Conquer the aligator! I'm so glad I did this! How to expand the spine of your junk journal!

I guess most of you know a scenario like this. You made a junk journal. You loved the journal so much that you worked in it very often and maybe a little too much. And then there comes a moment when it's way too thick and resembles an aligator. It's almost impossible to open the journal and work in it. Sometimes it's no longer fun to pick it up. So today I'm going to show you how I disassembled my journal to expand the spine. Later, all the pages will fit back in and no one will see that you didn't plan it that way from the beginning. You can use this little trick on just about any journal that has become an aligator.
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[@debbieforward5282]

I would never have known the spine had been enlarged if I had not seen you do this. It turned out great.

[@felicityb4949]

I’m afraid it won’t work for a manufactured journal. I see the signatures in the journal itself but idk if I could find fabrics to use to expand this journal it’s a faux suede leather

[@dorismartinez7307]

What a great solution! Thank you for taking us through all the steps Your idea of wrapping the spine in fabric, in the overlapping manner, was perfect in terms of strengthening and esthetic. It turned out beautiful! I also really want to thank you for giving us an English version to your videos. That is so much work for you, but I really appreciate you doing so. Your art is so lovely and by do the English version gives so much insight to your thought process. I may not comment on every video but I am always grateful . So, thank you so very much!

[@laurieweatbrook5020]

Hi Luise! I am so happy you responded so quickly with this video showing us how to correct the problem of alligator mouth. I realize I did some things right when splitting my journal and some things not so right. Am happy you mentioned the 1 cm spacing between signatures as I originally used .5 inches and it was too much space. And that piece of lace - oh I love it so much! After I saw the video where you dyed the lace I immediately ordered some flat cotton lace from Esty and will be attempting to make some usable colored lace tomorrow. Must tell you, I tried dying some polyester lace and it was a disaster but a good learning experience! Thanks so much, Laurie PS: Another wonderful learning experience I have had this week with your videos was when you made your spaetzle and completely covered the pink flower. You stayed true to your style by getting rid of the pink but you have the courage to use that beautiful background with the blue bird even with the pink. This made me realize that I have been trying to copy your style (and a couple of other artists styles) and not having much success because I had abandoned the styles I love so much. Starting with my 365 day journal, I'll be incorporating some of your style along with my style and am excited to see how it all works out!

[@cfeaston1602]

Louise, this tutorial was exactly what I was looking for! I made a Christmas journal for my sister which turned out a super alligator mouth!!! I was going to do exactly how you showed - take out the signatures; cut down the center; reinforce with fabric; resew the signatures in a wider spine and voila! a new journal without the alligator mouth! I really appreciated this tutorial. Very well done!! Thank you so much!!

[@DeniseS-6867]

Hello Luise, thanks for sharing how to expand the spine on a journal. The journal looks awesome!

[@BarbaraTristan444]

It turned out Beautiful! 🐊👄📖👍😉 😘💜🤗💜🥰

[@suewegert2323]

Excellent tutorial. Love the way you added trim to the new spine. You are truly creative.

[@sandikalin636]

Thank goodness you filmed this video, I made a journal for my son that turned out exactly like yours, I will be doing this to his. Thank you Luise. ❤️❤️

[@heatherparry3159]

Beautiful! Great job expanding your original journal. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.

[@pauletteliddell2923]

Just beautiful. You made this into a completely new journal. Love it. Such inspiration. Thanks so much for showing us how to make this better.🤗🤗👍💙

[@phjerseys70]

Luise, The Amazing! You’re a life saver! Lol! I’ve been in this crazy situation sooo many times! I appreciate your wonderful ideas on journal rescue!

[@831Miranda]

Wow!! Great solution and great tutorial on how to do it!! Thank you. The final cover looks GREAT!

[@SaltLifeGypsy68]

Luise, The way you have expanded this cover is amazing. You've taught me something I've never seen before! I hope it's OK, I'm sure it is, I'm saving this video for future reference. I just love the way you wrapped the extra material of the hidden spine up and around the back. It will really hold those signatures in there very securely. Thank you for sharing this process with us! You give us so much of your time and Self. We Love and Appreciate you, so Much. ❤ 💐🥰 Angie

[@49sandradee]

Louisa, so helpful. Appreciate your creativity and sharing so generously. From Melbourne Australia. Am organising a day with Grand Daughters for School holidays. 5 girls 13 to 7yrs. I made them Junk Journals for Christmas. Now to learn some techniques. Cousins together. Will be fun.

[@prof.mommyarty]

Your baby grew up! Oh that's a great idea for adding to the spine! Perfectly done, she looks great 👍😁. Ok I'm off to watch you make pudding! Tfs and have a great day 💖💖

[@giselalemus9057]

Very nicely done!! 👍👏 You are a PERFECTIONIST and that makes your work so much nicer.

[@beckybanta126]

Bravo !!!! Thank you for taking us along on this joural journey! 😊👍🌷

[@49dragonflies]

Brilliant tutorial! I will definitely need to try this! Thank you!

[@emmkaa2099]

Luise, I love watching you work and you really do explain things wonderfully! This is a "must keep" video. Thank you. MK ❤ 😀 🏜

[@kellylea3575]

Thanks for sharing this with us Luise. Wonderful fix,it looks amazing!

[@elsevoshart5930]

Turns out beautiful. Thanks for sharing❤

[@cynthiarollins3949]

Fantastic …you are much braver than I would be taking those signatures out…that’s the hardest part for me. Great result💕

[@michellekite8101]

This tutorial was amazing! I've been trying to figure out how to fix alligator mouth!!

[@grahamfox931]

Morning Luise, Thank you for sharing this informative video with us. I know that I need to adjust one or two of my "alligators" and now I know how to do it. Thank you for the very clear and concise way in which you explained the whole method to us. It was easy to follow and I know what I will be doing. Blessings and hugs, as always from Cape Town. Diana P.S. Can't wait for the Dessert, my mouth is watering already. Lovies and hugs

[@marybethw9418]

Beautiful results. Your instructions are always so detailed that it makes it feel possible to also do this. Thank you for sharing so much.

[@caroltanzi29]

Luise: absolutely genius work! What an intricate, detailed job. Fabulous. It looks perfect. Carol from California

[@jaynewood6714]

Thanks for all the details- what a shame to have to do it but sometimes we underestimate and things change….. lovely

[@lynfrancis2047]

Brilliantly done.

[@janehunt6386]

Excellent. Helpful and informative. Thank you Luise.

[@margarethabotes2839]

Thanks so much for sharing all your tips and tricks.

[@sandyfitchcorbett1782]

A fabulous fix. Thank you for the lesson.

[@CreatingwithJovi]

masterfully done Luise! It looks great!

[@debbiespringer7961]

Great tutorial and nice work! Your explanation is very clear, too.

[@bettylongshore9594]

This was a very brave move!!!! I don't know if I would have been this brave, but you did it and it worked!!!!!!! Great work!!!!!! It really made your journal look so much nicer. I think a lot of people will be following your directions and making alligator mouth journals look better!!!!!! Maybe "look better" is not the correct term, I should say make them easier to use!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this and giving such great directions!!!!!!!

[@diane2941]

Great job! Looks perfect.

[@marnyr9610]

Luise that was beautiful to watch, I haven't attached a signature yet and find it a bit daunting as to the methods and how to end off the thread etc and also if another glue can be used if you can't get bookbinders glue. I learnt so much from this and it's so relaxing watching you work on your journal.

[@tuthillg]

Great idea and helpful! TFS the inspiration!

[@shellreinhart2632]

TYSM for sharing your process ... this was super detailed and i greatly appreciate you bringing us along on the journey. Great video ❤

[@karenkettering1725]

This is such a helpful video! Thank you for taking the time and effort to film this fix. By the way, at least in the US, cardboard is the stuff of which boxes are made. Card stock is from which you make cards.

[@kathw7020]

Very nice! Thanks you for sharing your process.

[@retrosusie]

This is such a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@alliemathewson4065]

Louise, I am so glad that you had a happy accident and had to re-make and expand your spine. You have shown me something that I did not know how to do. You explained it so well. I always learn something new!! Hugs xxx

[@cricutologist32820]

Great video! Thank you for the tips and tricks! I love how your book turned out!

[@annettedepete4314]

Awesome video and so helpful. Thanks for sharing 😍🌴💕

[@digikaatje]

I needed this video so much! Thank you!

[@debbivaughn1313]

Amazing and very clever fix!👍👍 Thanks so much for sharing this repair with us. There were multiple ways I would have messed this process up🤣, but you made it look fairly easy.🤗🥰

[@dawnhiggins6802]

Awesome job!!

[@tracytanasiychuk8253]

Thank you your detailed instructions. I would have been too afraid to tackle this kind of process on my own. You have explained every step perfectly. Much gratitude for your patience and amazing ability. Blessings from Canada 🇨🇦

[@lenellamaxwell6934]

A wonderful tutorial! I have expanded my spines before, but not this way, and I loved the way you have done this. Thank you so much for sharing! You truly are an artist!

[@joanfriant211]

Ty!

[@janillingsworth7478]

You did a great job with this spine reconstruction. I have "bitten the bullet" and increased the spine width on one of my journals too and I am so glad I did. Thank you for your good wishes. Many blessings.

[@felicityb4949]

I’m glad you posted this I can’t escape the alligator journal & idk how to properly expand my journal spine after ephemera I don’t make my own journals will it work for manufactured journals I shove all my glued works, personal art, inspo & ephemera in

[@barbarapiano7917]

How wonderful and serendipitous, I was just taking apart a small journal to make more room by adding more signatures. Now you have given me a fabulous template to follow. THANK YOU!!!

[@Charlathejournalingjunky]

This is such an incredible idea, how many journal I have with pages still unused because it's already to full is alot. This will be so helpful. Do you have a tutorial on how u did the original spine is it called the hello spine? 'X

[@luiseheinzl]

Don't have a tutorial about that kind of spine. But it's the same as a hidden spine, except that the middle part is not glued