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Create Handmade Journals using File Folder Dies – 3 Ways

December 12, 2022
Hello, Annette Green back again with some fun handmade journals made from the General File Folder 1 and 2 die sets today. I’ve created a video below as I share how to make these 3 different ways, from easy to intermediate to more advanced in assembly.
The easiest style is the three-hole pamphlet stitch assembly. These little journals came together in a jiffy and would make great little gifts for the holidays or any occasion. In the video, I share some tips on prepping your pages and assembly in two different versions of this simple journal.
One is quite basic and the other is lined on the inside covers, stamped on the pages, and has a ribbon closure. For both I used the General File Folder 1 die set, and papers from 49 and Market and The Book 5 (coming soon!)
The intermediate journals are custom sized traveler’s notebooks which I show you how to make yourself in the video. For both journals I used Kraft Tex, but you can use leather, faux leather, or any flexible yet sturdy material as your base. The word plates on the covers of these are from Sidekick Essentials 1 (“Noted) and #14 Bookmark 1 (“moments”), and the label frames are from General File Folders 1.
The insides of each are similar in construction, but the black one simply contains pages and no file folder dividers. The tan one has three signatures with the file folder dies (both 1 and 2) along with plain pages inside for writing and notes. In the video you can see more details.
The more advanced book is a hard cover, stitched binding journal made with medium weight chipboard, papers from The Book 5 and 49 and Market and dies from both file folder sets as well.
There are six signatures in this book, each sewn into the inner spine binding. In the video, I take you through all the steps to this process.
This stitched binding is not difficult once you get the hang of it, and it’s certainly the most sturdy and book-like journal of all three styles.
I plan to use this hard cover book as my 2023 grateful journal, so watch for more on that in future posts. Thanks for joining me today, and I hope you take time to watch the video and try making your own journals. Enjoy!

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  • Hope December 18, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    This was an excellent video. So easy to understand. Thanks!

  • Connie Griffin December 13, 2022 at 8:30 pm

    gorgeous journals, thanks for sharing such great instructions!

  • Ann H. DeHart December 13, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    Beautifully made and wonderful directions! Thank you again for a fabulous project description. 🙂

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