scrapbook paper mini-journals | goodthoughtsgoodlives.com

How to make mini-journals.

The story behind “How to make mini-journals” is circuitous at best. Let me explain. But first, I know I changed the name of my blog to delete the DIY part. I felt too much pressure to post a DIY. But now that the fall season, meaning Christmas is around the corner, I probably will.

A friend in need

A relative and friend of mine is going through a rough time. Before learning this, I had purchased some blank-cover mini journals from Amazon. I had them for a while and couldn’t figure out what to do with them. That prompted me to check out mini-journals and their use, and in the process, I learned about making my own journals.

But I didn’t see any made from scrapbook paper. So I got thinking……

Mini-journals created

Back to my friend. What if I made her some journals to journal her thoughts during this rough patch? I was on such a roll I made over a hundred! I sent her a box of these last week. She is using them in a way I hadn’t expected, but it made perfect sense.

But I must regress a minute.

Here’s some exciting news. I have finished book number two! I can now tell you the name and the subject matter.

The name of the book is Finding Your More. It’s a book about finding your purpose, mission or calling. I chose to call the word “more” because it’s less somber and “heavy” sounding. Using an adjective as a noun was challenging, but I think I did it. I use various examples from scripture and the second half of the book is hands-on. I’m sharing this with you today because you must wonder how I found the time. That’s why. I’m not actively writing. By the time this gets to you, I’m hoping I will have it distributed to all online bookstores, as well as Apple Books and Smashwords. I will keep the price very low for a few weeks.

It was a hard book to write because it required so much research. But, of course, I loved every minute of it. I have the next book in my head, and it will also be titled “Finding Your ????? I’ve narrowed it down to a couple of concepts. But this time, I’m not going to use an adjective as a noun. That was really hard.

So back to these mini-journals.

I didn’t record the process, but I think I can walk you through it.

The process

I used both sizes of scrapbook paper. For the 8 1/2 X 11, I cut them in two pieces the short way. For the 12″ square, I decided what size I wanted to make the journal and cut them out. I got two from each size. I used a paper cutter. I tried to make a set using various sizes. You can see the different sizes in the gallery below.

Then I cut plain paper 1/2″ smaller than each size journal, and guess how I put them together? I sewed them on my sewing machine, down the middle of the stacked pages. I used about 12-15 pieces of paper. Worked like a charm. Then I decorated them with various paraphernalia from Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby and even cut out pieces from the scrapbook papers and decoupaged them on the covers.

I experimented with covers, sometimes lining them and sometimes not. I also used cards and covered them with paper. But if you get them too thick, it might not be as easy to sew.

There are many different types, and I plan to experiment with them for Christmas gifts. You can even use rubber bands. Seriously. Check out my PInterest board for more ideas.

Believe it or not, I have ways to distribute all I’ve made thus far, which brings me to this.

I would love to send some to you. If you are interested, I would need your address which I understand if you don’t want to share. But if some of you do, please send me your address to foxrap@aol.com with mini-journal in the subject line. I will get them to you as soon as I can.