Paper Cast Handmade Journal

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

You may know that I love journals and handmade books - any shape or size! I make them by the batch and always have a wonderful gift ready for whatever the occasion. Creating journals with handmade paper and castings makes them even more special. There are so many molds available from AG - pick one and follow along with the instructions below to create some of your own.

 Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Blender, sponges and soft towels
• AG mold #711 Gingko Leaf (or mold of your choice)
• Scraps of tan and off -white paper (think junk mail)
• Roylco Rubbing Plates (texture sheets)
• Japanese screw punch & 1/8” bit, scissors
• Scor-Pal (LOVE the new 1/8” version)
• Beacon QuickGrip™ or ZipDry™ adhesive
• Stick for spine approx. 5 ½”
• Heavy thread to match the paper for the binding
• Piece of Palm frond or bark
• A small amount of old spices and/or tiny pieces of dried grasses etc.

Instruction:

1. Follow the instructions found in any of the AG paper making kits or books to create one sheet of tan handmade paper.
2. Place the damp sheet onto the Roylco RP/TS. Use sponges or soft towels to remove the rest of the water from the sheet. This cast paper will be the cover.
3. Create numerous sheets of different weights of tan, and off white handmade paper, adding spices or dried grasses to some of the sheets. (I created 5 sheets for this book).
4. Create one Gingko leaf casting from tan slurry.

Assemble the journal:

1. Fold and score the cover and all of the pages in half (Journal will be 5 ½ (high) x 4 ½” wide when assembled).
2. Place the pages inside of the covers, mark and use the Japanese Screw Punch to create holes approx. ½” from the spine.
3. Bind the journal by attaching the sticks with the heavy duty thread.
4. Attach the Palm frond or bark to the center of the cover with either of the adhesive.
5. Attach the Gingko leaf casting to the center of the Palm frond or bark piece.

Note: You can find a lot of videos on the internet showing how to create many different bindings.