In a Bind: 12 DIY Book and Journal Making Ideas

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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, why not 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 instead of 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.

1. DIY Memory Books
2. New Journals From Old Books
3. Souvenir Journal
4. Handmade Leather Journals
5. Easy as Can Be Book
6. Paper Bag Notebook
7. Easy Homemade Journals
8. Your Very Own Hardcover Journal
9. Dollar Store DIY Leather Journal
10. Upcycled Bound Notebook
11. Mini and Marvelous DIY Notebooks
12. Beautiful Book Binding Ideas

What do you use journals for most often? Do you write lists, diary entries, memorable quotes, etc? Let us know below in the comments!

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Martha Bonneau

I live with my husband, 7 and 4 year old daughters, and a pug named Pixie in Crystal Lake, Illinois which is in the ‘burbs NW of Chicago.
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.

Latest posts by Martha Bonneau (see all)

• In a Bind: 12 DIY Book and Journal Making Ideas - September 1, 2020
• 25 DIY Paper Bookmarks - July 16, 2020
• DIY Nursery and Kid’s Room Paper Decor - June 8, 2020