COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK JOURNAL INSTRUCTIONS
I do not have any drawn templates but you can use these instructions to match any sized pre-bound book. If you want a sample (full sized book) I sell them for $10 - postage paid - let me know.
My ladies use them for journals, prayer books, birthday and aniversary books, recipe books, address books and my favorite - a perpetual to do list - that is what I use one for - it is so pretty - you never misplace it or leave it behind, also good for including your shopping list :-)
I most often use the full size composition notebooks (black marble-like cover with rounded corners and spine) you can purchase them at your local supercenter W@ll-M@rt for about $1 or so. just before school they usually go on sale.
Needed:
*Composition notebook
*5 sheets of 8 1/2x11 Cardstock -
(2 sheets of one and 3 of another of coordinating colors, or you can use 2 pieces of white for the insides.)
*Misc Scraps of Cardstock for matting/layering.
*grossgrain ribbon
*beads or other charm for the end of the "Book Thong"
(book thongs are ribbon book marks that are attached to the book)
*Crystal Effects and Mono Adhesive
*Bone Folder or Stylus
*paper cutter and scissors
*Stamps (Your Choice)
*Inks (Your Choice) I usually use classic ink not craft
To Begin:
Choose your colors -
2 sheets of one color for the front and back cover
1 sheet for the binding (cut to 11"x4") - (I usually make my binding the darkest color)
2 sheets for the inside of covers - (white or to match the binding)
Lay your cardstock for the front cover flat in front of you and lay the notebook down on it so that one long edge of the cardstock is in line with the black binding about one inch in on the note book, use the bone folder to score around the perimeter so that the edges can be folded in.
do this again for the back cover - with a pencil mark each one.
Cut your card stock for the binding to 4" x 11" - lay aside for later.
For the inside pieces - open the front cover and slip a sheet of cardstock in (almost all the way to the binding) and trace with a pencil the edge.
remove and trim cardstock to about 1/4" inside of the line you traced. You want it to be a bit smaller than the cover. Round the corners as the book is rounded. Mark with a pencil the front and back and then set aside for later.
Now it is time to stamp - I usually stamp the covers with some sort of back ground (If I am doing a floral book then I might use the leaves from the same set to make my background - do not try to use a "Background stamp" as it is too small for the project and would be hard to line up) wheeling might be a good choice too. Remember to be random if using a stamp instead of a wheel.
Sometimes I leave the binding with out a back ground stamp - just depends on the look I am trying to achieve
Now for the Focal Point of the book - I stamp an extra scrap - about 3"x4" with my focal stamp (kind of like the front of a card) Then I layer it with coordinating cardstocks and being sure to include the binding color to tie it in. Color the stamp if it is needed, add any embellishments that would look good - ribbon (narrow - tied around the 3x4 piece) deco fasteners, eyelets, fancy fibers etc. If you use ribbon make sure it will match the other ribbon that we will use later - grossgrain is best - not organdy it is too sheer.
Now it is time to assemble:
First you are going to need to cut the edges of your front and back covers so that you will be able to fold around the corners. I make four cuts at each corner so that I have three small triangle shaped pieces (still attached to the cover card stock) that I can fold around the corner. The first two cuts are at the edge of the corner when the book begins to round then I make two more to form the three small triangle shapes. Do this for both top and bottom corners for the front and the back covers.
Use crystal effects as your "paper - super glue" for this project.
Use enough CE but be sparing as if you use too much you will see wrinkling of your cardstock - I always use my finger to wipe the crystal effects and make it flat before attaching. Attach the front cover first, then open the book and put CE on the flaps that are to be folded in - make sure to hold for a few seconds to get a good adhesion.
Then use the same technique for the back cover.
Next you will adhere the binding. It is important to only glue the edges and not all the way around the binding as your book won't open correctly.
use the 4"x11' piece of cardstock, put the corners together and gently curve the middle so that it has some memory of that shape - this also helps you to make the front and back even. You want to overlap the binding by 1/4 to 1/2 inch over the cover that you have glued in place.
use crystal effects to glue the long edges only. Hold for best adhesion - then open the book and make a small triangle cut out of the binding so that the flaps will be able to be glued to the inside of each cover.
Glue those flaps in now with Crystal effects.
Next it is time for the ribbon - Cut a piece of coordinating grossgrain ribbon that is 2 inches longer that the spine of the book. You are going to use mono adhesive to adhere this ribbong down the front of the book to cover the edge of the binding cardstock - (if you don't it tends to lift up and fray with use) The extra two inches should be one at the top and one at the bottom. adhere (Mono) to the inside of the covers.
Now it is time to put in the thong - if you have never seen one of these - then think about a Bible and how they usually have a ribbon book marker that is is the binding - this is what you are going to do -
cut a piece of ribbon (same as used before) that is six inches longer than the spine of the book - Use mono adhesive to adhere the top two inches to the inside of the front cover just beside the other ribbon. then open the book to the middle and place the ribbon there with the 4 extra inches hanging out the bottom. Use beads or other charms and attach to the bottom of the ribbon. tie an knot, sew or use mono adhesive - whatever is appropriate for your charm or beads. then trim the ribbon's end at an angle.
Now it is time for the inside covers - Use crystal effects around the edges and wipe with your finger - then quickly adhere so that the edges are all equal - you want to be able to see 1'4 inch of the edge all the way around. do this for the front and back inside covers
Now close the book and attach the small piece of "art" that you made for the front (the 3"x4") layered piece. this looks best if you center it between the ribbon binding and the right edge and place it higher than center -vertically.
You are almost done -
turn the book over to the back and sign -
This makes a wonderful gift.
I have done this with many different levels of stampers - It can be done even with beginners - it just takes more time.
It always works better with samples for them to look at.
ENJOY! - Sylvia Fleenor
[email protected]
Be creative - there are many variations.
Composition Notebook Journal Instructions
