New Art Journal and cracker boxes

A whole new use for cracker boxes...ok so I ran out of canvas panels LOL

This is the beginning stages of my new art journal...

First cut out 3 of the outter edges...save the long end piece...your going to need it for the next step!

Here you will want to glue that long piece inside for a stronger spine! Then attach clips to hold in place while drying! Sorry about the glare..

Next you will want to follow Teesha Moores binding tutorial on her website . I don't read directions otherwise I would of used 8 signatures rather than 7! Believe me..an even number works better! lol

You will need a book binding punch tool, a ruler and a marking pen for this...

Teesha's binding tutorial is easy as pie...even my 8 and 9 year olds made a journal without problems...cept Mama punched the holes for them!

For my pages I used single signatures out of 140lb hot press water color paper...which you can find here .

didn't have any waxed linen thread so I used hemp cord in a bright yellow!

 

Here is what I had when I was done binding!!

I then cut thicker pieces of cardboard to fit inside the front and back covers of the journal and used double stick tape to adhere them.

I then spent the last two days painting all the pages! Yum! And then added old news papers found by my friend Nicole! Thanks hun!

And there you have it!!!

If you try creating this type of journal please send me the link so I can visit you!! Thanks!

Happy Creating!

Nance

Comments

[Nicole]

*gasp* See?! I told you that you would do something cool with those newspapers! Flippin' fantastic book! Can't wait to see what you fill it with, my dear.

:-)

[Jennifer]

Too cool! I've seen Teesha's journal how-to before, but haven't tried it yet. Love the cracker box idea! Now you've got me picturing a whole shelf full of food journals LOL!

[ArtKat]

Hi Nance,

Great idea with the cracker box, you are SOOO creative! The tutorial was great, but I probably won't be making my own journal for a while - I've got a few blank books and a TON of unblank ones that I can use for journals in the foreseeable future, LOL! Great stuff, girl!

[Fiona]

NOw I'm encouraging the kids to hurry up and eat those crackers so I can try this! What a great way to recycle.

[lia]

Wow! love this nance. Beautiful work! I have to try this!!! xo miss yous! L.

[Tracey MacLeod]

Very cool! I do all kinds of bok binding & never thought to do this! sweet! will have to give it a whirl!

[mahima]

ohmygod!
the cracker box was the best idea ever!!
I'm going to go down and empty something into a jar and use the box!

[mahima]

i did finally make a journal that night.
not with the cracker box or the teesha tutorial though. just on my own, in the way i found most simple (without awl, without canvas board, anything. I just needed a nice big book that would open flat and look lovely ;))- process is blogged at my blog.
but i will have to try this sometime.
and thank you, the major push in the direction on making a journal on my own came from this post :)

[Kari McKnight-Holbrook]

wow great idea! thanks for sharing!