How to Make Two Journals from One Composition Notebook

Today, I have a project for you that might make a nice gift (for you or someone else!)  It’s an easy, altered composition notebook journal that’s fun and customizable.  The bonus is, you will get two journals from just one composition notebook.

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How to Make Two Journals from One Composition Notebook

You know those composition notebooks that are everywhere at back to school time?  (They usually have them at the dollar store too, but during back to school they are cheap at the discount stores.)  You can even get them with graph paper (for bullet journaling or lettering practice.)

Years ago, I discovered that you can have them cut in half at most office supplies stores, for a small charge.  You then have two notebooks for the price of one. Plus, they’re such a cute size.

When decorated, these make great gifts.

These would make fun planners, bullet journals, list books, recipe books, travel journals, baby journals, etc. (For example, you could use a vintage map or map scrapbook paper to make a travel journal, fun cooking related paper to make a recipe book, etc.  Or use plain cardstock -kraft colored, black, white, etc.-, and stamp the designs, handletter, etc.)

This map themed journal would be great for a travel journal or everyday journal.

I think a teen or tween would enjoy this bright gratitude journal.

Supplies to make composition book journals:

• Composition Notebook
• Your choice of scrapbook paper or cardstock
• Paper Adhesive – You can use any good, non-wrinkling craft glue or paper adhesive.
• Circle Punches (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)
• Craft glue or hot glue (for ribbon)
• Black ink (optional)
• Rubber stamps (optional)

Here’s how to make two journals from one composition notebook:

• Take your full size composition book to an office supply store. Ask them to cut it in half. (Your cut book will measure roughly about 7.5 inches wide by about 5 inches tall.)
• Measure the front cover of the book, and cut heavyweight pattern paper/cardstock to fit.  You can use a corner rounder for the rounded corner, or just trace around the front of the book. (Tip: Trace on the wrong side of the paper, so that the paper will line up when you place it on the cover.)  Adhere the paper/cardstock onto the cover.  Repeat for the back cover.   For the tween journal, I covered the black binding with a coordinating paper, but it’s not necessary.
• For the tween journal, I punched both scalloped and regular circles and stamped my designs, before gluing them to the cover.  
• To define the edges, I rubbed some black ink along them, which is personal preference of course!

Have fun with it, and I’d love to know how you would use your journal.

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Linking to:

Tuesday Turn About at My Wee Abode, Friendship Friday at Create with Joy, Blogger’s Pit Stop, SITS Sharefest, Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do, Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou, Over the Moon at Marilyn’s Treats, Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts, Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make at Eye Love Knots, Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom, Create, Bake, Grow, and Gather at Shabby Art Boutique, Creatively Crafty at Try It, Like It, Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy, Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy, Claire Justine, Imparting Grace, Thursday Favorite Things, French Ethereal