Junk Journals are a ton of fun to make but there are some stressful parts of making them. After all, how do you measure the paper for the text block or signatures? It’s important to get the book boards and text blocks to be compatible. If it isn’t properly sized, then the junk journal looks like it’s wearing too big of a winter coat. The sleeves are just a bit too long, it hangs wrong, and when you open it the text block looks out of place.
The first thing that I do is that I prepare my book covers. I reuse books, so I prepare the book cover to be upcycled. I might repair the spine or cut off the spine to make the covers. There is a variety of ways that you can upcycle book covers into junk journals.
This is a bit backward from traditional bookbinding where you create the text block size and then make covers to adjust to the text block size. Using upcycled journal covers means that you have to make some adjustments to the text block size. It can be tricky because you are creating an object that is meant to be handled and appreciated.
First, determine the covers and what binding method you are going to use. The below are vintage children’s school books. I’ve decided to bind them with the coptic hand sewn method with signatures. It it basically two boards with matching holes drilled into them.
The second thing that I do, is to measure the book boards. I use a metal ruler and blue painter’s tape to mark my measurements. You can use masking tape or other tapes that will cleanly lift off the ruler.
Notice that I’ve measured short of the edge by about half an inch or so. This will let the book cover overhang the text block/signatures. The reason this is important is because when you are junk journaling, you need a bit of ‘grace’ when it comes to the edges. Since you are adding random paper, paint, and pull-outs, if you go to the book cover edges, the signatures will ‘over flow’ outside the book covers. If the text block overflows, then your tabs or pullouts won’t be as visible either.
The next step is to either use the ruler to cut the paper to the right length. You can use it as a reference or you can line it up on your paper cutter. If you are like me, you won’t remember 6 inches and 5 10ths of an inch. 🙂 Kudos to everyone that can keep those measurements in your head. 🙂
I have a larger Fiskars paper cutter with a table. I transferred the ruler measurements to the paper cutter table. In this example, I’m measuring paper that has already been folded in half for signatures.
In addition, while you are selecting paper, the ruler comes in handy because it just takes a second to measure it out. It turns the tedious task of making signatures and text blocks into a more organic method of cutting the signatures.
Alternatively, you could use the ruler to tear the paper. 🙂
Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions on how to make this process smoother. I find it helps to foster creativity to have the text block completed in a fairly uniform manner. It creates a solid foundation for your art journal or book journal. 🙂
I like to make these pocket sized pamphlet notebooks. They are handy for everyday use. But you can use them as a tuck in a junk journal. Use them for a travel journal, keep track of monthly goals. add them to Midori traveler’s journals. Plus they make great gifts.
In this example, I’m using tea stained paper and hand dying book tape for colorful spines. You can use most paper types (above 24 lb) and let loose with your creativity!
Materials List:
Make the Signatures and Book Spine
Tea Stained Paper or other paper folded into signatures. At least 24 lb paper.
White Book Tape
Alcohol Inks
Gelli Pad
Paper Towels
Small Spray Bottle with Rubbing Alcohol
Craft Knife
Bone Folder
Ruler
Rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Assemble the Notebook
Ephemera
Waxed Thread or Embroidery Thread
Book Binding Needle
Book Binding Awl
Craft Knife
Scrap Paper
Step One: Prepare the Signatures
For the paper, you can use tea stained paper or any type of paper that you like. I suggest about 24 lb paper, because it is more robust. I used tea stained letter sized paper, but you can do this with any paper size.
A signature is a bundle of papers that have been folded over. The spine is either sewed together or stapled to make a pamphlet or notebook. I usually make these pocket notebooks so that they fit into a pocket or purse.
Step 2: Dye the Book Tape with Gelli Plate and Alcohol Ink
After I assemble the signature, I measure it to make sure I will be making the book spines the correct size. I then cut the book tape to the appropriate size. The book tape that I use has a backing, so it won’t stick to the table and is easy to dye. If your book take doesn’t have that back, get some plastic dividers or sticker paper from shipping labels to attach the tape too.
Place protective papers to keep the alcohol ink from damaging your table. Place the Gelli plate on the paper.
At this point, you might want to wear some rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands. Then apply some alcohol ink to the Gelli plate. Spray the ink with the rubbing alcohol. This will create a tie die effect and the alcohol ink will spread out.
Then take your pre-cut Book Tapes and apply them face side down against the gelli print. This will transfer the alcohol ink design to the book tape. If you are doing a series of the book tapes, you will need to apply more alcohol ink to the gelli print. These are the colors that I prefer. Alcohol ink comes in a variety of colors and application methods. Play around with the color palette that you like.
I let the book tapes dry overnight. It could probably be used before then, but I like to be cautious.
Can you do with acrylic paint or watercolors? Sure! I found that those paints didn’t dry cleanly, and that normal hand moisture while handling the notebook spine, lead to the color bleeding onto your hands. Not ideal. But I’d like to hear of any solutions people have to that problem. Please comment below!
Step 3: Attach the Book Tape to the Notebook Cover
You should have some premade signatures and dyed book tape now. Let’s get the book tape onto the signature covers.
The next step, after the dyed book tapes have dried, it to attach the book tapes to the cover. Position the book tape on your work surface. I like to use a craft grid, so I can line it up. I then make sure the signature is a good fit. I then remove the cover from the work surface and pull down own corner of the backing material. I then bring back the signature and make sure it’s in a good spot and lined up. If you take the backing off all at once, there are probably going to be air bubbles or misalignment. The Book tape is very sticky and while you can reposition it abit, it’s more likely to tear holes in the paper if you try to reposition it.
Carefully remove the rest of the backing by, slowly removing it by pulling on the corner that is already turned down. As you are removing the backing, gently press down the signature onto the tape. You should end up with a signature that looks like the 1st picture. After that is pressed down, gently unfold the signature from the fold first. Then press it firmly to the book tape. It should look something like the second picture.
Use your ruler and craft knife to slice off the extra book tape.
Turning it over, you should have something like the first picture. Fold it half and reinstall the pages. You are now ready to sew it together!
Step 4: Sew the Signature into a Pocket Notebook
Get out your awl! It’s awl time! If you don’t have an awl, you can use a needle that the thread inserted end is put into a cork, a nail, or some other pointy object. It needs to poke a hole large enough for the needle and thread, but not large enough to destablize the paper. One of the reason for the book tape spine, is that it provides a stable material for the sewing to happen. If you look at school composition notebooks, they also have book tape as a spine covering. Of course, it’s done on a commercial book printing machine, so it’s going to look different. But it’s the same general idea.
The basic tools for sewing the pocket notebook with the three hole pamphlet stitch are: Waxed Thread, Ruler, Clip, Assembled Signature, Awl and Bone Folder.
The first thing to do is Clip the signature together. This will keep it from shifting while you are sewing or poking holes through the spine. Any paper clip that you like and/or have is fine. Just make sure it doesn’t leave a mark on the paper.
To poke the holes. Unfold the signature partially. You are going to punch three holes through the signature. I locate the center, punch a hole. Then I punch two more holes that are about an inch from each end.
You can do a template and measure everything a bit more. But I find that if I’m preparing a junk journal ‘tuck’ or junk journal pocket notebook, the lack of precision makes it look better.
If on the other hand, I’m doing a precise map/travel pocket notebook, I will do more precise measurements.
One of the joys of creating your own pocket notebooks is that they don’t have to look like commercially produced notebooks. But they can, if you want !
Then Thread the Needle with the measured wax thread. In the center hole, sew into the bottom hole, Thread into the top hole towards the spine. Then thread back into the center hole where you started.
Tie off the threads
Tie off the threads. Close the pocket notebook and flatten the spine by using the bone folder.
There you have it! A Tea Stained Pocket Notebook with a dyed book spine!
I look forward to hearing about your variations of this tried and true notebook style? Prefer it a bit bigger? More pages? A bit more formal? Perhaps you like to trim the pages after it’s completed?
Special note: I’ve moved the journals to my Etsy Shop PaperButterflyForge – Etsy The hosting fees for WooCommerce on my website finally outweighed the costs of being on Etsy. Thank you so much for everyone who has supported me over the years!
There are about 80 journals that I have on clearance on my website. www.paperbutterflyforge.com.
I confess, I enjoy making journals that don’t appeal to everyone. Every once in a while, I have a sale. 🙂
I made some Coptic stitch notebooks that you can buy in my online store.
I have recently made the jump from using twin loop binding to hand stitching the notebooks together. I’ve been thinking about making the change for some time. Part of the change is due to rethinking of the environmental difference in creating the notebooks. The metal twin loop binding system is based on a metal spine. I wanted to have a lower impact by using thread instead of metal to bind the journals.
Here are some of them that I’ve been working on in May 2023. The paper is either 70 weight sketch book paper or a fine 24 lb writing paper.
I’ve been changing over to Coptic Stitch Sketchbook. I can only make 3 or 4 a week. Compared to when I used the twin loop ones, when I used to make 10 to 15 per day. Slowing down has it’s benefits though. 🙂
If you feel like supporting my tiny one person operation, there is a ‘buy me a coffee icon’ on this page. Another way to support my micro business, is to comment on the blog. It helps out with placement. 🙂
I believe in fun. Fun paper, cards, and books that deserve a new purpose in life. I upcycle books into nifty journals that can go anywhere and be used for any number of things. Junk Journals, Scrapbooks, writing journals, bullet journals, or sketch books.
The Recycled Book Journals also make a thoughtful gift to friends, family and co-workers.
What do the Recycled Book Journals look like?
I upcycle a variety of books. Generally I bind them with a wire binding system that looks like this:
Other binding types are available upon request.
What’s on the inside?
28 lb white paper
10 ish pages of the original book
Decorative paper
Interesting pages that vary. They might be maps, music sheets, graph paper, pages from other books, or things I feel like upcycling.
There might be playing cards from games, library checkout cards, and again if I feel like including it in a book I will.
Here are some sample inside pages:
What types of books do I upcycle?
Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and Nancy Drew recycled book journals are always popular. However, I do quite a bit of vintage textbooks, gothic novels, classics, vintage children’s books, english literature books, foreign language books, and physics books.
Does it need to be hard back cover? It helps! However, I bind paperback and book jacket covers to a stiff book cover all the time. I then apply a protective coating to protect the paper, so that it will stand up to being in a bag or falling off a nightstand.
Does it always need to be white paper? It doesn’t need to be! I will add quality lined paper or drawing paper upon request. Of course, there is a small fee for having the more expensive paper.
Interested? My email is info@paperbutterflyforge.com to discuss further.
It’s been a fun summer. I’ve met a lot of great people at the Wallingford Farmers Market, the Madrona Farmers Market, Fremont Solstice Fair, Magnolia Summer Fest, Urban Craft Uprising events, and Oddmall. After such a whirlwind of sunny events I turn my eyes to fall and to the 2017 Holiday season.
Then I got some fantastic news. I’ve been accepted into the Pike Place Market as a daystall vendor. Quite unexpected since this was the first year that I had applied and I was accepted. I feel so fortunate.
So now you can catch my book journals at the Pike Place Market at least once a week.
I’m interested in making my own book cloth. I’m collecting some of the methods for y’all here that I’m finding.
Book cloth is used for attaching cloth to books. The basic parts of it are: cloth, glue/or adhesive and a tissue paper backing. There are any number of ways to do it.
Why do you want to attach paper to the fabric? It makes the fabric more stable, it might stretch poorly when glued directly onto a book board. In addition, when directly gluing the fabric on to the book board, glue can seep out of the fabric.
You will need either flat glass or plexiglass to dry the fabric on. My suggestion is plexiglass, because it is less breakable. Glass might show the underside of the fabric so you can check for glue/paste seepage.
Tools?
PVA glue/Wheat paste/ Fabric Fusing
Sharp scissors to cut the fabric.
Plexiglass/or glass to provide a flat surface.
Patience and time.
Clean and roomy work table.
Glue brushes.
Foam roller.
Fabric fusing? An iron and flat ironing surface.
Fabric with a tight weave, to prevent seepage.
Natural fabric is best.
Tissue paper, japanese paper, or other light weight paper.
This method by Erica Munoz involves book glue, fabric and japanese paper. It goes over using a gluing station, which I’ve found essential for bookbinding.
This method by Sea Lemon on Youtube involves using a fabric backing to attach the paper to fabric. This is a little bit less intense than rolling on glue and making sure it’s just the write amount as the previous method. If you aren’t comfortable using a fabric stiffener or interface, this might be an issue. It’s also not a traditional book binding method, but it gets the job done.
This method by Big Jump Press, starts off by making your own wheat paste. She focuses on the traditional Japanese book binding methods and paper. I’d practice the wheat paste method until that was right before starting on gluing the paper to the cloth. Like the other bloggers, she uses fat quarters from the fabric store.
This blog by Daniel and Karleigh goes over some the differences in the book binding cloth. How library book cloth is treated to make it better vs. using quilting fabric. Make sure you read the comment section as well.
This blog by Roz wound up, is heavy on text and not so many pictures. It talks about fabric treating, why you should back your book cloth and stitch size.
It’s a few days before the holidays and I’m starting to reflect on everything that has happened during the year. It’s been a fast and furious year! I’ve been binding books and notebooks just about every free second that I have.
Fun Textbook upcycled into a sketchbook or diary.
I started showing at the Fremont Sunday Market, Urban Craft Uprising, Oddmall and so many other craft markets. (Bellingham Steampunk, Emerald Downs Gift Fair, a Very Vintage Market and more.)
Upcycled Dr. Seuss Classic
Now I’m sitting down to plan for next year. I have some new binding equipment on the way so that I do that magic that I do a little more efficiently. 🙂
Upcycled writing handbook.
My first stop this January will be Rusty Con in Seattle. I look forward to spending time there and meeting more people. I have more than a few applications out to craft fairs this spring.
I had so much fun this interacting with all other craft fair vendors. I look forward to seeing them again this year.
Commonplace books were ways of keeping knowledge or compiling information on a particular subject. Today, we might consider a Pinterest page a commonplace book. The use of commonplace books dates back to the dawn of books. Printing books also made it more accessible for people. Many scientists and writers have used them over the years to keep track of common knowledge.
The below example of a crochet pattern common place book. It’s believed that it dates from about 1915 to the 1950’s. It is made from a old legal book with a strong binding. However, it’s been used so much over the years, the spine has fallen off and is taped together. The tape has also disintegrated over the years. However, the remaining binding and signatures appear to be in good health. It is from a private family collection.
Inside the front cover are some cutouts from advertisements, the creator’s picture and other personal papers.
Detail from Commonplace Book
There are patterns for various crochet patterns. There appear to be hundreds of patterns. According to the family, the family home was filled with doilies, embellished pillows and other crocheted items. Not only was this a wish list, it was a working commonplace book.
Detail from Commonplace Book
Detail from Commonplace Book
Detail from Commonplace Book
Detail from Commonplace Book
Detail from Commonplace Book
There are also hints of other items that she was interested in. This newspaper was also included. It is frail, so I didn’t open it up to see what was saved.
We are super excited to be at the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall this weekend. (May 14th & 15th 2016). The market features vintage and upcycled products. They also have long term vendors in vintage trailers!
In an old social studies book, I found a photocopy of 1972 Newspaper article about banks switching to ACH Clearinghouse payments.
ACH payments are still used today between banks. They bundle up a large number of transactions and then send the net amount to the other bank. They also email/transmit a list of transactions for that amount.
It’s not quite the same thing as debit and credit transactions flying around via merchant services. However, there is a pretty good chance your payroll is transmitted to your bank account via ACH.
A reading or book journal can be a great way to record your thoughts and progress on reading books. Book clubs and other get togethers can be a fantastic way to interact with people about the same books, as well. Here are a few tips:
I have a journal that I use exclusively for book reviews, thoughts, and goals for future readings. I find that it helps to centralize my thoughts into one location. (Of course, I love making journals, so I have about five that I write in each week!)
Record the date, the title and the page number at the top.
I like to chat about what is going on as I’m reading the book. Am I on vacation? Did I just have another Kickstarter campaign? What volunteer work am I doing at the time? I find that my current projects sometimes color the book that I’m reviewing.
Discuss the book themes and main characters. Did you like them as people? One of the current themes that I’m not liking is the bad things happen to women and then they go all karate/judo and get revenge. Is it a trope that bad things happen and then women need to be rescued or get revenge? Perhaps too much video game plotting is seeping into books, just a thought.
Talk about where the novel is located. Is it in space, Earth, or in a mine? Was the world building appropriate? I remember a romance that I read many, many years ago where it was located in a city where I had spent much time there. (Port Townsend) The location seemed like a generic small town and not once did they mention the very large tourist/shopping area. This was before the age of google, but couldn’t they at least pick a tourism brochure and make sure that it mentioned a few landmarks? Or even that there is a large fishing fleet harbored there?
How did you acquire the book? Gift, bookstore, book club?
Did you like the resolution? Would have made different choices?
Is it difficult to believe the character could actually do those things? This is a problem in multi book series in science fiction and fantasy. All characters grow during the course of the books, but in those genres, the authors are compelled to give them new abilities and powers that don’t seem reasonable. For instance, a poor magician suddenly finds out that he has magic beans and that he can stop nuclear blasts. A space ship is given a over haul and can suddenly travel to new galaxies overnight. Did the author actually layout a reasonable process for those new powers/abilities?
Was it a predictable read or not? Was that a good thing or not?
Is this a book that you would recommend to others?
Is there anything else that you would add to this list? Your reading journal is about you and the books that you read, make sure that is included in your entries.
Sometimes we all need a little help getting started writing a journal entry. Here are twenty five writing prompts for journals:
Do you remember learning how to read?
If you could have a robot do one task for you, what would it be?
Would you rather be a werewolf or a vampire?
If you had one snapshot that could go viral on social media, which one would it be?
What was the best pun that you’ve heard recently?
What do you like to write with? A pen? A pencil? Glitter pen? Keyboard?
Have you self edited your social media posts? Have you exaggerated the ‘good’ in your life or the ‘bad’? Discuss why.
If you had a only an hour to pack to save yourself from zombies, what would you bring? Only weapons? Clothes? Perhaps a red pair of high heels that can also be a weapon?
What makes you want to volunteer your time to a cause?
Doodle instead of writing today.
Would you rather visit a chain coffee house, like Starbucks or visit an independent coffeehouse? Or perhaps you would not be caught dead in one?
What is the first book that you remember reading?
Compare frozen food to home cooked food. Which do you actually eat more often?
Christmas and holiday traditions that you miss.
How has your family changed over the years?
Write a paragraph about oranges that does not mention the color, name or the word orange.
Describe the smell of fresh spring rain.
If you see someone with a clothing tag hanging out, do you tell them?
Describe the last time that you laughed.
We always hear about 5 year goals and the current year goals. What are your 2 1/2 year goals?
Do you always finish books or movies? Why or why not?
Which food do you remember from your childhood that you never eat now?
I find all sorts of interesting thing while reworking books into book journals.
This mysterious stock quote was found in a Hardy Boys Mystery. Frozen in time, it appears to be from the 1980’s judging by the Holiday Inn stationary it was written on. I like to think a Eastern Washington business person was watching a stock quote show while reading his/her trusty Hardy Boy’s mystery from the 1960s. Hopefully they remembered to buy the stock!
Found Between the Pages
This extensive note was found in a copy of The House at Pooh Corner. I love that it talks about philosophy and why studying it can lead to understanding your fellow man. Safely tucked in a children’s book that is also about philosophy and how to be a better person. 🙂
Found Between the Pages
What will I find next? I don’t know! I’m looking forward to sharing more notes, notes from the past and funny bits on the blog.
Why should you have a personal writing journal? The reasons can be complex and simple at the same time. A journal can help solidify a thought, call others into question, or be the new step in your life. A journal doesn’t have to be about writing, it could be doodling or drawing your thoughts and perceptions. Today’s art journals are also a stepping tool into the soul of the creator. They can be hand drawn, stencils, or collages. Each one is unique and reflects the heart of the artist or writer that created it. Starting off with a non-mass produced or altered book is a great way to kick off the creative process.
If you are going to create art on a book page, it might be helpful to add gesso or white background page to a book page to create a good background and to stabilize the page. Other’s prep by gluing pages together to create a stable surface.
Part of altering a book means letting go of any mistakes. In real life, I’ve rarely seen an altered book without what the creator would call flaws. On the internet, everything looks perfect and no mistakes are ever made. Letting go of the perfection ideals and creating a unique and flawed altered book is part and parcel of the creative process. Journaling is about acknowledging and giving acceptance to all parts of yourself, just not the perfect ones.
Pinterest and Tumblr are full of perfect journals. They are perfect for those other people. Are you creating a journal for Pinterest or yourself?
I enjoy creating blank canvas’s to launch other people’s creativity. Never mind recreating what I want, explore the process on your own terms and create your own unique journal.
I’ve been busy at working creating blank journals from books lately. It’s an extremely relaxing and engaging task. Find a cool book cover or VHS tape.
Find some cool paper that I would like to see in blank book.
Assemble the book and add a sturdy wire binding.
Paper Butterfly Forge is excited to add recycled books and VHS tape covers to it’s product line up! Keep an eye out for some of our new products on the website! As always we welcome wholesale and bulk orders. Custom Orders are just fine!
