Here it is, the first in a series of step-by-step how-tos! Big thanks to the people who have approached me recently with questions about how I create my journals, as you have inspired and prompted me to publish these little guides.
You will need: A journal (1) (I am using a Moleskine Cahier Plain Pocket journal) and a sheet of brown paper (2) that is at least twice the size of the journal you are using, with an additional inch to spare on all sides. Crumple the brown paper into a ball, then carefully flatten it back out. Scrunching it up gives it a nice texture.
With a metal ruler and a scalpel, score a line about 1/8 inch either side of the journal's binding (3). This will create the spine (4).
Note: if your journal already has a spine you will not need to do this.
Using spray mount (my preference) or a glue stick, cover one side of the brown paper with glue. Keep the journal closed and place it onto the glue side of the brown paper about an inch from the edge lenthways. Press it down to attached the brown paper, then roll the journal onto it's spine and attach that next. Finally, attach the other side.
To give the journal an obvious spine (5), squeeze the folds with your fingers where you scored the cover.
Open out the covers of the journal and using a pair of scissors, cut slits (6) up to the edge of the journal cover. Repeat this all the way around the journal, until you have lots of flaps ready to fold.
Fold the flaps over and onto the inside of the journal covers (7). They should still be sticky with glue. If they are not, use a glue stick to renew the stickiness.
If you are using a Pocket Moleskine, make sure that you cut free the pocket at the back (8).
Cut off the small flap (9) that remains at either end of the spine. You have now finished creating the brown paper cover (10).
It is now time to decorate your journal! Decide on a title and write/draw this out onto a piece of paper (11). Don't forget to write the title again, but smaller, for the spine of the journal. Next, gather up some pretty pieces of paper ephemera or some of your own small drawings (12).
Using scissors and/or a scalpel, cut out the title of your journal (and the smaller title for the spine). Arrange your title and piece(s) of paper ephemera (and/or drawings) on the journal's front cover (13). It may take a few goes until you are happy (14).
Finally, glue all the paper elements in place (15). There you have it, your journal is covered and looking very pretty!
For more ideas and inspiration on decorating the front cover of your journal, visit my journal [covers] set on Flickr.
6 comments:
Thanks for showing! I like the look of those brown covers. I just started journaling with your beginners kit, I'm loving it!
Thanks for sharing. I used to do that when I was a child with my exercise books but of course not that good as you do!
Rebecca, what a sweet tutorial! I have covered many notebooks in all kinds of ways but your tutorial is inspiring me to try something with brown paper soon. Great photos and clear instructions, thanks for doing it. I will look forward to the next tutorials in the series!
what a fabulous tutorial - I will be sure to cover all my journals by hand now. But really it does amaze me how careful and skillful those hands of yours are!
xx
When will there be an other How to?
XXX
Good question :) I have another one in progress and it should be posted here within the next few days...
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