Made: DIY Journals

I thought that I would try binding a book, so I made a little journal from scratch.  It was quite the ordeal-- and the video I taped was not helpful.  I should post it purely for entertainment value-- but it would make all actual book diners (bookies? no... that's something else) cringe with anger.  So you will have to settle for pictures of my final (finally!) project.

For materials I used American Crafts "Wildflower" paper collection (which is really hard to find!), some chipboard and plain white paper.

Because I like pockets in my notebooks, I put on in and added some uplifting cards to remind me that this Q-Tine can't last forever.

I used the We R Memory Keepers Bookbinding tool to put it together.  It was pretty easy to use, and it comes with everything you need to bind your first book (Even thread- even though the reviews say it doesn't.).

I used some embroidery thread that I swiped across a beeswax candle for more slide as I sewed the binding.  Sometimes its nice to have a pop of colour where you aren't expecting it.

If you want to make your own journal, here are some tutorials that are way better then what I would have come up with.  I'm going to follow the experts for the next one I make.

Sea Lemon Book Binding Stitches- Jen is a book binder extraordinaire.  She has a whole playlist on book making for every style.

SundayMornings- Journal making 3 Ways- She gives you 3 different styles of journals AND step-by-step instructions on making them using what you have on hand.

DIY Art Journal for Beginners- Johanna uses an old book as the start of her journal-- way to recycle all those books you are clearing out since the big clean you did while being at home!

If you are anything like me- you have many notebooks- but being able to make your own is great.  You can make a notebook that suits your style and needs!  I will be trying this again.

Have you ever made a book?  Are you a book binder?  Any tips to share?

Calming Down Through Cut and Paste

We had an afternoon storm here today.  Its good, we needed the rain.  But thunder storms make me uneasy and a little nervous.   Especially ones that come on fast in the daytime; they remind me of tornado weather.  I'm not being paranoid, I vaguely remember the destruction caused by the tornado that destroyed my grandparents house.  And I remember the damage of Hurricane Hugo.  I volunteered in the aftermath of Katrina.  My family hasn't had a lot of luck with storms.  I'm pretty sure that contributes to some of my discomfort.

So when a storm hits, I run to the comfortable arms of my first crafting skill, cut and paste.  Now that I'm older, cut and paste yields more sophisticate results, if I do say so myself.  So I made these easy stars to hang in our window.  I found the tutorial here, and it is very clear.  I whipped up three in no time.  And it was a soothing activity, what with the cutting, and folding and gluing.  Very zen despite the weather outside. 

My camera hates it when I try to take a picture of the window.  Why does science have to thwart my attempts at a decent blog picture?  

This Beautiful Day

Can I just say, it's a beautiful day today?

Oh, it was so great to get out of the house for most of the day!  On this last day of March Break (or first day of my 3-day weekend as Jennie so optimistically put it...) the weather was warm, sunny and a little hazy.   Perfect for a walk around the neighborhood.  So I went OUT!  Coffee and knitting with Jennie (blog coming soon!) this morning; lunch with D, and a walk this afternoon.  No destination in particular, just a nice stroll and I went where my feet took me. I did end up buying a few things-- I mean can I walk around James Street North and not buy anything?

I got a present for me from Hawk and Sparrow (link):

Photo by Sarah Moyal from http://hawkandsparrow.blogspot.com

I bought a mustard yellow circle scarf.  I know its getting warmer, but it is not too heavy, and I can wear it in the evenings, and it's totally cute. Plus I got a deal, and I supported a local crafty-type like myself.  And it was made from recycled materials.  Okay, I'm convinced.  What a good buy!

When I buy myself something nice, I always buy D something nice too .  So I got him from Mixed Media (link):

It is so funny!  I wish you could see the inside (but that would be unfair since it is the income of an independent artist.  But if you see it, pick it up.  You will laugh all the way through.)

There is a story with this gift.  D is a writer.  He has manuscripts for at least 3 novels that I know of.  But, he is nervous to get them out there.  On the inside I inscribed: "If Bigfoot can do it, so can you!" and gave it to him at work.  He laughed.  I hope he felt encouraged.

Lastly, I have been working on something crafty for my bedroom.  I found these letters at a dollar store, and got mine and D's initials.  I made these:

 
I love that they remind me of patchwork quilts.    I had some beautiful Japanese decorative paper scraps and I wanted to use them.  So I collaged (is that a verb?) them onto the letters.  I didn't plan the placement of the papers, I just cut and pasted at random.

I like cut and paste.  It was relaxing.  It was the earliest artistic skill I learned, and still so rewarding.  After I glued the paper to the shaped, I went over them with a few coats of glossy gel medium.  Voila! 

So simple.  So pretty. And it makes me so happy.  Hope you enjoyed your day!

Handmade cards

I made some cards for D's co-workers recently.  Well, I made one, and it went over so well that his colleague asked if I would make a birthday card for her friend.  I was so flattered!  This is the card I made. 

It was simple, but pretty.  I had to leave enough space inside for all the people in the office to sign it, so the inside was blank except for one little quote.  This is my favorite birthday quote: "Be happy.  Its one way of being wise." by Sidonie Collette.  I love little phrases that make you feel good about getting older.

I don't do paper crafts very often; I find them fragile and intimidating.  But I like making cards.  I should try making them more often.  In fact, I don't think I will buy cards anymore.  I hope my friends and family like getting handmade things as much as I do... 

Journal: Rainy Day

I got to use some new papers I found!  I love these Japanese papers- there are so many colors and textures.