Easy Handmade Blank Book: No Sewing, No Gluing Slit Book
Today we will be making a slit book, a handmade art journal that is easy - no sewing or gluing at all - versatile, and supercheap - you can get started for nothing or for a few pennies. Which means you can get up and running and making these easy blank books and art journals in minutes.
The least amount you need to start are three pieces of paper. In the first part of the tutorial I show you how to make your book and then show some of the techniques I used to turn this into a fun, messy, distressed in a full-blown, messy distressy art journal.
You can use notebook or copier paper if that's what you got especially if you are only writing or using dry media but if you have something heavier that's even better. A heavier paper will stand up to wet media, gluing, and some chunking up.
To see printable scans on Etsy of old churches and ruins and other vintage paper ephemera, they are on my page here:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandP...
My online classes for making botanical ink and/or onion skin eco print pages are at this link:
kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific...
And if you are interested in buying original paper and vintage ephemera bundles full of cards, paper, handwritten pieces, lace, and more I sell them here:
bookandpaperarts.com/french-e...
To see my online course on onion skin eco prints or botanical inks go here: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/collections To see printable scans of vintage paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandPaperArts You can also find free printables on my website: bookandpaperarts.com
I love this video I need to stop watching all the new videos because I try to make what you and others show lol
I watched two of your videos today, and I’ve lost count of how many wonderful ideas I’ve gotten. All of them are so clever and practical! Thank you so very much.
Well this is the nicest message I've had all day. Thank you, Hilary. Keep me posted on what you make! Kelly
What a delightful way to create a simple place to play!
Thank you Kelly for this wonderful video. It was fun to see you let loose a bit. Even more that crazy binding method gave me an idea to try an I’ve been in a funk so I appreciate you for that spark. Kristin
Thanks for that lovely vote of confidence, Kristin. Yeah, overplanning and rehearsing for two days is more my style but these little books are addictive. I have made them in different weights and textures of paper, some more successful than others but always interesting. I know that funk and for me I am usually flooded with ideas and energy after it passes so - fingers crossed that you are going to make some gorgeous pages! Kelly
I wish I could thumb up this video each time I rewatch it. I think every kid with access to paper should be taught to make these as soon as they can understand the instructions, before they can even use scissors! I would have LOVED to be able to make a little art book for myself whenever the whim hit me. Paper grocery bag to art journal in moments and no fear of not being "good enough" and wasting good paper. I wonder where I would be in life right now without that fear. I'm off to make one for myself to find out! 😂
Why thank you. This really does make my day and it is lovely to hear/read. Boy I know what you mean: I was raised poor and books and art supplies were considered luxuries and if I had only known that scrap paper and bags could be both art and books! It is one of the reasons why - while I do sell through my videos I also try to offer free content and ideas for free resources. We should all be able to create no matter what our budgets. As for "not being good enough". Trust me when I tell you that this is the single most common thing I have to start with in teaching adults. Kids know there are good enough to draw and paint - it is only adults who feel they have to earn the right to mess up a blank book for the first time. Happy making! Kelly
A great way to save special wrapping paper too, from a birthday, Christmas, anything
What a beautiful comment! Gosh, yes! If only I would have been given a bag to play with 😟😔
I love the strange glow behind the lady in the original etching.
Thank you, Susan. I will have to go back and have a look at her and see if I can remember how it ws done. 😺
6 months later and I've just stumbled across this wonderful video. It's always useful to have a different type of journal and I think this is fabulous. It has certainly inspired me to make a few and just have a lot of fun. Thank you for your super explanation and for sharing your talent.
Hi Lynda. Thanks for this and please forgive the late reply. I really like these little books and not even kidding, have tried making them out of almost every paper I have in the place. And they are a great size for doing little themed books. I hope you have fun! Keep me posted. Kelly
Oh my gosh! I have an entire closet full of perfectly good paper bags. I try to refuse bags of all sorts at the checkout, but they still manage to accumulate. I do reuse them as bags, use them as free art supplies and recycle when they are no longer good for anything else, but STILL TOO MANY BAGS! Probably enough bags in my closet to provide free art supplies for all of Wales! Great tutorial, once again, Kelly. I'm inspired to try a layout with book pages on brown paper. I love the monochrome look with potential to add pops of color.
I was feeling very lost without my laptop that died on me but hubby came to my rescue and lets me use his. I was watching your video via tv so I cannot comment. I had to try this!!! surprisingly it came out great and now I am off to try to make it with brown paper. Like yourself, I have not seen a paper bag in 14 years!! (when we moved and retired!). No bags are offered and if you forget to bring your own bag, then you walk away with your purchase in your hands or buy a plastic bag for $2.00! I still have a roll of Kraft brown paper and this will be the perfect project to use it! I have been binging watching your videos mostly because it is snowing ice pellets and too icy to walk! Thanks for all your great videos and it was a very easy choice to click the like button as well as subscribing to your site.
This made me smile. I am so pleased this one went over big. I do love projects you can do on the road or if you run out of fancy supplies. I hoard brown paper like a Depression-era housewife and love finding ways to play with it. I also have the Kraft paper and sometimes it comes in parcels as packing material and it gets rolled up and goes in the stash. Stay warm and safe! Kelly
I enjoyed this like virtually no other video on art journals!!! Thanks so much!!!😊😊 I just LOVVVE the brown paper one, as I also thoroughly enjoy working with brown paper.❤❤❤❤
Why thank you. These little books are addictive and you make one for all kinds of themes. And I hear you about brown paper. It's like tea dying without the ordeal. 😺
This was so great! I'm overseas, and was trying to figure out how to make something without buying needle and thread... you saved the day!
Yes indeed! I travel a lot and it is a treat to be able to make and create without all the stuff. Half the time I find myself without scissors or glue or some such and then the improvising gets good. Have a happy trip! Kelly
I like that tab and slot binding. We should use it more often.
Jay, amazing that I only stumbled across it a couple of weeks ago and now I can't stop making them. Time to fill a few of them up. 😺😺
Thanks for sharing. It am going to my art desk this morning to make a little journal to play in this week. So cute....so fun. See you again soon.
Hi Myra. I can't stop making these. Different papers, weights, styles. Definitely some baby ones. Some work better than others but that's the fun in finding out. Happy making! Kelly
Great idea lovely pages, in places reminds me of glass stained windows and we all like the words cheap but simple especially in this day en age with the cost of living going up all the time hey. I think in the future all crafters are going to have to think of these kind of alternatives... having a good rummage in their recycling bags etc which I like to do now lols hugs 😏
And now I know what I'm making this afternoon! Thanks for all the inspo - again and again.
I love the idea of these mini slit books for practicing a technique or theme, especially the brown paper sack which I have a lot of. Thanks Kelly for the tips and inspiration!
Hi Sandy, exactly. I am learning to paint, imperfectly, and just committing to filling one small book at a time takes a bunch of the (stupid) pressure off. So, one little book for vines, one for painting tea cups, one for messy, patchwork collage, one for trees....And you?
Yes! For me birds, flowers..watercolor practice. I also think this would be a great thing to do with an older child….their own handmade secret diary! One more…weekend travel journal for short but memorable. Best to you 😻
@@sandybe11 Agreed as for the themed books. The secret is to gussy up the cover and hey, presto, it's a journal!
Hi Kelly, I saw that crazy no sew book technique, several years back, and just found it awe inspiring! Who designs and comes up with these crazy engineered ideas? I have no idea, but I'm so grateful they do! Your books are all fabulous and your teaching is always so clear and concise. I always look foreword to all of your videos. I'm glad this one was a bit longer. I can never get enough Kelly. ;)Thanks.
Hi Lynn. I resist longer videos but keep getting asked for them, so - here ya' go! I am going to be doing a new book fold every month. It's been a New Year's resolution for three years to learn more of them and this year it finally came up in the pipeline, and I am so pleased to be learning new stuff. Kelly
@@BookandPaperArts And Kelly, we're so pleased to be learning them thru you as well! Thank you.
Kelly, I made a few of these and am excited you shared this with us!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for touching base, Roksanna. I actually have been kind of compulsive, making these in all kinds of paper and scraps and each one getting wilder and more fun. Keep me posted!
@@BookandPaperArts yes, will do!!
I LOVE this video! Thank you so much for sharing all your awesome ideas, tips and tricks.
Why thank you, Vera. I hope you make some gorgeous little books! Kelly
This is fabulous…will be trying this out for sure!! Thank you Kelly!🌸
Why thank you, Caroline. Hope you make gorgeous little books. Keep me posted! Kelly
@@BookandPaperArts lol, I already made one last night on my way to bed 😘
I have to say…..MIND BLOWN😮 Genius!
My goodness, Heather. Thank you. I would go with moderately clever but genius will work, too. 😉 I hope you make some great little books and have a good time filling them. Kelly
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Squiffy, it is my real pleasure.🌼🌷🌻Kelly
How cool! I almost skipped this tutorial, but I’m so glad I didn’t.
Hiya Kymberlee. So glad you stuck around but boy do I get it. I have sooooo many gorgeous videos tucked under Watch Later. Actually, I am slightly under the weather today and am treating myself to watching a few and sketching on the couch. 😺
Thank you so much for sharing! you are always so inspiring, and I appreciate the time you take to teach us something!
I really like all your videos and look forward to each and every one but I Love this one!!! I think these little journals could be a "signature " and put in it's own journal. I was recently gifted 3 catalogs from 1916 that I know will be a part of my journal. Dandelions are abundant at the moment and I am going to try my hand at making a botanical ink. Thanks for your amazing creativity and calming, lovely videos!
Hi Joan, thank you for this. I actually keep making these compulsively from different papers and different formats (square, rectangle, whathaveyou) and yes, each one is a perfect signature - stand alone or with a bunch. Dandelion ink! Keep me posted, please. 🌻🌻🌻Kelly
@@BookandPaperArts I'm trying to find dandelions! My landlord mowed and they completely disappeared! Usually they come back for a second appearance. I have all sorts of wild flowers out here and there are some growing in the ditches . We will also get goldenrod in about 2 months which I think I need to try!
Wonderful Kelly, what fun! Frankly, the many beautiful big blank art journals are very intimidating, These little journals are perfect for playing around. Also, I think they will make very good gifts for my two granddaughters! Thank you Thank you!!!
Hi Kathy. Try these with different papers - I am getting compulsive about it. They are just such a darling size and great for a weekend away (with kitty-watching?). Keep me posted.
Perfect place to adhere my teabag painting! Thanks
Miss Allison, I like how you think. I even made a sample book like this FROM tea bags, then forgot to show it on camera. As one does.🙄😊
Love this idea :) Thank you for sharing
Lynn, it is my real pleasure. Hope you make gorgeous little books. They would make very cool teeny junk journals, no?
Wonderful ideas 💡 love this art 🎨 ❤ 😍
Why thank you, Sarwat. I hope you have a creative weekend and make gorgeous pages! Kelly 🌻🌼🌷
Very very welcome dear
❤🎉Hi I have just found your site this very minute here in Oregon USA.. thank you for a super informative lesson today. I enjoy listening to you share your wonderful ideas. I am working on some and getting further ahead in my courage to try something new and not worry if I mess it up as you can’t really mess up your own art 😂👏
Hello and welcome, Kim. I live in Wales and understand that we share quite a bit, weatherwise with Oregon. (It rains and it's green.) It's great to hear that you are working on creative boldness. A lot of the time if we make messes they lead to interesting places we didn't know we are going. I'm also a big believer in Learn From Your Mistakes when it comes to messy. Keep me posted and let me know how it goes! And stay turned for a pep talk about creativity later this week. Kelly
You are so creative and inspiring Kelly, once again, you've done it! Love all the ideas going on in here, Well done!
Thank you, Simone. I do appreciate reading this!
Hej Kelly thank you very much for this really intersting, informative and inspiring video. I love it.😂 This kind of binding is so amazing, and i will try it in the next time.
Thank you, Ute. It is addictive - so easy and you can try many different papers! 😺Kelly
Love this video! Im glad i scrolled upon it!
Recycling?... Are you crazy?.... 🤣 I'm exactly the same... Fantastic video 💕
Merci, Madame. My studio is a funny mix of the best quality I can afford art supplies and stuff I find trash-picking or in the kid's section of the office supply store. Brown paper bags are a staple. And twine! And and and...you get the idea. 😉
@Book and Paper Arts Sounds my idea of heaven... Ooooh twine...💕
Really like this idea 💡 I've been inspired. Gosh it's been awhile. Thanks 😊
Hi Diane. Well that is truly nice to hear! It is good to know that what I throw out there finds a place to bloom and grow. Hope you make great pages!
Brilliant, thank you!
Hello and thank you, Nancy. Hope you make some gorgeous little books! They are really fun to fill. Kelly
Cool Kelly! No sewing...no gluing...didn't know it was possible...but now I do. Thanks!🥰
Hi Val. It is my real pleasure. Also, I saw a woman who makes these into mini-junk journals and then sells them. Something to think about. Or maybe just the happy challenge of getting a lot in a tiny book. I sometimes feel more creative in a small collage than a big, two page layout. (Sometimes.😎) Kelly
Loved this video and so creative.
I love the phrase "up and making". Sort of an artist "battle cry" or a team's "on three" yell before the big game. A mantra, an intention, an affirmation, a three word meditation. You've packed a ton of inspiration into this video. Your page layouts are incredible. Like a magician, you create beauty out of a collection of paints and papers. A kind of slight of hand as if producing something from "thin air" that leaves the audience dumbstruck. Your reminder to. "Use what you have" is permission--even a challenge-- to be creative and be magician too. Thank you Kelly.
Why thank you, Diane. I actually have a quandry - KZhead has been very good to me as a way to show my original art but they are also trying to get me to encourage people to Watch Longer. I want to encourage people to learn something then get off the screen and make stuff. It's a messy balance. 😺
Oh, I have no complaining about the length or content of your videos! On the contrary, I hang on to your every word and bask in the glowing illumination of the techniques you share as you create your art. But your remark about changing KZhead expectations explains why I am becoming increasingly annoyed and growing less impressed with a lot other KZhead channel's videos lately. I now know why there's more inane chatter and demonstating repeatedly and slowly how to ink every single scrap of paper on camera while making a junk journal page for example. Your videos are the exception and remain favorites.
@@dianelevy2855 thank you for that vote of confidence. Even in a longer video I block, draft, plan, rehearse, and always see if I can get it tighter and more interesting. A 17 minute video takes around six hours to make! So it is good to hear that it is appreciated, Diane. Kelly
Another Kelly video to save and try! Thank you Kelly!
Hey, Kathy, give it a whirl. Now that I've started making these I can't stop. Kelly😉
Now you're talking........ Love 👩🎨♥️ bit clever Kelly
Thank you so, LauraMary. I just stumbled across this technique ten days ago and can't stop making them. Now to fill a few. 😉
this is so cool thank you for sharing!
Why thank you, Cyndee. That is truly nice to hear. I hope you try the little books - believe me it is addictive and I have tried all shapes and papers and - keep me posted if you make some! Kelly
How ingenious, many posibilities.... Thanks for sharing...
Wonderful ideas, thank you.
Thank you so much for touching base. I hope you have a blast making little books and filling them. Kelly
Kelly, love this technique and can't wait to make a few in different sizes. Thanks once again.
Helene, it is my real pleasure. I am making some in teensy sizes, square format to see how messy and crammed full I can get in one inch by one inch! Kelly
Such a good idea..I make traditional journals..but I like the slit one in the middle super fast and easy! Thanks!
Hi Maria. Yeah, I do sewn bookbinding, too, but this year I am learning more folding techniques and hope to show one a month. They can be intricate, though, and I really like how this one is so simple and accessible. 🎨🎨😊😊
WOW! great job Love this
Thanks bunches, Christine. Hope you are having a creative week! Kelly
Hi Kelly ... new SUBBIE..... Yay, at last a book to get me started on making journals,I have the materials to make journals but just can't get into it ,but now I will 😊 TFS 😍 I'll be watching all your vids ... woohoo bye bye housework 😂🤣😂🤣
Hello and welcome, Pauline! Thanks for touching base and I truly hope this helps you get up and making little journals. It is so easy to fill one and then another, maybe with little themes or whatnot. And housework? What's that? 😉
Thank you. Awesome!!
Wonderful! 😍
Thank you, Luciana. That is really nice to hear.
Love it!❤
I loved this, because I only make chunky journals 😂! I try to make them with less pages, but then I get carried away and sometimes I even have enough pages for two art journals 😂! This would be a nice and interesting challenge for me to learn to make them smaller and be able to put them in my bag without them weighing so much 😂. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea, Kelly 💙💗❤️💜💛🖤💚🧡♥️
Exactly, Alexandra. I am having fun with carrying a little book on my travels along with my chunky book. Then I can take the little one in my bag and add it to a pocket in the chunky one. I am also making some tiny books, about 5cm x 5cm to see how much messy good stuff I can get in there! Kelly
Wonderful project! Thanks for the video.
Kimberly, it is my real pleasure. Kelly
Kelly, You've basically just done a video showcasing the bulk of my art practice! Making small blank books is totally where it's at for me, since the larger and many-paged sketchbooks are a little intimidating for me at this stage (though I have many of these books, oh boy, do I ever). 😂 I love this binding type though, which *is new to me! I'll be trying it pronto on some brown paper I obtained (free) recently when I purchased some imperial sheets at my local store (the brown paper they use for wrapping). I have a book of about 8 sheets, so I guess I'll do 4 slit one way, and 4 slit the other way.💕🤯
Hi Violet. I hear a LOT about people who don't want to work in their blank books but keep buying them and I think this is a good way to break past that. Did you make a brown paper one yet? Keep me posted. Kelly
PS - you should NOT be intimidated. The pages on your IG feed are charming.
@@BookandPaperArts Oh, thank you! 💖😃
Great idea thank you
I am truly glad you liked it, KJ. I am still making these little books weeks later! Kelly
Very clever ❤
Your little books are so cute! For the slit books ,if I want more pages would it tear the opening?
Hi Betty. Thanks for touching base and the answer is - maybe. I tried it with a couple of more pages and it was fine but when I went quite a bit bigger it was a mess. So just experiment and see where the best point is - it's only paper! Kelly
I really enjoyed this tutorial and as a result, a couple more. At the moment I have a lot on my plate and so will be signing up for your classes at a later date. I tried subscribing to your newsletter and somehow was unable to do so. Is that a thing of the past?
Hello and welcome, Judy! Yes, sadly the newsletter is no more. I am trying to think of a format for a video one here on KZhead so stay tuned! I hope your plate gets situated. Believe me I know how it is. That is another good thing about this little book - it is easy to see being able to work in it and finish it. 🌻🌼🌷Kelly
This technique is amazing! Sort of like learning how a magic trick works! Thanks! If you want to make one with more than 3 pages, do you always put the multi page "tube" through the one page with the slit? Thanks again!
Hi there. I felt the same way as I only just found this technique a couple of weeks ago and I did not believe it would work until I got to that last step and I was like Hey, Presto, how did that happen? Yes, try multiple pages going through the single page in the same way. I had mixed results but some turned out just fine. Kelly
OK, good to know, thanks!
What was the size of the original one you made ? Thank you❤
Always love your videos Kelly I am still using your faux encaustic in my work. I love the effect. Can I check on something with this video please - the first book you pushed 2 pages through the slit. The second book you pushed one page through 2 pages that had a slit. So there is no rule?? Either way is fine? Sue Australia Always be very careful when typing the word slit.
Hello there, Susan. Did I??? Oh dear. Last year I did a video on the best way to tear paper and emphasised tearing longways and then my husband pointed out that through the rest of the video I tore shortways.🙄😮 So I guess it doesn't matter. Try choosing the one that makes you happiest and stick with that. And yes, one can imagine a bawdy tongue twister or limerick in here somewhere. 😉Kelly
Amazing idea, will this work for more pages? Like 50 to 100 pages?
Hello there. I think it is unlikely as they must feed through a narrow slit but try it! See how far you get and keep me posted. Kelly
Widening the slit helps. I did a few calculations to accomodate 16 pages, I will give it another try soon.
@@HontubeYT Thanks for the follow up. I need to try this with more pages, too.
What was the size of square format as well? How wide and long?
Hi, I no longer have the original and couldn't possibly guess but the whole point is that it doesn't really matter - you can't do it wrong. So far any size and dimensions I have tried have worked really well so get in there and experiment and you are going to make some fun books!🌼🌻🌷Kelly
Hi Kelly! Tried to use 3 Square pieces and did the same layout and the book came out ,not square but rectangle!??
HELP!
@@susancarvey9063Hi Susan, this is too close to geometry for my poor brain. 😮I wonder if it has to do with bisecting a square so that it then becomes two half-rectangle shapes. I am going to the studio tomorrow and I will experiment with square shapes and see if I get any new insight and if so, will get back to you pdq. All the best! 🌷🌻Kelly
When you made the first book in white paper you folded only 1 piece of paper then inserted two pages but when you made the brown paper one you did it opposite? Can it be done either way ?
Hi there. I believe it can but I am not 100% sure. Why not give it a try? Let me know how it works out. Kelly
Kelly Question. I took your idea for the slit book and combined it with your simple drawing and writing in a journal, your car, the wonton and your hat. I put together a class as a volunteer with reuse paper and tools for senior citizens. I credited you and receive no compensation for teachingborbfor supplies. I used brown paper grocery bags for the covers and 14 x 8.5 copy paper for the inside. My question is this. Can I have a brown paper drontband back cover with white sheets inside. I keep coming up with one brown front but the back is white. The briwn back cover I expected is mixed in with the white papers. Is there a solution or is this not possible? I have 2 professional artists and and 3 newbies to drawing. Than you.
Hi Karen, What a lovely thing to be doing and I am delighted that you are passing the teaching forward. As for the brown paper ending up on the back, I am just not sure. When I am in the studio tomorrow I will have a go and let me know if it works. If not, you can always go with white on white and decorate the covers yourselves (but you knew that already). I'll let you know! Kellly
@BookandPaperArts We're on the same page. It's like herding cats. One actual cut the paper into thirds. One of two professional artists. The new to drawing trio got it. Simple drawings but great stories that went with the drawings. Patience, patience, just breathe is new motto. Many thanks for testing even if it doesn't work. If this class succeeds I have a once a month group set up. People pay $2 to Lifelong for overhead and called a social group to explore new ideas. Introduce them to photos and collage. Just getting pencil to paper is the goal. Thank you for your encouragement. There are always plans C-Z. I live in Ithaca, New York in The FingerLakes.
@BookandPaperArts I think I have figured out why it doesn't work but need to test. The rolled part goes through the slit in the center to the outside but the paddle part stays in the center inside the journal. On to plan C. Then two who continued have written great stories to go with their drawings. One went to college amd lived in Bennington VT where the museum featuring Gramma Moses is located. Thank you for the inspiration.
@@karenmilligan3590 Hi Karen. For a collage and visual artist, my spatial imagination is rubbish so I can't quite see what you mean. But it sure sounds good. Thanks for the update on the books being made. You are so lucky to be part of that process. Passing It Forward is the best. 🌷🌻🌼Kelly
@BookandPaperArts everyone decided they wanted to take their drawings and descriptions out of the slit journals and add them to bound sketch books. They are continuing the process. They've weren't interested in decorating a cover but making another entry. Problem solved itself. Thank you for being a sounding board.