Tonya here… summer break is well underway here and as I’ve been getting creative coming up with ways to stop the summer slide, I decided to make handmade journals for my daughter. Kids will love these. Thank you to Testors.com for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
My daughter takes after me in many ways, especially her organization and need to be constantly changing things up.
She’s been writing lists for the longest time, normally just scrawled on pieces of paper, but they help her remember everything she needs to do each day.
So, when I suggested I make her a couple of journals she was so happy. She decided that she would need one for summer to document things she’s done, to make a bucket list of things she wants to do and to take with her on our vacations to take notes and draw sketches.
How To Make Handmade Journals for Summer
What you need:
- Chipboard
- Box cutter
- Assorted paper – you can add lined, plain, tracing, graph paper etc.
- Hole punch
- Book rings
- Testors Craft 3oz Aerosol Paint – I used silver and gold in metallic and glitter (or whatever color you want)
- Testors Craft Acrylic 2oz Paint – assorted colors
- Testors Craft Glitter Sealer
- Printed images and text – (or alternatively, you can use stencils)
- Drill
- Paintbrushes and a pencil
Cut the chipboard to the size you want to make the book, you will need two pieces for each book.
Now, you can do this the easy way, or the hard way … of course, I never do things the easy way.
I didn’t want mine to be a standard letter size, but wanted them a bit smaller like a journal or notebook, which meant having to cut and punch holes in the paper, but if you take the easy route, then just measure the chipboard to the size of the paper you plan on putting in it.
This is a great way to use those workbooks the kids have brought home from school that haven’t been completely used up. I hate throwing them straight into the recycling bin, but because they’ve been partially used I know the kids won’t use them again next year. My son brought home 2 of them that only had a few pages used in each so I used those to make this project.
If you make the journals stand paper size, it will be easier to print out lists like this summer bucket list for kids and add to your new handmade journal. If you want more ideas to help your child get writing this summer, here are some fun writing prompts.
Next, since the chipboard is too thick to pop into the hole punch, you need to measure and then drill three holes down one side. Again keep in mind if you are using paper with holes already in it, or if you’ll be hole-punching your own.
Now it’s time to decide what will you put on the cover of your handmade journals, and what colors will you use?
The first thing you’ll want to do is spray the front and back chipboard covers for the journal with the Testors Craft 3oz Aerosol Paint.
I did two coats of metallic on each, a coat of glitter, and then the glitter sealer, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. You will not need to apply the glitter or glitter sealer to the inside of the front and back cover, just the outside.
Once you have the image and text (if you aren’t using a stencil) print it out, and then using a pencil, trace over it leaving an impression in the chipboard underneath. I used PicMonkey to create the images and text I wanted to use.
Step 5.
Using paintbrushes and assorted colors of Testors Craft Acrylic 2oz Paint paint over the design on the chipboard. You may need to do 2-3 coats.
Now, if you haven’t already (and if you didn’t use standard-sized paper) hole punch down the side and put your journal together using book rings – these come in a variety of sizes, so you can change them out to larger ones as the journal grows and more pages are added.
And there you have it! You can make handmade journals for just about anything your kids want from bucket lists to summer journals, daily to-do lists, and more.
About Testors Paints:
Testors Craft 3 oz. Aerosols are available in a wide variety of colors and specialty finishes (including metallic, glitter, and glitter sealer) and adhere to a variety of surfaces including wood, metal, glass, terra cotta, ceramic bisque, and more.
Testors Craft Acrylic Paints are water-based paints available in a wide variety of colors as well and can be used for general craft and decorative painting. They can also be used on surfaces such as wood, metal, fabric, canvas, ceramic, glass, and more!
What will you create with Testors Paints?
- How to Make an Easy Kids Unicorn Costume
- How to Airbrush Personalized Shirts for Kids
- Get Outside And Play With Spray Chalk
- Handmade Breakfast Tray
Pin these Handmade Journals for later:
Written by Tonya Staab, contributor at 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with us: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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I never used it , but would love to try it for my son’s 1st grade journel, with minion theme
I haven’t used them, yet. I’d love to use them on succulent planters!
This would be great for my daughter, she loves crafts and painting
I haven’t used this brand before! We recently found our first painted rock and learned about why they are placed and now that’s all my daughter has talked about. She started collecting rocks that she wants to paint now. I’m still learning about the best supplies to use to make sure they stay pretty!
I painted quite a few miniatures over the summer with Testor’s acrylic model paints and was quite happy with how they turned out. I think they are very underrated for how inexpensive they are. If you thin the paints out slightly with water they will not be to thick, and they will also not get grainy like cheap craft acrylics do when they are thinned.
I haven’t tried them yet but would like to get some projects going for my grandchildren for making gifts for their friends and family.
I haven’t yet! But the kids journals are adorable! K
I haven’t used them before, but they would be great for my kids art projects.
I have not used them yet but I am starting to make jewelry and I will use them with the jewelry
I have never tried these before. We love doing crafts as a family and we could make homemade cards and especially holiday projects.
I haven’t ever used them but I’d liek to for an outdoor clock.
I haven’t used them yet but we need to decorate my kids rooms as soon as we get a new house so should be fun to come up with some projects! 😀
I’ve never tried these before, but I would use them on everything! 🙂 🙂
i WOULD LOVE TO USE THEM FOR GREETING CARDS
I’ve never used them but I would like to use them to make this craft.
I have never used them before, but I would use them to make some sort of craft with these (I am not sure what yet!).
I would like to make Christmas ornaments.
I have not used them yet. I’m not sure what we would make. I would like to use them with my grandkids when they come to visit. I kinda liked the journals. That is a good craft idea.
I’ve never used these.
I’ve never used Testors Craft Paints, would use in drafts that come up.
No I have not used them before, but I would love to make a cute door hanger
I haven’t used them yet. I’ve seen some glitter mason jar DIYs on Pinterest that I think these would be perfect for!
No, but I would love to!
Yes I have used their paint and love it. It’s really good quality. I love using it to hand paint on shoes
I haven’t tried them, but would love to try them and make some holiday decor.
I have used them for various projects, largely for Girl Scouts.
I haven’t used these before but I know they will be a lot of fun.
I have not tried these, but would love to because I use spray paints a lot for household decor! We are getting ready to move and we make most of our things, these would be awesome!
I haven’t tried this before but would love to have a craft night with my grandkids.
I haven’t tried them yet but I’d love to use them to make some signs for the holidays to give as gifts.
I’ve never used these paints before but I’d love to paint some wooden bird houses with them!
We have used Testors on ceramin crafts. We have also used them on large wood crafts for holidays. They are fantastic but we have only used them in the bottles, not the spray cans. These would be great.
Scrapbooking
Unfortunately I have never used Testors Craft Paints before. If I had the chance, I would give some shelves a makeover.
No I haven’t . I would use them for different craft projects.
No, I have not used their products before.
I haven’t used them yet. Would love to make cards.
I have never used it, but would love to start to…on our new journal hobby.
I haven’t, but would love to use them for our new start to journaling.
I have never used them, I would use them to do craft projects with my kids!
Haven’t tried them yet, I’d love to use them to do crafts with my daughter
I have never used these paints, but I have several Summer projects these would be perfect for.
I have not tried them before but were always making different projects that these would be great for like signs for my daughters room .
I haven’t. I would like to use them to make decorations for fall because I am already thinking and dreaming of that time of year!
I have used them on Fabric to decorate Halloween costumes.
Not yet but would lovevto.
I have not used them, but would love to try them on rocks.
I haven’t tried it. I have some DIY projects for my upcoming wedding. Thanks!
I haven’t used these yet, but they would be perfect for making gift boxes.
I’d just like to see where m boys imagination takes him.
I haven’t tried Testors Craft Paints yet, but would like use them for summer craft projects with my nieces and nephews. Thanks for an opportunity to win them!
We’d use them for some homeschool projects.
I have never tried these products before but I think they’d be fun to to try. I’d like to use them for a summer project with the kids, maybe make some signs to decorate their bedrooms.
i have not tried them yet. i would use them to make picture frames for my grandparents.
i have used these paints to make model cars with my husband
I have not use this before! Looks pretty cool! I would LOVE to use this for Scrapbooking! 🙂
I haven’t tried these paints yet. I think it would be great to try them on my mixed media projects.
no I have never used Testors Craft Paints but the airbrush kids shirt was so cute I would try making one for my granddaughter
We haven’t tried them yet, but my kids are always looking for new art supplies.
I would use these for crafts for my classroom.
I have never used these paints yet! I would like to use them for Christmas ornaments and my granddaughter would love to make a journal! She is 11 and this is right up her alley. My Daughter homeschools her three children and could find many uses for these paints. Thanks!
I have not yet but I would love to use them to paint the small shelf I made out of a dresser drawer!
I have not used them but would love to make annual calendars and scrapbooks.
I’ve never used them before.
I’d like to give them to my daughter since she’s always creating new paint projects.
no i never tried it and probably would make cool art
I have not used them and would like to try them with transforming cheap picture frames into xmas presents!
Yes I have used them on model cars. They work great
I have never but I would make different crafts with my daughter with them!
I have never used them but I would use them for crafts with my daughter.
I haven’t used them before but my daughter is really into crafts and we all like to journal!
I’ve never used Tester craft paint. But I would love to use them on a DIY chandelier project that I have been wanting to do.
I would use them for my art journals
I’ve never used Testors brand paints yet, but I would love to use them making personalized subway art plaques. Thanks!
Never used Testors. Would love to try some for some decor projects.
I have used them with wooden crafts with children,,,
I would like to try Testors paint on some of my school projects
I have never heard of these ,they look great ! Love the journals
We haven’t used them, but my daughter likes to turn ordinary things into fake Shopkins, she’d love this
I have never tried them before but love to make painted crafts.
I have not used these before. I over the idea that you mentioned. We just went to the beach and collected a lot of shells and we would use this for a project with those.
I am not familiar with this paint yet we love to use paint for all sorts of crafts! Love your journals!
I haven’t tried Testors Craft Paints yet, but I think that I would like to see how they work on making over old lamps.
I have never used them before but I would use them in journals and handmade greeting cards.
i have never used them
I have not used them before but they would be great for the kids craft projects. They love to make gifts for others. Thank you
I am not familiar with this brand, but I use a lot of paint!! We do a lot of crafting around here.
I’ve never used them but would love to try to use them for home made Christmas gifts.
I haven’t tried them but we love to do crafts together!!
I have not used Testors paints. I would experiment with them using salt painting.
Haven’t used these yet, would use for crafts.
oh yes! I have used Testors paints many times in the past. Back in the 1970’s we used them to paint our model car kits we’d buy at the hobby store
I have used them and love them. i do altered art so i use a little bit of everything
I have never used Testors Craft Paints.
No, I have never tried them but have used their glue and model paints.
I HAVE NEVER USED TESTORS CRAFT PAINTS, HOWEVER THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING LAYING AROUND THE HOUSE THAT COULD USE SPRUCING UP OR THAT CREATIVE TOUCH!
I used them for a snowman my kids had to make in kindergarten
I haven’t used Testor craft paints, but I do use craft paints in my art journals and making bookmarks.
I have not tried tester paints and I am not sure what we would use them for but I feel a pinterest project coming on.
These look great and fun!
We have not but we want to do some rock painting
I’ve never used them but they look great! Your journals are adorable!
I have used Testors paints for many years. They are by far the best paints to use for all craft projects. Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity.
I have never used these paints but I like what you did with the journal covers.
I don’t think I’ve used them, but I may have – I buy different brands of paint when I’m doing a project or when my kids are doing one. I would use them for projects in the home.
I have not tried Testors paints. I would like to try the glitter spray paint – my stepdaughter LOVES glitter. Thanks!
I have not tried these but think they would be great for posters.
My daughter uses them all the time in her paper crafts
I have used the paint when I was making candle holders out of baby food jars and saucers. It worked great.
have never used these before but I think my little niece would love these and love to craft with these
I haven’t used them yet but would love to try these journals for my daughters!
I have used Testers Paint in my crafts. It is so easy to use. They have such a great variety of colors too.
I haven’t used this paint before, but I would love to try it on some decor items (candle holders, etc.) that need a facelift.
I have heard of this brand of craft paint before, but I’d love to try it. We’re always working on art projects so these will come in handy. Right now I’m doing a name sign for one of my daughter’s using an unfinished wood plaque and letters that need to be painted. Would definitely come in handy.
I’ve never used their craft paint, but I know my husband has used their model paint.
I have never used them, but my kids would love them to paint rocks! Our county has a facebook page that you can keep up with hidden rocks that people have painted, hid, been found, etc. Loads of fun! 🙂
yes my grandkids and I make crafts as gifts for their parents
I have not used them. I would use to make special crafts with my children- like their fave cartoon character.
This would be wonderful for many creative crafts. Making birthday and greeting cards, book covers, and artwork of all types.