I want to cover a plain composition book with something and decorate it, what's the best thing to do?

Question

My little one and I like to make things every once and a while, I mentioned wanting a journal and she thought that sounded fun, so in order to save a little money I thought we'd try to make our own personalized journal just for her. What's the easiest way to do this?

Answer 1

if your like me and like to save the nice wrappin paper you get from gifts people have given you, then try wrapping it around your book.

Answer 2

The *easiest* thing would probably just be to decoupage on some nice paper or fabric. You could also use the white glue (unthinned this time) to attach trims or other little things.

A step up from that would be covering the whole cover or part of it with a sheet of decorative polymer clay (there are loads of possibilities for patterns, etc.). Generally those would be glued to the cover(s). Or you could make small, flattish things with clay that could be glued onto the covers directly, etc.

If you want to see some examples of covers decorated with polymer clay, as well as "real" journal covers, check out this page at my site, then click on the various links of examples:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/books.htm
(click on the subcategory *Covers, Notebooks, Journals*)

There are other places at my site that deal with ways to make decorative "flattish" things or sheets from clay (and sometimes metallic powders, stamps, etc.) on pages like these:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/stamping.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/texturing.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/powders_metallicwaxes.htm

http://glassattic.com/polymer/sheets.htm

http://glassattic.com/polymer/covering.htm


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 3

well if it were me i would buy a inexpensive hard backed journal book, like one from the dollar store. then cut a paper grocery bag brown side out and tape it together to fit the book. like we used to do when in school. then take magic or crayola markers to decorate. maybe some stickers or anything small that would not fall off easily.

Answer 4

My daughter when small had out grown her favorite dress and blankie but instead of giving it away (because she sometimes liked to look at them) we made her book covers with the fabric cut up so that she got to touch and see the fabrics every day and remember the items and still has them now that she is in her 30's! Or cover book with your childs own drawings or photo collage of family.

Answer 5

a book cover 0.o

Answer 6

I think felt is nice, i like the texture. Another thing you might use are some of her drawings, nice enough to use, but perhaps not the museum quality ones. They would make a nice collage effect. Depending on her age, she can add her own additions with stickers, or jewels, etc.

Answer 7

Contact paper would be an easy option. It comes in a variety of designs and you don't have to worry about the bumps you get from gluing paper yourself. You can cut out shapes using cookie cutters or stencils...

Answer 8

Glue on some pretty left over fabric, with Elmer's Glue.

Answer 9

I used white shelf paper and decorated my books