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Creativity Prompt – Make A Hardbound Journal From Packaging Material

October 2nd, 2009 by Avital

Hardbound Journal From Packaging Material
I love recycling and every time I manage to turn trash into treasure, I am happy. Maybe too happy, but that’s for the professionals to judge 🙂

If you are as jubilant about recycling as I am and would like to make a fat journal out of cardboard and packaging paper used for padding – then keep on scrolling.

I’ve got a video tutorial just for you.

Tools & Supply

How To


[Music by Josh Woodward, with permission]

Watch on You Tube.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Cut cardboard at: 5½” by 4½” | 5½” by 4½” | 5½” by 1″.
  2. Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper for the cover, at: 8″ by 6″.
  3. Adhere the cover pieces to the center of the patterned paper with glue stick.
  4. Cut the corners of the patterned paper and leave a gap from the cardboard corners – a gap as long as the cardboard is thick (between ½” to ¼” depending on the cardboard).
  5. Fold the remaining patterned paper flaps over and adhere to the cardboard with glue stick.
  6. To cover the spine, cut a 6″ by 6″ piece of patterned paper diagonally. Cut it 2″-1½” away from the corner on each side.
  7. Fold and adhere the top patterned paper flaps to the cardboard spine with glue stick.
  8. Apply strong double sided adhesive to both edges of the patterned paper and attach the cover pieces to it. Allow an 1/8″ gap between the spine and each of the cover pieces.
  9. For the inside cover, cut your patterned paper at: 5¼” by 4¼” | 5¼” by 4¼” | 5¼” by 1″.
  10. Adhere the patterned paper to the inside cover with glue stick. Optional – To secure the adhesion go over the cover with a brayer a few times in different directions.
  11. Punch 2 holes in the spine using a Crop-a-Dile.
  12. Cut the insert pages (from the packaging paper, or any other plain paper you have) at 8″ by 5″.
  13. Fold the insert pages in half.
  14. Optional – Use a T-Square ruler to straighten up the inserts (or leave them looking rustic).
  15. Position your folded pages where they should lay inside the journal and mark the placement of the holes, then punch the inserts accordingly.
  16. Thread your string through the inserts, from the inside – out.
  17. Thread the ends of the string through the spine and secure in a knot or a double bow.
  18. Write your secrets and deepest wishes in the pages of your new handmade journal.

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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6 Comments to “Creativity Prompt – Make A Hardbound Journal From Packaging Material”

  1. Melanie K. says:

    Oh, I am loving this! I have been thinking of making another book for myself, just wondering how to bind it this time (last time I used my bind it all). I think this will be perfect! By the way, I am the Melanie that was in your class, 😉

    • Avital says:

      Hey Melanie! Thanks for your kind words. Go ahead and do that for yourself – and share a link to it later 🙂

  2. Rachel says:

    Wow, that’s really nice. I love your journals, I’ll be linking.

  3. Shari says:

    WOw! I found your video on this at Youtube and followed the link here.
    I’ve never in watching over 200 videos for painting, journaling, mixed media, atc’s etc seen a person that made it so easy to follow instructions, buy the right materials and even the brand of things you used -to make a project.
    I wish everyone was as thorough and professional as you! Please keep sharing your great projects here and on youtube because I’ll be watching them all 😉