Tuesday tutorial: Handmade journal

Hello! I hope your week has started off wonderfully! For today's Tuesday tutorial, I thought we would make a super easy, handmade journal. The base of this album is those little chipboard "albums" you can find in the Michael's dollar section. They usually contain around 4 pieces of heavy chipboard for $1. I just grabbed two out of that package for my front and back book covers. 

So, let's get started!

1. Gather some supplies. You'll need the chipboard covers, some lace scraps, an antique cabinet card, watercolor paper, (or any variety of papers) a heavy duty hole punch, a good adhesive, any other items you would like to use..

2. I simply covered the front cover of my album with a pretty lace. 

3. The chipboard books from Michael's have one hole punched in them, but I did not like the placement of the hole, and preferred 2 holes so after the lace was in place I punched new holes in the chipboard. The lace covers the other hole, so you won't see it. Now, I have (and love) a vintage hole punch and it punches through just about anything I have ever tried with it. (Even bookboard!--like I said, I love this thing) You can take a look on etsy for one of those, I've seen them for less than $15. If you don't have that, you'll need something that will punch through heavy materials. Like a cropodile, or something like that...

4. Line up and punch holes in your back cover, and your cabinet card. Then I simply cut several pages of watercolor paper to fit in the book and punched the appropriate holes in those as well. 

Next, using a strong adhesive (I used my favorite "go to" glue, The Ultimate glue) adhere the cabinet card to the chipboard cover, making sure your holes are lined up properly.  I then decided to add a bit more vintage lace. 

Now, I wanted to make a little embellished pocket for my book. Sometimes when I am out junking I find these wonderful little crochet coaster type things. They were meant to go over a glass on the bottom and work as a coaster. I think they're so sweet and make the perfect little pocket. I just embellished it with a bit of vintage trim, an old silk button, and a vintage calling card. I love collecting the calling cards to use in my books to give the old photos a name. :) If you don't have something like this, just look through your stash and see what you can use as a pocket. 

Then I just adhered the embellished "pocket" to the cabinet card and slipped in a sweet little paper and silk flower a friend made for me. You could also slip in a little note, a flash card, or some other embellishment. 

To add some interest to my journal pages, and to add some extra pages, I just grabbed some washi tape a scalloped note card and made a flip page. Just add washi tape to the inside and outside edge of the watercolor paper. You can also create a pocket page by folding one of your pages and taping the sides closed. 

I finished off my book by threading a vintage piece of silk through all of the holes and tying a pretty bow. When I want to work in my book I can just loosen the silk bow, or even untie the book all together. You could also use rings, or any other type of ribbon to close your book. That's it, easy peasy. 

Have any questions? Leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll be happy to help. 

And, guess what, I was able to add a couple of kits for this book to the shop. (only a couple though, sorry!) 

Thanks for joining me on another Tuesday project. I love doing this, it challenges me to do something at least once a week. 

Back soon! Cerri xoxo

Comments

[karen]

Sooo pretty Cerri! karen....

[Jessica Rodarte]

Love this!

[Vintageandart]

I've loved reading through your blog this morning and l've found out two things that l didn't know...but have wanted to know for ages....first was what washi tape was l've seen it used but didn't know what it looked like up close and also l bought a job lot of what l now know are cigar bands, but l didn't twig thats what they were, cos mine are without their bands so thanks heaps for enlightening me.Have a wonderful weekend.

[MY SHABBY FRENCH LIFE]

Just discovering your nice blog ! Love so much altered journals (I realize a pink one)As you say we all need pink in our life.
xoxo from PARIS

[Yvonne Welty]

I pulled out some pretty supplies last night and am well on my way to "stealing" your idea. Thanks for sharing it! I am having such a good time. Don't know if I'll keep or "gift" this project. I might have to be selfish and keep it for myself! Thanks again!

[Yvonne Welty]

Just thought I'd let you know my journal is almost complete. I have been having so much fun making it. I definately think the process is just as important and fun as the end result. Thanks again for the insporation.