Handmade Journal using DIY Ink Techniques

Hey y’all, its Chantal and today we have come to the end of our Handmade Journal using DIY Ink Techniques!

Part Three is all about creating signatures, personalizing it with embellishments, adding a puffed heart and giving it a title. This is where the journal becomes yours, a work from your heart and hands. This is where you can begin your story with what you choose to add – beads, charms, words or ribbon; options are endless.

Thank you for taking this art journey with me. Now, let’s get started on finishing…our Handmade Journal using DIY Ink Techniques.

Step 1:

To create the puffed heart (on cover)-

Using stamped fabric, cut the desired shape for the cover and then, pin in place on the cover. Using a zigzag stitch, begin to stitch around the shape. When you have stitched half way around, put a little Polyfil under the stitching and pin/hold in place. Zigzag stitch around the rest of the shape.

Step 2:

Create the signatures: This journal has 3 signatures of 4 pages each with the possibility of adding more.

Gather copy/resume paper and trim to fit inside with ¼ to ½ inch less around than the journal so as not to stick out from the cover. Using a bone folder, fold paper in half.

Step 3:

Using the corner rounder, round each corner of each page. Repeat steps 1-3 for desired number of signatures.

Step 4:

To secure the signatures in the journal, measure the length of journal, add 2-3 inches.

Step 5:

Cut elastic cording the length from step 5. Repeat for each signature.

Step 6:

Slip the cording around the journal. Knot close to the bottom of the journal. Repeat for each piece of cording.

Step 7:

Using adhesive, glue metal closures to the ends of the cording. Set aside to dry. Slip trimmed signatures under each cording.

Step 8:

To create the charms, thread desired beads, charms to wire/head pins. Slip wire through the loop on the metal closure. Using round nose pliers, wrap wire around the loop and secure just above the beads. Repeat for each metal closure.

Now it is time to create your own Handmade Journal using DIY Ink Techniques!

Success in finishing

Complete all sewing on the cover before adding the signatures.
To add the joy in the journey label, use Fabri-Tac adhesive.
To create your own sentiment label, with alphabet stamps, stamp. sentiment on muslin or fabric of choice and adhere with Fabri-Tac.
The elastic cording will fray once cut. If not adding beads, use a sealer such as Fray Check to stop the fraying.
For the puffed heart, I added another ink color to stand out from the rest.

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