Just stuff them with any kind of pages for a one-of-a-kind DIY journal! And don’t stop there! Think about DIY photo albums…DIY agenda books… and much more!
So today’s project is reeeeeaaaally simple: How to Make a DIY Journal…..out of wood! 🙂
Ready??
Materials
- 1/4″ birch plywood. Get the full sheet for $12. It’s 4’x8′ in size, and you can make probably at least 8 or more journals!!
- Jigsaw
- Power drill with 5/16 bit
- Sandpaper (220 fine)
- Stain
- 3-prong hole puncher
- Wood burner (Buy the Creative Versa wood burning kit from Amazon)
- A printed design
- Transfer paper (or a stencil)
- Hemp oil or polyurethane
- Metal rings
- Computer paper or any 8.5″x11″ paper to fill the middle
But First…..Do You Know How to Use a Jigsaw?
Seriously, guys… jigsaws ROCK! They’re not intimidating, and you can use it to cut soooo many things–wood, plastic, and I believe metal, too, depending on the blade.
You could even do it easily from your dining room table. HA! 🙂 Just make sure you’re wearing your safety glasses, ‘mkay?
If you’re a total jigsaw newbie, then it’s time you learn how to get jiggy with a jigsaw. 🙂
Check out this project tutorial I did on how to use a jigsaw:
How to Make a DIY Journal Out of Wood
Now let’s get to the good part!! I’m soooo lovin’ this! It will last for years and you can fill it with whatever you want–photos, To-Do lists, scrap books, and more! Even better, make them for gifts!
Okay, here we go!
STEP 1: Grab Your Birch Plywood.
It cost about $12 at Home Depot. Get the 1/4″ thickness.
STEP 2: Measure using computer paper or notebook paper as a template!
The reason I had to make it a little bigger than the 8.5″ paper is because when you put your journal together, you’ll need a little bit of an overhang for a finished look.
STEP 3: Cut, baby, cut!
Cut two pieces out. They’ll measure 8-5/8″ x 11″. Basically, the size of a piece of paper plus 1/4″ extra.
STEP 4: Make holes in a sheet of paper, then drill.
Use your 3-prong hole puncher to make a template for where the holes will go on your board. Use your power drill and a 5/16″ drill bit to drill the holes.
STEP 5: Sand everything smooth with 220 grit fine sandpaper.
STEP 6: Print out design or name, transfer to front board of the journal.
Just use your printer. I used this site to create a printed name for myself.
STEP 7: Use the wood burner.
OOooohhh…I think I have discovered a new passion: burning wood!! This set comes with several tips. It’s fun, actually! Reminds me of the smell of roasting marshmallows. HAHA.
STEP 8: Stain it.
I used Minwax….Espresso!
Step 10: Wipe it down with hemp oil or polyuretane.
STEP 11: Add metal rings and paper!
Now you are DONE, honey! WOO HOO!
Can I just say that I love this??!
Love this project? Go ahead and PIN it for later! 🙂
Here are a some ideas for how you can use your DIY journal or DIY notebook!
- Lined paper for class notes
- Scrapbook (use acid-free pages)
- Art book for drawing
- Teen journal
- Travel journal
- Coloring book for kids
- Photo album
- Meal planning
- Blogger calendar
- Family journal
- Much more!
So did you know how easy it was to make a DIY journal out of wood? I bet you didn’t! Leave a comment and let me know if this tutorial was helpful in creating your own DIY journal or was helpful in creating DIY gift ideas for friends and family! 🙂 
This is so cool and I love my jigsaw!
Love it! What sized rings did you use?
Hey there! You can use the 1″ size or less rings. 🙂
What a great idea and way to feed my pyrography habit!! So perfect for gifts!! If I may offer a transfer tip that I use 90% of the time now…I flip the image and print on wax paper…carefully apply to your project and press…the ink will transfer perfectly! (especially on smooth wood like this!) If you goof, it will sand off! Thanks again…this is a keeper project for sure!
OOoh, great idea, Lanie! Are you just printing this on wax paper and then pressing it onto the wood? I’d like to try this! 🙂
Yes! Easy Peasy! I cut the waxed paper a touch smaller than 8.5 x 11 so it doesn’t jam in my printer. Alternatively, the waxy backing sheets from (used) label pages? Save those suckers to print n transfer! Just don’t forget to flip your image or your transfer will be backwards.
Okay, I must try this! I think one of my blogger friends did something similar but I didn’t pay much attention to it until you mentioned it. I will try it! I am going to be hosting crafting classes for people to decorate their own wooden journals. This would be a great option for class! 🙂 Thanks, Lanie!!
hi! I love this diy but i don’t know how the rings are called.
Can you help me, please?
thank you so much
Hey there, Letizia! Here is my affiliate link to them on Amazon. They’re book rings: http://amzn.to/1T7TBQK.
I think this is my favorite! This makes a great gift, now I need to get busy and make a few!
Thanks, Dede! I’m digging it, too! 🙂
Nice tips! I have to try it out and make my own journal book. It amazing……..Thanks
Definitely, Mamun! Let me know how it turns out for you! I’m editing the video tutorial for it, and you might find that even more helpful to watch! 🙂
What size book rings did you recommend? I want to make a photo album and a pocket notebook
I loved this project so much! What a perfect way to get organized for back to school!
Happy day friend!
karianne
Awww…thanks, Karianne! I’m thinking about printing up some custom inserts! Wouldn’t that be cool? Just gotta find a place to print it for NOT a lot of money! My printer prints 10 pages and the “Low Ink! Low Ink!” light comes on! LOL #FAIL
What a fabulous project Serena! I love it!!
Serena,
What a brave girl you are, not too sure if I’m confident enough to use my jigsaw in my dining room! lol! I can imagine the look on my husband’s face if he walked in on my dining room jigsaw attempt!!! I’ve never tried woodburning before, I’m totally inspired! What a great project!
Tami
Hey, Tami! Well, definitely practice outside until you’re sure you won’t cut a chunk out of your table! LOL
And yes the woodburning tool is super cool! Just watch those fingers. It gets soooo hot!
You are very clever Serena! Love this idea and like that it has a hard surface on the back, like a clipboard, for jotting notes on the fly. These would make fabulous gifts! You rock the video tutorials BTW!
I love it, too Serena! Very cool. You know I’ll need to make one now and these would make awesome, personalized gifts!
This is so cool, Serena!! I think my favorite part is how you burned your name into it…I think I just found something to add to my Christmas list! Your penmanship is lovely too. 🙂 XO
Love this, Serena! I’m going to dig through my scraps and make one – thanks so much! You are awesome!
Oooohhhh. I could use one of these myself girlfriend! This is such a fun way to have a sturdy and super cool journal book. I’m liking the woodburning too…I haven’t seen that skill since my own school days;)
Saaaweeet!! I’ve done something similar for myself and love it, Serena, but you rocked this project. You go girl!
Hey, Larissa! It’s such an easy project, isn’t it?! I thought I was “cheating” by doing something so simple, but it’s one of those “aha!” projects because you realize that you can make something cool without a ton of tools or hard cuts! 🙂 Thanks!