I've been so pleased with the sign ups for the Nature's Blessing Journal swap! Thanks to those of you who have joined in! There is plenty of more space, this is an open ended swap. I'll just keep making books until I have enough.
Some of the swappers were asking for more detail on how the pages go together. So, I thought I'd snap some pics of the ones I've started myself as examples.
There are a LOT of pages to make. But as I said, at least half need to be usable for the new owner. Such as the one on the right, above. That page is nothing more than journal paper with a border at the top and the bottom. The one on the left is one that I finished myself. (Although, there actually is some space for writing a note, if the person who owned the book wanted to use it that way)
Here is the basic start of each "folio" (single sheet of paper that makes 4 pages when folded).
Fold a piece of card stock in half, decorate each of the four sides.
I will put 3 folios together to make a "signature".
There will be 3 signatures per book, made up of 6 sent in by 6 different artists, and three fresh, blank pages from me.
The book will be used as a functional journal. So, I'd like to see at least half the pages open to be used by the person who receives the book. Like the page on the right here, once again, I've used ledger paper. This time, it is accented with lace trim and a single butterfly.
Since the six folios (24 pages) you send in will go to six diferent artists and you will receive artwork from six different artists. You can make each of your six exactly the same, or do each in a unique way. What ever you like.
The page on the left didn't save any space for future use, but is a completed arty page.
Another way of making the page useful is to add an envelope to hold memorabilia.
My envelope got a bit of foof with some hand drawn daisies that match the paper I glued it to.
Pockets are good to have in a journal too. On the left, not only is there paper that can be used for writing, there is also a pocket to tuck away tidbits in, like the vintage envelope I've added.
The page on the right is covered in pretty paper (I used wallpaper scraps) with a vintage postcard stapled down in the corner, then trimmed in lace.
I've tried to add lace or ruffles on at least one side of each folio, so that when it is added to the stack of signatures in the book, there will be pretty trims peeking out the sides, top, and bottom of the journal.
Please feel free to add lots of trailing ribbons, laces, etc.
On the right hand page, I've added a fluffy millinery bloom to stick out of the top of the book. And the page on the left has luscious, old trim down the side. That page is from a text about flower origins, and has a couple of cherubs and a hand drawn border, leaving the center open in case the person who gets this page in their book wants to glue a photo or something to the center.
Here is a very good example of just how simple making the pages can be. Both of these pages are just covered with wide crepe paper, with a trim at the bottom. (I'll be foofing the one on the right a bit more, I just wanted to show you the basic.)
So, pretty background paper, plain or fancy, a bit of trim or lace, and that page is done, ready for the owner of the book it goes into to embellish it up as much as they want.
This is for my book, so I added a tinted coloring page, to illustrate an option for finishing a plain page.
Everyone gets a page to color and add to their book however they'd like. I'll show some coloring tips in a future post.
These pages are both examples of "usefulness" . The blue one is open to be finished by the book owner in any way she'd like. Photos, notes, scrap glued onto it, etc.
The patchwork wallpaper page has a pocket from an old post card added and it is filled with vintage grafting paper.
These also show some of the variations on the theme. What do you feel nature has blessed you with? Here, I am saying that fluffy kittens, sweet birdies, and flowers are something I am thankful for.
Plus, I found this poem about Spring to add to the page. To me, the changing of the seasons is a magical time of year.
Please feel free to add 3D items, this book should be thick and rich! With lots of trailing trims, like this old lace I've used.
Here is another way to create a space for writing. I've used washi tape to secure a stack of old paper into a tablet shape.
On this page by Beth, she even glued down a mini notebook.
See how pretty it looks on her page?
And oh my! Loook at this one that she did. You open up the cabinet card folder and have space inside to add your own picture.
On the left page, she has add clear envelopes with simple tags for the new owner to finish, and on the right, she supplied a pretty piece of paper to write daydreams or plans on.
I found myself extremely attracted to pockets when I made some folios.
Note that the center of each page is left plain so that I can punch holes to tie the signatures into the book?
I'll show some more examples later on, as well as some more coloring page tips. The finished pages aren't due till Sept. 20th. So you still have time to join if you haven't already. Or you can order a completed, blank book to finish yourself, instead of swapping pages.
Feel free to ask any questions. And more info can be found here.
