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Let's go over some of the tools that you'll need for your sketchbook, or your journal.
Depending on what sort of book you want to make, choose--this one's just typical computer
paper--but if you want to make a nicer journal, you can buy the big sheets--I think it's Strathmore
paper--at craft stores, and from that you can then measure out and cut your paper from
that. And that makes a really nice, high quality book. Today I'm just going to make a fun little
sketch book with computer paper. I'm going to do some colored ones as well. You'll need,
for binding, these machine screws. They have a blunted tip, and then it also comes with
a bolt. So you can either buy it with the rounded or the flat head, depending on what
look you want your journal to have.
For cutting, I usually have a regular pair of scissors, and an X-Acto knife, and then
I also like these big heavy duty cutters--just makes for cutting a lot quicker and more pieces
at one time. You'll need needle-nose pliers or something that you can grab the bolt with
to twist, hole puncher... I like to do an awl as well to go along with the hole puncher,
but if you just have a hole punch that's fine. This one's a standard sized hole punch, but
if you craft or do any sort of scrapbooking, you may have one that's a smaller size, which
is even better because then it'll fit right up against that screw. And then I also have
craft glue, and the rubber cement, and then a brush to go along with this craft glue.
And then you want something to be your cover for your book, so choose a medium-sized cardboard.
I got these whenever I ordered stamps online, and they'll send them to you along with the
stamps you ordered, so I just collect these and set them aside every time I get them,
and they make great covers. There's just a couple of different pieces, this one's a little
thicker. And then also, clear transparent cover that you can put over your design to
keep it protected, or if you have a laminating machine, you can also use that. I found this
just at any typical drugstore, in the section where the kitchen lining for your drawers
is. Last thing you'll need is--well, two more things you'll need--is your ruler, and you'll
also need your designs for your cover. So any kind of pictures that you have, or magazine
clippings, will work great.