Layered & Bound: A One-day Journal-making Retreat, March 21, 2026
Layered & Bound: A One-day Journal-making Retreat
March 21, 2026
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Layered & Bound: A One-Day Journal-Making Retreat is a full-day creative experience designed for anyone who loves paper, texture, and meaningful making.
Guests will create two finished, usable handbound journals from start to finish—beginning with painted papers, layering collage and surface design, and ending with hand-sewn bindings and a funky tassel. Along the way, you’ll explore guided techniques for painting, collage, printing, stamping, and mark-making, using both new and selected vintage papers and book pages.
This retreat offers a relaxed, spring-inspired atmosphere (not a required theme), allowing you to follow your curiosity and create journals that feel personal and expressive.
Lunch is included, as is a journal-binding kit in a zippered case with tools you’ll use during the retreat and keep for future journal-making.
Come for the day, slow down, make with your hands, and leave with journals you’ll love and use.
No experience? No problem! Whether you're a seasoned maker or a curious crafter, you'll enjoy this day of creativity.
Tentative Schedule:
9:30–10:00 Coffee & Conversation
Come, settle in, meet the others, and relax into the day with a cup of coffee or tea.
10:00–11:30 Painted Papers
- Guided painted paper techniques
- Color exploration, texture, and mark-making
- Working on both new paper and selected vintage papers and old book pages
11:30–12:30 Collage, Layering & Surface Finishing
- Collage over painted papers
- Printing and stamping
- Hand doodling and mark-making
12:30–1:30 Lunch (Included)
We’ll gather around a large round table and enjoy lunch together—provided so you can fully relax and stay present.
1:30–3:00 Journal Binding
- one Hills & Valleys binding
- one two-signature pamphlet-sewn binding
- Step-by-step guidance
3:00–4:00 Finishing Touches & Closing
- Create handmade tassel to adorn the sewn journal
- Final details
4:00-4:30 Reflection and Sharing
- Photographing finished journals
- Gentle closing
Included: Instruction for two handbound journals, access to all shared paints, inks, stamps, vintage papers, and studio tools, a journal-binding kit in a zippered case, with needles, waxed thread, awl, and additional tools—yours to use, keep, and bring to future journal-making classes, coffee/tea, lunch, waters, snacks.
What to Bring:
To personalize your work, please bring:
- Collage images (personal or found)
- One old map to use and share
- A few pieces of cardboard (both thin and thick)
- Matte medium or matte Mod Podge
- some beads and ribbons for your tassel (some will be provided)
- Any other papers or embellishments to use and share
Space for 8. Must have 5 registered by March 15 in order to run the retreat. If not 5 at that time, you'll be notified and refunded.
While bookings are final and non-refundable, you are welcome to transfer your spot to another person. Please let us know ahead of time.
Kerry Molina
Yellow Brick Road Studio
8271 Shimmering Rock Road, Gainesville, VA
Voted "Best Arts & Crafts Venue 2024 and 2025" in Gainesville/Haymarket Lifestyle Magazine
