From Paper to Pages - Create a Unique Hand Painted, Handmade Notebook

Tap into your inner artist and get ready to craft a masterpiece you can write in! This step-by-step guide will show you how to make a simple, hand-painted notebook that's perfect for jotting down thoughts, ideas, or even gifting. Let's get started and transform plain paper into a personalised work of art!

Book ff.mp4
Download

Supplies

Watercolour paper or cardstock - A4 Size - Light colour
Cartridge Paper - for the page inserts
Colourful paper - back cover
Scale
360 degree protractor
Cutting Mat
Paper Cutter
Art Knife
Masking Tape
Glue
Micron Pen
Rolling Pin
Watercolours
Paint Brush
Acrylic Paint
Clamps
Needle
Thread
Awl or anything pointy
Scoring Tool
Corner Cutter Punch (Optional)
Varnish

Step 1: Lets Create Our Design Idea for the Book Cover

Prepare your workspace: Find a flat, clean surface and place the cutting mat on it. This will protect your work surface from accidental cuts.
Adhere masking tape: Unroll a section of masking tape and stick it firmly onto the cutting mat. Make sure the tape lies flat and wrinkle-free.
Draw your circles : If you want perfectly defined circles beforehand, you can use a pencil and the protractor to draw circles directly on the masking tape.
Cutting the circles:
Use your art knife and ensure the blade is sharp for a clean cut.
Position the tip of the art knife exactly on the drawn circle line.
Safety reminder: Keep your free hand away from the blade path.
Gently but firmly apply pressure and drag the art knife along the desired circle path, maintaining a smooth cutting motion.
It's easier to make multiple light passes with the knife for a cleaner cut than trying to force it through in one go.
Lifting the cut-out: Once you've completed all the circles, carefully peel the masking tape around the circles from the cutting mat.

Step 2: Creating Our Unique Notebook Cover

Fold and Secure:
Take your A4 watercolor paper and fold it in half. This will be the size of your notebook cover.
Place the folded paper on your cutting mat. Secure all four edges of the folded paper to the mat using masking tape. This will keep the paper flat while you paint.
Stick on the Circles:
Get random! Arrange the masking tape circles randomly on the front cover of your folded watercolor paper. Press them down gently to ensure they adhere well.
Paint with Black Magic:
Time to paint! Using your paintbrush, apply a layer of pearlescent black acrylic paint over the entire watercolor paper, covering both the circles and the background.
Be careful not to overwork the paint and lift the masking tape circles.
Let the black paint dry completely.
Unmasking the Surprise:
Once the black paint is dry, gently peel off the masking tape circles. This will reveal the white paper underneath, creating a cool "reverse" circle effect.
Watercolor Splash:
Now comes the fun part! Time to add some vibrant colors with your watercolors. Wet your brush and pick up your favorite colors. Paint within the white circles and even on the black background if you like. Experiment with different techniques like washes, splatters, or detailed designs.
Let it Shine:
Allow your watercolor artwork to dry completely.
Optional Extras:
Once your cover is dry, you can add embellishments like glitter glue, stickers, or hand-drawn designs.

Tips:
Use good quality masking tape that peels off easily without damaging the watercolor paper.
Experiment with different sizes and colors of masking tape circles for a more unique look.
If you're a beginner with watercolors, practice on a scrap piece of paper first.
Have fun and get creative with your color combinations and designs!
Following these steps, you'll have a one-of-a-kind notebook cover that reflects your artistic style!

Step 3: Finishing Our Notebook Cover - the Other Side

Prepare your materials: You'll need glue (craft glue or PVA glue works well), a paintbrush or glue spreader (optional, but helps apply glue evenly), colorful paper cut to a size slightly larger than your notebook cover, scissors or paper cutter & scale, a rolling pin, and a rag (in case you make any glue messes).
Apply the glue: Open your notebook cover and lay it flat. Apply a thin layer of glue to the back cover, making sure to get all the edges. You can use a paintbrush or glue spreader to make this easier and avoid globs of glue.
Stick on the paper: Carefully position your colorful paper onto the glued back cover. Line up the edges evenly and smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles with your fingers as you go.
Banish the bubbles: Once the paper is in place, grab your rolling pin and gently roll it over the back cover to press down the paper and eliminate any air bubbles trapped underneath.
Trim the excess: Now that the paper is secured, take your scissors or paper cutter and scale and carefully trim off any excess paper that hangs over the edges of the cover. Aim for a clean line just against the edge of the cardboard.
Clean up and admire! Wipe away any glue that squeezed out with your rag, and let your notebook cover dry completely.

Step 4: Prepping Our Papers & Cover

Folding the Paper:
Take three sheets of cartridge paper and stack them neatly on a flat surface.
Fold the entire stack in half lengthwise, creating signatures (small booklets of 3 sheets each). Crease the fold well with your fingers or a ruler.
Repeat this folding process to create as many signatures as you need for your notebook - I have used 5 such stacks
Stacking and Marking:
Gather all the folded signatures and stack them neatly on top of each other.
Align the edges of the cover with the signatures, ensuring everything is straight.
Cut off the excess cartridge paper (if any)
Center Marks:
Take your ruler and pencil. At the fold (spine) of the stacked signatures and cover, carefully mark three evenly spaced points. A good starting point is to mark the center and then one point roughly 5 cms away from the center on either side.
Punching Holes:
Now comes the sewing part. Using your awl (or a sharp needle), carefully punch holes through all the marked points on the spine. Make sure the holes go through the cover material, all the signatures, and come out clean on the other side.

Step 5: Sewing Our Book

Thread the Needle:
Cut a length of thread at least three times the length of your notebook.
Thread the needle and knot the end securely or don’t. It's alright.
Start from the inside: Begin with the needle and thread on the inside (opposite the cover) near the bottom center of the spine. Push the needle up through one of the holes.
From the outside, insert the needle down through the next hole closer to the cover.
Go back inside through the center hole again.
Now, move to the outside and insert the needle up through the other hole closer to the cover (opposite the one you just used).
Finishing: When you reach the top hole, repeat the criss-cross pattern back down, filling in the remaining holes. You'll end up back at the center hole where you started.
Knotting: Pull the thread gently to tighten the stitches and create a secure binding. Tie a secure knot with the remaining thread on the inside and trim any excess thread.

Step 6: Final Touches and Trimmings

Gather your tools: You'll need a sharp craft knife or paper cutter, a metal ruler, a cutting mat, and clamps. It's also helpful to have some scrap paper and sandpaper (fine grit).
Protect your work surface: Place the cutting mat on a flat, stable surface. Put a sheet of scrap paper underneath the area you'll be cutting to protect your work surface from stray knife cuts.
Trimming the Paper:
Clamp the notebook: Place the notebook flat and position it on the cutting mat. Line up the edge you want to trim with the edge of the cutting mat. Carefully place one clamp on either side of the notebook, a few inches away from the edge you'll be cutting. The clamps should hold the notebook securely without damaging the spine or cover.
Measure and mark (optional): If you want a perfectly straight cut, you can lightly mark a cutting line with a pencil and ruler along the edge of the paper that extends slightly beyond the cover.
Make the cut: Hold the ruler firmly against the edge you want to trim (or the line you marked). Using a sharp blade, carefully run the knife along the ruler's edge, applying gentle pressure. Take your time and make sure you're cutting a straight line.

Tips for a Clean Cut:
Use a sharp blade! A dull blade will tear the paper instead of giving you a clean cut.
Make multiple passes with the knife instead of trying to cut through all the pages in one go.
Use a sawing motion with the knife, rather than pressing down hard.
Repeat for other sides: Once you've finished one edge, release the clamps and reposition the notebook to trim the other two sides.
Finishing Touches:
Sand the edges (optional): For an extra smooth finish, you can gently sand the trimmed edges with fine-grit sandpaper

Additionally, if you want blunt corners on the notebook, use the corner punch tool and cut off the edges of the book. This needs to be done very patiently. Using only 2 pages together while punching.

Once your book is ready, treat it with a spray of varnish or a paint of varnish - this will ensure that your book cover doesn’t get damaged.