Today in an altered books and art journals class we made really cool journals out of maps. They are relatively easy to make and can be made in assorted sizes. Prepare for about an hour and a half to two hour project time commitment depending on how many pages you put in it. My journal started with 12 map sheets which turns into 24 pages once prepared, folded and bound into the journal making a 24 page journal. Once finished you can leave the journal as is or collage, paint, stamp, write etc. in it just like you would a blank journal. The pocket pages certainly deserve some fun surprises stuck inside of them such as photos, letters or postcards, anything that will fit really.
Either way these journals are fun to look at, share, add to or to flip through. You could even make one tailored to a certain area of the country or world as I did. I made mine with maps of New England, (the North East coast of the U.S.) where I grew up. You could use them as a travel journal/keepsake or as a way to explore an emotional connection/memories to a certain area. There are many possibilities. They could also make wonderful gifts.
The covers are made of watercolor or other suitable paper and the binding is simply done with washi tape of which you can use nearly any width and pattern you desire. You can make pages with or without pockets. I made some of both. Underneath the photos of my map journal below you will find visual directions for making your own journal. Directions include materials needed, how to do the folding process to make pocket pages, how to bind the pages together and how to put the covers on. Have fun!
Some photos of the map journal I made today:
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- Watercolor Paper Cover with washi tape binding
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- Inside cover with first page and lime colored washi tape binding
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- Different smaller sized pages near middle of book
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- Center of the book with one pocket page and one regular page and black washi tape binding
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- Two pocket pages butterfly bound with red washi tape binding
Materials Needed:
*Pages from an atlas or Fold Out Maps
*Scissors
*Ruler
*Washi Tape
*Paper: stiffer, slightly thicker paper such as watercolor paper, bristol board/paper, card stock etc…
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- Paper, Ruler, Scissors, you can use bristol, watercolor paper, card stock or any other suitable stiffer paper, you could even use cereal boxes, thin cardboard, etc…
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- Maps, you can use old or new atlas pages or old or new fold out maps themselves
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- Washi Tape, you can use nearly any size, color or pattern, however the thinner width tape will be more difficult to bind with
Directions:
1) Decide how many pages you want to have in your journal. Remember each sheet you prepare will become two when bound in your journal. Cut or tear them out of your map or atlas. Your sheets can all be the same size or you can have several different sizes. If you go with different sizes make sure you have at least a couple of each size.
2) Fold your paper in half lengthwise:
Fold your paper in half lengthwise
3) Fold two triangles:
Fold two triangles upwards from the bottom of the paper leaving some room for the folded seam of the paper in between them.
4) Fold the triangles up:
3) Fold the triangles up towards the top of the page folding them at their base
5) Now you have a pocket page. Repeat the three steps above for as many pocket pages as you wish to have in your journal.
6) Then decide how many regular pages you’d like to have and fold those in half lengthwise.
7) Now that you have your pocket pages and regular pages arrange them as you’d like them to appear in your journal. There are many variations that can be done, (see my photos above).
8) Now take your watercolor or other suitable paper you have decided to use for your journal covers. Decide whether you want outside washi binding or only inside binding to show (I used outside binding, see photo above):
If you want outside binding then measure a sheet of watercolor paper 1/4″ wider and longer than your biggest page folded in half then cut it exactly in half giving you two sides for your cover. If you want only inside binding cut a sheet 1/2″ wider and longer than your biggest page unfolded and simply fold it in half lengthwise. In this picture I am measuring for a cover with no outside binding.
9) Now begin binding your pages together:
Line up your pages carefully and run your washi tape down the fold seams where you want your pages to come together. Repeat this for all of your pages.
10) Once you’re done binding your pages with washi tape it’s time bind them to your cover or your cover to them depending on which type of cover you decided upon. Remember your cover should be a 1/4″ bigger than your pages all the way around. When you’re done you should have an awesome finished map journal ready for multiple creative possibilities! Yay!
