Make your own journal

Are you a journal, planner and notebook junkie like me? Can you ever have too many? I think not! Although I have lots of journals (I even have journals for cocktails!) sometimes I am hesitant to write in them – like they are too precious. That’s why I like to have some inexpensive journals on hand to write, doodle and sketch in without feeling worried that I am messing them up. This craft uses one of my favorite creative forms, collage to decorate the cover. It’s a good way to use up some of my vintage magazines and other bits of ephemera.

Supplies:

– inexpensive school copy book (mine is from the dollar store)
– scrapbook paper
– magazine clippings of fun images
– vintage book pages
– glue (I used rubber cement)
– exacto knife
– scissors

Begin by gathering all of your magazine clippings and book images. Decide how you want the images to layout and which ones will be on the cover and which will be on the inside or back cover. It doesn’t have to make sense – just go with your instincts!

Collage is really about experimentation. Cut out any specific images that you want to layer on top of larger pages. I like to cut out images of women, food and scenery. Lay out your images where you want them and take a photo if you need to so that you can remind yourself of the layout. Once you start gluing it is easy to forget!

Start gluing on your background images. I use rubber cement because it seems to work better for large areas like this with little wrinkling or bubbles. Also it rubs off easily after it dries. If you use rubber cement make sure that your room is well ventilated and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Once your larger image is dry use a straight edge and your exacto knife to trim carefully around the edge of the copybook cover. It is best to have a fresh blade in your knife for the cleanest cut.

Repeat the process for the inside covers. I used scrapbook paper for the inside covers.

Next is what I find is the most fun. Add your collage layer images, glue them down and when dry trim off the edges that extend beyond the cover edge. Add text if you want.

Once you have all of the collage images glued down let them dry completely. I used some wax paper to keep the pages from sticking together while they dried. If you find your pages wrinkling or buckling stack some heavy books on top to flatten them out while they dry. Luckily I did not need to do this with the rubber cement.

Here is a look at the inside cover of my journal. I added the word “start” on the first page so that it would be easier for me to begin writing on that page.

Here is the inside back cover. You could continue to add to the cover over time. Also, you can apply a clear finish on the cover if you want a little more protection for your journal.

What about you? Are you ready to make your own journal? I would love it if you would drop me a comment below and let me know if you try this.