DIY Pocket Journal

To-do lists are my saving grace in my day-to-day life. I burn through journals and notepads, so I went looking for a way I could still use my favorite tool of note taking and help my wallet take less of hit. This is a quick DIY project clocking in just under an hour. It also makes a perfect stocking stuffer, hint hint.

What you Need:

• Wrapped Wrapping Paper (Pallet)
• Brown craft paper (for writing your notes down on, cut to size)
• An Interior lining paper of your choice
• Cardboard – for the cover pieces I cut mine to 5″x7″
• Spray adhesive to mount paper to cardboard
• Duct Tape- for the binding
• Stapler

Step One.

Take 2 cardboard pieces (5″x7″) and tape them together front and back with duct tape. Leave 3/4″ of an inch between the two pieces when you tape them so the binding can bend.

Step Two:

Cut your outside cover image, leaving about an inch of room on each side around your journal. Trace paper to correct size and cut out.

Step Three:

Cut out your corners so it will be easy to fold over your paper once you have adhered it to the cardboard.

Spray your cardboard journal and adhere it to your cover image. Fold over the 1″ sides of the paper Let set, and make the inside pages while it dries.

Step Four:

Cut paper to 4″x12″ so when you fold it over it will be 4″x6″. Fold paper evenly and secure with staples. Staple vertically along the fold.

Step Five:

Staple outside to completely seal the notepad.

Step Six:

Make the interior by cutting your interior paper (I chose Penumbra) to 3.5×10.5″ to cover your interior space.

I had some left over, so I put it on top of my notepad, too; this is optional.

Use craft glue or spray adhesive again and secure your interior paper in place.

Step Seven:

Take the back page of your notepad and secure in place with glue.

You’re finished!

Note: I use a rubber band around the mini journal to keep my place in my note pad and keep it closed in my purse.