Envelopes

Can you guess what these are?

These are envelopes made from magazines.

I made an envelope template, scanned it into my computer and used it to make these envelopes.  I can manipulate the template to  make the envelopes different sizes.

I stacked the pages in my printer and printed the template on each one.  Then I cut them out, folded them, glued them together and Viola!  I even added double-sided tape to the flap closure.

It was fun seeing where the images would land once printed on the magazine page.  I tried to use pages that had more pictures and less advertisements.  I think, so far, I have made about thirty of them.

Aren't these too cute?!?

Envelope Journal

Note Journal

In the beginning of the month I posted a Sketch Journal inspired by Cat Hand.  

This journal was made with a 9" X 6" Manilla Envelope.  I used the same process as with the other journal, but this time I covered the outside of the envelope with text pages.  I had these Chili Pepper napkins and used those over the text pages.

I cut the bottom end of the the envelope before covering the inside and outside.  The inside is covered with red cardstock.  The note journal now has an open end pocket and the other pocket closes.

I used a pamphlet stitch to sew in the pages.

Here is the flap that folds over the book to close it.

Front and back of the book.  

The size of this book is a perfect size to fit inside your purse.

Artisan Series Journal

Secret Garden/The Way Home

Here is my Artisan Series Journal inspired by JenofEveDesigns.

I bought her Bundle 3 "Printable" Vintage Mini Albums here, and combined the "Secret Garden" and The Way Home Printables to make this Journal.

Front Cover

This is the inside front cover and first page.  The printables came from some painting she had done.

Journaling page to the left and one of the coin envelopes included in the collection.

The coin envelope has a small keepsake envelope inside of it and on the right are journaling cards, which i put inside the pocket page included in the printable.

On the left side is the back side of the coin envelope and on the right side is the pocket page.  I matched the two, so the road looked liked it continued on.  I think I did a pretty good job of matching the two.

Back side of the pocket page and on the right, the inside left cover.

Back Cover

I enjoyed making this journal.  Watching JenofEve's videos made it easy to put the journal together.  To sew the journal together, I used a coptic stitch binding.  

Cloth Paper Scissores

About a week or two ago, I was in Michael's browsing.  When I got up to the check-out line, what should happen to catch my eye?

The Spring issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Zen Doodle workshop.  I thought I missed the issue.  What was even more surprising, I was in it!  

I did not realize what I had submitted, made it into this issue.  I was tickled!!  If you have the issue, check it out.  I  am in the "Inspiration Gallery" towards the back of the magazine.

Envelope Journal

Sketch Journal

Awhile back, Cat Hand made a journal from a white 9" X 12" Envelope using music sheets, napkins, and scrapbook paper.  So, I thought I'd give it a try.  I first must say, the first one I did was a disaster!!!  I ended up throwing it away, because it turned out so bad.  I mean really bad.

But!  I thought I'd give it one more try.  Here is my version.

The inside front.  

I used scrapbook paper for the inside liners and sketch book paper for the signature.  I reinforced the inside by gluing a piece of cardstock to the inside of the envelope. This made the cover much sturdier.

The inside back cover. 

I made my own envelope closure with the left over scrapbook paper and some brads and yellow bakers twine.

Now I have a secret compartment to keep all my finds and treasures.

Journaling

My Tesla Journal

I have been journaling in my Tesla Journal on and off for about a year now, and just wrote my last entry on Monday.  I am onto another journal now.  While writing in my journal I also did some artwork in it along with my journaling.  Sometimes it coincided with my writing and other times not. 

I must say though, I did enjoy this journal a lot!

When I cam to this page, the image was a large cog.  I saw it as our world.  I added some acrylic paint in the center to make it look like the seas and lands and added the houses and trees along the outside perimeter.  This reminded me of the song my Louis Armstrong.

Sometimes the artwork came before the journaling and other times the journaling came before the artwork.  In this case, the artwork came first.  I was trying to draw a Mehndi, but not sure if I succeeded or not.  In any case, I had fun drawing this.

This piece was inspired by a video I saw on portraits by Pam Carriker.

My first attempt at drawing a portrait.  Not too shabby.  I need to practice more, but following Pam's instructions made it so easy.

A fall leaf done with black ink and watercolors.  I am amazed at how well these pages held up to mixed media.

Last, but certainly not least, a "Journaling By 5s" page, inspired by Shannon Green.  This was so much fun.  Don't think about it, just do it!!  It takes you out of your comfort zone, but the rewards are worth it. 

These are just a few of the pages I did in my journal and I thoroughly enjoyed mixing the art with my journaling.  The pages in this journal were very good quality.  I would buy this book again and do it all over again.  

For now, though, I am onto another journal, which I am experimenting with.  

It has only been three days, but so far, so good.  

I like it!

Tag Book

Fly

Another entry in my "Quotes and Sayings" Tag Book.

I had fun doing this one.  I put clear gesso on the page, then added some watercolor to the background.  

The image is collage onto the page which I found in a magazine.  

I thought the image went perfectly with this saying.

I am having fun adding images to this book along with the quotes and/or sayings.

Baby Brag Book

Baby Brag Book Baby!

Yesterday, at my husband's job, a surprise baby shower was held for his boss.  

This is her first child and it is a boy.

For a gift, I decided to make her a Baby Brag Book for her to keep photos of her new little boy, which I'm sure she will have lots and lots.  This book was inspired by Jennifer of Jen of Eve Designs.  

I think it came out too cute!

Here are the pages for the photos.  They are for 4"X 6" size photos.  

I added a little envelope for her to keep a lock of the baby's hair or whatever memento she wants to put in.

Here is a picture of the front and back of the book.

I used bias seam binding for the bow, sprayed with grey ink.

Tag Book

TAG BOOK

Quotes & Sayings

It has been awhile since my last post.  Actually, it has been quite awhile since my last post.  I have been busy and then I have have been busy.  But!  I still managed to find time to make a few books along the way.

I have always wanted to make a "Quotes & Sayings" book (Leslie Riley beat me on that one).  It was about 8-9 years ago when I first brought up the idea to my friends, but alas, I am just now getting around to it.

When I saw this "Tag Book" on YouTube by Jen of Eve Designs, I knew this was the book I wanted to make to put in all my quotes and sayings I have collected along the way.

It it made mainly from manila folders that I got at the Dollar Tree Store and some tea dyed papers.  The outside cover is decorated with scrapbook paper I had in my stash.  

As you can see I have lots of pages for quotes and/or sayings.

Front and back covers

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, but it has been sitting on my desk waiting for me to put in a quote or saying or something.  I finally found a saying  I wanted to use for my first page.  

When I saw this I knew it had to be the one for my first page.

Thank you Jennifer for inspiring me!