Vintage Journal

I have been altering various items for a while now. And, I really love it. It all started last year, when I found a web-site that challenged its followers to recycle a household item. Well, I altered a can and had fun doing it. So, I posed the challenge to my card club members last year. They came up with some really creative items. One of the items that I am selling at the craft fairs that I am selling at, are altered notebooks. Its a larger 'canvas' than a typical A2 card, and so it allows me to expand my creativity.

I started working on this notebook, and well, I guess you can figure out what happened at the end. Yeah, I loved it so much, it is now either mine or someone I know who's name starts with an 'S'. :)

For those who have been following me for awhile or know me personally, know that I love wonderful, beautiful, and unique papercraft items. I love alot of products from Stampin' Up!, but there are some other beautifully created items out there, too. So, this notebook is a mish-mash of everyone.

Let me start with the paper. The pattern paper is a holiday paper from Basic Grey. I don't remember the name, because all I had were some scraps. But, I think its simply wonderful. I used solid card stock from Stampin' Up! They make some wonderful heavy cardstock, and their inks are a dream to work with. There stamps are a pleasure to ink with, and are simply beautiful. The red rubber Stampin' Up! uses takes ink wonderfully regardless if you are using pigment, or water-based inks. I used a variety of different stamps for this notebook, some retired, and some current.

I also like to work with different mediums. I think the variety of textures add interest and depth to your project. Stampin' Up! has come out with some beautiful fabrics that are so easy to work with. You can sew with them, use them with a die cut, or tie them around your paper. The close-up below shows their fabric with a few others. I wanted the flower center to be soft, so I used some felted wool. I have fallen in love with Stampin' Up!s hardware, too. The brad that holds the flower together is in River Rock, and I added some half pearls to keep a feminine touch.

Stampin' Up! also also expanded their ribbon. They came out with this wonderfully shaping ribbon they refer to as 'seam binding'. If you sew, you know that this really isn't seam binding, as it doesn't fold onto its self. But, like their other wonderful products, its a dream to work with. I made the big bow with their Very Vanilla seam binding. I added a random pearl button for the center, and a small key tied to the bow with some super thin silver cord. The flourishes were stamped in Chocolate Chip craft ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

Crafting gives me peace. It allows me to relax and not worry about some of life's difficulties. I know some people like to clean their house, or other chores to relax. Me, I do something for me. I know that, that sounds rather selfish. But, here is how I look at it, if you are important enough to take care of yourself, others will see you as important enough to take care, too. And sometimes, I share my creative works with others. So, remember to take time out of your busy day to relax and take care of yourself.

Starting next month, I will be making a PDF for everything I post on my blog. So, if you see something you like, just contact me to purchase a PDF for that item. Take care, and thank you for looking!