This little journal has started a lot of talk in the Documented Life Project Facebook group.
I have had many questions on how I made the journal and my background pages. So, as promised to members in that group, I have put together a tutorial. Part 1 is about how to make the art journal binder from an old book.
Now, I have to start with a little confession: I am not too fond of watching tutorial videos. For those of you who make them, please don't get offended, it's just a matter of personal opinion. Many of you enjoy the personal connection with the artist that a tutorial video gives you, but in all honesty, I just want to get to the instructions and not listen to meandering thoughts and chit chat. (Again, no offense is meant!) It's just a matter of wiring I guess. I'm a bit A.D.D and get distracted easily when things go off-topic and then I loose focus and interest. I prefer written and photo tutorials so I can stop at each phase of the project and work while the photo is on the screen.I'm going to give Valerie Sjodin a plug here because she does class videos well, keeping focused on the topic and the instructions. (http://valeriesjodin.com/
I wanted to offer this tutorial in a PDF so you could download it and print if desired. However, during this process I learned that Blogger doesn't enable adding PDF's to their blogs. The way around this is to host the PDF on a cloud site and add a link in the blog post. So the tutorial is on Google Drive. You can follow this link: Tutorial
If you have any problems or cannot access Google Drive for some reason, please email me (marybrack@gmail.com) or leave a comment below and I will send the tutorial to you via email.
Part 2 of the tutorial will be available in the next few weeks and will be about how I make my background pages using book pages, maps and other ephemera. Now, I'm going to make a shameless plug for my Etsy shop where I sell vintage and themed paper packs. So, if you would like to have some papers ready for the next part of the tutorial, check out my shop! {found on brighton} Etsy
I hope you enjoy making an altered book binder journal! Contact me if you have any questions. :)
I am stoked for this!! Thank you Mary for taking the time to document your process so others can learn. I always love seeing your pages in TDLP FB group!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sarah!
DeleteThank you so much for the tutorial!!!! Your pages are always so inspiring. I *too* am not fond of the video tutorials. I feel the same as you, get to the instructions already!!! :) :)
ReplyDeleteLol! Thanks Melissa! Enjoy the tutorial!
DeleteA good tutorial, Mary, thank you! Do you do anything with the edges (the side where the spine was) or do you leave them as they are? Aren't they "open"?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean with the video tutorial problem. For someone like me, who learned english in school (I started with 11 years), it is a problem, too, because I have to isolate the important informations from the chit chat. There are good video tutorials, but often, it's difficult for me.
Lorin, I leave the edges alone and yes they are open. This allows expansion as pages are added. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Deletethank you so much for sharing this. looking forward to giving it a try. xox
ReplyDeletelurabrown@gmail.com
Mary, your pages always delight and inspire! I agree....too much chit chat on most tutorials....and yes, Valerie Sjodin does tutorials well, as does Joann Sharpe. Thanks, Mary, for sharing your art and your process. Be blessed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Creative Nana! You are always such an encouragement!
DeleteLove Valerie too, but I'll have to go check out Joann. Thanks!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this! Your art is so very inspiring. and you lettering is awesome! I can't wait to try this out also! See you in the TDL FB group :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin!!!
DeleteThanks for the tutorial Mary! Do you think 1 inch rings will be large enough for a year of DLP and tip-ins?
ReplyDeleteNo, Vicki, 1" rings will quickly become too small for DLP. I started with 1" but after a few months increased the size to 2" rings. Those enabled my journal to hold 6 months worth of DLP. For July I have started a second journal to use for the last 6 months of the year. Have fun, Vicki!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it, Linda! Thanks for following my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, can't wait to get going, you're awesome!!! <3
ReplyDeleteJust found my way to your blog and this tutorial from the DLP FB group, thanks so much for sharing this information!! I've altered books before but I always like to see what others do as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial; very clear to understand. What a lovely book cover. I love turquoise and the red really pops on it. I wonder if you have a use for that super gorgeous book spine though. It would be such a shame to toss it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Teresa! I do keep the spines. I have seen them made into bookmarks...maybe someday. :)
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