DIY watercolor journal with disc binding

[@Insidekimsworld]

This was very inspiring. I am always buying new art/watercolor journals. Lately, I have lacked inspiration and haven’t been creating very much. While watching this, I remembered that I had 6 Happy Planners in my closet. I got them during a grab-bag sale and had no idea how I was going to use them(since they were end of season.) I got them out today and dismantled them. Now, I have a bunch of discs, covers, and dividers. Yayyyy!

[@tlccreates]

Suggestion: take another sheet of paper or card stock and cut your 5x7 opening in it. Punch it for your book then just place it on the page and trace the opening for your framing guidelines. It could then be removed and stored in the back or front of the journal until needed again.

[@christinebaluk3453]

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed. I was going to buy a new watercolour journal tomorrow. Instead I used supplies I already had and made one. It was perfect.

[@voguevania]

I love your beautiful watercolor work! And I'm so happy for you, as the recipient of such a high quality product! I've wanted the big Circa punch for decades. My dad used to subscribe to the Levenger catalog in the early 90s. When I decided to purchase a disc punch, I looked them up first. I finally purchased the travel version last year, and it is so satisfying to use. I am looking forward to seeing the artwork that you create in your new custom pad!

[@donna6516]

Great new book CeeCee -- and lots of beautiful painting awaits. One trick for getting the rings to stand up is to put both your covers on and flip the top one like you would when it's open. That seems to help the rings stand up a bit easier and make it less cumbersome to snap the pages in. Your punch is definitely the Rolls Royce of binder punches!! I need to take a sledge hammer to mine to get through watercolor paper but consider it my workout for the day!

[@creationsceecee]

thank you for that tip. it makes a lot of sense!

[@valeriemartin3506]

I have been doing this for years and years. I absolutely love the flexibility to make a "book" any size and any thickness. I have a ton of different sized discs. I have itty bitty 1/4 inch discs all the way up to 3 inch discs and I have made tons of art journals for the kiddos, I punch their index cards for all sorts of school classes. They are a big hit with the kids and I am ALWAYS asked to make extras for their friends. I started out with the ARC one. It served me well. I love that the MAMBI one has "taller" mushrooms but it is not heavy duty. I find the Levenger one to have the "fattest" mushroom top with allows the paper to turn the smoothest of all the punched sizes. It is pricey but it is SO worth the price. TFS

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Not a book. Pages are NOT bound, they’re unfortunately REMOVABLE! Yaiks, not good at all 😂

[@karenlusby6230]

I bought my punch & rings a year ago on sale at Office Depot. I love this system for all kinds of things including doodling on the dot paper sold at Hobby Lobby, JoAnns and Michaels.

[@barbaralassiter259]

Your video inspired me to track down the disc binding system and I found the MAMBI for the happy planner. I have ordered it and reviews say it will punch one sheet of watercolor paper at a time. That's okay by me. I have cut down some Arches paper from a supply I've been hoarding and am waiting for it's arrival. I have painted my first piece to go in the journal and after many coats and even one of Gesso, I'm ready to punch out that piece. It's not perfect, but it's something that I will put my name to. Lol! I have to say that Arches paper will take a beating and still be pill free and usable. Thanks for your inspiration and encouragement to keep on going!

[@barbarawightman2310]

Good morning, O Talented One. Watching your vids I'm starting to think there aren't enough hours in the day or years left in my life to do all the awesome CeeCee stuff I want to do. I had never heard of disc binding, but watching you get so excited about it, I'm on board. Thanks you for sharing. (Soon to be a patron!)

[@creationsceecee]

thank you for the sweet comment, Barbara! and thank you for becoming an Awesome Patron! so grateful for the support. have yourself a beautiful day!

[@suerichardson1207]

I have had a circa punch for years and have used it for many things to fit my needs at that time in my life. Recently I’ve begun using it for some of my art journals and absolutely love the versatility it affords. Enjoy!

[@isabelpatchett9356]

Thank you that was great it took no time to make your journal this way. This will be so much easier for me as I have a lot of Osteo Arthritis in my hands and sewing is out for me so this is great. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing your finished journal with lots of beautiful wc paintings within it.

[@elainemagliacane]

I got a similar punch from Staples Office Supply store, they also have the discs.

[@angelagutknecht3700]

Yay! I've been super curious about how you were going to bind your papers. I thank your gift angel also. Super cool binding system.

[@natalierice6528]

It is a lovely journal. I was hollering at you to turn the back over before you punched it. I've made that same mistake. I've used dollar store placemats for pretty covers, too. Just a tip for cutting whole paper pads; some office supply and shipping stores have heavy duty cutters and will do it for very little money. I love getting my Canson 9x12's cut into guarters for card making.

[@creationsceecee]

thank you for the tips.

[@monalcreates]

Ohhh That is an awesome new journal you got there Twin!! It sure is a smart binding, that you can take out the page when working on it and then put it back once you are done!! Now I will be looking forward to see what you will create in your new watercolor journal!! Have a lovely day and take care of yourself!! xx

[@creationsceecee]

thanks, twin! that punch sure is amazing. i'm so blessed to have angels around me. did you get rain yet?

[@monalcreates]

Unfortunatelly no.... :( And it doesn't look like we will get any for many days. And the temp keeps going up!! Ugh.

[@anneroberts7312]

Thank you so much for going through this binding system. Your tips are appreciated and there are so many possibilities! WoW!

[@cheryl7476]

What a handy-dandy gizmo for you. Happy for you.

[@dawnkarasaki6172]

This is so awesome. What a neat and attractive way to keep your art. Love it.

[@PaulWalesArt]

What an informative video! Thank you so much for sharing the process and sharing insight into the beautiful journals we see in your videos…. So happy I encountered this!

[@kathyreeves1560]

Love it!!! Thanks for sharing! I made one of these last year. I had great plans for it...but haven’t used it yet. I will dig it out and use it now for sure. Love the cover you made too. This disc system is amazing. So easy to add or take away pages.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Falls apart, it’s not real binding. This is laughable at best, pages will be falling out! Guaranteed 😂

[@Deborah_Bessette]

So nice, love those disk... your art work great.

[@lovewisdomgrace]

You're correct....your journal is pretty cool. Love this binding system. Looking forward to seeing your next painting!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

It’s not proper binding, pages will be falling out fast. Terrible system 😂 Use properly bound notebooks with STITCHES, that is the only correct way to keep pages together forever.

[@KleanSpa]

I am SO excited about this video! I have been waiting for you to do this so now I can do it!! Looks awesome! Thank you!

[@MF-zv4mf]

It's beautiful Cee Cee and I look forward to watching you fill it with your fantastic art. The cover matches your nail polish :))

[@chuckkolb1270]

Very good instructional/informational video. Purchasing one is under consideration. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Pages will fall apart, it’s not a real binding and should be avoided. This is terrible 😂

[@dotydiva]

Beautiful work book. I love the idea. thanks for sharing

[@elizabethnaisbitt1795]

What a fabulous system to use, which I am sure you will enjoy using, can't wait to see it fill up. Tfs xo

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Not a good system, since it’s not actually bound. It’s fake, pages are completely removable 😂 It WILL fall apart, of course. Use correct, stitched binding. Permanent and correctly done. Quality. Not fake stuff 😂

[@gaylebyron4494]

Love love this tutorial. The journal is beautiful. I have never seen the paper holders they are great. I have a punch not open didn’t know what I was going to use it for so thanks for the info. Now to search out the rings. 👍🏻🎨👩🏻‍🎨❤️

[@karenrushton3305]

Love the punch, because you can take the pages out. But the cost! I volunteer teach art and a journal would be a nice start to class.

[@azzuparis]

What a beautiful journal! I really love it 😀

[@nancygauthier1190]

Very nice and cool idea

[@leanneland]

This is a great idea! I just finished my first watercolour journal I made which was also with Coptic stitch binding but this makes so much more sense! It’s so hard to find a good watercolour journal, I think I will give this a try instead!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Try binding your favourite watercolour paper at a local binder shop or office supplies store. This terrible disk attachment is NOT proper binding, and pages are completely removable 😂🤦🏻‍♀️🙄 No point creating this, it WILL fall apart. Not good! And not REAL binding! Always use stiched binding that never falls apart! Very important!

[@joycegandy7305]

Very nice CeeCee and really like these Journals:-)

[@myartpixie]

Love Love this idea! Especially being able to take a painting out to give away! Thanks!

[@kristinehulet1997]

Maybe I missed where you said how many pages your book includes. I have used Levenger products for YEARS znd love the versatility of changable page order. Great idea for watercolor practice since the dampness of a previous page is not an issue.

[@creationsceecee]

there's 40 pages of 140lb watercolor paper.

[@catrena5051]

I am new to your channel. I found this very interesting and very inviting makes me want to go out and get one. I would have to watch more videos to see exactly what it is that I'm supposed to do LOL. I seen you do it it was incredible and it looks absolutely stunning. I look forward to seeing more of your videos in the future. Thanks for sharing.

[@creationsceecee]

thank you, Catrena, and welcome to the channel!

[@1005jocey]

Never thought about this, just made one ☺️

[@marlenejones6266]

I love the work I saw. I think I need to make another kind of watercolor notebook tho. I dont have money for this hole punch.

[@sherrykenwood2766]

Staples in Canada sells a fairly comparable punch for about $45 cad, their disks are much less than MMBI disks

[@creationsceecee]

yes, i saw that punch but it's not suitable for really thick paper or cardstock and i wanted to have the freedom to punch thicker material.

[@crustttttt]

Beautiful and creative as always ~ 💗

[@GabrielleCarbonneau]

I’ve been thinking of doing this too. You’ve encouraged me!

[@misstrainspotter9682]

This is beautiful 😍

[@Nodum_ping]

Love this idea and the punched out bits look like tiny mushrooms.

[@peggyhart5729]

Cee cee, I love your videos and have learned so much from you. I was wondering what size paper are you using for most of your drawings and when you made your art journal, what size is it? Thank you so much for all that you do.

[@123craftygal]

I’ve used this system about 15 yrs ago in my rubber stamping/ crafting days. The cutter you are using now looks far and away better and stronger! I do know that the punched ends will become a bit weaker (or more open )if they are taken out and put back in a lot. As to watercolor paper sizes, I learned in an online group it’s made that way on purpose to be cut down for framing. That way you get rid of the black glue edges (Arches uses black glue on their pads). Do those discs say how many pages are recommended? I thought I remembered that each diameter had a suggestion as to how many could be flipped over easy (size) disc. One last thing, I think your work table is so attractive; is it covered with a Contac type of paper? Thanks for your awesome tutorials, CeeCee. I look forward to them each morning!

[@creationsceecee]

thank you so much, Catherine (beautiful name :-P). i love the punch and yes this one is heavy duty. i'm very grateful for my benefactor. i understand about the size of watercolor paper but they should make it so that the ratio is the same as the framing standards. meaning that if they are 9" X 12" then the framing standards should allow for 8" X 11". that way, when you go to paint, you can leave an even extra space instead of more on top and bottom compared to the sides. i hope you know what i mean. i usually like to tape my work, so it would be so much simpler to have the same position of the tape all around instead of gauging that the top and bottom should be wider than the sides. that extra inch top and bottom makes quite a difference in the perspective and composition i find. as for my desk, it is a butcher block top but i protect it with an extra piece of cardstock that i indeed covered with contact sheet. good eye!

[@patmiller2604]

This is an ideal device !!!! Love it....🌀🐝🌀

[@yanirejaime7768]

Hola ceecee, hace poco descubrí tu canal. Estoy iniciándome en acuarela y sus técnicas. Estoy fascinada con tus trabajos . Son súper inspiradores. Te escribo de Tenerife, España.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

ENGLISH, learn it damn it.

[@Rockymtnbloom]

CeeCee what a lovely journal and so functional! I love the versatility. You are so talented. What size rings are those, and how many pages did it hold?

[@creationsceecee]

thank you, édebrah. my journal has 54 pages of 140lb watercolor paper and that includes the covers. the discs are about 1-3/4" in diameter.

[@lizdouglas1952]

Woweeeeee!!! Love it, CeeCee!!! 😘👍💖🎨🌹

[@Scrapitydoodah]

Cool idea

[@suzannemartinez8147]

Where did you find the disc rings? Loved the video. I have been saving your tutorials everyday for a week now and have been practicing your methods. Thank you!

[@creationsceecee]

thank you! i got them from my local scrapbooking store but you can also find tons online. just google discs for disc binding system. or you can go on the levenger website (levenger.com). they have beautiful ones!

[@MedievalMary]

This is brilliant 👍

[@susanhamilton1822]

I use only the best water colour paper so I don't have a "bad" side. The smooth side is good for other subjects such as botanicals or w.c. pencils. That's only my opinion of course but using the best paper is highly recommended by most everyone. Paper is more important than paint or brushes. If a person is watching and think they can't afford the good stuff they should to to Legion Papers and get the samples. It's the best deal around. You can try all the expensive brands for cheap, cheap!

[@susanhamilton1822]

I saw you punching the wrong side and I was yelling but you didn't hear me. lol

[@navyboymommygramma]

Susan Hamilton , yeah, she does that a lot. Very obstinate that one is. Hahaha

[@susanhamilton1822]

ha ha

[@creationsceecee]

Susan, while i agree with you that good quality paper is the best option, just keep in mind that these paintings are my morning practices. when i really want to test out paints or make something i know i will either display on my walls or give to someone else, then i bust out my beautiful expensive paper. besides, Canson XL is not the worst paper around. i know it's not cotton paper but it's pretty decent for practicing.

[@susanhamilton1822]

It is pretty good practice paper I agree. I'm sure you are well aware of the difference since you paint more than I do. I do hope your followers look into Legion Papers. I just love that company. I got a sample pack of 22 papers for about $15.00. I was stunned and happy.

[@Ishasathya]

Super ! Merci Ceecee 💙

[@Rockymtnbloom]

Absolutely love this! And your tips are so useful (I would have punched the front and back the same as you did, LOL) A question: was the journal cover cardboard or chipboard? Have you ever gotten paper stuck in the cutting process? Thanks so much for your helpful and often comical videos!

[@creationsceecee]

thank you, Debrah. the covers are cardboard to which i glued pattern paper. and no snags in the punching process. that punch is amazing!

[@laurachurch5034]

Awesome! Thanks

[@glorioskiola]

Great tips, thanks!

[@gailbolton4891]

I am soooooo jealous -- in a way. I have been thinking about buying a Circa punch for a very long time. I'm delighted to see someone demonstrate the fact that it works easily. I am curious as to whether you still use a disc-bound system as I've only been watching you for a couple of months and haven't really seen you use this sort of journal before. And if you just don't bind your journals this way anymore I hope you will explain why you no longer do. By the way, I checked out The Brush Guys looking for a triangle brush and couldn't find anything of the sort on their site. But I did find triangle brushes in two sized on Jerrysartarama.com so I bought one of each and am glad I did. I thoroughly enjoy your channel. Thank you for all your tips and tricks and experiments!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

It’s not real binding, pages will fall apart. Why bother, just keep lose pages in a folder. No need to waste your time and money on this ВS. It is NOT real binding. Real one has STITCHES!!! Always! This ring 💩 is fake and seriously idiоtic. Childish. No eeal artist will ever use this сrаp 😂

[@nattyw495]

I bought a roll of arches that was 10 yds... I just ripped/ cut down 15 sheets than cut those sheets down now I'm in delimia how to bind the different sizes I cut down...lol I know this product was a few yrs ago do you know if it's still available I saw how you did a awl punch video sketch book do you find after all this time fast and easy to use for sketching in? Which one did you like best the one you sewed or the hole punch one after all these yrs as I'm a novice at wc and bought to bigg of a roll I can make some mistakes on journal sketch book by hand but financial and time I'd like a easy process I can do especially as I have some mobility issues due to age....thankmyou for any suggestions I've just folded some sheets over but would like to attach them to make a booklet either to slide into a old nook tablet cover orc old pocket calendar began leather cover, or just plain folded wcp for weight of easy to transport.....

[@KleanSpa]

P.S. Another gal on KZbin used the plastic place mats from Ikea for her back and cover!

[@maycomtois7711]

Love it.... thanks

[@winelover215]

@creationsceecee I may have missed it but what size discs did you use?

[@creationsceecee]

about 1-3/4". no specific size is mentioned on the packaging but i measured.

[@kcalderhead]

Do you still use this system? I use it for planning. I tried making my own WC sketchbook but I struggling with the paper staying in.

[@creationsceecee]

i haven't made another journal because i was gifted with one. but i will use it again for sure.

[@likedeer_watercolor7222]

Very Nice !!!

[@yvloma8670]

If your cutter is 12” why do you cut the 12”cut by hand with a craft knife? Can’t you cut a 13” cut from your 24”paper and then cut that in half at 9”?

[@yvloma8670]

12” not 13”

[@creationsceecee]

i don't cut 12" with the craft knife.... i cut AT the 12" mark. orginally, the paper measures 24" X 18" therefore there is no way i can slide the paper trimmer which only has an opening of 12" to be able to cut . i need to split it down the middle in order to be able to slide the paper into the 12" paper trimmer. hope that helps.

[@yvloma8670]

creationsceecee Oh yes, I see now! Thank you. I love your style of painting and your videos. Very beautiful and inspiring! Please keep them coming!

[@Manara111111]

This is jenious

[@catafest]

Good review . For $ 85 is twice price of Binding Machine Paper. Thank's for share.

[@urbanchili]

I would not let standards decide the size of your paper. I would suggest to use passpartout.

[@mary.reynolds6391]

Turn your cardboard around and punch other end.

[@yvloma8670]

12” not 13”

[@navyboymommygramma]

Good Lord Almighty woman! What are you trying to do to me? You want me to have to bust out the piggy bank of sneaky purchases? You know what that is, the purchase you can pretend you didn't make cuz it never shows on the bank statement. It's a lot more useful when you are actually a for real married person. Yeah, that's a trip into hell I won't put YOU thru. You're welcome. Where was I? Oh yeah, I forgot, my piggy bank has expired. Grandkids and yard sales! How can you say no to them?! So, getting that punch and disc system may be further down the lane then I would like but never fear, I shall persevere. My hands suck and the last two little books I made were fun to do but.....PAINFUL. So that system would be quite useful. So thanx, thanks a bunch. No, seriously... thank you for sharing this ( further drain on my bank account, poor thing) lovely new product. ;) Have yourself a Wonderful Wednesday

[@navyboymommygramma]

Oh yeah, I DO love your book. And I love the covers. I have some paper just like that or very similar but haven't used it cuz you only get 2 of each design in the paper pads I buy so I'm hoarding it. I pull it out now and then just to gaze admiringly at it, smile, knowing I have it to use any way I want. Then I toss it back on the floor , under the table where the dog may or may not chew on the corners of it🤗

[@creationsceecee]

my gosh, Elizabeth, you made me snort water out of my nose. you're too funny. get that punch of your mind for now. just say you don't need it.... repeat after me: i don't need it, i don't need it. then go play with your paints and put it out of your mind.

[@navyboymommygramma]

Oops, maybe I should post a health warning before my comments. "Warning: Do not eat or drink while reading the proceeding comment as it may cause instantaneous nasal evacuation of either food or drink"👃👈😂

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Looks like fake bound. Not really a proper bound, since pages are removable. Worse than spiral or glued block.