Make a Super-Quick No-Sew Folding Journal

This is one of the quickest journals you can make. Choose whatever paper you like--for a watercolor sketch journal, I usually use 140 lb. watercolor paper, but you can use lighter if you like. Because it's a single sheet of paper, you may have two slightly different surfaces, but I DO usually work on both sides, anyway.
Cold pressed (NOT) or hot pressed may work best for this kind of journal, but you may prefer a multi-media or toned paper...make one of each, they're easy!
Depending on whether you add a cover or decide to make some of the double pages into an envelope (shown in the video), you may have 27 to 32 or more pages to work in--lovely for a dedicated-subject journal or a travel journal!
You could choose a more traditional cover that would wrap around your journal pages, making it more like a case-bound book, but then you couldn't work on both sides of the paper. (And you'd only have 16 pages to work on...)
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Unfortunately the CD is no longer available, sorry!
I hope to make it available as a download at some point.

[@jimscanoe]

"But, this is a quick and dirty journal; so, we're not going to worry about it." Thank you so much for showing how to make these low cost, personal watercolor journals : )

[@CathyJohnson]

You're welcome! These are fun to work in...

[@ratherbfishing455]

I love your name!

[@thewanderingbrushwatercolorart]

Why didn't I ever think of this before, 5 years into watercolor and my friend does the binding ones which are great but pricey! yay so many options, affordable and customizable!

[@CathyJohnson]

You'll love it! It makes a very interesting final journal all opened up, too...

[@donnab6464]

This is so cool. I know I will have to save this link and use it for reference for the first couple of times I make one. Thank you Cathy for your generosity in sharing so many of your tips and tricks!

[@gingerdevalue2201]

Cathy, I love your books, your work, you SBS class, and this journal is fabulous. Thank you for being so generous with your skills, knowledge, and tips.

[@CathyJohnson]

Thank you so much, you're very kind!

[@littlebirdie2]

Well, YT finally placed something great in my feed… Discovering you only ten years after you recorded this! :). I LOVE your art work, especially the paintings at the lake… SO lovely! Also, your portrait of your sweet one and your GoRgeOus cover art ! Thank you for doing this clear and enjoyable tutorial of a very useful folder!!!! I will teach my girls and their kids (grown) this technique. Hope when I look, you are still sharing your art ! So enjoyable… Be well, Terry Y., Here in Texas

[@CathyJohnson]

glad you enjoyed!

[@ullazitabinder2091]

what a wonderful and charming way to make a journal! I'm definitely going to use this!! I'm not into sewing at all :) As a beginner with watercolor and drawing one could use this journals for studies. I see myself make a few of these journals, using one for trees, one for skies, one for flowers and such! And instead having all your paintings in a box or all over the room, you now have them nicely piled in beautiful folders :) Thank you for sharing this amazing video!

[@CathyJohnson]

How lovely! I just made a new one for myself, too...

[@dhpatt]

Cathy - Thank you for sharing, again! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your generous spirit. Thank you for your videos! I am self-taught as well, and you are an inspiration.

[@ElizabethMacDonaldArtist]

I love coming back to visit your KZbin channel. This is one of my favorite tutorials of yours. Thanks so much. You have a big heart, lovely voice, and beautiful watercolours.

[@bethbenton3727]

Thank you so much for this! I have wanted to make my own watercolor journal for a long time, but didn’t know how and couldn’t find complete instructions. I’m off to order a full sheet so I can make this. Thanks again! 💕

[@CathyJohnson]

Have fun! These are such handy things, and so quick...

[@sarahfranklin2480]

This looks great, and really simple. I'll definitely give it a go!

[@CathyJohnson]

Have fun!

[@PatrickLeyGreaves]

fantastic video just what I needed. very clear instruction. A BIG thank you.

[@CathyJohnson]

+Patrick Ley-Greaves (Pure Watercolour), glad to help! These are fun to use.

[@valeriecollard3163]

Thank you very much for this tuto ! I’m very happy with it 😊

[@CathyJohnson]

Glad you liked it!

[@artbyjune]

What a great idea fro a folded paper journal. Especially with the hard covers. I look forward to trying it out.

[@GM-yn9nc]

I just made a little journal (per your instructions) and I am so thankful to find your step by step directions again! Thank you and hope you're doing well ❤️

[@CathyJohnson]

You are so welcome!

[@bundles549]

I've seen meander books and usually they are tiny little books. I like the idea of using a whole sheet of watercolor paper and ending up with pages that are a usable size. Very easy to make! Thanks for saying that the paper will fight back at certain times. Mine did, but it still turned out nicely. Now I am ready to put a nice cover on the pages.

[@CathyJohnson]

Yes, it's nice to have a variety of sizes...I like my new square one, but I've also just done one with a full sheet of watercolor paper, 22 x 30--you need plenty of room to fold, but when you're done you really have something nice!

[@Elevatorbakery]

This is AWESOME! I cant wait to get paper so I can make one. Thank you

[@violetsme6960]

Thank you so much, Cathy, for sharing your creative mind with us. Your youtubes (all of them) always inspire me to go paint something. I hope you are doing well and enjoying life with your knight. Have a wonderful weekend! ~Laura

[@sherriesimpson8490]

Great journal, Cathy. I used this type of journal on my recent visit to New Zealand. I carry a small purse, and I wanted my journal to fit comfortably inside, so I reduced the dimensions a bit. Yes, it didn't come out even, so I ended up throwing away a little bit of paper, but I had more pages. It was the perfect lightweight little travel journal for my trip. Thank you so much.

[@bonniemiller3587]

Oh wow! I'm languishing in bed with Mr Miaow watching KZbin...and I have never seen any of you videos before! Where have I been? Your instructions are so clear and you make it look really easy. Time will tell on that one. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@CathyJohnson]

Well I'm glad you found us!

[@bevroberts8440]

Love this. I've been watching DIY WC journals for weeks and this is The One for me. Thanks for sharing this!

[@CathyJohnson]

I'm just finishing up another one now!

[@nyaaaaaa2195]

will try this! thank you so much for the ideas and the inspirations :)

[@trixxieland1789]

Thanks for the inspiration! I'm looking forward to making my first one. Always nice to have one of your videos pop into my subscription feed. Thanks again!

[@elaynegreaves9511]

Just made mine using 300 GSM Waterford watercolour paper AND painted my first page .... water lilies. .. this is going to be a Xmas gift for someone special. Thank you Cathy....xx

[@CathyJohnson]

I love to hear this! That will be a wonderful present.

[@rebeccapage4411]

Thank you for sharing so many ideas to keep watercolor economical. This is quite clever!

[@musicaloveraj]

I love this! I think it would be a great travel journal and paste stuff in like a old fashion scrapbook. I know with my pets that their hair goes everywhere!

[@jackieo6882]

I really like your art. especially the "parking lot people". I can see that being a book title.

[@CathyJohnson]

It sure could be! I do a lot of them, and waiting room people...

[@claudlili]

this is so beautiful! i wanted to watch just to learn how to make the journal and wasn't expecting the art work. Thank you!

[@CathyJohnson]

Thank you!

[@glendadyar8975]

Wow, this is awesome with large sheets of paper! Thanks!

[@PriscillaGeorge112]

This is great! I'll be making these all the time.

[@TerryKrysak]

Great video, I will for sure make my own, as I have a bunch of sheets of 140 LB Arches watercolor paper on hand. Wonderful idea!!!

[@lbfrancisful]

Yours is my favorite video on how to make an accordion sketchbook. I agree with another comment that said you have a great "palette-side manner". So gentle and easy on the spirit. I love your watercolors, also. I have a favorite lake I spend time at, also and...guess what?! I just made two sketchbooks, following your instructions. One is with Canson Classic Cream Drawing Paper - 90 lb - 18 X 24. The other is 120 lb watercolor hotpress paper. I got them both from Dick Blick two years ago and wanted to make these books all this time! I'm so thrilled with them. I used mat board, like you suggested, for covers. I covered the watercolor one with brown packing paper that I had used to clean my brayer on while making gelli plate prints. WOWEE! Delicious. You are so inspiring and I'm glad I found you. I'm going to the beach now and taking them with me. I may try to post a picture of them later. God Bless.

[@CathyJohnson]

another of my quick videos, this one on making a simple journal!

[@wednesdaygroup8776]

Cathy Johnson sketch pad

[@CathyJohnson]

Rexie, KZbin is not giving me the option to respond below your question! Anyway, no, I don't, I prefer to be able to open them up completely once finished. I've tried them both ways, and this allows me to work on both sides easily. Sometimes they DO unfold spontaneously, so I usually try to work on a table or other flat surface!

[@CraftAmundous]

Actually I was thinking more about that, and without the joint, you could use both sides of the pages. I am going to devise some sort of closure to prevent the unexpected exploding of the book. I already made one page block with a watercolor sheet that's been sitting around for years unused. That was the quickest block of pages I have ever made. Awesomesauce!

[@CraftAmundous]

Rexie R Or one could make a removable fabric cover, a temporary joint. All kinds of ideas popping up.

[@CathyJohnson]

Rexie R Ooooh, let me know what works for you!

[@CathyJohnson]

The ones I can't respond to are linked comments, whatever that means! Rexie R

[@CraftAmundous]

Hrrrmmm, there was no link in my initial comment. So wierd.

[@andriagrobler]

Cathy Johnson you've inspired me! Thanks you

[@DonLow]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Blissfulthings]

That's a great little journal Cathy!.. Thank you so much for the video :)

[@CathyJohnson]

Glad you liked it!

[@FiddleKate]

Thank you so much for this! I like doing little things... so want to try a small one.

[@sarahdownton7754]

Brilliant video, thank you. I made a small prototype a few years ago and ended up with a book that didn’t concertina properly. I had 3 faces per line. I see from your easy instructions that you actually need 4 faces along each ‘arm’ so it concertinas in a continual line. Brilliant video

[@CathyJohnson]

Thank you, I'm glad it helped!

[@sarahdownton7754]

Thank you for your reply. 😊 Actually I’ve just experimented and found I’d folded my first one wrong and 3 panels will make a straight zig zag too 😂 But I’m sure you already knew that. Since watching your video today I’ve mocked up a sort of square one, a landscape one and a portrait all from the same size UK printer paper A4, great fun……now to buy some watercolour paper and make my choice. Thank you x

[@kerryheller1754]

This was the best tutorial. Thank you.

[@CathyJohnson]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@JoCastilloArt]

Thank you, Cathy. This is useful and fun. Inspiring.

[@auntbarbara5696]

That's the coolest thing, now I know how to make my watercolor sheets into books! Subbed!

[@fayfayg]

This is extremely helpful and awesome idea! Thank you!

[@CathyJohnson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SigridFrensen]

Oh wow, Kate! I totally missed it and stumbled upon it somewhere on the Internet. It is just what I've been looking for. Going to make some for myself and some as gifts for my botanical artist friends. So clever! Thanks for sharing. You're amazing :)

[@CathyJohnson]

Hi Sigrid! Glad to help, I'm enjoying using one right now, and have another in the wings. Your friend will be delighted, I know!

[@suzieirby2137]

Thanks Cathy! I am still in the stage of messing up too many paintings for this, so I just buy over-the-counter. But I love this idea. I have one of your books and another on the way soon. Thanks for your KZbin videos; I was needing a "Cathy Fix".

[@deeneannford8166]

oh I am so excited to do this with my grandchildren...fun fun fun..thank you~~

[@ScarlettO323]

Thank you very much for this demonstration! Can't wait to give it a try. Maybe add a piece of elastic to your cover to hold it shut.

[@CathyJohnson]

Kelly Morgan Merly, I mostly do that these days!

[@ginalento9937]

Omigosh Cathy, this is awesome!!! I have been teaching folks how to make stitch type pamphlets but this one is so simple! I love it!

[@vani519]

Oh I am so DEFINITELY doing this today!!! I guess this video screwed my plans on doing laundry today *lol

[@vani519]

Forgot to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[@CathyJohnson]

There might be time to do both, it's pretty easy! :)

[@The126869]

Cathy, I can't wait to try this out!! I have wanted to make my own watercolor sketchbook (without the huge investment of another 'hobby'). Thank you for this video.... I plan on purchasing the DVD you have for bookbinding also!

[@CathyJohnson]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy your new journal! It IS nice that it's very little investment of time or expense, a great way to get your feet wet--and your watercolors! (And by the way, "cat fuzz" was my dad's nickname for me when I was a kid!)

[@CathyJohnson]

Sherry, I'm sorry, I don't seem to have the reply option. I don't understand your question...do you mean is there a book that goes with my CD?

[@mzmolly4898]

So awesome, thank you for sharing!

[@maggieinsc1967]

Loved it!! Thanks!!

[@natford8271]

It made me smile to see the picture of Merlin.

[@jacquelynrayunas9056]

I love . So cool !

[@henrycems]

Very cool I love it thanks. You know the cat hair in the cover make it more yours and the cat LOL. I sometimes if I am painting near a creek will use creek water with my watercolors it makes the enviroment part of the painting. Take care and again thanks.

[@CathyJohnson]

I like to do that too, Henry!

[@Naturepainter]

Once when I painted with creek water I later realized there was a dead fish upstream. Eleven years later, that journal is still very "special" in how it brings back memories!

[@bababaju829]

love this. thanks!

[@ruthpalomboweiss5501]

I'm going to Guatemala in the summer and was wondering how I would carry all of my oil painting equipment, but now you've given me a great idea to go small and use watercolor. Thanks.

[@CathyJohnson]

Ruth Weiss Wonderful! That's why I share these things, to encourage people.

[@Ammassalik1]

Done in three parts (every is about 18X26 cm = 18 rectangular pages to watercolor or sketch. This is the format that I habitual use)! To carry it around, so that it does not open, I will tie it with a free pretty ribbon (one which bound the chocolate Easter egg). Next one I'll try your: smaller and with more pages. Thanks a lot!

[@ombry2]

Veramente una bella idea, grazie!

[@jepi71c]

I'll have to watch this again sometime; good way to make the most of your paper, plus more pages and or envelope, thanks for sharing : )

[@CathyJohnson]

I've gotten hooked, I keep MAKING these!

[@lavenderdaydreams1239]

Hi Kate, this is awesome! I think I have your bookbinding CD, just not a lot of time right now. Trying to get inspired to get back to sketching! I could look through your journals all day! :)

[@encouraginghope7657]

Love this!! I can't wait to try and make one although I think I may have to watch and watch again. I'm interested in your CD but I don't have a CD player on my computer. Have you considered making it available for purchase as a digital download? You are a WONDERFUL artist!! I love your colors in your paintings and how you simplify landscapes is lovely!!

[@musicsummer129]

This is SO cool. I can't believe I've never seen something like this before! I'm discovering your page from your deeply kind post in the Artist facebook page. Wonderful! It's so calming too.

[@CathyJohnson]

Glad you enjoy it! I love making these little things...

[@steina40]

Love it!

[@theartfuljourney2243]

I love this! I've made sewn pamphlet style journals from sheets of Stonehenge, and this would give me something even more interesting! Thank you for sharing. And your painting (as always) is just divine.

[@CathyJohnson]

Thank you! Have fun...

[@beaulabix5933]

Gratzi, Cathy. You are so cool.

[@Sans-nx4cx]

i love it!

[@martycrouz5974]

Merci beaucoup ! Thanks a lot. C'est ingénieux :-)

[@belebbb]

Let me say that you are simply wonderful! I'm in love with your videos and I quickly became your fan hehe :) Greetings from Chile :D

[@CathyJohnson]

Thank you so much!

[@purplepaint1]

Okay! I am on my way to the basement to make one of these!!!

[@CathyJohnson]

Have fun! I need to finish a few up myself!

[@treetop0000]

Thanks!!

[@catherinecohu1851]

Merci beaucoup c’est chouette pour faire un carnet de voyage il faut des grandes feuilles à dessin ✍️

[@CathyJohnson]

glad to help!

[@treetop0000]

Cathy, was wondering how you did the lovely white "stick trees" on the "Rocky Hollow" page in your journal. Maybe there is another video you have already done showing this technique? Love your videos. So relaxing and comforting to watch. You have a great "palette side" manner!

[@CathyJohnson]

I used a wax crayon for a resist, and then scratched out the smaller branches--and thank you!

[@dhpatt]

Wish you would do videos on painting watercolor people - in a crowd - parking lot - just quick watercolor sketching of human figures. Thank you.

[@gaetancharlebois9327]

Thank you!!

[@akartisan]

I make these, but have made some modifications to them. I cover matboard cut to size with marbled or decorative papers, then glue a piece of 1/4" elastic around the back cover, then I make a simple "spine" out of colored duct tape that wraps around the edges of the covers by about 1/4 on each side and meets in the middle with about 1/2" space left for the book in the center. I glue just the last page in over the elastic, then glue a decorative endpaper over the inside of the front matboard.cover. Hope this makes sense.

[@CathyJohnson]

Yes, I thought if a person wanted to, you could make a soft-spine book...but then you can't work on both sides of the paper, can you? I like to do that, makes more pages possible. Love the idea of the elastic, thanks!!

[@akartisan]

Cathy Johnson because I don't glue in the first page, I can still work on both sides of the paper. I liked your pocket. I've always told people they could do that, but never do. I glue a decorative endpaper inside the front cover because I don't glue the first page in. Hope that is more clear.

[@ilovetobemom]

Oh boy thank you so so much

[@erniebakeswell9623]

3:50 how to make starts. brilliant! simple! cost-effective!

[@jackieo6882]

thank you!

[@natford8271]

I remember suggesting Merlin’s name on LJ.

[@akartisan]

I forgot to say that I like to use BFK Rives by Canson because it folds without cracking.

[@CathyJohnson]

thanks, Sue! The Fabriano didn't crack much, but Arches sure does...

[@blackchaos8206]

that cool

[@karensucher4056]

❤❤❤

[@SunshineLeclair]

wonderful video - I'm going to try one! I love the square one, but what size is the paper you start with? It seems it would have to be a huge sheet! Donna

[@CathyJohnson]

That one was a full sheet, torn to be square, yes. Easy, though!

[@SunshineLeclair]

but you must be using a large sheet ... what is the dimension of your sheet?

[@purpleiris6521]

You end up with eight sections, so guesstimate the size of one page, multiple that by eight, and you will get your paper start size.

[@jenniferlano2702]

love the larger square journal....what size paper do i need to start with to get this size? it looks to be about a 6x6....thank you!

[@CathyJohnson]

Jennifer, it was a full sheet, 22 x 30, that I cut to be square...so 22" x 22". (If you do three folds on the long way and only 2 on the short on a full sheet, you end up with a square, but fewer pages. I prefer to cut the paper!)

[@leannemcdonald6905]

Hey Cathy, I was just wondering if these would be ok to be dragged around a college campus ?

[@joewigfall1874]

3:43 Folding process begins here.

[@minniepea25676]

Did you draw on the cover or was it an attachment? Because it looks really nice

[@CathyJohnson]

minniepea25676 the jack on the cover is an antique playing card, couldn't resist adding it!

[@freespirit.8958]

Did you draw thos pictures? i like the art work

[@CathyJohnson]

+Freespirit yes, that's one of my own journals.

[@zoilarivera8866]

Where would I purchase big watercolor paper? I would love to make my first one, what size do you suggest? I love you so much...your so gifted, God bless you.

[@CathyJohnson]

You can buy full sheets from most art supply stores, or online from places like Dick Blick, Daniel Smith, Jerry's Artarama, Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, etc...and thank you!

[@zoilarivera8866]

What size should I buy the watercolor paper to be able to fold into a book?

[@CathyJohnson]

Zoila Rivera Full sheets are 22 x 30, which makes a book about 5-1/2 x 7-1/2"

[@GwynethSleuth]

Cathy Johnson Thank you for that information about the sizes. I was wondering how you would paint on the tiny book you made as a demo! With a 0 brush? (or was that only "for demonstration purposes only"? :-)

[@CathyJohnson]

I usually buy my big paper from one of the online suppliers, most of them ship with no problem. Solange, it was mostly a demo, but I DO use small ones in my purse, mostly to draw in or to test colors.

[@loriseabrook1906]

I love the square one alot and the mini one. What are the sizes of the 2 papers please?Thanks for Sharing!!! :)

[@CathyJohnson]

Lori, to make a regular one, I normally start with either a full sheet of watercolor paper--about 22" x 30", or a tear or cut it to be a square, 22" x 22" The one I did as a demo was just a sheet of typing paper!

[@loriseabrook1906]

TY for the quick reply have a blessed day!

[@sherryhabing8104]

Is there a book available at chapters with cd?

[@lamargot2201]

Have you ever tried making one that you fold into five sections instead of four along the length? To get a more square-ish shape without having to cut a piece off? Never mind, I think I will try it with a regular sheet of printer paper. Beautiful green scarf in the background. Do you knit, too?

[@CathyJohnson]

I haven't, let me know how it turns out! And no, a friend made that scarf for me, isn't it gorgeous?

[@lamargot2201]

I tried it and it turned out great! A little wonky because I measured it wrong and the last panel was slightly narrower than the others so every so often I have a page the wrong size but otherwise I'm happy with it. My local art shop is having a sale of 30% off all loose papers tomorrow, including Arches, so I'm going to do this! Thank you for the tutorial. The scarf is indeed gorgeous but you must be a good friend to deserve it. I am very choosy who I knit for.

[@CathyJohnson]

Excellent! Let me know if you like it in the larger size! I'm not sure about Arches for that, Roz Stendahl, who makes journals and has tried lots of different papers, says Arches breaks where it folds, often...doesn't fold well, in any case. I tried it with one sheet and found the same thing.

[@CraftAmundous]

You don't add a cover joint? How would you prevent your book from completely unfolding?

[@CraftAmundous]

Hmm I wonder why it won't let you reply...that's wierd.

[@deezynar]

I have a tendency to think my sketches are rather precious so I like to do them on separate pieces of paper rather than in a journal. How did you overcome that mentality?

[@CathyJohnson]

I think because as a freelancer sometimes everything becomes about earning a living, and it sucked the joy out of making art. So if something's in my journal, I CAN'T mat and frame them. They're done for the sheer joy of it. (And sure, sometimes I scan them and use them as illustrations, but for the most part, they're MINE, and not "work." :D

[@deezynar]

Cathy Johnson Aah! That makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

[@kemperneckkay2887]

Love your sketching. I have a dog named Pepe. How do you spell your cats name? Thanks for sharing.

[@CathyJohnson]

+Marykay Weaver, that's funny! My husband spells it Pepe, and I spell it Pepi. And thank you!

[@truemirror]

would scoring before folding help?

[@CathyJohnson]

I imagine it would, I just didn't take the time! You' have to measure pretty carefully, and I tend to just the natural fold lines for my measures.

[@truemirror]

If made for a gift I guess I would do all the measuring and scoring, but for my own use, I'd do with out too. I'm loving these.

[@CathyJohnson]

truemirror I was definitely going for speed and easy construction!

[@truemirror]

It turned out great and instructions very easy to follow. :)

[@andrewfrankovic6821]

Years after the fact but I jumped on your scoring idea. Worked great.@@truemirror

[@barbararivera2380]

:)