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!

Jenni Zmuda

I absolutely love making journals. I also love using what I have on hand. Combine those two and I'm in heaven. To make your own journal (of any size) just grab what's available. For me that is scraps of paper from other projects. Old book papers. You can even use an old book as a ready-made journal. File folders and scrapbook paper are good, too.

For this project's cover in particular I used an Art Pops™ card. I simply folded it in half and added some Scotch brand washi tape to reinforce the fold. Scotch brand is a bit thicker and stickier than regular washi tape. I then cut the assorted papers to size. The pages don't have to be exactly the same size. Different sizes add dimension and variety to the journal.

To attach the pages to the cover, I used a simple book binding technique called a pamphlet stitch. It's probably one of the least complicated and only requires three holes. Perfect for a smaller journal.

I finish the journal with a flap I made from Roben-Marie's sticker shapes. To hold the journal closed, I tore a long piece of fabric and tied it to a hole punched in the back of the sticker shape flap and wound the fabric around the journal.

There are many different ways to make your own journal. I like to keep things simple and uncomplicated. There is nothing wrong with larger journal's, but smaller journals are easier to tackle.

If you have ten minutes you can almost, if not completely, finish a page or two.

have fun creating your own mini!

Going Deeper...

Is there an aspect of mixed-media art that you always avoid?

Hmm...I'm not sure there is anything I explicitly avoid. If it appeals to me and is within my budget I give it a go. Mixed-media is a chance to be totally free of the rules that are sometimes imposed on art (and life). Tweet That!

There's not much I won't try.

What creative tool/supply are you obsessed with?

Currently I'm obsessed with acrylic inks. They're so versatile and seep down into the cracks and crevices of previously laid layers. You can use them lightly or heavily depending on desired color and can be mixed with acrylic paints or other mediums as well.