Covered Journals

by Christi Snow (snowchris_01@yahoo.com)

Journal Supply List:

-Hardbound book (mine measures 5 1/4x8 and that is what the supply list is based on...so if you
get a larger one, you will need to adjust your measurements accordingly.)
-stamp set with appropriate ink pad/marker colors (this set need to have small to medium stamps
in it)
-2- 6x10 pieces of b&t
-1- 2 1/2 x 10 piece of different b&t (coordinating)
-1- yd of ribbon (needs to look good between above 2 b&t)
-Art Accents Terrifically Tacky Tape by Provocraft *
-Lg. Tag Stamp *
-1 metal rimmed tag (big enough to hold the image of one of your stamps from your stamp set) *
-1 yd. coordinating waxy flax*
-1- b& t scrap at least 3x4
-1 b&t scrap at least 1x3
-b&t that is the size of your tag stamp OR neutral cardstock and "V" sized stamp
-8 coordinating beads*
-liquid glue like tacky or E6000 that can be used on metal rimmed tag*
-2- sheets of 4 3/4x7 3/4 white cardstock
-hermafix or mono-adhesive

All of your b&t pieces should coordinate, but it is better if they are all different.

The terrifically tacky tape is what I use on the spine for extra-durability. I am sure that there are
other adhesives that will work just as well, but this is the only one that I have experience with
and know will work.

Covering your Journal:

All measurements are based on the books that I purchased which measure 5x8. If your book is a
different size, you may have to adjust the measurements accordingly.

There are basically 4 steps to the cover. The first is the actual cover. For my books I use 2 pieces
that are 6x10 which leaves an inch overlap on the top, side and bottom to tuck into the book.
When you look at a book there is a groove on the binding...for this first piece, it is adhered on
just to that groove, not over it (see Fig. 1.)

I use hermafix at this point for my adhesive, but I do use a lot of it. Once this piece is attached to
the cover and before you tuck in the edges, you need to miter the corners. To do this, you need to
cut almost a triangle out of each corner to almost the edge of the book (see Fig. 2.)
Now fold in and adhere your 3 sides to the inside of the book. To attach the spine strip, I use 3
pieces of Magic Scraps tape. This is super sticky so it will hold really well. (see Fig. 3)

For the spine, I use a piece that is 10 x 2 ½. This leaves me about 1" overlap for the front and
back. This actually overlays the first layer on the front by a bit to seal it in.
Make sure you press the tape and this layer of b&t into the groove on the spine.

There is a section cut out at the top and bottom for the actual spine and then the tabs are tucked
into the cover and adhered down. (see Fig. 4)

The final step is ribbon. Again I use the magic scraps tape on this. The ribbon is about 2" longer
than the length of the book so that again it can be adhered inside. I place a piece of magic scraps
tape down the full length of the ribbon. This is then attached to the covers making sure to catch
both the cover layer and the spine under the adhesive. This is also a great place to hide those
mistakes if you placed your spine on slightly crooked. It basically seals all of the paper in place.
(see Fig. 5)
For the inside of the book, I cut a piece of white cardstock 1/4" smaller than the cover and adhere
it inside last thing. That way it covers in all of my work and rough edges and also seals in all of
the layers to give the whole book extra durability.

Front Tag Embellishment:

First you need to start with either a piece of b&t or a piece of neutral cardstock stamped with the
image from your "V" sized stamp. Stamp the large tag (Y109) onto this in either black or one of
your darker colors.

Now take one of your coordinating pieces of b&t and cut it to 2 ½" x 3 ½". Rip this at a diagonal
so it will fit in the lower left hand corner of your tag. (see Fig. 6)
Stamp this piece with your desired stamped images in the lower left corner. On some of my
examples, I have used several small stamps for a more collage effect while on others I have just
used one stamp for a more traditional effect. It is totally up to you and your creativity.

Take another piece (different from the one you just used) and cut it 1" x 2 ½". Rip this along the
lower edge and then using your tag as a guide cut the corners to match your tag. This may take a
little bit of fiddling to make it right.

Now it is time to layer your tag. Take your main tag and mount it to either a coordinating or
neutral (white, black or cream) cardstock. Just make sure the cardstock contrasts with the main
color of your journal so that it will stand out and not blend in. Cut around this leaving a 1/16" all
the way around. I call this my sliver layer and this is a huge effect for very little effort to make
your work "pop." Next layer on the bottom left corner b&t and layer the top b&t to the top of
this. (see Fig. 7)
Finish off with a waxy flax bow with beads and attach to your journal. I like to attach my bow
with a heat gun just for the extra durability factor.

The finishing touch:

The finishing touch on the front of this journal is a metal rimmed tag. Take your chosen tag and
rip out your center. If you have vellum tags, use these because they are easier to rip out cleanly.
Stamp your desired image (just make sure it is one that will fit within your tag size) onto a
coordinating scrap of cardstock or b&t. Using wet, fast drying glue, attach your tag to your
stamped cardstock. Let dry for a little bit and then cut out. Now you can attach this to your
journal. Again I like to use wet glue or glue gun for durability purposes, but if you used b&t for
the interior of your metal rimmed tag, then you first need to mount this onto cardstock because
the glue is too wet for the thin paper.

Voila! You now have a gorgeous new journal!

Matching Bookmark

Bookmark Supply List

-1- 2 1/4 x 6 colored cardstock "A" with matching ink pad

-1- 2 3/8 x 6 1/8 neutral (white, black or naturals) cardstock
-1- 2 5/8 x 6 3/8 coordinating but different colored cardstock "B"
- scraps of white or neutral cardstock (the size of one of your stamped images)
-scrap of coordinating cardstock 1/8" larger than neutral, but different from cardstock "A"
-twill tape
-2 brads
-Sans small acrylic or single word stamp
-Ribbon or fiber for bookmark tassel
-Background "V" sized stamp*

Bookmark Instructions:

Take your 2 ¼" x 6" piece of colored cardstock and print the upper 2 ½" with your "V" sized
stamp and matching ink.

Stamp your image onto your neutral cardstock scrap. Trim to desired size (needs to be narrow
enough to fit onto cardstock "a".) Layer onto neutral scrap cardstock which is cut 1/8" larger than
stamped piece. This is again a sliver layer used just for effect.

Stamp your word stamp onto the middle of a 4" piece of twill tape. This can be stamped in black
or a coordinating ink color. Attach this at an angle onto layer "a" of your bookmark. I used
hermafix or glue dots for this. Punch holes an attach brads at the ends.

Now just layer your bookmark according to the picture. (see Fig. 8)
…And finally, the pen:

Take a strip of coordinating b&t and cut it to 1" x 3 3/8". Unscrew the end of the pen and pull out
the shaft of the pen. Wrap this b&t around it and reinsert back into the pen. Replace the end and
you are finally at the end of our project.

I hope that you enjoyed it!