Make Your Own Ideabook with Arne & Carlos: Create Handmade Art Journals and Bound Keepsakes to Store Inspiration and Memories

by Arne Nerjordet, Carlos Zachrison

A keepsake; a treasure trove; a work of art. A source of inspiration; a method of organization; a peek inside the chaos and creativity of our own minds. An ideabook can be any one of these, or all of them, or something else a collection of memories, a way to store recipes or patterns, a genealogical journal, a planner for a wedding or renovation or garden … The sky is the limit! With Arne and Carlos’s wit, style, and trademark handcrafting genius to guide you, learn how you can make and enjoy your own ideabooks—to celebrate, remember, or reach out for all that lies ahead.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Art, Journaling, Journal, Inspirational, Knitting

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[John’aLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a book causes an explosion in my brain, and I can’t wait to dive in and start tackling all the ideas going off in my head. This was one of those books.

Arne and Carlos, knitwear designers who own a clothing design company show you how to make an ‘Idea Book’ from start to finish, and then share how and why they use them in their design process and other areas of their lives.

Idea Books for:
Recipe collecting
Remodel projects
Dream homes
Patten collecting
Planning a wedding
Garden-keeping
A diary of words and sketches
A children’s alphabet book, w/magazine clippings
Genealogical journals…..

So much fun!

[Elizabeth A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I spotted this book on my library shelves and brought it home with me. I'm a fan of idea books, and the authors show how they make theirs, showcase several of their books, with tips for themed books. I loved the photography in this book, seeing all those fat, splayed out books make me want to paw through them. However, the content itself was on the light side, so just OK.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a completely different take on art journals... Arne and Carlos make their own journals (involving a sewing machine) and collage pretty much everything into them.

[April Munday · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't go into as much detail as I would have liked about the process of making the books, but the pictures and ideas are great.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with a lot of inspiration that sent me scurrying for materials to make one of their idea books. Love their take on the binding and all the many ways you can use an idea book. The illustrations and instructions are easy to follow.

[Tracy Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you follow my reviews you will know I am a MASSIVE paper addict. I love nothing more than a handmade book and think that personal creativity can add an eclectic and beautiful look.

This is one amazing book. Arne and Carlos are masters of what they do. 

The ideas that these two fabulous creators give us are simply divine. They make book making and journaling easy for everyone. The ideas included are both inspiring and fun.  Almost every type of paper can be used and recycling is heavily encouraged. 

It is incredibly unique and each page is beautifully photographed with an array of colour and stunning artwork.

The book includes a double sided inspiration sheet, that can be photocopied, or used as it is, to be coloured in, stamped and inked to give a impression of who you are as crafter.

I absolutely love this book, it is the perfect 'go to' and of course will make an excellent gift for every papercrafter. 

[Annelies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek zit boordevol inspiratie en mooie foto's. Zelf boekbinden is me net iets te veel werk, maar ik heb wel superveel inspiratie opgedaan over technieken en materialen voor mijn art journal.

[Kailey Wicked]

I mostly thumbed through this to get more ideas for my own journaling and other projects, which it was great for.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I did not necessarily learn anything new like how to make or bind a book or-get new ideas for idea books to make-most of the idea books that were in the book; I am already making or keep, but I was happy to see that I was on the right track and different options if I wanted them.

I will say though it was cool to see all of the collections that these 2 authors have created. Their work is bold, there are beautiful pictures in this book and the pages are luscious, inspirational, and such a great way to store ideas and found paper and keepsakes. I love the way they store and keep history and collectibles right in front of you by turning it into another form of artwork. My favorite idea books were the crocheting, fashion, cookbooks, quilting and sewing idea books.

I am a fan and really enjoyed the book. I would recommend for any artist, archivist, scrapbooker and book maker. Highly recommend adding this to your library.

[Sooz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arne and Carolos are a cute Scandinavian couple who decorate, knit things, and have a popular YouTube channel. In this magazine-type book, they show how to make an "Idea Book" (also sometimes called smashbooks, gluebooks, scrapbooks, inspiration books) out of recycled papers. It is quite a good method they have, and I constructed several books based on their instructions. I had lots of fun. Their photos are really good. Especially take note of their most awesome iron book press; inspired by this beautiful design, my husband purchased a beautiful oak press for me for my birthday.

[Soc Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arne & Carlos, the knitters, take you step by step, in great detail, through the construction of a "junk journal." They show you how they use theirs to record ideas and remember designs that they later use for their creations. They also cover other themed books they have made with the same process.

[Willow Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought me so much joy. It sparked a little reminder of my childhood and I am just soaking it all in. I’m not sure I could make my own little book without a sewing machine/ some of the other items listed. But I feel so inspired to start a small yearly scrapbook that sums up our year as a family!! This was such a great book.

[Sarah Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book that showed you not only ideas for how to use idea books, but also how to make your own books using recycled/upcycled materials. I would like to look at this book again later after I have gotten more into journaling as a way to make my own journals at home.

[Slynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave me lots of ideas of things to try, although I admit their style isn't what I like. The directions were okay, not great but not bad either. A great reference for how someone makes a different style of idea book. This is a good book for spawning ideas.

[Dorise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It provides an in-depth guide to making idea books which are a form of junk journal. The book binding instructions are especially good and the photography throughout is excellent. The book as a whole is inspiring and fun to look at.

[Jen Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 2nd or 3rd time reading this book cover to cover, and while it’s average as far as instructions for binding your own idea book, I mostly love it for the photos and taking a peek at their various scrapbooks and how they aren’t precious about them at all.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book for the simplicity and straightforward techniques. It's unpretentious and I love the idea of "just go make a book and fill it with stuff that you like" - with no rules or too many step by step how-tos.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you through how to make your own book then gives you ideas of what to put in it.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

limited interest

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great idea generator, will refer back to this when I have more time!!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, innovative, gorgeous!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one to have on my shelf! I know I’ve read and loved it before.
Great visuals and practical info, as well as super inspiring.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bookbinding part is too complicated for library crafts, but the Inspiration section could be used with Bound projects.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has instructions for how to make very simple scrapbooks or journals. It includes a variety of ideas for how to use the books such as garden journals, records for family tree research.

[Tam G · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

Detailed instructions regarding one way to make your own book and how the creators use those books for inspiration. I found the making section really detailed and well-done. Lots of photos. This is intended to be one way people could make and use their own books.

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've wanted to attempt an idea book for a while, I love notebooks, but pasting items into them seemed liked I would just end up with a book that would not close. This book has given me the inspiration to make my own using papers I already have which I love so much and don't want to use in projects I give away. I can use thinner papers and also because I am binding it myself I will be able to also bind keepsakes into the book.
I'm really excited to give this a go now, so inspired by the book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for the creative mind to gather all those ideas and inspiration into journals. I read it in one day and it was like an answer to a prayer! You can get started right away as it doesn't require lots of unique supplies to get started. It's your own personal private Pinterest but so much more!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this idea... making your own idea books! My first idea book will be for home improvement ideas. Can't wait to get started.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really good ideas on journals.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely inspiring and a delight to look at! I wanted to begin making journals immediately.