Making your own mini journal
July 5th, 2007 by Candace
My name is Jennifer, and I love all things having to do with paper. But recently journals that I see in stores just haven’t been doing it for me. I don’t want just lined paper, scrapbook paper or watercolor paper… and I don’t want 15 different journals going all at once (though I must stress I have no problem with owning 15 journals at one time).
With this in mind I started to ponder making my own book. What better way to solve my dilemma than to make something with whatever kind of paper I wanted. I started to read and read on book binding, but I didn’t want to invest in an entirely new hobby, not yet anyway… I simply wanted to try it.
So I took all of this information that I gathered and made my very own mini journals. My supplies were as follows:
- ~ paper (of all kinds)
- ~ ruler
- ~ yarn
- ~ embroidery thread
- ~ sewing and embroidery needles
- ~ a Popsicle stick
- ~ heavy books (I used Shakespeare’s Complete Works and a Norton Anthology)
- ~ buttons
- ~ other random crafty bits
I picked my size of paper (6×6 in this case) and cut the paper I had chosen to fit. I used all sorts of paper… from notebook paper to fancy scrapping paper to card stock. I also ended up using multiple sizes of paper- some 3×3 or 4×3. This created an interesting layering effect in the finished journal.
Once I cut my paper I folded it in half using my trusty Popsicle stick to make a proper fold. I then used my ruler to measure and punch 8 holes in the center of the fold. I used the needles to make the holes. Then came the fun bit of assembling the book. I put the paper together and then used my yarn and embroidery needle to sew the book together. Once it was together I placed the book under the heavy books and waited…… The next morning my lovely little journals emerged in all their splendor. I then used buttons, paper and chip board letters to decorate the covers of the journals.
I may end up becoming more serious about book binding at some point, but for now this is a lovely and inexpensive way to try your hand at book binding and to have a journal that is uniquely yours.
To learn more about the proper way to bind a book take a look at this website, which is truly informative and offers some excellent tips that can be used in any paper binding experience.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:03 am
What a fantastic idea! I definitely have to try this, and it may be the perfect way to make a bunch of small cookbooks containing family recipes for Christmas!
July 5th, 2007 at 8:14 am
I love this idea, too – thanks so much Jennifer! And Nic, what a great idea!! I am totally going to do this around the holidays.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:44 am
How cute! I love journals…I think I own 15 of them, too!
July 5th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Those are neat. Great idea.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Love it!! I can’t wait to try making some of my own:)
July 5th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Thanks for posting this up. I have just started binding my own books and its fun!!
July 5th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I’ve been looking for an online journal tutorial ever since I found an adorable one in a card-making book, but wouldn’t shell out $18 for one journal idea. Thanks so much for the tute! I’m looking forward to making a cute one for fall to-do lists!
July 5th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Thanks. I am glad you like it. Let me know how they turn out. I can’t wait to see.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:02 am
Thats what i probably looking for, it wonderful idea to make my own journal… i would rather impress friends of mine, and ask them to try it also…
July 6th, 2007 at 7:24 am
That’s really adorable.. I especially love the little buttons. Very nice touch.
July 8th, 2007 at 12:28 am
I have been collecting used envelopes from work because it seemed such a waste to just recycle them and now I know what to do with them! I might try it with cereal box covers.
Thanks for this great idea.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:07 am
Hi! Great idea! Curious me would like to know what a popsickle stick is… I’ve been saving old envelopes too, that would be a great way to use them. But what is the magical instrument you’ve used to fold you sheets neatly?
July 8th, 2007 at 4:32 am
Any hard edge will work to fold the sheets… you could use a letter opener- they actually make an item called a bone folder, but for general purpose anything that is flat and solid will do… I happened to have a popsicle stick in my craft supplies so I used it…. Let me know if you have any other questions.
jen
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November 8th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Looking for a place in Boston where I can pick up book binding supplies. If you could point me in the right direction, it would be most appreciated.
-Peace
December 16th, 2007 at 10:17 am
What a great idea! I just made one to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries! Thanks for posting it!
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March 14th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I love journals, thank you for the idea, I will try this now!!!
I will make a dark asian themed one with fancy paper,
and dragons in black and red, and gold tones!!!
December 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I know you posted this a long time ago, but today I was browsing for easy-to-make journals, because my daughter was assigned a homework : write a journal about a week in your life… and they are grading both content AND format… she’s only 8, so I wanted something that SHE can make herself with little help (I hate those super-mega projects that the parents make, then pass off as if the children made them!)…
Thanks so very much for the idea!!
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 am
Jen – thank you so much! I am making motivation journals for 40 of my team members in Slumber Parties and I’ve been driving around everywhere looking for something inexpensive. I can do this! Thanks for sharing your creativity with the world!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:38 am
Great idea! I too am needing journals for a 30 hours famine event for all the kids to keep journals for the whole time they are starving for hunger. I figured I could make basic ones and they could embellish them to make them their own. Inexpensive and fun! Again, thank you for the tutorial!
God Bless!
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May 8th, 2010 at 7:24 am
I’m only 13 and this was so easy and fun! I have trouble writing in a journal and I thought if I made my own it would help and it has! I love this because it was soooo easy compared to all the other sites that you needed major craft supplies for. THANK YOU!
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February 22nd, 2011 at 5:45 pm
That’s a really good idea. I want to start a bug journal but i want a special book just for that. : )
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