Summer Craftiness Fever: Decoupage a Journal

For most of you, it's getting to the point in summer when you find your self saying, "...now what?" The thrill of relaxation and slumber has faded and boredom has arrived. Shesh, that was fast! How can we cure said boredom? Get crafty! Today I'm going to attempt to walk you through a process known as decoupaging. You can decoupage pretty much anything! Hat boxes, books, chairs, tables, and so on. My favorite project is journals. I have a serious passion for lined pages bound together and I love making it personal by gluing photos over the covers. Now, you can too! Ready? Here it goes.

Materials:
A plain journal (B&N has tons of plain, simple ones for super cheap. I believe I paid $5.95 for mine.)
Mod Podge matte glue (I found mine at Hobby Lobby.)
A sponge brush
Tons of photos!

Mod Podge glue and brush

Step 1: Pick, print, and cut your photos

Personally, I enjoy having a "theme" among my photos. I search Pinterest and the web to find the ones I like, print, and cut. One of my journals was Disney themed, which was super fun! For another one, I used black and white photos. The journal I'm working on today is a vintage theme. I scanned old family photos and used other cool finds that seemed to match. Side note: You might also want to find a print or a background to use for the binding. Sometimes I print out cool patterns, but this time I used tissue paper from Starbucks. Whatever works!

Starbucks tissue paper I used

One example of a decoupaged journal. Random photos I like. :)

My Disney themed journal. Also, I always like to incorporate a verse onto the journal. Side note: I KNOW Anastasia is not Disney, but she's awesome. Just clarifying.

Step 2: Glue on the binding first

If you decide to do the pattern or whatever else for the binding, glue this FIRST. Try to approximate how much you will need, cut it to the size of your journal, and glue. (Always overestimate when cutting. It's always better to cut off excess than come out short.) All you need to do for the gluing is dip your brush in the glue, apply the glue directly to the journal, put the paper over the glue on the journal, and paint more glue on top of the paper or photos. Make sense? I'm sure you got this. :)

Finished product. You can see the tissue paper on the side.

Step 3: Arrange your photos

After the glue is dry, which shouldn't be too long, start playing with your photos. Where do you want them? Which ones look best together? How do these shapes work with the others? Sometimes it's like a puzzle. You try to put it together but get trapped in an empty corner. Just keep playing with it until you're pleased. Once you solved the puzzle, take a quick snapshot of it! This is just in case you forgot what you did. It's always good to have it to refer back to if you get stuck in a pickle.

Arranged photos. The empty space will be filled with a handwritten note which says, "Bind my wandering heart to Thee."

Step 4: Glue your photos

Now you are at the fun part...gluing! Apply the glue, stick the photo, paint more glue. Over, and over, and over again. Remember, be GENEROUS with your glue. It will dry clear; don't worry. Once you've done the front of the journal, let it dry. Then, apply one more coat of glue over the entire cover and let it dry again.

Glue, stick, glue. You get the idea.

Step 5: Repeat arranging and gluing process on the other side

Arrange your photos and glue them to the back side of your journal. You're probably pro at this after working so hard on the front.

Step 6: Clean up the edges and clean your mess

If you have any excess paper hanging off the edge of your jornal, cut it off. Make sure everything is completely dry before you use the journal. Clean your brush and all your mess and you're done! Voila!

Front and back. Ta-da!

So that's that! Remember that it will so NOT be perfect. I think it's more fun with crocked edges and messy glue. Now it's your turn! Start those creative juices flowing and get some Pinsperation. I hope this helps your summer craftiness fever! Good luck!

xo,

AKG