A simple paper bag journal

I love it when people comment on my videos with questions or suggestions for new videos. Two people asked me to make a video creating something that doesn’t require a lot of art supplies. I thought about it for a while but didn’t get motivated until I saw something on Instagram.

Inkslinger_art made a video on how to make a “meandering art book”. I watched this and fell in love with the idea. I thought I could use something large, like a paper bag from the grocery store, and make a book from that.

You need:

• a paper bag

• scissors

• glue stick

• 10 of something (or 12 if you include front and back covers)

My 10 of something was a collection of faux bug stamps.

You use the largest sides of the paper bag— there are two sides. Once you have one of those sides cut out, you fold it in thirds, and then again into fourths.

When you unfold, you have 12 squares. After you make your strategic cuts, you can then fold your book until it’s complete. You can design/decorate/embellish your pages when it’s already in book form or when it’s a flat piece of paper on your desk.

Here are some of the photos of how one of my books turned out:

I made a full video with instructions on how to do the cutting and folding. This should really clarify things if you need some help.