There's no reason why DIY journals have to be in book format. I love the idea of just writing one line every day for a few years (actually a lot of years 'cos there's the reverse of each card too).

Make a travel journal for each trip and decorate it according to your destination.

To make this you'll need to find a tutorial on how to "bind" - there are tons!

What a clever idea.

To store your little treasures. I would include the envelope pages with normal writing pages.

You can spend lots of dollars on store bought leather journals. Maybe make your own?

Go to town!

You can use these on your novels and textbooks too.

Old maps are always great for travel journals.

Wreck it how you like!

Felt covers will keep your journal in tip-top condition.

Such an easy yet inexpensive idea for great gifts.

Keep your secrets safe.

Source: flickr.com

Make this from fabrics of clothes that have meant something to you.

Am loving this. Use transparent tape to pick up words.

You know how you can never find your pen? Not now!

Or here's another version.

And here's another. What a great way to recycle some old jeans.

Ok, my green and eco-conscious friends, this one is for you. Tutorials available online.

Buttons and ribbons don't need a lot of skill or imagination but are very effective.

Fill the jar with thoughts on all the good things that happen through the year. Next time you're felling down or need a smile - open the jar and take out a thought.

This is called Japanese binding and you can find lots of tutorials for it.

Source: Tridiagonal

What a lovely idea.

This is such a neat idea and a great way to keep your precious treasures safe. It's made from pieces of vinyl sewn together.

Follow the link to the tutorial by Elvie Studio.

Get your journal organized.

Now that's clever. Cut them up and stick them in your journal.

Even plain can become beautiful.

Another way to recycle old jeans.

Source: HOW TO make a Leather ...

Just to give you a flavor of what to expect with a binding tutorial.

Source: How-To: Woven Map Notebook - ...

This is a different way to repurpose old maps for travel albums.

Use strips of fabric or even ribbons.

Now that's how to create a ticket page for your smash book.

Source: DIY Libreta Anthropologie | el ...

Want to create something that looks like you bought it from Anthropologie?

Don't throw your old cereal boxes in the recycling.

It will be such fun reading back over old journals in future years.

This is an excellent way to use those photos that “go wrong" - no heads, over exposure, etc...

It doesn't have to be jeans as seen previously. Other pants will do just as well.

Rather than decorate your smash book, journal or diary, get on the sewing machine and run up a nifty cover.

Something cheap becomes a thing of beauty.

The equivalent of phone charms (they died a hasty death didn't they?)

Source: DIY Ombre Journals - Damask ...

Get with the ombre trend.

Source: crafts

Just what you need if you're an artist on the go.

You can bind together greetings cards, invitations, programs, notes and all sorts of paraphernalia from special events.

Tie a ribbon or two, or three, or four...

Source: Le lapin dans la lune ...

Just follow the steps/ And it doesn't just have to be for sketchbooks.

Organize your journal sections with Washi tape.

Source: VolumeVII

I like the idea of recycling old books. Stick your mementoes to the old pages and affix paper sheets in for writing on. Remove sections of the old pages with a craft knife to make room. Embellish the cover too.

Source: Monopoly Game Board Journal with ...

Keep your scores in it or use it as a general journal.

Nice straight forward DIY journal project.

Oh the possibilities!

Source: arthousecoop.tumblr.com

Cute idea.

Source: Artsy Lady Book

Put old board game boards to good use.

The only limit to DIY journals is your imagination – oh, and maybe your crafting skills. I might just be inspired to buy a plain journal next time and DIY it. Do you buy or make your journals?