All about making at ART CUPBOARD

Crafty Ideas, handmade treasures, little workshop

I've created an album showcasing some of the crafts I've made over the past year. You might wonder why I spend my time turning scraps, discarded items, and old bits and bobs into something new. Over the last year, I've crafted paper pieces, painted pictures, drawn, kept journals, completed my portfolio, taken thousands photos, made countless videos, and learnt so many new things I never knew before. Along the journey, there have been moments of doubt, frustration, the challenges. I`m not sure when it comes and when its gone. 

After losing my rhythm for a while, I learned to move again through the things I love. My hobbies became more than pastimes—they became quiet anchors, reminding me of joy, resilience, and the person I was slowly finding again.

 

Creating art and crafts is how I listen to myself when words feel too small; through colour, texture, and patient hands, I’ve found a language that feels honest and deeply my own. 

 

In Art Cupboard blog you can see how I’ve spent my time making things like felting, painting, knitting, drawing, and more. Each moment of making has helped me set my worries down, stay present, and rediscover the quiet pleasure of simply creating.

 So, how I made my portfolio?

 

ENTRY: 

 

 

 

My journey to create album about handcrafted work  

 

I have prepared the following materials to make a cover of my album:

• Scissors
• A hole punch for the cards 
• Prepared printed pages 
• Old carton pads or other cardboard (A4 size recommended)
• Glue
• Colourful paper scraps and pieces
• Paper doilies (traditional, old-fashioned table napkins)
• Fabric with flower patterns
• Short ribbons, paper string, or old lace

Preparing the Album Cover

To begin, I used cardboard from my old sketching pad, but any cut-out cardboard works just as well. The cardboard can be trimmed to A4 size if needed. At this stage, it is important to decide how many pages you want your album to have.

Creating the Cover

I designed the front cover using colourful paper scraps. To add texture and a vintage feel, I glued a paper doily onto the cover.

Adding Fabric and Decorative Elements

Next, I cut pieces of fabric with floral patterns and attached them to the cover. I used tacky glue, applying it carefully along the edge where the holes for the ribbons would be. Short ribbons can be used either as decorative accents or as part of the binding.
I also added decorative elements such as flowers and bumblebees, which I cut out from an old paper gift bag and glued onto the cover.

 

Reusing Old Clothing Materials

Some of the ribbons used in the album were carefully removed from old blouses and garments that I no longer needed. Reusing these materials gave the album a personal and sustainable touch. As an alternative, paper string or old lace can also be used to achieve a handcrafted look.

Assembling the Album

Once all the pages and the cover were ready, I used a hole punch to create holes along the edge of each page.  To make holes in the cover which is much harder, I used a hole punch for leather things. I then bound the album together using the ribbon and needle to it.

 

 

 

What everyday objects would you turn into something new if you had the chance?

 

 

 

 

How to make a diary, scrapbook and journal from scratch papers

Turn Paper Scraps into Treasured Memories

 

 

Do you have old papers, pages, cards, letters, or bits of cardboard lying around? Don’t throw them away — turn them into a diary or scrapbook full of memories! These handmade books are perfect for capturing notes from your hikes, special events, family stories, and old photographs you love.

Get creative by reusing old newspapers and paper calendars, then decorate your pages with charming embellishments like vintage lace, trims, ribbons, or cut‑out pieces from seasonal cards and pictures made by your children or grandchildren. All you need are scissors and a little craft glue or PVA glue to bring everything together.

No glue? No problem!
You can even make your own homemade glue — a simple, sustainable trick from the past. Just mix 1 part all‑purpose flour with 2 parts cold water, stir until smooth, and apply it to your paper scraps. Store the glue in a covered jar or bowl and use it within 3–4 days.

I still remember this homemade glue recipe from my childhood. Everyone knew it back then! It was the perfect rescue for last‑minute school projects when shop‑bought glue ran out — and it’s wonderfully eco‑friendly too.

I once had a huge pile of cardboard covers from my children’s old school books. They were already colourful, which made them even better. Instead of painting each piece by hand, I reused them as they were — saving time while giving new life to something that would otherwise be wasted.

A little imagination is all it takes to turn everyday leftovers into something meaningful.

These are examples of my own creative projects. On the right, I transformed an old notebook into a playful zine by gluing birds cut out from an old calendar. Working on it instantly lifts my mood, and every time I flip through the pages of my scrapbook, I feel happier and more inspired.

On the left is another scrapbook I made using recycled schoolbook covers, held together with an elastic band. This one is my everyday idea keeper—I fill it with sketches and spontaneous thoughts. Later, these ideas come to life as felt figurines and characters, which I then develop into brooches or hanging decorations.

Do you have a favourite memory‑keeping or upcycling idea? Share it in the comments and inspire others too! 

If you enjoyed this slow making of a diary or journal, you might also like my latest thoughts on Simple gardening ideas for kids and teens .