How To Make A Simple Journal

 

Don't procrastinate anymore about making your first handmade journal. My Alone In The Woods And Writing mini journal was quick and easy to make. It's not complicated but very simple. It got me started in my handmade journal projects. You can make a short journal too!

I had a piece of my hand-painted cardstock that was ok but not the best that I'd made. Rather than throw it away, I decided to use it for the cover. I planned to add collage. The size of this scrap did not matter but the journal ended up being about 5 x 4.5". 

I glued a piece of red paper onto the back of the scrap cardstock and trimmed. I folded it in half and I had my journal cover. I gathered together various other scrap papers and those that were too large, I trimmed. This was going to be a journal with even pages rather than ragged and raw. I stacked the scraps on top of each other and folded them in half. Some pages were a little short and I left them that way. 

The front of the journal is collaged and textured. The moon is a circle of paper with a script design. The cottage is one of my odd sketches on a piece of cardstock. I drew in the roof tiles and the eaves after gluing it to the cover. I doodled on the lines and dots on the cover background.

The two black trees are scratched in with a dying ink pen. The white trees and the stars are scratched on with a dying bottle of correction fluid that I wanted to toss. It made a very bumpy texture reminiscent of tree branches and bark. The tree trunks are scribbled on in black. More trees and bushes are pieces of salvaged book paper and my hand-painted paper cut with spikes across the tops and collaged down. 

The title is hastily scribbled words from when I first got the idea for the theme of this little journal. I was looking at the circle of script paper and my sketched cottage as I sorted scraps. I saw a big moon shining through trees onto bushes and a cottage in the woods. 

Notwithstanding the secluded eeriness of it, I thought how quiet and serene it would be to be writing there. I scribbled the words just to see a possible title. I was going to type and print them but decided that using my writing could add character and atmosphere to the design.

I did most of the collaging after I assembled the book. On the inside front cover I glued an image of red flowers that I tore from something, probably gift wrap, then scribbled black curlicues over it. On the first page I stamped a forest in black, with my hand-carved eraser stamp, until the ink faded. I glued a piece of scrap image and handwriting at the bottom.

Any pages with grid lines are patterns from the back of an embroidery book. I was going to toss them but decided to toss them into this mish-mash journal design.

I painted, drew lines, stamped and glued clip art on various pages. Then, I cut the corner off of an envelope and painted both sides with markers to make a corner bookmark, keeping with the night theme.

The pages are fairly pristine compared to an embellished journal that I would create today. I wanted to provide as much space as possible in this one for writing down thoughts.

The pages I chose for this one-signature journal were scraps that I liked and scraps that I did not like very much. I was not concerned with the colors or themes of the papers. I knew that I would add collage and other embellishments to some of them that would reflect the journal theme, Along In The Woods. 

I cut another moon, sketched another cottage and wrote out my title again for the back cover. I chose embroidery thread for sewing the book together. I punched holes in the spine at intervals, pushing through all pages and the cover. There are many types of authentic book binding sewing techniques. I usually like to just sew what I feel. Something unique, odd and eclectic.

For this journal I did learn the most basic stitch, the saddle stitch. After punching the holes, I used a needle and the embroidery thread. Instead of tying off the thread in the inside middle of the journal, I made a tail at the top and attached a decorative shell coin charm. 

My favorite zipper pouch sewing demonstrator, Jan Howell, has made an excellent tutorial on binding with the easy saddle stitch:

DIY Saddle Stitch Bookbinding | Simple Craft Project

Have you wondered what is the purpose of a junk journal other than a creation to look at? Here is a good overview, by Megan at Compass & Ink, of how they can be used. I like the suggestion of using one as a gratitude or spiritual journal. They can also be used as dream journals.

Junk Journal Ideas & How To Make Them

Create tags and envelopes to add to your handmade journal using instant download printables.

Printable Cards, Tags & Envelopes at Love Romance Marriage Shop

 

Handmade Mini Accordian Journal Tutorial

I had a lightweight piece of folded scrap cardboard with even the little end flap folded. I liked it and didn't want to toss it. I also had written the word*LOVE* on a scrap of paper with the last of some glitter paint in a squeeze bottle. 

One day I thought, This love word would fit perfectly on the front, and I could make a mini folded book. Instead of time-worn love themes, I decided on the scripture Love thy neighbor as thyself. (Mark 12:31)

I thought about a neighborhood design with houses made of triangles and squares of scrap paper. I then changed the theme to the paraphrase I love myself and my neighbors benefit! This fitted perfectly with my belief that if we don't learn to love ourselves first we can't truly love anyone else. I decided it would focus on self-love and high self-esteem.

I painted the entire piece of cardboard, back and front, with metallic copper acrylic paint in one of the 4 oz bottles from the craft section at Wmart. I then dry-brushed in places gold glitter paint.

I added a flower die cut and a faceted metallic rhinestone to accent the O in Love. I added sequins and other rhinestones to embellish the front.

I kept gathering all types of scraps from my scavenged stash to fill out my neighborhood and the sky above. I typed out and printed the quote and collaged it down. The phrases Be Happy and Count Your Blessings are from a sheet of transparent quote stickers for scrapbooking.

I made flower bushes by cutting up used greeting cards. I made trees by cutting turquoise cardstock with decorative paper edger scissors and drawing on details. My color theme evolved into mostly purple, yellow and turquoise.

On the back side and further playing on the neighborhood/home theme, I designed the narrow flap to mimic a front door. The 2 strings with end beads simulates a pull doorbell. The eye and the inkwell leads to what is inside, a chance to write something good about self.

Once you open the door, you can see the full invitation quote, What I love about me. Two micro tags are attached to the door chime pulls and are not removable. The mini tag with the colorful pony beads strung on eyelash yarn can be removed from the heart-printed, vellum pocket. On these tags are to be written a few individual words that describe what is beautiful about you.

The bluebird, the fence and the flower bush was cut from greeting cards. The seagulls are clip art.

As you can imagine, this was a very satisfying project. This sweet little handmade book got away from me when it sold at Etsy. 🥲 Like a loved one who has passed, I have the pics to remind me of happy times and to share. We can try but we can never really remake one-offs. The spirit is just not there, although something brand new and just as beautiful can be made.

I love the creative flow of altered art. It can be exhausting to think about creating something like this. The ease is in receiving the inspiration and letting the flow come and then it creates itself. It also tells you when it's finished.

Junk Journal Ideas & How To Make Them

How many times have I wondered what is the purpose of a junk journal other than a creation to look at? What are some junk journal ideas?

 

Compass & Ink Handmade Journal Blog Post

Since you've wondered too, here is a good overview, by Megan at Compass & Ink, of how they can actually be used and a link to how to make them too. 

What’s the Purpose of a Junk Journal?

 

Using Handmade Junk Journals By Megan

I like the suggestion of using one as a gratitude or spiritual journal. I add that one can also be used as a dream journal in which to record significant dreams. 

 

Have a Happy, Creative Day!

Sandi