Button Elastic Closure for a Junk Journal

Some of you asked for a tutorial for making my usual button closure. Here it is!

[@deborahclatworthy3885]

I keep coming back to watch this little film. I love this closure and how calm and patient you are.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I am so glad Deborah! A lot of people agree and I'm happy to be helpful. Thanks for all the watchtime - that helps me out! 😃

[@susanproctor22]

I agree with everyone else. After two other closures failed, yours worked perfectly. Thank you Susan.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh I am so glad it was helpful Susan! Yay!

[@lauragaudry3402]

Great closure! Hugs and blessings, 🤗❤️🇨🇦

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Laura! I think you'll like using it.

[@snazzie-designz]

Great tutorial and the closure looks fantastic. I'm really glad you left the struggle with threading the beads in because I think we've all been there and it's a great idea to add glue to the ends to thin our the elastic to help with threading. Also it's a really ingenious idea to use a crochet hook for doing the knots. I'm definitely going to be trying all of these things in my next journal.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you! I’m so glad the video is helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@ericastannard2635]

Absolutely gorgeous! I really like every aspect of the way you approach this! I’ve never seen two holes on the back cover, so I’m excited to see that! I know about making a thread shank, but I also have never seen a journal maker doing that! All in all, you seem to have perfected this technique! The beads you chose were just perfect, even though the longer bead gave you some trouble. Now I know how to get through that too! Thanks so much for such an informative video! I hope you are having a great weekend! Erica❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so pleased that this video is still so helpful to people. Thank you Erica! I’m glad you came by!

[@Frankie860]

Very helpful. Excellent presentation with clear instructions.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad it is helpful Frankie! Thanks for watching.

[@handmadewithlove6720]

Thank you for this idea. And also I'm glad u had a rough time with those beads cuz I'm sure that's gonna happen to us when we duplicate this method and it's nice to see how u worked through it to get the stubborn elastic through. Very nice video. N yes if u can't eat before at least keep a snack handy or some juice so your sugar doesn't drop while filming. 💗

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much for watching - I hope this will make your projects beautiful! -and the sugar thing? Yes, lesson learned, haha.

[@GmaReezScrapShack]

Awe Kathleen I love this idea, thank you for sharing this! I appreciate you taking the time to show the details. Can’t wait to try this! ❤ sending you LUVnHUGZ, Rita Donnelly.

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Rita - I’m glad you can use this! Thanks for watching!

[@carolinas6614]

What a beautiful closure!! Great way to improve an elastic one.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much!

[@patriciajarvis2225]

Hey, Kathleen, don't worry about your demonstration with the part of the elastic not co-operating. I am sure how you handled it will be ESSENTIAL when we encounter the same issue!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Good to know Patricia! I still have trouble now and then - supplies often don’t like to co-operate. Sometimes I don’t even make a shank anymore - just leave the button loose enough for the elastic to fit under the button and let that part go. It still works well.

[@rubyus7332]

I really like this closure, not hard to make and easy to use! So glad I watched it. Thank you so much! 😊😊😊

[@BeAgainBooks]

Glad it was helpful Ruby! Thanks for watching.

[@gemmalclarke]

I really love this closure, thanks Kathleen, I love my buttons so this will be my go to for closures as I do like it being easy to open and close!

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Gemma! Thanks for watching.

[@bollenhutart]

Hallo Kathleen, I love your videos sooo much and I´m so glad, that I found you ❤️ I share this video with my German viewers under my new video, I Hope, that this is okay for you ❤️ I also love your Craftroom Organising videos, it helps a lot ❤️ Many greetings from Germany ❤️ Susanne

[@BeAgainBooks]

Hello to you also Susanne - I'm also glad you found me and hope you visit again! I'm very pleased for you to share my video - happy that it gave you a helpful technique. Thanks for watching.

[@marygerhard8958]

Great video Kathleen. You might try using a needle threader to get the elastic through the button hole. I use the dental floss threaders for flossing under a dental bridge to thread beads. You can buy them where dental floss is sold. Thanks for the tip of using the small crochet needle to pull the thread/elastic through the hole! Great video!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Well that is a great suggestions Mary! Thanks so much. I will certainly look for them. Sometimes the bead hole is so small that only one “layer” of elastic can fit through at a time, so one has to get creative...

[@MariKayCreations]

Great tip about fraying and gluing the ends of the elastic - thanks! My altered book junk journal is filled and the cover embellished, so this closure is perfect - it won't obscure the cover design. And I agree with others - it's good to see the struggle rather than everything going perfectly. :D

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad this is helpful Marikay! Thanks for watching.

[@darlenescreativejourney6755]

I wish i had known this earlier as some of my journals really need some kind of closure thanks Kathleen

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Darlene! Thanks so much for watching!

[@dakielty]

I love this closure and these are great explanations. Thank you

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad to hear it Dorothy! Thanks for watching.

[@gemmalclarke]

I did it Kathleen! I completed my first proper journal and with this awesome closure - love how easy it is to acces the journal, especially because this will be my motivational journal for healthy living tips and reflections and goal making!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Hooray Hooray Gemma! Well done. I'm so glad it worked well for your special journal!

[@kessell637]

Thank you! I’ve often wondered how one gets the elastic through the beads. 💐

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh you're welcome! Glad to help!

[@janetgeist8505]

Very clever, easy to do, thanks for sharing this info 🎉❤.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much Janet! It’s a pleasure to show you my favorite closure.

[@debbie1016]

Thanks you so much for sharing this video. It was very helpful for the closure on the mix media storage box I am working on. It will be the perfect closure my handmade jewelry storage box.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I am so happy to help with your project Debbie! Thank for watching!

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

Great...! I dont have one of those fancy Crocodile things, but I think the Awl, the puncher thing, will work also.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yes, it probably will. Any kind of eyelet setter will work also.

[@daisyfieldparrks9320]

This was so helpful. I love this closure. Thank you for sharing this.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I'm glad you like this closure - it works so well. Thanks Daisy!

[@debbieanderson8924]

Thank you so much! I have been looking for the perfect closure and this is it.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Wow - so glad to hear it Debbie! Thanks for watching.

[@afeeser]

Thanks for showing this. I've been wanting to try it.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh I am glad you found it Andrea - thanks for watching.

[@lauramarrero8796]

Pretty, I like this idea better

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Laura!

[@rhondaeaton4708]

Really appreciate all your detailed explanation. I am enjoying binge watching your channel today!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh gosh, that wonderful for me Rhonda! Thank you. I’m glad you can stand me that long, haha.

[@kerynokeeffe9133]

Thanks Kathleen. I like how the closure is really out of the way, yet still attached, when using the journal and looks to be quick and easy to close! 😀💞

[@BeAgainBooks]

I hope this will work for you Keryn. Just keep asking questions!

[@carleysdigiscraps]

Thank you for the the tip on threading the beads with small holes! LIFESAVER!!!!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@Pauline-on6pi]

I love that closure I’m glad to see you have to make it work . You are teaching me and now I know how to work through a problem when I add beads. I will run into problems😀

[@BeAgainBooks]

Haha - thanks Pauline! I thought about editing the video, but decided to leave the struggle in. I’m glad I did now.

[@uschibrunner7558]

ich bin sehr glücklich dieses Video gefunden zu haben. vielen Dank aus Stuttgart/Germany

[@BeAgainBooks]

Ich freue mich, danke für Ihren Besuch🙂

[@barbarawatkins6364]

This is a great idea.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Barbara!

[@katrina7259]

I love this closure! I'm so glad you made a video of it. And what a great idea to use the crochet hook to tie the knot! I'm going to try this on my next hardcover journal. Thanks for sharing!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Katrina! This is pretty much my go-to closure and I use it on all my personal journals because it works so well and is easy to use. I'm glad you'll give it a try.

[@almostcrafty263]

Thank you for sharing! This is wonderful!

[@vikkimcglen2925]

Thanks for sharing, great idea x

[@lorigigglegirlarts]

Thank you so much for sharing this process! I love these closures and have noticed them on your various journals. They're just lovely!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Lori! Happy to share.

[@KateMower]

This is fabulous 💖

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Kate!

[@2011bebu]

I have never made a closure like this, but I will now. Beautiful, Kathleen, thank you for doing this tutorial!❤️❤️

[@BeAgainBooks]

You are so welcome! I’m glad to be helpful!

[@shawnas464]

Brilliant!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Glad you like it!

[@sewsweet502]

Love this great idea😊

[@BeAgainBooks]

I"m so glad this is helpful! Thanks so much!

[@pamjohnson3784]

Great video!! Thank you ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad it’s helpful Pam! Thanks for watching.

[@yoliebean]

I’m a new subscriber to your channel. I really enjoy your videos. I haven’t made a journal in so long, you inspire me to get back at it. Life and other hobbies take over and I need to make my way back to paper crafting. I love your nice calm voice. Your also very thorough in explaining things. Have a nice day! Hugs from So. Cal 🤗

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much for stopping by Yoliebean! And welcome to my channel. I do so hope you find some time to create again.

[@maryalexis7328]

Thanks. Great idea.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks for watching Mary!

[@alicecabral8051]

Great idea for the closure. Thank you for sharing

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Alice - this is my go-to closure. I love it.

[@elainet5870]

Thanks so much! Very helpful. 😃

[@BeAgainBooks]

I'm glad Elaine! Thanks for watching.

[@MorganPlans]

Thank you so much for sharing this Kathleen! I love this idea! 🤗

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Morgan! Thanks for watching!

[@ChristineDewar]

Thanks for the easy to follow tutorial Kathleen.

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Christine!

[@karinroloff4562]

Thanks for the tips....................😻

[@BeAgainBooks]

Welcome 😊

[@eilujnager]

Thank you for the video. it was just what I was looking for - a great way to close a journal. Simple and very neat.

[@BeAgainBooks]

So happy to help Julie! Thanks for watching.

[@cindyreseck4429]

Fantastic..will do that on a journal I'm currently making! Thanks!

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad, Cindy! Thanks for watching.

[@stepintoart1668]

Thank you great job.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yay - so glad to be helpful! Thanks so much for watching.

[@jennifergrillofoster]

Have you tried the button part with a curved needle? I still need to put together a journal and love this idea.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I have not tried a curved needle. I usually don’t have trouble using these straight ones, so I just use what I have. But if that works, come back and let us know! Whatever needle you use needs to be able to fit through the holes in the button, that usually limits my choice, haha.

[@esthercollins4215]

Thank you for sharing. I plan to do this . 🙏🏻

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad Esther - I hope it works for you! Thanks for watching!

[@jimker155]

Just made a journal/portfolio from an old pendaflex folder and was having a heck of a time figuring out a closure. I think this will work perfectly! Thanks for your tutorial!!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Kerrie! Glad to help.

[@NotTooShabbyPatti]

I am almost finished with my first junk journal and have been loving all your videos. I especially love this closure, but was wondering if there's an alternative to using the crop-o-dile tool for the back holes. Could I just use an awl or a drill or do you think the eyelets are necessary?

[@BeAgainBooks]

Congratulations on your first journal Patti! I’m sure there could be an alternative - a drill sounds like it would work. Really, whatever would make a big enough hole. The eyelets just make a nice finish, but they aren’t necessary for function.