How to Decorate a Composition Journal

These are basic step-by-step instructions on how to turn a plain cheap journal into a "handmade" gift for a friend in just minutes!

Step 1: Supplies You Need

1) A Composition Journal
2) Two pieces of scrapbooking paper
3) A glue stick
4) Jewel Rhinestones
5) Scissors
6) An ink pad
7) Ribbon

Step 2: Applying the Glue

You next apply a coat of glue to the front of the journal (do not put glue on the spine of your journal). Make sure that the glue gets to the very edges of the journal.

Step 3: The Journal's Background

Now you take your piece of scrapbooking paper and place it on the top of your journal making sure to line it up along the spine of the book. Beware: Paper will stick over the edge of your journal.

Step 4: Cutting the Extra Paper

You will now turn your journal over, open the front page, and start cutting along the inside of it.

Step 5: The Back of the Journal

Now repeat steps 2-4 on the back side of your journal.

Step 6: Decorating!

To make the edges of the journal look neat and finished I like to rub my ink pad along the edge of it. It kind of gives it a completed look.

Step 7: Applying the Ribbon

Instead of using glue to apply the ribbon to the journal I use Glue Dots. You stick as many of them as you need on your ribbon and then place the ribbon to your journal.

Step 8: More Ribbon

Next I make the little bows out of a different color of ribbon. I then stick a Glue Dot on the back, and place it wherever I want to.

Step 9: Adding the Jewels

You can buy small plastic jewels that are already sticky on the back. That way you don't have to worry about using the glue stick on them. I have a lot of fun with jewels and like to apply them as freely as possible.

Step 10: Finished!!

Yay, you're now finished decorating your journal!

Comments

[JessiokaFroka]

This is fantastic! I made some to be included in my Harry Potter-themed white elephant Christmas gift this year! Thanks for the Instructable!

[debzie]

I like to also cover the inside covers :)

[eastsaintlouis62203]

this maybe a belated christmas gift.

[mandodeb]

Just made a journal using these instructions and am very pleased with the results! Thanks for a great instructable.

[dougandmare]

I like your floral paper. I have covered several composition notebooks but use a collage technique from old magazines and newspapers. I also use this technique to transform trays, plastic cartons and other objects. It's fun! Here are a couple of my notebooks.

[nana2one]

I really like your collaged notebooks, especially the one with the "eyes", but both are very cute.

[melynia]

this is so cool!! ive always been wondering how to make boring composition book pretty! thank you so much ^.^ :D : ]

[AndraLea.M.]

Wow! This is so great. My note book will never be as cute as it is now! And I'm even going to decorate one for my Dad for his birthday tomorrow. Great Idea, your an excellent crafter! (people, you should vote for this one!) ~God Bless <3

[acrafty1]

thanks for the great instructions. i knew it had to be simple, but was still intimidated. the glue stick really works good enough, huh? i would have thought it needed extra tacky glue of something special. i'm off to make some journals! thanks again.

[WireMySoul]

Wow, I have some of these books and was thinking about doing this! Thanks for showing me how easy it's going to be!

[linuxmom]

I do this, too! Don't forget to look for the clearance sales of school supplies coming up soon---you can usually pick up these composition books really cheap.

[Sunny124613]

yah this is really cool!!I am soo going to do this for my algebra class.anyways,instead of doing scrapbook paper ,can I use fabric and then seal it with some glue?

[HeidiG]

I haven't tried that before, but it would probably work! :) Have fun!

[Sunny124613]

ok,i will try it later thanks again!

[OnePrettyThing]

This is great! I'll be linking back to this Instructable as well!

[randofo]

Normally I just scratch things into the cover with a ballpoint pen. This looks much nicer than mine.