Open Cover showing back and front
Closed cover with twine tie.
I found a wonderful tutorial on YouTube by Samantha Kira on how to make a hand-bound journal and I had to try it. Mine is constructed out of the cover of a composition notebook (you know, the kind with the black and white marbled covers). You remove the paper and stick in signatures made out of manila file folders. Now mine did not turn out quite right. I made the stitches too close together and I ripped out the spine. So I reconstructed the spine with black duct tape (yes, you David Tennant fans, there is more than one way to use duct tape). Anyway, after I made it, I illustrated the front and back cover with printed papers, tissue, arcrylic paint, and glitter. My journal entries from my first journal have been cut out and pasted into this one already.
I have come to the conclusion that making an art journal is like giving birth to a baby: the kid may not be the best looking baby you’ve ever seen but you love it anyway.
In case you are interested, here are the video tutorials by Samantha Kira:
L. Gloyd (c) 2009
10 comments
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Friday, July 17, 2009 at Friday, July 17, 2009
jill
Thanks for the video – have bookmarked it for future use
I really like what you have done with your cover – making your own gives a wholeness to art journaling that you just don’t get with ready-mades.
Am enjoying watching your process/progress very much.
Friday, July 17, 2009 at Friday, July 17, 2009
woodnymph
You are really getting the hang of this hand made journal making. You’re doing fantastically. Keep up the good work. And thank you for sharing with your artistic endeavors with us.
Vi
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Saturday, July 18, 2009
almurta
I really like this. Thanks for sharing. Your journal work is inspiration
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Saturday, July 18, 2009
cydlee61
This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Saturday, July 18, 2009
thalia
thanks for this tutorial on art journaling. I keep being drawn to use more art, and have done a bit more, as in Elsie’s pictures at osbethsbview, and I’ve tried different things in spurts, but still want to get more involved with it. Your video and pictures of what you’ve done are inspirational for my plunging forward and enjoying the process.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Saturday, July 18, 2009
Barbara--porchsitter
Your journal looks great, Lori! I’ve been fascinated with book making ever since I saw an exquisite display several years ago. Can’t hope to duplicate that artistry, but this looks doable. I’m waiting right now for some materials to arrive and have my folders at hand. It’s on the “list”. Thanks for the encouragement of your final results. Well done!
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sarah Joyce Bryant
This is so beautiful and done with Duct Tape! Thanks for sharing not only your experience with this art project, but also where you learned about it and the videos! I don’t know if I am brave enough to attempt this, but the writing journals are on sale now because of back to school. Maybe I will get a few to try out.
Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Sunday, July 19, 2009
Alexis
I like the colors and design on the cover. And YAY for duct tape!
Monday, July 20, 2009 at Monday, July 20, 2009
Sally
Outstanding…To make a special vehicle to hold your creative genius…page after page…is truly over the top! I love that you did this, and shared! Thank you so much….
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tabitha
I think you did an incredible job. If this is so bad, I can’t wait to see your next attempt, when you do everything better.
Good work.