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.  

Message Clip

Let me start by thanking those who played to win blog candy.  {smile}  I'll be emailing you to get your addresses.  I hope you enjoy making your Tussie Mussie's, as much as I did.

Now, for today's craft.  I was looking admiring the chalk painted items on Pinterest last week.  So much so, I tried my hand at making my own homemade chalk paint.  I wanted to 'paint' some canning jars and add some small, low water plants to them.  Well, I had such a great time painting them, I started painting some wooden clothes pins.   I did distress my jars, which led me to distress my clothes pins.  And, well, as the jars are drying from the sealant, I set out into my craft room to work alter these painted clothes pins.  And this is what I came up with:

I used a heavy grit sandpaper.  I really wanted them to look weathered and worn.  And then, I wanted them to look shabby chic.  Girl-y.  Pretty.  And 'standing the test of time'.  

I used 3 different stamp sets for the sentiment.  I wanted something 'loving', something 'sweet', something 'home-y'.  So, I came up with 'Sparkle', 'made with {heart}', and 'bliss'.

I inked the tips of the paper blossoms with pool party, blush blossom, and certainly celery classic inks from Stampin' Up!

I cut the lone leaf from some burlap 'ribbon'.  I made multi-loop bows from matching dyed seam binding.  I added a lone pearl to the other side of the bow.

I stamped a scrap piece of pattern paper with a Paper Trey Ink stamp: Boutique Accessories stamp set.

The two end pins were stamped with retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets.  And I do mean retired. Like 8+ years retired.  The middle pin was stamped with a Paper Trey Ink stamp, from the Handle With Care mini stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by.  I haven't decided if I want to add magnets to the backs, or push pins, or leave them.  What would you do?

Tramway Community Church Craft Fair

Howdy! and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I enjoy making paper crafts.  Very much enjoy it.  I love the whole process of creating and altering.  I also find encouragement from the positive feedback I get from folks who have seen my creations, and from those who have purchased my creations.  I have an Etsy shop, here.  But, I also sell my creations at holiday Arts and Craft Shows in Albuquerque, NM.  

This past weekend, I was at the Tramway Community Church, selling at their annual holiday Arts and Craft Fair.  I really do enjoy their show.  The folks there are just so nice, helpful, and polite.  The other crafters there are just as personable.  Well, I didn't go home with empty boxes, but, I did get quite a few of my crafts into shoppers hands.  

I changed the way I arranged my tables early yesterday morning, before the shoppers came-in.  I think that helped.  (I sat/stood, behind the tables)

My home-made food table: (left to right) on the cake stand, I have my home-made Vanilla.  In front of that, I have my home-made Pumpkin-Cranberry Bread.  The middle cream-painted tray, I have my Cinnamon-Spice Nuts, and Double-Chocolate Brownies.  The third cream-painted tray on the right, has my Vanilla, and Chocolate Cupcakes.

My craft table:  left to right, back row - I have my hand-made cards in the card carousel, and in the wicker basket, right next to the carousel.  I gave a price break (discount) if you purchased 6, and then another one if you purchased 10.   I had my magnetic letters on a framed metal sheet.

On top of the white shelf: I had my snowman poop, Santa's magic key, and some magic Reindeer food.  In the white shelf:  decorated Gift Boxes, Gift Card holders, and Food-Safe gift bags.

Left to right, front row - decorated gift bags, covered notepads, and altered mini notebooks.

So today I will be unloading the car, and taking photos of everything I haven't sold, and get those uploaded into my Etsy shop, here.
At this moment, I haven't heard back, if I have a space @ Eisenhower School, for their Arts and Craft Show, Dec. 14th.  If I don't have a booth there, I am planning on having an Open House Dec. 7th, at my daughter's house.  I will keep you all posted.