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We love personalized journals. There’s something so appealing in making the outside of your journal as special as the inside. This is an easy paper craft tutorial that shows you some fun paper crafting techniques to help you customize any journal. Why not turn the “Plain Jane” journal into a completely unique craft project that showcases your creativity? This is also a great craft idea for kids because it shows you how to alter the basic journal without spending big bucks. It’s the perfect back to school craft!

Once you have written, sketched, embellished, and painted all the pages in your beloved art journal, it’s now time to alter the cover to make it your own. Give your journal a beautifully textured and layered cover using sheets of fabric, interfacing, paper, and metal — it’s quick and easy to put together. Your coffee table will thank you for it!

Paper Crafting: Altered Art DIY Journal Cover

Supplies

• Fusible stiff interfacing
• Cotton fabric
• Felt
• Handmade paper (it’s softer and more malleable)
• Heavy craft foil
• Embossing folder and machine
• Alcohol inks and applicator
• Tacky glue
• Sanding block
• Chisel-tip marker
• Iron
• Journal

1.   Emboss the craft foil and trim it to the desired size. Rub a base coat of a light-colored alcohol ink over the top, then blend additional colors on top, using a pouncing motion with the applicator.

2.  Gently sand the inked foil to expose some of the silver on the raised areas. This technique distresses the surface but it also enhances the embossed pattern. Ink the edges with a marker and set aside.

3.  Iron the fabric to the fusible side of the stiff interfacing and trim to a size that’s slightly smaller than your journal cover.

4.  Trim the felt and handmade paper to desired sizes and play with the arrangement of the layers until you like the result. Glue each layer down in sequence, then glue the embossed foil panel on top.

5.  Add whatever sentiments or additional embellishments you like.

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Lisa Fulmer

Lisa is a professional designer for the craft industry and a marketing consultant for individuals and businesses. She refers to herself as “an ardent artist and a chronic crafter” and she fills every spare minute working in a variety of disciplines - mixed media, general crafts, cardmaking, beading, needlework, sewing, painting, photography - there's precious little that she hasn't tried and totally loved creating.

Lisa has authored two popular books - "Craft Your Stash" and "Stylish Craft Foam Projects." She is a columnist for Bella Crafts Quarterly and a regular contributor to many craft sites. She's an active member of the Craft & Hobby Association and a volunteer for her local arts organizations.

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Latest posts by Lisa Fulmer (see all)

• Paint-Stamped No-Sew Table Runner for Christmas - December 15, 2015
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• Needlefelted DIY Wall Art - November 13, 2015