Create this personalized watercolor journal for on location sketches or illustration ideas. It is an attactive way to keep your ideas bound for future reference.

Item #298-103 Item #64-106

Art Supplies

· Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Paper Cold Press, 5.5" x 8.5" Pad (Item# 298-103)
· Strathmore Thai Dye Paper Sheet Sets Red Passion, 15" x 18" (or choose any of the six sheet set assortments).
· Raffia or Ribbon
· Scissors or X-ACTO® Knife
· Glue
· Hole Punch
· Score Tool

Instructions

1. Separate the pad of 400 Series Watercolor paper so that the sheets are no longer bound in the pad.
2. Take two of the watercolor sheets to use as the front and back cover of the journal. Measure in 5/8" along the left side of one of the watercolor sheets and run a score line. Fold back and forth a few times to create a fold, this is so the cover can bend back when using the journal. Repeat the process on the other sheet of watercolor, scoring it on the opposite side so that it can be used for the back cover.
3. Take a sheet of the heavier weight Thai Dye paper in your color choice and cut the sheet in half to measure 10 1/2" x 7 1/4".
4. Cover the outside of the watercolor paper with glue and place it glue side down in the center of the Thai Dye paper sheet. Smooth out so that it will adhere well to the Thai Dye paper.
5. Run a glue bead along the outer edges of the Thai Dye paper and fold the flaps up over the cover on all four sides. Press down flaps firmly so glue will adhere.
6. Follow the instructions in #4 and #5 to cover the back cover. Make sure the score is on the left side when the book is bound together and the Thai Dye paper will be showing on the outside of the back.
7. Cut two coordinating pieces of Thai Dye paper a little smaller than the cover size to finish off the inside of the front and back covers. Glue the piece of Thai Dye paper to the inside cover.
8. Punch two holes in the front cover along the left side, be sure to keep the holes between the edge and the score line in the watercolor paper.
   NOTE: You can use as many holes as you would like to bind your journal.
9. Line the back cover up to the front cover, insides together, to mark the holes for the back cover. Punch two holes in the back cover.
10. Punch holes in the inside sheets, lining up the holes with the front and back cover. Score each watercolor sheet 5/8" in from the left edge as you did to the cover to help with opening the pages.
11. Thread raffia or ribbon in the holes and tie for the binding.
12. Decorate the front cover with pieces of Thai Dye paper or stamped images, or take a small piece of the watercolor paper and paint an image to paste on the front.