these
    audreehuebner11@gmail.com

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  23. Plsss can you give my a copy of this book? that awesome! zerogammers@gmail.com

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  24. Would also like a copy! Kreeativitee@gmail.com

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  25. Would also like a copy! Kreeativitee@gmail.com

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  26. They are amazing I would also like a copy,if your willing.
    My email : dinauddin20@gmail.com

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  27. can you send me a copy too please. Chrisc30@videotron.ca

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  28. can you send me a copy too please. Chrisc30@videotron.ca

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  29. Hello! I am planning to have a Harry Potter themed party and i am willing to give those kind of books to my guests. Can you please send me a copy of it. I am surfing on the internet for hours and hours and now i am so glad that i found your blog. My email: zeynepbaran2001@gmail.com. Hope you send me a copy:)

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  30. How there, this looks amazing!! I would love a copy!! My daughter is having a Harry Potter sleepover for her 11th birthday and the would thInk this is soo cool! Kerryallan789@gmail.com

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  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. I am hosting my daughters 10th bday party this Saturday and it is a Harry Potter theme. These books are exactly what I would love, but after hours of searching cannot find anywhere else. If you do not mind, could I please have a copy of your book? I would be forever grateful. bambi.white78@gmail.com

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  33. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  34. I am also throwing my daughter a Harry Potter Birthday Party. It's her 11th! A big year. I was wondering if you would please share a pdf of this with me please? littlebear681@hotmail.com

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  35. I would love this for my neice's 12th birthday! (I'm planning it) could you send me a copy? Thanks email: klauba7114@gmail.com my niece will be so happy when she sees these!

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  36. I appreciate your effort and hard work you put into this book! Moreover I LOVE that you are sharing it with all the little HP fans in the muggle world. I would be SO GRATEFUL if you would send a copy my way - my Daughter's 12th Bday HP themed of course is on Oct 1st - what an awesome favor for her guests!!! Thank you kindly. Email- LAW@FCTOS.EU

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  37. Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog and felt like I had reached heaven as am in the midst of ofcourse planning an HP party for my daughter. I would really appreciate if you could send me a link to the book as I want to have one for the potions class as a manual at the party.
    Thanks in advance.
    Prerna
    prerna.sood@gmail.com

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  38. I remade this using Google presentation. I split it in half using two columns. I wrote down all of the spells, charms, jinxes, curses and unforgivable curses. I even wrote down potions.

    I used these sites:

    http://www.miamiartscharter.net/ourpages/auto/2013/5/13/67868028/Complete%20List%20of%20Harry%20Potter%20Spells.pdf

    http://www.snitchseeker.com/term-25-may-july-2010/potions-recipe-book-74836/

    This is hard work, so good luck!

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  39. I'm doing my daughter's 12 bday. I have made an acceptance letter from Hogwarts. I would love to make this book to go along with it. Will You Please Email Me A copy. shaehon@gmail.Com thank you

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  40. Hello! I am planning a Harry Potter party. I would love this as a party favor please send a copy of the pages. My gmail is Princessbrianna6206@gmail.com

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  41. how can i get one ?

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  42. how can i get one ?

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  43. hi im a little bit desperate for a copy of the book so i can give to my cousin bday party harry potter themed she would love it please email a copy at supermagiki@hotmail.com

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  44. Would you be able to email me a copy please? petra_dt@yahoo.com.au

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  45. I am having my birthday party and I would love to have these!! Would you mind sending them to me?
    terriepp1971@gmail.com
    Lots of love!!

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  46. Hello, I'm just planning my little girls Harry Potter party and saw your amazing books. The time and effort that you must have put in is unreal! I know my daughter would get hours and hours of fun with this, so I would really appreciate it if you could send me a copy. ambaknight@hotmail.com

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  47. Hello! I have to tell you that as my son's party is approaching and I'm pressed for time, I've been scouring the internet for free spell book printables. The problem is that nothing compares to the fabulous work that you did. Like others, I am hoping that since it has been * years since your original post, maybe you are willing to share? If so, I would be forever grateful. My e-mail is mmeasterday@aol.com

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  48. Hi! I’m a single mom looking for some fun thing throw my childs party. I was wandering if you are willing to share you awesome book or I don’t mind paying you for it.
    dbottomfield@yahoo.com
    Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it!

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  49. My son fell in love with this when he saw it. Is it possible for you to send me a copy of it? I could even pay you for it. Thanks for all of this.

    Britta.larson3888@gmail.com

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  50. This book has to be your most superior accomplishment.
    meet and greet at Luton

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  51. Hello! I am planning a Harry Potter themed Blue and Gold banquet for the Cub Scouts and I would love to give them a copy of the spellbook, if you still have it and are willing to share the word document. It would save me a lot of time as I only have three weeks! Email is wendipeterson@gmail.com. Thank you!!!

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  52. I am going to have a HP themed classroom and would love to have this resource. Are you still emailing them? If so, my school email is tbritt@iss.k12.nc.us. Thank you!

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  53. Where can I get these, I'm having a party for my niece and I would love these...email sandeed69@gmail.com Please and thank you!!

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  54. Could you please email this to me too?! I love this whole idea and yours looks professional.
    Please email me at leatharocks@gmail.com

    Please and thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  55. I also want to make one of these!! Can u please email this on naisha8raychanda@gmail.com
    Thank you

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  56. Pleasssssssse, I need it. It's incredible

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