This is a very simple tutorial that will show you how to turn a cereal box or any other lightweight cardboard box into a journal. This idea is adapted from other great resources, I will share links at the end.
What you will need:
Cereal box, or large cracker box
Paper, 10 to 15 sheets
(I am using obsolete printer paper)
(I am using obsolete printer paper)
String, or dental floss
Needle with a wide eye
Awl, or other sharp device like a nail for punching holes
Ruler
Rotary cutter, and/or scissors
Pencil
Cutting surface
Making the Cover
Step 1:
Cut your box apart on its natural folds, and remove the ‘flaps’ this can be a rough cut, finished edges will be cut for measurements.
You will have two large sides, two small ones and the flaps from the top and bottom, you can recycle all the pieces but the two large ones (or save them for a future project!)
Step 2:
Use a ruler and rotary cutter to the trim edges and cut to desired measurements if you wish to make your book smaller than the box dimensions.
Step 3:
Fold pieces in half; printed sides in, facing each other; use the handle of your scissors or rotary cutter to flatten down your fold; this is the cover of your book.
Making the Pages
Step 4:
Fold your paper into the pages of your book, I am using ten sheets of obsolete printer paper folded in half. Fold about three at a time to get a tight crease.
If necessary, measure and trim your pages to fit approximately ¼ inside your cover. Standard 8 ½ x 11 paper folded in half will fit perfectly within the dimension of a large cereal box with only minor trimming (which I will do right before I tie the pages into the cover)
Step 5:
Nest your pages together and use your rotary cutter and straight edge or scissors to trim the uneven edge of your pages so they don’t overhang the cover
Bringing it all together
Nest your pages inside the cover and center. If you have one, use a binder clip to keep the pages from slipping during the final steps. Measure 1 and 1/2 inches from the top and bottom of the book at the crease and make a small pencil mark. Use your awl or nail to make a small hole through all pages and the cover. These are the holes through which you will tie your book together.
Step 7:
Measure a 24 inch length of string or floss and thread on the needle
Step 8:
Tie the book together (this is a simplified book binding technique)
From the inside, use the needle to pull the thread through the upper hole.
Step 9:
Then pull it through the lower hole and back into the inner crease of the book.
Step 10:
Pull the thread back through the upper hole
Step 11:
Unthread the needle and thread it through the other end of the string and pull through the lower hole.
Step 12:
Now you will have both ends on the outside of the book. Remove the needle, pull slightly on each end of the string to tighten and tie the ends together.
Your book is complete!
Decorate:
Decorate the cover of your book any way you’d like. If you don’t care to see Cheerios every time you open it you can paint, gesso or collage the inside of the cover; collage with paper or fabric is also a great way to decorate the outer cover.
Enjoy your 100% upcycled journal!
You are left with a little collection of fodder, save it for another project!
Here are some additional links to great journal making tutorials:
An Apple and a Tree: Upcycled Journal Tutorial
Creme da la Craft: Mini Notebook from a Cereal Box
Recycled Cereal Box Journal - Youtube
Live Craft Eat: How to Turn a Cereal Box into a Journal
