About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
1h00

Make a customized journal for the new year with adorable art supplies!
Hey guys! New Year's coming, which means many resolutions are on the horizon. Why not pick up journaling? Everyone knows all the great mental health benefits journaling gives you, and this customized art journal will inspire you to write, draw, or create something every day. This project is easy, quick, and will last all year.

Posted by Van Published See Van's 47 projects »
Tags

PrintEmbed
  • Step 1

    Watch the video for the tutorial, or scroll down for the step-by-step. :)

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 2
    Step 2

    This journal book from Canvas Corp Brands comes with 6 card pages and 2 book rings.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 3
    Step 3

    You can assemble the book as it is and use it with journal sheets.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 4
    Step 4

    But I'm going to girly it up first. :) I cut out a page from an old atlas to fit the cover (about 5" by 7").

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 5
    Step 5

    I glued it on with Mod Podge.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 6
    Step 6

    I used a piece of ephemera from Canvas Corp Brands for the cover title. My journal will be called "The Honeymoon." :)

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 7
    Step 7

    I cut a strip of burlap ribbon to accent the bottom.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 8
    Step 8

    To prevent fraying, I coated the edges of the burlap with Mod Podge.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 9
    Step 9

    I added Washi Tape (this one is from Daiso Japan).

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 10
    Step 10

    It still looked incomplete, so I added a sticker of a suitcase to match the theme of traveling.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 11
    Step 11

    I used an Antique Matte finish Mod Podge to give it a vintage look.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 12
    Step 12

    I just dabbed the Mod Podge sporadically all over the cover.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 13
    Step 13

    This is how the antique finish turned out. Pretty neat!

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 14
    Step 14

    While it dried, I worked on the back cover of the journal.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 15
    Step 15

    I glued another page from an atlas to the back.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 16
    Step 16

    To match the front, I also added a strip of burlap ribbon.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 17
    Step 17

    Again, I used Mod Podge along the edges to prevent fraying.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 18
    Step 18

    I added a sticker of a camera.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 19
    Step 19

    I looked through other ephemera to see which one would work best with the cover.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 20
    Step 20

    I thought the Rome ephemera worked best with the whole theme.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 21
    Step 21

    More washi tape!

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 22
    Step 22

    Once the glue is dried on both covers, I can assemble the journal.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 23
    Step 23

    I used store-made journal pages (provided by Canvas Corp Brands)

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 24
    Step 24

    And I also used my own DIY journal pages.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 25
    Step 25

    Then I assembled the journal with the 2 book rings that came with the journal book pack.

  • How to decorate an altered journal. Diy Art Journal With Canvas Corp Brands - Step 26
    Step 26

    Finished! I hope you guys enjoyed this tutorial!

Made this project? Share your version »

Comments

More Projects