After sharing how I turned an inexpensive half-size composition notebook into a Bible Notes notebook, I had several people ask how I customized the inside and reconstructed the journal I showed at the end of the video.
So, that’s what we’re doing today!
How to Customize a Half-size Composition Notebook for Bible Journaling
I’m sharing two different ways to customize a half-size composition notebook for Bible journaling. The first way is really simple and doesn’t require taking the notebook apart at all. For the second version, we’re going to remove some of the original pages, add pockets and scrapbook paper, and sew everything back together to create more of a journal.
Both are easy to customize with whatever you already have in your craft stash, so let’s get started!
Supplies for the Bible Notes Journal
Here are the basic supplies I used for my journals. You can definitely change these up depending on what you already have on hand.
- Half-size composition notebook
- Printable Bible Notes cover
- Printable sticker paper or printable vinyl
- Self-adhesive laminate
- Scrapbook paper
- Cardstock and paper scraps
- Fabric Tac or your favorite adhesive
- Paper trimmer
- Craft knife and cutting mat
- Ruler
- Circle punch
- 4 x 6 note cards
- Washi tape
- Binder clips
- Needle and bookbinding thread
- Awl or piercing tool
- Foam pad
- Paper clips and other embellishments
- Silicone band and pen holder, optional
For these two notebooks, I used my Stand Firm and Known. Loved. Chosen. Bible Notes covers.
If you haven’t made the original notebook yet, start with my first tutorial where I show you how I transform these inexpensive half-size composition notebooks using printable sticker paper and laminate.
SEE HOW TO MAKE THE ORIGINAL BIBLE NOTES NOTEBOOK
Then come back to this tutorial when you’re ready to customize the inside.
You can also watch the full video tutorial below to see exactly how I made both versions.
Once you decide which cover you’re using, grab a few pieces of scrapbook paper that coordinate with the design. You really don’t need much for this project. I used just a few 12 x 12 sheets along with scraps I already had.
Option 1: Customize Your Half-Size Composition Notebook Without Taking It Apart
Let’s start with the easiest version.
For this one, we’re leaving all of the original composition notebook pages exactly as they are. We’re just going to finish the inside covers and add some pockets.
Start by measuring the width of your notebook and cut two pieces of scrapbook paper to fit the inside covers. I usually leave mine just a little larger than I need. You can always trim off the excess, but you can’t add it back once you’ve cut it too small!
Add your favorite adhesive to the back of the scrapbook paper. I used Fabric Tack and made sure to get plenty of glue around the edges so they don’t lift later.
Glue the paper to the inside cover and then use a craft knife to trim away anything hanging over the edges.
Repeat the same process on the back cover.
This is such a quick way to finish the inside of the notebook, and the extra layer of scrapbook paper also gives the cover a little more reinforcement.
Add Pockets for Bible Notes
Now we can add the pockets.
I’m not going to give you exact measurements for these because I found something interesting while working on these notebooks.
I ordered several of the exact same half-size composition notebooks at the same time, and some came with rounded corners while others had square corners. Even though they were the same brand, manufacturer and order, they weren’t exactly the same.
So, measure your notebook and make your pockets to fit.
For mine, I cut two different sizes so I could stack them. Before gluing them down, I used a hole punch to make a small notch in the center of each pocket.
Then just glue the two sides and bottom of the paper to the cover. Make sure you leave the top open or you won’t have much of a pocket!
I like using 4 x 6 note cards in these because they fit really nicely. You can use them for Bible study notes, Scriptures you want to remember, prayer notes or anything else you want to keep with your journal.
I repeated the same idea on the back cover, just switching up the colors.
And that’s really all there is to the first version.
You still have every page of the original notebook, but now you also have coordinating covers and several places to tuck notes, cards, stickers or bookmarks.
Option 2: Take the Half-Size Composition Notebook Apart
Now let’s make the more customized version.
For this one, we’re actually going to take the notebook apart.
Open your notebook to the center and find the thread holding all of the pages together. Use your craft knife or scissors to carefully cut the thread, remove it and lift all of the paper out of the cover.
Don’t worry. We’re putting it back together!
Remove Some of the Original Pages
Before putting the journal back together, I removed some of the original notebook paper.
I kept somewhere between half and three-quarters of the pages. How much you keep really depends on how you plan to use your journal.
The reason I remove some is because we’re going to be adding scrapbook paper, pockets, stickers, washi tape and other things as we use it. If you keep every original page, the notebook can get really bulky pretty quickly.
And definitely don’t throw those extra pages away. Put them aside and use them for another project. That’s what I’m doing with mine.
Cover the Inside of the Journal
With the pages out of the way, we can completely cover the inside of the notebook.
I used 12 x 12 scrapbook paper again, but one sheet isn’t long enough to cover the entire inside from end to end. Instead, I cut two pieces and overlapped them.
This actually works out perfectly because we can turn part of that overlapping paper into another pocket.
When you glue everything down, make sure you account for the spine and don’t pull the paper too tight. You still want the cover to bend and close naturally when everything is finished.
If you have double-sided scrapbook paper that coordinates with your cover, even better. Mine wasn’t double-sided, so I just layered the papers to get the look I wanted.
Again, use what you have.
Add Extra Pages and Dividers
Before we sew everything back together, you can also add other paper between the original notebook pages.
I added a piece of coordinating scrapbook paper with a decorative edge to create a little divider.
You could also add journaling paper, prayer lists, Scripture pages, Bible study prompts or whatever makes sense for how you plan to use your journal.
You don’t have to add anything at all, either.
That’s the fun part of reconstructing the notebook. Once you take it apart, you can really make it work for the way you like to take Bible notes and journal.
Sew the Half-Size Composition Notebook Back Together
Now we need to put everything back together.
I used a small bookbinding kit for this part. Mine came with the needle, thread and clips I needed, so I’ll link the one I used below.
Put your pages back inside the cover and make sure everything is centered along the spine.
Once it looks good, use binder clips to keep the pages from moving.
You’ll also want something underneath your notebook to protect your work surface. I used a piece of foam.
Pierce three holes through the center seam, making sure you go through the pages and the notebook cover.
Then stitch everything together.
There are different ways you can do this, but I like to start in the center. It’s only a few stitches, so don’t let the sewing part keep you from trying this project.
Once it’s tied off, your notebook is back together and ready to decorate.
Use Those Scrapbook Paper Scraps
Now we can have some fun with all of the scraps we have left.
I added several more pockets throughout my journal along with note cards, tabs, washi tape and a few little embellishments.
I also made a paper clip using a scrap of the scrapbook paper and added a cute butterfly paper clip I already had.
My finished Bible Notes journal has several pockets, 4 x 6 note cards, tabs, washi tape, decorative paper clips, scrapbook paper accents, a pen holder and a silicone band to keep everything closed.
The pockets are perfect for keeping stickers, notes, bookmarks, Scripture cards or anything else you’re using during your Bible study.
You can also decorate the original notebook pages, cover some with scrapbook paper or even glue a few pages together if you want something a little sturdier.
There really isn’t a right or wrong way to finish it.
Bible Notes Notebook or Bible Journal?
I love how different the two finished projects are even though they started with the same half-size composition notebook.
The first version is still very much a Bible Notes notebook. It has all of the original pages, but now it has a finished inside and plenty of pockets.
The reconstructed version feels more like a Bible journal. It has fewer writing pages but gives you more room to add papers, pockets, stickers, tabs and other things as you study.
And the best part?
This started as a 47-cent half-size composition notebook, and I only used about three pieces of scrapbook paper plus miscellaneous things I already had in my craft stash.
You definitely don’t need expensive journaling supplies to make something special for your Bible study.
Printable Bible Notes Notebook Covers
The Stand Firm and Known. Loved. Chosen. designs I used for this project are part of my new collection of printable Bible Notes notebook covers.
I created several different styles with designs for women, men, teens and kids because I wanted there to be something for everyone.
The printable designs are available individually, or you can get the complete collection in a bundle.
SHOP THE PRINTABLE BIBLE NOTES COVER COLLECTION
I hope this inspires you to customize your own half-size composition notebook for Bible journaling. You can keep it simple with a few pockets or completely take it apart and make it your own.
Use what you have, add what will actually be useful for the way you study, and have fun with it!
Pray, create and celebrate!
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