A Look At My First Paper Bag Journal

The Chirping Frog
by The Chirping Frog
I recently watched a youtube video showing how to make paper bag journals. Yes, school lunch paper bags. The end result was so fabulous I thought I'd try making one of my own. Gotta say, this is the most adorable little journal with tons of tucks and pockets to hold goodies, pictures and journaling spots. The perfect gift. I'm hoping to make one for a future wedding shower gift.
Here's a quick look into my book and you'll find a link to the you tube video series that inspired me at the end of the post. Amazing how a simple paper lunch bag can be turned into something so pretty.
I used cardstock to add little flaps on each page to give additional space for journaling and tuck spots. They are easily added into the side folds of the paper bag with double sided tape.
This is the spine for the book. There are four different papers of varying sizes glued together with little flaps to attach each paper bag page to. (Don't worry, the video series goes through and explains exactly how to make this, and anything else you might have a question about).
Here's my finished book. I am still debating a closure, not sure what I want to do yet.
This is the front inside cover with a tuck point and the first paper bag with multiple pockets, journaling spots and photo mats. The flap is open and I am in love with the purple floral paper. I couldn't bear to cover it.
This is the back of the first paper bag with some journaling paper in a tuck. The flap is closed and has a couple photo/journaling mats in another tuck point.
More pages with plenty of tucks, journaling and photo mats. Think of all the goodies that could be added into the storage space of the paper bag. When making my spine I left 3/8" between the flaps so I had plenty of room for memorabilia.
This floral pattern on the left is an envelope. It flips open and has paper on the inside for journaling.
Here is the envelope open.
Each page is full of journaling and photo mats. This is the back inside cover with an envelope attached and a little tuck point with a photo/journal mat and more journaling space on the paper inside the envelope.
So many ways to personalize and make your own fabulous, unique journal.


Below you'll find the first video in the series with excellent step by step directions for making a paper bag journal from My Sisters Scrapper on youtube.
My mom recently got me interested in making journals and I'm having so much fun. So many varieties and the creativity is endless.
The Chirping Frog
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Kim Kinneally Kim Kinneally on Jun 07, 2016
    Me too, also made an altered book into a wedding journal for my sister.
    • The Chirping Frog The Chirping Frog on Jun 08, 2016
      @Kim Kinneally My oldest is engaged and that's what got me started, I'd like to make her a journal. There's a Facebook group called Junk Journal Junkies that is very inspiring if you're interested. You can request an invite and then they'll approve you. People share journals they've made, very inspiring. There's also a chat group associated with it where you can ask questions, do shares and the like. Worth checking out anyhow.
  • Kim Kinneally Kim Kinneally on Jun 08, 2016
    Thanks will check it out. It is very addictive. :)
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