12 Days of Gift Giving: Cereal box Notebooks
What you'll need:
Cereal box
Acrylic paint, 4-5 colors
Stencils
Stamps
Paint brushes
Water
Sandpaper
Hole Punch
Twine
Binder paper (for journals) or printer paper (for sketchbooks)
Chipboard phrase
Step by step:
1. Find the box's sideseam and open it up.
2. Cut the top, bottom and sideseam flaps off.
3. Crease the remaining side panel in half vertically.
4. Paint a layer of gesso over the surface. Let dry. Paint the inside with gesso. Let dry.
5. Paint the inside and outside whatever color you chose. Make sure to let each side dry completely before flipping it over.
6. Using a dry brush, a different color and minimal paint; paint a thin, light layer over the outside surface. Let dry.
7. Run your sandpaper lightly over your notebook to remove some of the second color. This reveals more of the first layer and give the notebook a worn old fashioned look.
8. Stamp your chosen images wherever you see fit. They can be random or used to create a scene.
9. Paint a couple of your stamped images to add another layer of color. Let dry
10. Use your stencils and paint to add more dimension, layers and color around your notebook. Let dry.
11. Paint your chipboard phrase. Once dry, adhere it to your notebook.
12. Punch 3 holes through all layers down the "bound" side of your notebook. Tie your twin through all layers and pages binding your notebook.
Just a note:
I know this project seems a bit overwhelming at first when in fact it's terribly simple. Most of your time will be spent waiting for paint to dry. So brush of that trepidation and get going. The results are well worth the effort.
Happy Crafting,
Misty
If you loved this free tutorial look into booking one of my creative workshops.
