Journal Covering

Hello here I am again...hope this blog is working now!
Jajajaja better take thing the easy way!
I did a Journal covering, although I cover it with fabric, we use a cardboard to do the base, so when the journal is over, you can buy a new one and use the covering again!
From the post http://stampingall.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/journal-fabric-covering-wow.html,  and http://artscraftecofriendly.blogspot.co.uk/ the figure is almost at the end...I feel ashamed, so bad in blogging!
They say that and image worth more than thousand word so here they come!
I have already this type of cardboard from a book bought on line.  If you don't have one is very easy to do a template.

Open notebook and mark the size, the spine I usually make it wider that the original.

Always close it before cutting, so you can feel how loose or tight it is and make amendments.  

I want this reusable so I cut only the upper and bottom of my template.

I draw the template to the carton

Cut it to size then I fold it using the back of paint brush 

Always check the size is good before advancing

1. Look a standard notebook that you want to use
2. Use a paper or the template (photocopier paper, etc) 
3. Cover the notebook as you would with a present, mark the lines of the back and the side, if you want to make an reusable cover.

 Even you can use the carton from cereal boxes. the trick is layering with paper and glue, the more layers the more stronger it will get almost like doing papier mache, also you must let it dry before applying the next layer; it will be stronger. I would do the folding first with a blunt object, like the end of  a brush and a rule you mark the folding depending the size of the cover you want to make. Then I will begin covering it with paper and glue. How much layers? Depend of how soft is the carton but usually for me is 2 layers.

With a tip of a brush making the fold using a ruler.

If the carton is soft you can add thorn paper and glue, I usually use 1 or 2 layering.

I found an packaging that came with a book I bought from the internet.  If you don't have one like this look for a flexible cardboard, it doesn't have to be so strong or heavy, it can be soft type of card board. 

I always reinforce the folds with heavy duty duct paper, so they wouldn't tear out with use.

Re in force it in both fold outside and inner side, I use the flap  so I didn't cut it out.

Now you can begin covering it with the paper you like

I left this spine to cover it at the end.

At the end I decide to cover it with fabric I did a fabric cover but I still learning how to do it better, I made so many mistakes that I prefer to address them before explain her how.

I left the flap so I can insert the notebook here and re use it again and again

this is the back

I use Velcro to close and open the journal.

The flower were made with a left over fabric of a bag I made, just iron fusible sheet then I cut it with my die cuts. The fusible sheet help the fabric not to fray. Using some glitter I glitter the flowers.  The letters are free hand as the stem of the flowers.
Hope you enjoy it.
Please if you don't understand something e mail me.
Bye!