As soon as Halloween is over I’m ready to get into the holiday spirit. If September 1 means the start of pumpkin spice season, then November 1 gives the okay to listen to Christmas music, right? (Though to be perfectly honest, my kids are carol obsessed and forced me to jingle all the way through summer.) And, hurrah, it’s time to start getting your gift giving list in order!
On a recent dash through Anthropologie with a screaming baby in tow, I managed to stop and admire these pretty suede journals for about 2 seconds. Immediately 10 people came to mind to buy them for. Because journals are the perfect gift! Who doesn’t love crisp, blank paper and a new, sharp pencil? If Anthro gifts aren’t in the budget (much less multiples!), there’s good news: you can DIY your own leather journal in no time with a piece of leather remnant.
Anthropologie DIY Journal
- Leather remnant (mine was provided by the Leather Hide Store)
- Rotary cutter or scissors
- Leather punch
(or a needle will also work)
- Thin colored cord
1. Cut a piece of leather 19 inches long and 9 inches wide.
2. Flip the leather so the rough outside is showing. Fold one end of the leather up, keeping enough length at the top for the flap.
3. Take 10 sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper, stack them together and fold in half. Stick them into the pocket of the leather.
4. With a pen, make a small dot on the paper and the leather where they meet about 2 inches from each edge. Make a hole through the paper with the needle. Make a row of 5 dots on the leather and poke through them with the leather punch or a needle.
5. Thread the needle with a piece of cord and stitch the paper to leather so that the cord shows on the outside. Knot in the middle and cut any excess.
6. Repeat with 4 additional sections of paper.
7. Find the middle of the flap and cut a diagonal piece on each side so the end comes to a point.
8. Fold the flap down and cut two small holes on either side of the flap to hold the pencil.
Do you love to journal? I always start with grand ambitions of writing each morning and then wind up using it for to do lists.
What kind of leather did you buy? What was the size of the remnant and the price?
Thanks!
Love the “no sew” DIY! Made even simpler with this beautiful DIY! Easy to follow step by step pictures and directions! A great idea, just in time for your December gift giving!
I saw the word Anthropologie and immediately fell in love with this tutorial. As someone who loved leather journals but also lives on a small budget, this tutorial is perfect. Thank you so much!
What a lovely idea! I love making presents rather than buying them. Definitely on my list to make a couple!
Love the way this looks. You did a great job. I have a friend who loves writing. This would be a great gift. Thanks for sharing from 3girls1apple.com
This is amazing! Great idea. Do visit back :D
I love journals too! I would love to make this for myself. Love the pencil holder :)
I love to collect pretty journals but don’t do much writing in them. This is definitely one to add to the collection! Gorgeous!
What a great gift idea! I think my sister would love a blue one of these in her Christmas stocking.
Love this Leather Journal. I know exactly who I am going to make this for. Thank you so much.
Nice. Isn’t it amazing how anything made from leather is extra special.
such a great idea
thanks for sharing
brett
This is so neat!
So beautifully done and sharply executed, Stephanie! These would make perfect gifts and are so easy and inexpensive to make!
xo ~ Lia Smart n Snazzy
that is beautiful, you could add that to my list :)