Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

 

Whether you are a student or bullet journaler there is nothing better than writing in a beautiful note-book or journal but they can be expensive.  Here is a tutorial that will show you how to make the beautiful journal of your choice in just a little bit of time and a few steps using a $0.50 composition book that you can get at any office supply store.  I love journals and I particularly love stylish journals that I want to open and write in and this project gives me both.  All you need is craft or wrapping paper and some Mod Podge and you can create this beautiful and stylish journal.  I added a few extras to make my journal just right.  I used some colored duct tape, some ribbon and a little flower charm to complete my project.

What you will Need:

  • Composition Book
  • Craft paper, card stock, or wrapping paper
  • 1.88″ colored duct tape
  • Mod Podge
  • 1/8″ wide ribbon
  • Small charm
  • Xacto or craft knife
Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal
What you will Need Journal

Step 1: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Decide on your paper and cut it down so that it is just a bit larger than your composition book.  I used card stock for my project so I did not have to put anything underneath it.  If you choose craft paper or wrapping paper you may have to put a layer of white printer paper underneath to cover the exterior of the composition book.  To add the white underlayment to the book you will follow the instructions for the outer layer except that it will be white and serve as the base of your exterior paper.

Step 2: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Place a layer of Mod Podge on the front of your composition book.  You should do this when the book is open so that no glue gets on the pages.  Place your paper, either white or exterior, onto the glued front and brush out any bubbles.  Using card stock helped to avoid any bubbles because of the thickness of the paper.  Let the front dry for about 2 hours and repeat the process for the back.

 

 

 

Turn a composition book into a beautiful journal
Paint Mod Podge on the front of the book
Turn a composition book into a beautiful journal
Place the paper on the front of the book

Step 3: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Once the Mod Podge has dried use your Xacto or craft knife and cut the excess paper from around the edges of the book following the rounded edges.  Do this from the inside of the book so that you can accurately follow the edge.  Take care that you do not cut into the book itself and use a fresh blade so that you do not tear the paper.

Turn a composition book into a journal
Trim the excess paper

Step 4: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Measure a piece of ribbon about 15″ long.  Using the Mod Podge, glue a portion of the ribbon to the spine of the composition book about 3″ down from the top.  Let the glue dry.  The ribbon will be used as a book mark for the journal.

Turn a composition book into a beautiful journal
Add the Ribbon to the spine

Step 5: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Once the glue has dried on the ribbon add the colored duct tape to the spine to seal the edges of the paper and the ribbon.  I used Scotch 1.88″ duct tape and it was the perfect width for the spine on my composition book.  The best way to trim the tape is to open the book to the middle so that it is laying flat and the tape is laying flat on your surface then trim the tape using your Xacto knife. If you are using wrapping paper with printer paper underneath, I recommend that you put at least one coat of Mod Podge over the top of the paper to seal it and to make it stronger.  You may want to add two coats on the front and the back.

Turn a compostion book into a journal

Step 6: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Add the charm to the end of the ribbon as an embellishment and you have finished your beautiful journal.  Of course you can add additional embellishments if you like but I like mine with just the floral paper and purple duct tape.  It is perfect for me.

Turn a composition book into a beautiful journal

Step 7: Turn a Composition Book into a Beautiful Journal

Make these gorgeous polymer clay pens to go with your beautiful new journals.  Just click on the link or the photo to head over to Lifestyle for Real to get this great step-by-step tutorial on how to make DIY polymer clay pens.  This is a fun and functional project that you will enjoy for a long time.

 

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