Handmade Art Journal Tutorial

The best art journal should take wet media well and open completely flat from the first page to the last. Here is a detailed tutorial about my favorite, simple technique to make your own from a pad of watercolor paper! For more info and the supplies list, head over to this blog post: www.lalymille.com/blog/how-to...
Need a little nudge of inspiration to fill your journal with beautiful pages? I'd love to be your guide in one of my online workshops! Find them all at www.lalymille.com/classes
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[@ellieferguson104]

Making a journal has always seemed rather complicated to me, but you have shown that it's not at all, so long as you get all the paper straight. I am going to give this a go, as I have never made a journal before. I can't wait for the retreat in a couple of days. I love listening to you, as you have a lovely soft voice to listen to. Thank you, from Lynne in New Zealand.

[@LalyMilleArts]

I'm so glad you're going to give this a go Lynne, it's so rewarding to work in a handmade journal, and remember it never has to be perfect!

[@giselecrevier3967]

I absolutely love this tutorial. This is where I feel I can truly start to create with freedom and Joy❤

[@LalyMilleArts]

Wonderful! The good thing about this type of journal is that you have the whole, flat surface to paint on. And it's not hard to make your own

[@cheryl7476]

Lady, thank you so much for the clear and concise instructions for making a beautiful journal. I’ve never done the Kettle Stitch. Not only does the journal lay flat, the binding is beautiful. I struggled with the Coptic stitch, and I like the look of this. Thank you, again.

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thanks Cheryl, I'm so happy you found this useful!

[@heyluvi]

I made a journal last night and it came out amazing! Thank you!!! I used wax thread which made my knots very obvious and I didn’t really like the look. So I glued a pretty ribbon to a piece of cotton twill, then glued this over my binding. Then I glued on the cereal box covers and it looks fantastic. I wish I could share a picture.

[@LalyMilleArts]

Yay! I'm so happy your journal turned out great! Now on to fill those pages!

[@AnneGaal]

Hi, Laly! I have always wanted to make my own bound book / journal and you inspired me with this video. I had made up a story in my head that creating one would be hard. But you made it seem so easy - like no big deal. You also embrace handmade imperfections in your work and that led me to embrace mine. As a result, I have now made my first TWO journals - one for me and one for a friend - plus another in-progress, and a planned 4th journal, too. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 💜

[@LalyMilleArts]

That's wonderful Anne, thank you for sharing!

[@lindseywarren44]

I have just now come across this video and I am SO grateful! Thank you for showing how to attach the signatures to each other. This is an excellent tutorial! Thank you very much! Bless

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Lindsey, I'm delighted you found it useful!

[@ka8byrdie]

The BEST tutorial on making an art j ournal. I love that you say "I was resisting it for a long time..." because I've done the same. But , with your tutorial I will make one today~ Thank you so much!~

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you! I'm delighted you found it helpful and that it made you want to make your own!

[@janetwebber7814]

This was great! Thank you!

[@sharonm3185]

Great tutorial! The first video that makes me feel like I can complete a lovely journal that won’t fall apart & it’s so accessible! I’ve felt very intimidated by the different terms ‘Coptic binding’, etc. you gave the technical terms but made it seem less complicated! Thank you! I also love that you started in the journal, wonderful tip! Otherwise what’s the point, right?! Brilliant, thank you!

[@LalyMilleArts]

I'm delighted you found it useful, happy journaling!

[@glendacox6540]

Brilliant, beautiful, simple!❤️❤️❤️

[@paulaspychala7477]

Laly, thank you so much for sharing an easy way to make a journal. Yours look beautiful and I am looking forward to making one of my own!

[@LalyMilleArts]

Have fun!

[@bryonnagail4779]

Thanks so much, Laly. This is SO inspiring! Looking forward to your new Art Journalling course.

[@LalyMilleArts]

Yay! Thank you!

[@susanboyter9034]

Well now this makes perfect sense to me. I've watched many and just gave up and didnt start but with your no nonsense tutorial I think I can go for it. Thanks. All people learn best in different ways and your common sense approach speaks to me. I do think how you've done this with white and creamy thread it was easier for my eyes

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Susan, have a great time making your own journal!

[@brigitvanrooij1689]

Thank you for sharing this! I will certainly make one. I love how you immediately start on one page. That is so helping.

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Brigit and have fun with your journal!

[@teresemartinez6215]

I love the Journal I made using this tutorial. It is not perfect, but I have so much fun working in it. Thank you for sharing.

[@LalyMilleArts]

Mine is not perfect either, that's part of the fun! Enjoy some sweet time with your journal!

[@Mizowi75]

Thank you for this tutorial! I’m inspired to create my own. I love the tip you gave of immediately beginning a page when you finished your book. I will remember that! ❤️

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you!

[@cherylmacedo5521]

Thank you for taking the time to walk us through this process Laly. It was very helpful, and inspirational to me. 🤍🤍🤍

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you!

[@vickiwarner9689]

Thank you Laly for your wonderful tutorial. I finished my first handmade art journal today and I am so happy. Your instructions were easy to follow and I loved the process. I know this is only the first one of many that I will make and use 💖

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Vicki!

[@bulldogsathome]

i have only recently found you and I am so glad I did! I love your style and am excited to try this way of making a journal! Thank you for this tutorial!

[@lalymille1407]

Thank you Shannon, welcome to my little art world! Making your own journal is so satisfying, enjoy!

[@karenbearden6198]

Thank you, I really enjoyed that! Great tips, beautiful journal.

[@RK-ws3eb]

That was carefully detailed. Thank you. I look forward to trying this!

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thanks! i hope you will!

[@margaretgallagher2962]

Thank you so much for this amazing uncomplicated technique for making a journal! What a great idea for my unused paper! I’m definitely making this journal, this weekend

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Margaret, have a great time!

[@dianaharrison2280]

Thank you for this excellent tutorial. I have just made my first two journals, one fo my granddaughter and one for myself - now the fun begins

[@LalyMilleArts]

Have fun with your granddaughter!

[@Zoomfreaky]

Thank you very much! The way you bind your signatures helped me solve how to add more signatures later on. Cool!

[@LalyMilleArts]

Great! I never even thought of that!

[@luannrichardson1436]

I can do this! Thank you for a great tutorial. 😍

[@tharp2499]

Thank you so much for this video. I've decided to make myself an actual 'art journal' in an attempt to find my creativity...she's been lost. I love the organic method of the stitching and how beautifully the pages lie open. A final thx for showing me how to break the blank page. I have a problem with "perfectionism" & I would be intimidated to 'mess' it up. Ty for the inspiration!

[@LalyMilleArts]

I'm delighted you found this helpful! If you're just starting with art journaling, don't hesitate to check out the resources available on my website here: www.lalymille.com/in-my-journal/

[@pattybover3357]

This is beautiful! Thank you, Laly!!

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thanks Patty!

[@ArgeeP]

Thank you for this video! I spent my day making several of different sizes and am soooooo pleased with the results! Your work is lovely and I am enjoying watching your videos very much

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Ronnie! I'm so happy this is inspiring you and that you were able to make a whole little family of journals!

[@kimjansen427]

Thank you for explaining how to bind art journals. It was tricky because my first try wasn't really straight. But practice makes perfect.

[@glendacox6540]

Thank you for such useful tips.

[@phyllisrondeau4886]

I love this and the fact you don't hurry and you are very exact in measurements.i made a small one years ago.now I'm going to.start one just like yours.im sure I'll be so satisfied with it.thank you.i would like to see paintings inside.be well

[@LalyMilleArts]

Have fun with making your own journal! You can flip through my journal with this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZbSlWejq6eBgJI Enjoy!

[@Aletheiasjournal]

I loved this way to make a journal. I'll try for sure, thanks so much! 🥰🥰

[@LalyMilleArts]

Have fun!

[@julianajujuribeirao2315]

I LOVE THIS! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@LalyMilleArts]

😊❤️

[@michelleanderson6085]

This was very beautifully done. Thank you

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you!

[@pallasvititoe6404]

Thank you for the tutorial. I like your binding that allows the pages to lay flat. That'll be a learning curve for me as I've not used that binding method. I would like to cover the outside binding stitches, but wonder if it would lay flat after doing that.

[@LalyMilleArts]

If you cover it something loose and flexible enough, that shouldn't be a problem. Let me know how it goes!

[@dianneballard7948]

Wonderful tutorial will certainly be a challenge thank you so much

[@geraldine1997]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial.

[@LalyMilleArts]

I hope you'll give it a try!

[@johngrotegut6034]

i love this thank you sooo much for doing this! Now i don't have to buy anymore sketchbooks.

[@kerrieb7473]

Great tutorial. Many thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you so much!

[@lauralu4175]

I love this tutorial. Thank you so much. 🧚🏽‍♂️💖💐🎉🌺🙏🏽🎨🌸✍🏼

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Laura 🙏🏻

[@elliangel2172]

Love this tutorial and all your work. I'm also not a big fan of measuring and quite often using what I've got. It keeps my imagination open to new ideas:) Wanting to make a journal for a long time just didn't know where to start from but you got me thinking now. Thanks for sharing your work and experience.

[@LalyMilleArts]

So glad you found it helpful Elli!

[@elliangel2172]

@@LalyMilleArts Here are the first pages of my mini journal, after watching your video:) unique4angel.blogspot.com/2018/10/just-for-love-of-it.html

[@korsgaardjournals1422]

Have just found you and have to say a BIG thanks for sharing this method for binding. I’m working on my first decoupage journal so thank you very much 🙏😀 Blessings from Denmark 🇩🇰 Tina

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Tina! I have plenty of art journaling resources on my website if you want some more inspiration: www.lalymille.com/art-journal

[@korsgaardjournals1422]

Laly Mille Arts big thanks I will absolutely look on your site 👍👏😀

[@sandrapowers6099]

You did such a good job of teaching how to make a beautiful watercolor journal😍😍😍. You did it nice and slow, explaining each and every step in the process. Thank you🙏 . Will save this video for later when I need to make another one. I have one that I made a while back. It isn’t nearly as well made as yours, but it works. I think one problem I have with it is that I made it way too thick, too many signatures,and too many pages! No way of filling this journal because I don’t use it enough! I like your version much better because it does not contain too many pages. Might have to make yours, so I have one that I can possibly fill, in this lifetime! Ha! Thanks for your very good video😊😊😊💕

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you Sandra! Maybe you could remove some signatures from the one you have? You could turn it into 2 journals ;)

[@koyosensebe8027]

Thank you so much for this amazing video, you are amazing!

[@LalyMilleArts]

You're so sweet. I hope you give it a try and make a journal!

[@dianneblake]

Love your beautiful style 🥰

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you!

[@rosebud447]

Wonderful ❤️

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thanks Vera!

[@Bettina_endelt]

Thank you so much 🤗🤗🤗🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰

[@janitamantel5333]

thank you, thank you, thank you

[@impish22]

great tutorial..!!

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you!

[@suzannerobertson3995]

This is a perfect tutorial. I’ve been wanting to make these but was a bit intimidating . Now it’s not! Thanks so much!

[@LalyMilleArts]

Yay! that makes me so happy, enjoy!

[@valeriejohnson2367]

Thank you.......🙏

[@LalyMilleArts]

My pleasure!

[@irenevantonder3391]

Thank you Laly. I just found this tutorial now. I am very keen to make my first journal!!! I am really a beginner, so will be following you!!! May i ask what thread you used, please?

[@LalyMilleArts]

I used some regular thread. The one they sell for jeans or upholstery works great as it's thick enough.

[@Hyacinth000]

Awesome tutorial. I have a question. If I don’t have graph paper, how else can I make my marks? Thank you 😊

[@johngrotegut6034]

question, do you have to use the grid paper for this. i just dont know if we have any at my house

[@LalyMilleArts]

Sorry I only just found your question! To anyone still wondering: no this is not absolutely necessary, I just find it handy especially since the kids use it for school so I have plenty around the house ;)

[@annemarie3r]

+++++++++ very nice explications ! thanks ....

[@LalyMilleArts]

Thank you!

[@Bunefoo401]

Loved this tutorial .... going to rewatch it with sound ... do you address how you seal the seams? Especially with open back. (I’ll have to see, LOL)

[@LalyMilleArts]

I don't seal the seams at all but most of my spreads start with some collage which usually overlaps the seam.

[@carinemorganeblue9435]

🥰🙏

[@anyajohnson7965]

I love this so much. Please please make one that can help me with my major issue of FAT JOURNALS. I CAN NOT EVER SEEM TO FINISH A SINGLE. JOURNAL SINCE MY JOURNAL WOULD LITERALLY LAY OPEN IF I DO..... HELP? (AND YES, I HAVE TRIED RUBBER BANDS, STRINGS AND BUTTONS, ETC.) how do I increase the amount of room in the bindings between each page so I can journal and not be ticked off half way through. .....

[@Hyacinth000]

I apologize but I have one more question. I’m also wanting to do 6 signatures sohow would I stitch the next three?Thank You again so much.

[@pesto12601]

Rinse and repeat...

[@LalyMilleArts]

Hi! Sorry I didn't see your questions before. You can stitch as many signatures as you like in the same manner that you do the 3rd one. And if you don't have squared paper you can use lined paper instead or just a ruler ;)

[@Aneenvw]

Laly, I bought an A3 pad of paper (200gsm) thinking I am going to fold it and make an A4 book. But the grain is going in the wrong direction? Should I just do it anyway?

[@LalyMilleArts]

Sorry I only just saw your comment, yes do it, for mixed media art, where we use a lot of collage, the grain doesn't really matter 😉

[@Aneenvw]

Ah thank you!

[@LauraLouLou]

I didn’t read all the comments but if you put you ends through the eye of the needle and leave a loop at the long end of your thread then you just put the needle through that loop and you won’t have a knot at your spine.

[@mikimcmechan7821]

What kind of paper do you use for your journals

[@LalyMilleArts]

Heavy-weight watercolor or mixed media paper both work great. Have fun making your journal!

[@tinyfemaleshooter8756]

Is gel medium glue...is that like and elmers glue?

[@LalyMilleArts]

Gel medium is acrylic, so not the same as pva glue, but both work.

[@JacquelineJax]

I just figured out how to make an arches journal without sewing and by using every piece of what’s included in an archer’s paper pad you might like to learn how I’m gonna post a video soon on my page I just subscribe to you and I’m looking for your videos on how you do those beautiful journal pages

[@brittneyj-horn4152]

What kind of thread do you use?

[@LalyMilleArts]

I like to use what I've already got, so for my journals I simply use regular sewing thread, as long as it's not too fine. The kind of thread for sewing jeans is especially nice and sturdy, or for a fancier option, you can use waxed thread.

[@annatronson5927]

Do you usually account for the Grain of paper.

[@LalyMilleArts]

I prefer paper that is fairly smooth for my journals because anyway, most of it gets covered up with collage. It's a matter of personal preference.

[@annatronson5927]

@@LalyMilleArts Makes perfect sense! Thankyou! - Also, when folding the folio , does it make a difference which way the paper is folded. Long grain or short grain . 🙏🦋

[@LalyMilleArts]

@@annatronson5927 No, it doesn't matter.

[@annatronson5927]

@@LalyMilleArts I find focusing on “perfectionism” gets in way of creating. Analyzing the way paper blocks , sketchbooks etc are binded. Which way to fold sheets so the fold isn’t being forced , stiff and pops open easier! It gets ridiculous. And wrecks the fun! 🙏

[@LisaThill]

I made this journal and I was soooo proud....lol, mine looked nothing like yours on the side though...LOl..next time, room for improvement

[@tinyfemaleshooter8756]

I dont know what you do different with your journal….but, I really don’t add a lot of layering to mine…I mostly paint…and my water color paper really buckles up where I can’t even close my finished journal…🤷🏼‍♀️

[@anyajohnson7965]

Oh I see how you did this.....

[@pesto12601]

You lost me at "symbolic number"...

[@LalyMilleArts]

I meant a number that has a particular significance for you, making the journal that much more personal. It can be something as simple as date of birth or age.

[@pesto12601]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="505">8:25</a> - really no need for the clips which could dent into the paper and leave an impression... just line it up on both edges, give a quick fold and press and then use your boner to do the work... the clips - not needed.

[@LalyMilleArts]

Well, I guess it's a matter of preference, in my case it really helped ;)