DIY Bullet Journal Tutorial

Hey, guys! As you have probably already noticed by my Instagram, I’m getting a little obsessed with bullet journaling! I had journals growing up but only just now got back in to it after a five-year hiatus. Only this time, my journal is going to be about art, writing and general creative fun!

As promised, here is a new bullet journal tutorial!

Materials Used:

Moleskin Notebook

Mulberry Paper

Colored Pencils

Dual Brush Pens, assorted colors

Writing Pens, assorted colors

Washi Tape, assorted colors

Pencil

Eraser

Scissors

Ruler

How-To:

 Step 1: First decide what purpose you want the bullet journal to have. My bullet journal (different my reading bullet journal) is to help me do something creative for at least five minutes every day.

Side Note: When I was a kid, I loved to draw; I don’t know at what point I stopped. To get back into it, I draw something that I’ve seen that day or that I want. I desperately want a dog, but I until my lifestyle supports one, the best I can do is cartoon dog, Toby. Yep, that right—I name my imaginary pets and he looks like a Toby!

Step 2: Draw an illustration on the first page of the journal. If you want a border, mark up the space first so you don’t have to cram it in later. This first drawing will be the introduction to your bullet journal. As a fan of Vanessa Bell’s work, I chose to draw a version of the illustration she did for her sister’s posthumously published diary: “A Writer’s Diary.”

Step 3: Flip to a new page and draw something from your imagination. Make it something that’ll motivate you and has a positive message. I drew succulents in a pot.

Side Note: Pen and marker ink bleed through the pages. To prevent bleeding, place a scratch piece of paper between the pages.

Step 4: Take the mulberry paper and slip it between the two illustrated pages. Make sure the edge of the paper is tucked into the journal snuggly. Using your pencil, lightly trace around the edges of the notebook. Remove the mulberry paper. Take the scissors and cut along the pencil tracing.

Side Note: Stupidly, I did not take any pictures of my actual process, so, yes, the mulberry pages were already inserted at the time this picture was taken.

Step 5: Cut a piece of washi tape the length of the cut mulberry paper (also now the same length as the journal). Tape the mulberry paper into the journal. The mulberry paper acts as a colorful and fun divider between illustrations and written entries!

Step 6: On a new page, write your first entry. The entry can be about whatever you want. My entries are the first drafts of DIY tutorials.

The drawings don’t need to work together (you don’t need to have a theme unless you want one) and if you don’t want to write anything, you don’t have to. This journal is for you: do what makes you happy!