Want to make a special handcrafted item to give as a gift for Christmas? A great gift is one that a person will use often and cause them to think of you every time they use it. That is why a handmade journal would make a great gift. This DIY is not too difficult and can be made in under an hour, which is perfect if you are low on time. There are a few items that you will need to make a DIY Journal.
LEATHER OR FAUX LEATHER (More than 14x10in)
LEATHER HOLE PUNCHER (Optional)
PENCIL
SCISSORS
T-SQUARE (Optional)
RULER
X-ACTO KNIFE OR RETRACTABLE BLADE
HOLE PUNCHER
STAPLER (Optional)
LEATHER STRIPS (Or yarn, string, or elastic)
SPRAY MOUNT
TRIANGLE EDGE (Optional)
ONE SHEET OF SCRAPBOOK PAPER (Around 12in needed)
ONE MANILA FILE FOLDER
NOTEBOOK (Using 6x8in for this DIY)
STEP 1: Measure your journal. The journal I am using is 6x8in. There needs to be about a 1/2in-1in border around the book. Therefore, the cover needs to be around 13x9in. - 14x10in.
STEP 2: Measure out the cover on the leather or faux leather of your choice. I'm using faux leather. (I did 14x10in.)
STEP 3: Adjust the size. If the border seems too big, you can adjust by removing some of the excess space. I'm removing 1 inch from the length to make it 14x9in.
STEP 4: Cut the excess. This is to get rid of that 1 inch.
STEP 5: Cut out the cover using a t-square/ruler and cutting knife. If you make inner lines as well like I did, make sure to cut the outer lines, NOT the inner lines.
NOTE: The cutting knife is great for cutting leather, but you may find it difficult to cut faux leather. THEREFORE, use scissors for faux leather. (in next picture)
(Alternative Option) STEP 5 : Cut out the cover using scissors.
NOTE: The cutting knife is great for cutting leather, but you may find it difficult to cut faux leather. THEREFORE, use scissors for faux leather.
Now you have measured the leather/faux leather for your journal
STEP 6: Measure your journal on the manilla file folder. Make sure the file folder is CLOSED.
STEP 7: Cut out the size you measured. You are cutting through 2 layers since the file folder should be CLOSED.
Open the file and it should measure 12x8in if your journal is 6x8in.
STEP 8: Get scrapbook paper and flip it over. Measure it to the same size as the file folder cut out.
STEP 9: Cut out the paper using a t-square/ruler and cutting knife.
Now you have the three layers for your cover.
You will now join the file folder to the scrapbook paper.
STEP 10: Spray file folder cut out with spray adhesive. Place scrapbook paper directly aligned on top of the file folder.
STEP 11: Using Super Glue, glue the back of the file folder/scrapbook paper to the inside of the cover.
NOTE: You can use spray adhesive to do this if you are using real leather. The spray adhesive doesn't work well for the faux leather.
STEP 12: To hide the measure lines, glue an inch of leather/faux leather to the edge of the cover.
STEP 13: Using a hole puncher or leather hole puncher, make a hole about 1/2in or 1in from the center of the cover on both the top and bottom.
NOTE: This may be difficult. THEREFORE, proceed to the alternative option...
(Alternative Option) STEP 13: Make a small cut (about 1/4 in) using a scissors about 1/2in or 1in from the center of the cover on both the top and bottom.
STEP 14: String the leather strip (or your choice of material) as pictured.
STEP 15: Slide journal through as pictured. Tie the string on the outside. Make sure the inside is centered.
There you have it! You can adjust these directions to your liking. For example, you can make it so the file folder/scrapbook paper covers the whole inside or the leather borders the whole inside, etc. I've made many versions so this was one of those attempts.
Lastly, you can wrap the leather strip or your choice of material around the journal to keep it closed.
Here are some other versions I made. These are different on the inside as well.
I hope you enjoyed this and are encouraged to try to make one!
