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This post is brought to you by Martha Bonneau from MugsyBoo.
Rather than going out and spending all your money on journals, make your own DIY journals! You can learn how to bind a journal with all of these tutorials.
I like big books and I cannot lie! I also like small books, and children’s books, and journaling books, and notebooks and brag books. I know it is the wave of the future, but I just cannot get on board with the digital book trend. I much prefer going to the library or bookstore, and when taking notes I prefer actually writing them down on paper vs. using a tablet or laptop. Don’t even get me started on how much I love back to school shopping; a few fun notebooks and journals almost always end up in the shopping cart for me!
As a paper crafter, I have created mini albums from chipboard and patterned paper as well as small flip books from cards, but I have always wanted to try my hand at binding a book or creating my own journals for note taking. As I searched the web for book and journal making DIYs and tutorials, I came across several that motivated me to put bookmaking on my crafting to do list for this fall. Some of these might even end up in family members’ stockings this holiday season.
At first, the idea of creating a bound book can seem intimidating, but these crafters share just how easy it can be. With just a few materials like scrapbook paper, string, and a needle, you can start creating simple bound books and journals. You can even repurpose old books into handmade journals. As an avid thrifter, I love the idea of repurposing old books!
Here are 12 bookmaking tutorials that are “bound” to make you want to try your hand at creating one yourself.
- DIY Memory Books
- New Journals From Old Books
- Souvenir Journal
- Handmade Leather Journals
- Easy as Can Be Book
- Paper Bag Notebook
- Easy Homemade Journals
- Your Very Own Hardcover Journal
- Dollar Store DIY Leather Journal
- Upcycled Bound Notebook
- Mini and Marvelous DIY Notebooks
- Beautiful Book Binding Ideas
What do you use journals for most often? Do you write lists, diary entries, memorable quotes, etc?
Martha Bonneau
I started scrapping in 2006 and was quickly addicted!I was an avid scrapper until late summer of 2010 when we started our adoption journey, at that point I was overwhelmed with paperwork (and emotions!) and I had to put something on the back burner in my life but I knew I would eventually come back to it.
We welcomed our daughter home from China in December of 2011 and a few months later I found my groove again and pulled out all of those supplies that had been tucked away.
I started out scrapping again doing traditional layouts, but at the beginning of this year I jumped into Project Life and I love it!
When I’m not scrapping I am usually spending time with our daughters which means library time, going on walks, thrifting (they love it as much as I do!) or watching Kung Fu Panda for the millionth time.I also have an Etsy shop Panda Eight Designs where I sell scrapbooking flair that I design.
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I always carry a journal when I travel. I record sights, sketch and plan projects based on something seen along the way. I take notes in museums and recap the day in the evenings.
I have several journals I use daily! I use one for my editorial calendar, one for my ideas, and one for my personal journeys. I take notes everywhere I am, even while going for a long walk on the seawall.