An easy but elegant gift to give to the writers and
artists in your life is a handmade accordion journal. Using a few simple materials and your own
personalization, these journals can be left blank for the recipient to write or
draw and paint in, or you can fill it with your own memories, poems, stories or
art.
You will need:
1. Two
identical rectangles or squares of cardboard cut to any size. Cut up cereal
boxes or gift boxes work well.
2. Craft
or brown paper (lunch bags, grocery bags or package paper)
3. Large
sheet of heavyweight paper (watercolor paper or mixed media paper)
4. Glue
or Mod Podge
5. Black
acrylic paint (available in craft stores in small bottles)
6. Metallic
paint in color of your choice (available in craft stores in small bottles)
7. Any
embellishments you want to use for the cover (Silk flowers, beads, metal
embellishments etc.)
Start by covering your
two cardboard pieces with torn pieces of craft or brown paper and glue
flat. These will be used for the front
and back cover of the journal. When dry, paint the covers first in black
acrylic paint, and when dry, cover over black in metallic paint. Next, cut a long strip of watercolor or other
heavy weight paper. This should be slightly smaller in size than the height and
width of the covers. Fold the paper back and forth in an accordion fold so it
will fit inside each cover. Glue the first and last pages of your blank paper to
the inside of the front and back covers. Place completed journal under
something heavy overnight to flatten out pages. If desired, add your own touch
to the inside or leave blank. Decorate front cover with embellishments.
Wishing all our readers
a very happy holiday season and all the best for the coming year!
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