You don’t need an expensive journal to create something beautiful and useful for Bible study. For this project, I’m transforming an inexpensive half-size composition book into a customized Bible Notes journal complete with a laminated cover, scrapbook paper, pockets, and plenty of room for notes.
The best part? These little notebooks cost less than 50 cents each, and most of the other supplies are things you may already have in your craft room. Let’s get started!
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use in my projects.
DIY Bible Notes Journal from a 50-Cent Composition Notebook
I created two printable Bible Notes cover designs for this project—soft pink and ivory—so you can recreate the look without having to design the covers yourself.
I really like using the half-size composition books for this project. They’re a convenient size to keep with your Bible, take to church, or use during Bible study without carrying around another full-size notebook.
You can certainly use a regular composition book instead. During back-to-school season, you can usually find those pretty inexpensively too.
I’ve even seen crafters cut full-size composition books in half with a scroll saw, but if you can find the half-size version already made, that’s definitely the easier option. The edges are finished, the corners are already rounded, and they’re ready to customize.
Supplies
For this Bible Notes journal, you’ll need:
Half-size composition notebook
Bible Notes printable cover
Matte printable sticker vinyl or sticker paper
Clear holographic self-adhesive laminate
Permanent vinyl
Scrapbook paper
Paper trimmer
Craft knife
Cutting mat
Ruler or scraper
Adhesive
Scrapbook paper and embellishments for the inside, optional
Tip: This is a great craft-stash project. I used permanent vinyl I already had on hand, along with scrapbook paper and other supplies from my craft room.
Check out the full video
Get the Bible Notes Printable Covers
I created two versions of the Bible Notes cover: pink and ivory. The printable includes coordinating front and back designs. You can get the printable when you sign up for my Studio Letter, where you’ll also get access to my VIP templates, images, and other creative resources.
Print the covers at 100% or Actual Size rather than selecting Fit to Page. The covers are intentionally designed so you can trim them slightly after they’re applied to the notebook for a nice, clean fit.
Step 1: Print the Bible Notes Covers
Start by printing the front and back cover designs on matte printable sticker vinyl.
I’m using the pink and ivory versions for my notebooks, the process is exactly the same for both.
Because the cover is going onto a notebook that will be handled regularly, I wanted to give the printed sticker vinyl a little extra protection. That’s where the holographic laminate comes in.
Step 2: Add Holographic Laminate
For projects like this, I like using a plain holographic self-adhesive laminate. It helps protect the printed surface and adds a little more durability, but I especially like the finish it gives the notebook. The holographic effect catches the light without competing with the Bible Notes design.
Instead of cutting everything first, I laminate the full printed sheet. Peel back one corner of the laminate carrier sheet and fold back about an inch of the backing. Line up the exposed edge of the laminate with the edge of your printed sheet and press it into place. I use a felt-covered ruler to smooth the laminate. Once that first section is adhered, hold onto the carrier sheet while slowly pulling it away and pushing the ruler across the laminate at the same time.
This is the method I use when laminating stickers, bookmarks, and other printable projects. Working slowly helps prevent bubbles and wrinkles. Once the entire sheet is laminated, you can roughly trim out the front and back covers.
Don’t worry about getting the outside edges absolutely perfect yet. We’ll do the final trimming after they’re on the notebook.
Step 3: Hide the Original Composition Book Pattern
Here’s an extra step that makes a big difference in the finished notebook, especially when you’re working with a light-colored design.
Depending on the printable sticker vinyl you’re using, you may be able to see some of the original black-and-white composition book pattern through the sticker. That’s definitely not the look we’re going for. My solution is simple: permanent vinyl.
I have plenty of permanent Smart Vinyl sitting in my craft room that I don’t use nearly as often as I thought I would, so this is a great way to put some of it to use. Cut a piece of permanent vinyl slightly larger than the notebook cover and apply it directly over the original composition book design. Trim the vinyl flush with the cover using a craft knife and cutting mat.
Repeat on the back.
Now you’ve created a clean, opaque base for the printed Bible Notes design. Do You Have to Add the Vinyl Layer? No.
If you’re using a darker or busier printable, you probably won’t notice the original notebook pattern underneath. But with light colors like the ivory and baby pink designs I’m using here, that extra layer of vinyl makes the finished cover look much cleaner.
If you have leftover permanent vinyl in your craft stash, this is a great way to use it.
Step 4: Apply the Bible Notes Cover
Now we’re ready for the fun part.
Before removing the sticker backing, make sure the edge that will sit against the notebook’s original black spine is completely straight. You don’t want any white border showing along that edge.
Peel back a small portion of the carrier sheet and carefully line the printable up against the black spine.
Once you’re happy with the placement, press that section down. Slowly remove the remaining backing while smoothing the cover onto the notebook. Don’t worry about the excess around the outside edges.
Place the notebook on your cutting mat and use a sharp craft knife to carefully trim the laminated sticker vinyl flush with the notebook. Repeat the process for the back cover.
The original black spine stays uncovered. I really like the contrast between the black binding and the soft botanical covers, and there’s no need to add another material over a part of the notebook that’s designed to flex.
At this point, you could stop. You’d have a really pretty, customized Bible Notes notebook that’s ready to use. But you can also take it a step further.
Step 5: Turn It Into a Custom Bible Study Journal
For my finished notebook, I wanted something a little thinner with space for more than just lined notes.
So I deconstructed the notebook.
I removed the cover and paper and then put less than half of the original lined paper back inside. This leaves plenty of writing space while making room for the other elements without creating an overly bulky journal. I covered the inside of the original covers with scrapbook paper and added several pockets.
These are perfect for holding things like:
Bible study notes
Scripture cards
Prayer lists
Church notes
Bookmarks
Bible study reference cards
Small printables
I also added additional pockets and scrapbook-paper details throughout the notebook. This part is completely customizable.
Use the scrapbook paper, ribbon, stickers, die cuts, paper scraps, and embellishments you already have in your craft room and make the notebook work for the way you study your Bible.
An Easy Bible Journal Using Supplies You Already Have
This is one of those projects where an inexpensive basic supply can become something completely different.
The half composition notebook starts out costing less than 50 cents, but adding the printed Bible Notes cover, holographic laminate, scrapbook paper, pockets, and other little details gives it a much more finished look.
And you don’t have to completely reconstruct yours. Keep all the original lined pages if you want a traditional Bible study notebook. Remove some pages if you’d rather have a thinner journal. Add pockets or keep the inside simple.
There really isn’t one right way to finish it.
More Ideas for Your Bible Notes Journal
Once you have the basic notebook made, there are plenty of ways to customize it further. Try adding coordinating ribbon bookmarks, scripture tabs, prayer cards, a Bible-reading tracker, sermon note pages, a pen loop, or pockets for study materials.
You could also make several notebooks for different purposes: one for sermon notes, one for personal Bible study, and another for prayer or scripture writing. And because the starting notebooks are so inexpensive, these would also make thoughtful handmade gifts for Bible study groups, church friends, teachers, or women’s ministry events.
Make Your Own Bible Notes Journal
I love how these little notebooks turned out, especially considering what they looked like when I started. The holographic laminate gives the covers just enough extra detail when the light hits them, while the scrapbook paper and pockets make the inside useful for Bible study instead of being purely decorative. And that’s really the point of this project: use what you already have and turn an inexpensive notebook into something you’ll actually enjoy using.
Don’t forget to sign up for the Studio Letter to get the pink and ivory Bible Notes printable covers, along with access to my VIP templates and images.
If you make one, I’d love to see how you customize yours!
Pray, create and celebrate!
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