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Make a New Year’s Vintage Journal to Start the Year

Looking for something fun to make and take for the New Year? This is the perfect DIY project for a vintage journal you’ll be able to write all your ideas and creative projects in all year long!

Vintage Book Cover Journal by Francine Clouden at Make & Takes-1-2

New Year’s Vintage Journal

A brand new year deserves a brand new blank journal! Make yourself one using the covers of a vintage book and archival drawing paper. Here’s how!

Vintage Journal to Start the Year

Supplies:

  • Vintage hardcover book
  • Archival drawing or sketching paper
  • Paper binding tape
  • Adhesive
  • Binding machine & binding supplies
  • Craft knife
  • Ruler
  • Paper trimmer

Vintage Book Cover Journal by Francine Clouden at Make & Takes-6

Instructions:

Step 1

Use the craft knife to carefully cut the pages out of the hardcover book

Vintage Book Cover Journal by Francine Clouden at Make & Takes-1

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Step 2

Measure the original pages of the book. (And then set them aside to use for other projects.) Now cut new pages out of the archival paper, that are the same height, but 1/4 inch narrower than the originals.

Vintage Book Cover Journal by Francine Clouden at Make & Takes-3

Step 3

Follow the instructions of your binding machine to bind the pages together. If you don’t have a machine you can get this part done at an office supply store.

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If you have a Bind-it-all, and need some extra help, you can find a tutorial on my personal blog explaining how to bind the pages.

Step 4.

If you wish, use the paper binding tape to reinforce the spine of the book covers

Vintage Book Cover Journal by Francine Clouden at Make & Takes-7

Step 5.

Now adhere the front and back pages of the bound portion to the covers of the book

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Now you have a brand new blank journal to start off 2015. And your family will be none the wiser.

Vintage Book Cover Journal by Francine Clouden at Make & Takes-13

You can even use it as a mini album!

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Tips

  • Use a spiral binding that is 1/4″ smaller than the spine of your book
  • Use patterned papers at the front and back, and even in between your blank pages
  • You can create scrapbooking pages first, then bind them into an album

Have fun!

*Originally posted 12/23/14

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