DIY Composition Notebook Journal Tutorial

Create a cute journal from a plain composition book, scrapbook paper, and a bit of Duck Tape!  Use my tutorial to create an easy DIY composition notebook journal.  This would be a fun activity for a scout meeting or a craft night!

I admit that I have a weakness for pretty notebooks and journals.  There’s something about a pretty journal that invites you to write down your random thoughts or a to-do list.  Is there anything more satisfying than physically marking items off your to-do list?

I’ve got a tutorial for you below showing how to make an easy DIY composition notebook journal.

These scrapbook paper journals are easy to make from a basic composition notebook.  I always load up on composition notebooks during the summer when school supplies are on sale, so I usually have a few of them laying around the house.  Other than that, all you will need is some scrapbook paper, a glue stick, and a bit of Duck Tape!

Love cute journals as much as I do? See how to sew a leather journal cover here, or get the free pattern for my Snappy Composition Book Cover here.

Seriously, these are so quick to make – just 10 minutes start to finish.  They’re perfect for little “I thought of you” gifts for friends and coworkers. 

Are you ready to make one?  Here’s how:

Supplies (to make one composition notebook journal):

• Cover Paper – 2 pieces scrapbook paper (not cardstock weight) – 8.5” wide x 12” tall
• Inside Paper – 2 pieces scrapbook paper (not cardstock weight) – 6” wide x 8.5” tall
• Duck tape that coordinates with your cover paper
• Glue stick
• Composition notebook

Cover the Composition Notebook

Put glue all over the composition notebook cover, but especially around the edges.  Then place one of the Cover Paper pieces on it, centered vertically and with the left edge of the paper covering about ½” of the spine.

Now, open the composition notebook.  Fold the corners of the Cover Paper over the corner of the composition book.  Glue in place.

Fold the top and bottom flaps over the edge of the composition notebook.  Glue in place.

Fold the side flap over the edge of the composition notebook.  Glue in place.

Now the front is covered, but the inside looks kind of messy.  Glue one of the Inside Paper pieces over the middle area.  It looks much better now!

Repat all of these steps with the back cover.

Make the Pen Holder

Cute one piece of Duck Tape 3” long, and another piece that is12” long.

Take the 3” long piece of tape and fold it in half lengthwise, sticky sides together.

Bend it into a loop, then slide the back layer of the loop out so it’s roughly ½” longer than the top layer.

Stick this loop to the back side of the 12” piece of tape, roughly 3” from the top and so the loop is peeking out the right edge of the longer piece of tape.  Make sure both ends of the loop get stuck to the tape.  Check to be sure that the loop is the right size to hold a pen.  If it’s not, adjust it now.

This is what it looks like on the back side of the tape.  This photo shows a little bit better how the loop sticks out from the edge of the tape.

Cover the Spine

Now, take the 12” piece of Duck Tape (with the pen tab peeking out from it) and cover the spine of the composition book.  The Duck Tape is longer than the composition book but that’s okay.  Just line the top of the Duck Tape up with the top of the composition book, letting the extra tape stick out past the bottom.

Trim the bottom of the Duck Tape even with the bottom of the composition notebook.

Your DIY composition notebook journal is finished!