Handmade Grungy Art Journal Tutorial

UPDATE: Paperbag Studios stamps and Art Pops™ are no longer available, but many things can be substituted to make this project!
Get creative and have fun!
Roben-Marie Smith Design Team

Anna Friesen

I love making my own journals, and I wanted the gorgeous Art Pops™ cards and colorful yarn to be the stars. I chose to bind this book with Coptic stitching, which I am familiar with, and I love the effect it gives to the spine.

Design Team member Anna Friesen shares her gorgeous handmade grungy journal us for her design team project. Be inspired as she uses stamps from Paperbag Studios and Art Pops™ to create this gorgeous piece of Art! @robenmarie @annafriesen #robenmarie…

When I was thinking coptic stitches, I felt the perfect marriage would be black paper, the cards and bright embroidery thread stitching. Add in the cheerful coordinating yarns, and you get lots of eye-candy for those dreary days we all have! :)

I knew that I am not a perfectionist when it comes to binding, as I'm not that great at it, so I knew I would tie in the messy feel with messy stitching and torn edges all around. 

And who doesn't like a little bit of interactive pages as well? So, each of the five signatures in this handmade journal also has two pockets for the lovely Art Pops™ cards I made into tags.

For more detailed instructions of the Coptic stitching, check out Gisele Grenier's video HERE.



Supplies Used

Ink Pad, Black
DMC 1008F-S602 Shiny Radiant Satin Floss, Hibiscus Pink, 8.7-Yard
Fiskars - Lever Punch - Extra Large - Two Inch Circle
Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn
Uhu Glue Stick
White Gesso
Extra Fine Tip Sharpie Marker