I started out to make a journal for myself that I could draw or write in. One that started as a children's book, with a cute cover, that concealed the journal inside. I found several kid's books at the thrift store that I liked and selected this one (Clifford's Kitten) as my first. It is bright and fun.
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| 8.5" X 9" Journal |
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| Small 3.5" X 4"Sketch Journal |
I used paper from an art pad to use with pen and marker. I cut the pages to the exact dimensions that matched the size of the front and back covers.
Next I inserted 2 sheets of art paper between each of the story pages that I had cut out of the book and when that was done I punched the pages to accept the spiral that was going to hold it all together.
Then, after removing the binding edge from the front and back covers, I punched them for my new journal covers. I was doing pretty good until I realized I had punched one too many holes in the front cover. You can see that in the picture on the left. Oh, well, too late to change that.
After assembling the book, I ended up with an art journal disguised as a kid's book. The pages flip out of the way when I start drawing, and the covers are solid, so I can put the book on my knee to draw or write at any time, and it will support my work.
After I had cut the art paper to size for the Clifford's Kitty journal, I had 3.5" strips left that were 8' long. I cut them to 4" each and punched and assembled them for a pocket-sized art journal.
I made the covers from the sturdy cardboard that had backed the original art pad and put it all together with a short piece of spiral wire. I decorated the top cover with some Zentangle designs and voila! a tiny journal that I'm already using to keep notes on the Zentangle classes I teach.
