A New Journal for a New Year!
A new year calls for a new journal, don’t you think? Wouldn’t it be special to introduce journals to your grands? Kids always love a little book of their very own where they can doodle and write their secrets. So do I. How about you?
These little mini journals are just the thing. I have several in my desk drawer right now. Ready? Let's jump right in!
Watch How To Make Your Own Miniature Journal
Check out this amazing video and get the details in the instructions below. So fun!!
How To Make Your Own Mini Journal
Fold and Cut the Paper
Fold a piece of typing paper (or other paper type of your preference) hamburger fold, then fold it again the same direction.
Unfold and fold it in half, hot dog fold.
Next, cut the paper into fourths and fold each fourth on the fold line in the center.
Stack the Paper and Glue a Binding
Stack these up with all folds on one side.
Repeat with about 5 more sheets of paper and stack them all up, folds on one side.
Tip: If your paper is thicker you may need to do 4 sheets of paper. If you want more pages you will need to alter the size of the spine and the cover of your journal to be wider so the pages will fit correctly.
Hold the papers together with a binder clip on each end so the folded edges are straight and held together well.
Put a layer of hot glue along all of the folded edges of the papers so they are “bound” together.
Make a cover for the mini journal
Cut a poster board piece that is 4 ½ inches by 6 inches long for the cover of your book.
Fold this so it has to “flaps” and a “binder” by folding in the short edge 2 ⅞ inches on both ends. This creates two cover flaps and a center binder giving space for the pages of the journal.
Lay the poster board down on the wrong side of the scrapbooking paper that you have chosen and cut about an extra inch all around the poster board size.
Use a glue stick to glue the poster board to the center of this paper and then fold the extra paper onto the top side of the poster board on all four sides. Glue these flaps down.
Assemble the mini journal cover & pages
Use some hot glue on the binder area of the cover. Quickly place the glue bound edge of the pages on the center binding area of the cover.
Glue (can use glue stick or school glue) one of the white typing paper pages down to the inside cover on the front for the journal and the inside of the back of the journal. This attaches the papers to the cover piece. Allow to sit and dry.
How to Use Your Miniature Journal or Notebook
I can think of so many ways the grands may want to use their miniature journals.
- A gratitude journal
- A place to write secrets
- A quote collection
- A place to doodle pictures
- A list for shopping
- A location for school notes or assignments
What are your ideas or your grand’s ideas for their mini journals? What do you think about trying mini bullet journaling? Is it a mini pocket diary?
I want to do more of these tiny journals in different techniques. Can't wait to try more designs with you. Send me your pictures!
Supplies for How To Make Your Own Mini Journal:
- Printer paper (can use other kinds, even homemade paper)
- Poster board (for a cover)
- Scrapbook paper (to cover the poster board)
- Hot glue gun, glue stick or school glue
- Scissors, ruler, pencil, and 2 binder clips
- Colorful pens, pencils, eraser
Other Creative Paper Crafts
Enjoying crafts that use paper? Here's a few more ideas to try!
- Free Printable Paper Dolls
- How to Make a Paper Whirligig
- Torn Paper Mosaic Art
- Folded Origami Lucky Stars
- Awesome Origami Shirt Father's Day Card
- Handmade Envelopes: 3 Ways
Enjoy!
If you try this recipe (especially with the grands), let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Come join the fun at www.WelcomeToNanas.com
How to Make Your Own Miniature Journal
Equipment
- Hot glue gun
- Glue stick or school glue
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil
- 2 Binder clips
Items Required
- 6 pieces Printer paper (can use other kinds, even homemade paper)
- 1 piece Poster board (for a cover)
- 1 piece Scrapbook paper (to cover the poster board)
- Colorful pens, pencils, eraser
Instructions
- Fold a piece of typing paper (or other paper type of your preference) hamburger fold, then fold it again the same direction. Unfold and fold it in half, hot dog fold.
- Next, cut the paper into fourths and fold each fourth on the fold line in the center. Stack these up with all folds on one side. Repeat with about 5 more sheets of paper and stack them all up, folds on one side.
- Hold the papers together with a binder clip on each end so the folded edges are straight and held together well.
- Put a layer of hot glue along all of the folded edges of the papers so they are “bound” together.
- Cut a poster board piece that is 4 ½ inches by 6 inches long for the cover of your book. Fold this so it has to “flaps” and a “binder” by folding in the short edge 2 ⅞ inches on both ends. This creates two cover flaps and a center binder giving space for the pages of the journal.
- Lay the poster board down on the wrong side of the scrapbooking paper that you have chosen and cut about an extra inch all around the poster board size. Use a glue stick to glue the poster board to the center of this paper and then fold the extra paper onto the top side of the poster board on all four sides. Glue these flaps down.
- Use some hot glue on the binder area of the cover. Quickly place the glue bound edge of the pages on the center binding area of the cover.
- Glue (can use glue stick or school glue) one of the white typing paper pages down to the inside cover on the front for the journal and the inside of the back of the journal. This attaches the papers to the cover piece. Allow to sit and dry.
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