Inside Spiral Notebook

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy!  Well, I did finish my last blank journal.  I made the cover before I finished the book, and ran into a glitch.  I didn't want to put holes through the cover.  I thought the holes would look ugly through the beautiful cover.  So, I had to make an adjustment.  And thanks to Pinterest, I found my solution.  {smile}

the finished cover:

Recipe:  I made the cover and pages from my favorite kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I used two pattern papers for the front: the text paper is from Melissa Frances, and the large polka dot ledger paper is from Bazzil (Vintage Market Place collection).  I matted the pattern papers to a piece of pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!

To add a home-made feel, I distressed the edges of the pattern papers with a thread cutter, and then machine stitched them together.

I added a half pink paper doily, and then wrapped a scrap piece of macaroon mint lace trim (Stampin' Up!)  I layered my sentiment piece just over the top of the lace.  I tucked a thread spool label in behind the sentiment piece.  I wanted to add a paper blossom to help balance the piece.  I added silver glitter to the petal tips.  And to add a sweet softness, I tucked a multi-loop bow made from a pale pink  seam binding just under the paper blossom. {smile} I tied a vintage kraft button with kraft twine, onto the multi-loop bow.  

I thought the top portion of this piece, looked bare.  So, I cut a line of hearts out the the same Bazzil pattern paper.  (It's actually the reverse side of the large polka dot ledger pattern paper.)  I did add some machine stitching, to help tie it into the cover.  I didn't want the line of hearts to look 'random' and not 'connected'.  

inside the cover:

Recipe:  I used Macaroon Mint card stock (by Stampin' Up!) for the matt.  I added a chevron pattern paper from Bazzil.  I had a scrap piece of that beautiful aqua polka dot paper laying on my craft table.  So, I hand-stamped the sentiment: 'memories', in black ink, and adhered this piece to the lower portion of the inside cover.  To help give it a 'finished' look, I hand tied a white vintage button with kraft twine.

For the first page, I wanted the author of this journal, to proclaim who they are!  I found my inspiration from Simple Stories, 'I AM' collection.  {smile}

I added 13 blank pages inside the journal.  Four of these pages, have side pockets.  That way, if you have some memorabilia you want to keep with your writing, you have a place to tuck them in.  {smile}  The blank pages are perfect for journalling, or to simply make the journal 'YOURS'.   Just add your own pattern papers, trims, embellishments and trinkets.  There is space, so you can decorate your pages to your heart's content.  {smile}

I did add some digital library cards into these pockets.  The pockets were created using other pattern papers in the same Bazzil collection.

the back cover:

Recipe:  I used the same pattern papers.  I also distressed the edges of the paper with a thread cutter.  I didn't add any machine stitching, so that it would appear 'sturdy'.

I did not create, this unique way of adding the spirals to bound my book.  I actually found a tutorial HERE.  I am very happy with how my journal did turn out.

Thank you for looking!  I will be making a few more of these, to sell in my Etsy shop.  I'll keep you posted!  I'm thinking of 'finishing' some of the 'pages' to help give the journals a more 'finished' appeal.