Custom Journal II

For a gift to keep, create a handmade journal!

Materials: 2-inch-wide ribbon, cut 2 inches longer than the book's length Chipboard, or the back covers of used notebooks Linen or other fabric Book block paper Double-sided adhesive paper, such as Twin-Tac

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of adhesive paper to the length of the book's spine and to the ribbon's width. Peel off one side, and adhere it to the ribbon. Trim the ribbon, leaving a 1/4-inch overhang at each end. Peel off the other side of the adhesive paper, and fold it under so that the ribbon is the exact length of the spine. Set aside.
2. Measure the front of the book block paper, and cut two pieces of chipboard to that size. Trim off 3/8 inches from one of the long sides on each of the book cover pieces. Set aside. Cut a piece of adhesive paper 3/4 inches larger than the cover one all sides. Adhere the adhesive paper to the fabric, and trim the excess fabric to the size of the adhesive paper. Peel back the other side of the adhesive paper, and center the chipboard onto the adhesive. Trim the corners at a 45-degree angle. Fold over all four flaps of the fabric, and adhere them to the back of the board. Repeat these steps for the back cover.
3. Cut two pieces of adhesive paper to the size of the covers. Adhere the adhesive paper directly to the front of the book block, making sure the edges are flush with the page. To add ties, cut two pieces of narrow ribbon about 9 inches long, and attach one to each side of the book block, making sure it's centered from the front edge and about 1 inch in. Adhere the cover to the book block, keeping the edge flush with the pages.

Book blocks can be purchased from:
Kate's Paperie, 561 Broadway, New York, NY  10012.

MarthaStewart.com - Mother's Day Journal. www.marthastewart.com. Viewed on July 2, 2002.