DIY: Jonathan Saunders inspired Color Block Journal

I love good stationery.  And nothing brightens up a stressfuld ay of work like a great notebook or planner.  Making (and crossing items off) my to-do list just feels that much better.  When I saw this Jonathan Saunders for Smythson Diary , I was of course, smitten.  But in addition to being sold out, it’s so expensive!  I immediately set out to recreate my own.  I ended up making mine in neon pink, but the sky is truly the limit in terms of color combinations… get creative and have fun with it!

Materials

Begin by laying out a strip of painter’s tape across the length of the notebook.  This is going to be your black stripe.

Cover the entire notebook in a coat of white acrylic paint…  (this is important as it neutralizes the black and will allow your colors to shine through.)

Paint on the first color…

And then the second color…

Allow to dry completely, and then peel off your painters tape.

Voila!  Your notebook will look like this.

Fill in any white spaces with paint…

Glue on your ribbon, as shown below.

And then apply your rhinestone!  You are finished… enjoy your snazzy new notebook.

Top image via, all other images Stripes & Sequins

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

0 Comments

  1. Lesley:

    Cute cute cute!!! I might have to do this to one of my moleskines!

    3.26.12 Reply
  2. christin:

    LOVE this one. i should just do this at work to the notebooks we have. arts & crafts time in the conference room! 

    3.26.12 Reply
  3. Supal:

    Oh this is incredibly simple! I’m heading to grad school in the fall and plan on getting moleskins instead of notebooks (since they’re prettier). Totally doing this to make them extra pretty! 

    3.26.12 Reply
  4. Things That Sparkle:

    Absolutely love this!! You are so freaking creative

    3.26.12 Reply
  5. Tara:

    I love this! You chose such fabulous colors 🙂
    xx

    http://www.queenoffunkydiy.blogspot.com

    3.26.12 Reply
  6. AvgGirlsGuide:

    Adore the colors you selected and the rhinestone? Perfect!

    3.26.12 Reply
  7. Viviana Carmona:

    SO great! This must be attempted by me!

    3.26.12 Reply
  8. Liz - So Much to Smile About:

    I absolutely adore notebooks – and I go through so many! Will definitely have to give this a try!

    3.26.12 Reply
  9. Julie & Lauren:

    This is awesome- I’m sending this to one of my friends who is obsessed with personal journals! Xo

    3.26.12 Reply
  10. Budgetnista Kia:

    I Love this project! I’m heading to Joanne’s today anyway, so I’ll just pick up some paint and try this in a few days!  Thanks
    http://www.budgetnistabuzz.com/

    3.26.12 Reply
  11. Ladyofashion:

    Clever, and super cute colour combination. I love it! 🙂

    3.26.12 Reply
  12. Catherine Gabel:

    I love this idea!! This is amazing.

    http://www.indulgenceissimple.blogspot.com 

    3.26.12 Reply
  13. Tamra Sanford:

    Ohh I love this DIY!  Also a great idea for a way to decorate guest books.  Thanks Grace!

    3.26.12 Reply
  14. Thenowstylebook:

    Nice!!! So cute!!!! xoxo Elizabeth

    3.26.12 Reply
  15. Sarah:

    I LOVE this! You are so creative, Grace!

    3.26.12 Reply
  16. Molliee Martin:

    loving this idea! I never leave the house without my day planner and this makes it so much cuter!

    3.26.12 Reply
  17. Julia Rosinus:

    so cute!! love the pink and brown color choice.

    3.26.12 Reply
  18. Laura|Style Notes:

    I’m a little bit obsessed with pretty stationary! This is a fabulous DIY! Love the colour combo you chose 🙂

    Laura xo

    3.26.12 Reply
  19. Mal @ The Chic Geek:

    Gorgeous! I love this project

    3.26.12 Reply
  20. Nnenna:

    Ooo, I’m a stationery lover too! I love the bright pink on your DIY version 🙂

    3.26.12 Reply
  21. Jordan - Queen of LA:

    loving the pink! anytime i am crafty i think about how talented YOU are! 🙂

    3.26.12 Reply
  22. Alexa:

    Grace. You amazing. Oh have I said that before? Well…I say it again! These are too cute.

    3.26.12 Reply
  23. Lisa @ Elembee, Etc:

    How fun! Definitely need to give this a try.

    3.26.12 Reply
  24. Lisa:

    Fantastic DIY!!  I love a great notebook to keep me organized (so needed).  Will definitely try this for my next one.  Thanks for sharing!!

    3.26.12 Reply
  25. victoria | vmac+cheese:

    I love it! It looks fantastic. 🙂 Fun little craft project for sure…even for a total newbie DIYer like me!

    3.26.12 Reply
  26. Erika [small shop]:

    That is all kinds of fabulous…the colors, that black rhinestone…you’ve done it again Grace!

    3.26.12 Reply
  27. AnnOnandOn:

    (First time here) That looks like a fun project. You did a great job. 🙂

    3.26.12 Reply
  28. Bettina:

    Awesome DIY as usual! Love it Grace! There’s something so refreshing about physically crossing items of a to-do list, I swear I always try to move to an electronic format, but always come running back to paper!

    3.27.12 Reply
  29. Becca Atwood:

    So fun! We need to have a craft night soon.

    3.27.12 Reply
  30. Mai:

    ooh..i will have to try this!

    3.27.12 Reply
  31. Frankie hearts fashion:

    How cute is this?! And I love the colors you did! xo

    3.27.12 Reply