Do you love cute organizers? Well, I have some adorable journals waiting to be made. DIY journals, to be precise, the kind that is so pretty you will want to carry them around with you all of the time to show them off, that is when you are not documenting notes and thoughts about your day and life in them. These journals range from agendas to keep your plans organized, notebooks to write down what you need from the store, or travel journals you write where you have been. You don’t even have to be the one using them, they can be gifts or something you can sell. Last August the school year was starting and all the cute agendas at the grocery store were 30$ and honestly, I don’t have the money for that. I decided to look at some tutorials to see if they were cheaper and some were only five dollars! I gathered some stuff from the dollar store and started to make a journal. When I was finished it cost less than five dollars and it was so much cuter than the ones I saw at the store. Check these cool tutorials out for the coolest cheapest journals you can make yourself! Inexpensive, super creative, really impressive and easy, too. What more could you ask for in a DIY project?
1. Simple Sharpie Journals
Do you love diy journals? This simple sharpie journals idea is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the sharpie journals. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Lilblueboo has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
2. DIY Summer Journal
I am a big fan of fun crafts, and this diy summer journal idea is one of my favorites. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Polkadotchair at the link.
3. Homemade Journals
This homemade journals idea is simple, quick, and exactly a clear how-to I keep coming back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Abeautifulmess to see every step.
4. DIY Pocket Travel Journal
Why not try an easy tutorial the easy way? This diy pocket travel journal idea makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Simpleasthatblog for the complete recipe.
5. Fabric Covered Book Journal
Fabric Covered Book Journal – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Twotwentyone’s full tutorial for all the details.
6. DIY Prayer Journal
This is home decor, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the prayer journal. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Illustratedfaith has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
7. Gratitude Journal With Washi Tape Cover
Whether it is a weeknight or a get-together, this gratitude journal with washi tape cover idea fits right in if you love craft ideas. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Ahousefullofsunshine at the link.
8. Make an Art Journal
littlegirldesigns
Give this make an art journal idea a try the next time you want DIY projects. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get our full step by step tutorial to try it yourself.
9. DIY Ombre Journals
Damasklove nailed it with this diy ombre journals idea – easy crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the ombre journals. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Damasklove for the complete recipe.
10. Fabric Covered Journal
My family always asks for step by step instructions, this fabric covered journal idea is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Amanda Darlingdesigns’s full tutorial for all the details.
11. DIY Journal From Breakfast Box
Ever crave a fun DIY? This diy journal from breakfast box idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.
12. Photo Dot Journal DIY
I have always loved fun crafts, and this photo dot journal diy idea is a great example why. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Abeautifulmess at the link.
13. Rainbow Journal Cover
This rainbow journal cover idea is quick, easy, and a real win for a clear how-to. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Handimania to see every step.
14. Homemade DIY Journal Out of Wood
Why make it complicated? This homemade diy journal out of wood idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the journal out wood. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Thriftdiving for the complete recipe.
15. Free Printable Watercolor Notebook Covers For Journals
Free Printable Watercolor Notebook Covers For Journals? Sign me up. This is handmade goods done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Eighteen25’s full tutorial for all the details.
16. Easy DIY Photo Journal
Here is home decor, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Damasklove has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
17. Turn An Ordinary Notebook Into A Beautiful Journal
From a quiet night in to a full house, this turn an ordinary notebook into a beautiful journal idea works if you love craft ideas. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the into beautiful journal. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Craftytexasgirls at the link.
18. Easy Handmade Art Journal
Try this easy handmade art journal idea next time you’re after step by step instructions. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Alisaburke to see every step.
19. DIY Junk Journal
Smartfundiy really knows a fun DIY, and this diy junk journal idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Smartfundiy for the complete recipe.
20. Medieval Journal Cover
If your crew is into castles and quests, this medieval journal cover idea disappears fast whenever I make fun crafts. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Layers of Learning’s full tutorial for all the details.
23. Make Your Own Instagram Journal
This make your own instagram journal idea is fuss free and delivers on handmade goods. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Abeautifulmess to see every step. You can also watch how it’s done on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
25. Denim Covered Journal
Denim Covered Journal, and it is a good one. Just fun crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the denim covered journal. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Denimdoover’s full tutorial for all the details.
26. Easy DIY Scrapbook Journals
I do not think I will ever get tired of a clear how-to like this. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Damasklove has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
27. DIY Handmade Journal
Weeknight, weekend, or a crowd – this diy handmade journal idea covers an easy tutorial either way. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Afewshortcuts at the link.
28. Button And String Journal
Put this button and string journal idea on your list next time you want handmade goods. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Thecreativeplace to see every step.
29. Beautiful Leather Journal
Credit where it is due – Tidbits Cami really delivers on a fun DIY, this beautiful leather journal idea included. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Tidbits Cami for the complete recipe.
30. Smash Journal Bucket List
We go through fun crafts like this quickly at my house, and this smash journal bucket list idea is a favorite. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the journal bucket list. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Porkchopandme’s full tutorial for all the details.
31. DIY Journal Out of Composition Notebook
Craving a clear how-to without much effort? This diy journal out of composition notebook idea has you covered. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Rachaelsbooknook has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
32. Turn A Comp Book Into A Gratitude Journal
Count me as a fan of a fun DIY – this turn a comp book into a gratitude journal idea is proof. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Allthingstarget at the link.
33. Wonderful Handmade Journal Cover
This wonderful handmade journal cover idea is about as easy as fun crafts gets. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the handmade journal cover. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Allpeoplequilt to see every step.
34. Simple Stamped Journal
Skip the fuss – this simple stamped journal idea is a clear how-to done the easy way. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Lilblueboo for the complete recipe.
35. DIY Sketchbook Journal
DIY Sketchbook Journal for the win. This is a fun DIY at its easiest. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Thefrugalcrafter’s full tutorial for all the details.
