Hey there, craft mavens! Ready for a project that screams “new year, new me (and my junk)?” Well, grab those Bath & Body Works bags you’ve been hoarding and turn them into something amazing: a DIY pocketbook journal.
Yes, that’s right—we’re giving those adorable H-handled bags a glow-up. This project is perfect for anyone looking to use up leftover crafting supplies (or just clean their craft room without crying). Let’s get messy and make something fabulous!
What You’ll Need:
- Bath & Body Works bags (or any sturdy bags)
- Heavy cardboard (like the back of a mixed media pad)
- A trusty glue stick (because, let’s face it, duct tape isn’t fancy enough)
- A mixed media cutter (Tim Holtz, anyone?)
- Random papers and packaging (we’re going full-on junk journal here)
Step 1: Prepping the Bags
Start by cutting your bags into panels: front, back, and sides. You should have four fronts and four sides ready to go. Decide how big you want your journal to be (we’re thinking pocketbook-sized for that “cute as heck” vibe). Oh, and don’t worry if your desk gets messy—it’s part of the creative process!
Step 2: Crafting the Cover
Glue heavy cardboard to the inside of your bag panels to reinforce the covers. This adds some sturdiness to your journal while keeping that charming Bath & Body Works pattern intact (or mostly covered—it’s your call).
Step 3: Building the Spine
Cut a piece of cardboard for the spine. An inch and a quarter width works well, but hey, this is your junk journal. Bend it into shape, attach it to the covers, and voila! You’ve got the structure of your pocketbook journal.
Step 4: Get Creative with Pages
Now comes the fun part! Gather all that “craft room clutter” you’ve been meaning to use: old papers, packaging, art scraps—whatever inspires you. Next week, we’ll dive into binding those pages together, but for now, give yourself a high five for creating a solid foundation.
Closing Thoughts:
There you have it—your very own Bath & Body Works-inspired pocketbook journal! This project is all about having fun and using what you already have, so don’t stress about perfection. Whether it’s a vision board, diary, or scrapbook, your journal is going to be a showstopper. Catch you next week when we add pages to this masterpiece. Happy crafting!
