Beth and I finally had a chance last week to have a play date and exchange Christmas gifts. Here is what I made for her.
She is as much of a journal junkie as I am, so I figured I could indulge my own love of making books by creating this one for her.
I bought this little framed photo of best friends when I was at a flea market with Beth, so I thought it was fitting to add to the cover.
These laces are both cut from the curtains in my house. I have very old lace curtains at the window and they got a bit shredded on the ends from blowing around when the window was open, so I had to chop them a little shorter.
The interior of the book is lined with canvas drop cloth, and the pages are card stock.
The "latch" is cut from an old necklace.
The exterior is remnants from the slip cover I made for my couch.
This is my idea of "Using the Good Stuff". Although, to some people, the ingredients might sound like trash. Trimmed pieces of torn curtains? A broken necklace? Scraps from a slipcover?
What makes supplies "GOOD STUFF" isn't what you pay for them. It's an item with a lush feel, something special, or sentimental. Maybe something old that you found at a flea market. They can be one of a kind, or just your very favorite kind of thing.
Now, some GOOD STUFF, can certainly be brand new and from a hobby store, of course. It can be any supply that you just plain old adore.
My idea of using the GOOD STUFF, is delving into supplies that I really love and feel like they need a special project for.
And then NOT saving them for something special. Anything you use them on becomes special by using the best supplies. I feel like any project worth my time is worth my best goodies.
But when I am making something for someone extra special, I'll use a double dose of goodies for her. This book is loaded, layered, and piled up with pretties. I hope she enjoys using it, half as much as I enjoyed making it.
I have not yet got my prototype put together for Birdsong. But I do know what I am making. And I promise, the kit will be over flowing with GOOD STUFF!
Last year, I couldn't stop making books. And I am still loving the process and making more and more. So, I simply have to do a book for Birdsong 5. How could I not? I'm more than a little bit obsessed with art journals lately.
So, my 1st class will be creating a journal, and embellishing it with lace, rhinestones, and millinery flowers. We will make it from the ground up, step by step.
My 2nd class will be about filling the book up. I'll provide a big, ole, scrap pack of fun and inspiration,, along with guidance from myself, and tips from Beth about designing pages. You'll get two for one teachers for the second day, Beth and I will teach together!
It's wonderful to have such talented friends. Class project pictures from Lori and Andrea will be coming soon. I can't wait to see what they have designed for us to do.
If you'd like to come to our classes, we'd love to see you here. And I know that you will just love these talented friends of mine, too!!
You are absolutely right when you say any project becomes better when you use the good stuff — only you said it more eloquently.
It reminds me of what one of my knitting pals told me when we discussed different kinds of yarn including cheap acrylic. “It takes just as many hours to make a sweater with good yarn that will last and that you’ll be proud of as it does one that will wear out sooner. Use good yarn.”
Or, use the good stuff!
Yep, good point. And who wants a cheapo sweater? I can understand using the cheap yarn as you are learning, but once you know what you are doing, go for a keeper youll be proud of!
I’m so excited because I’ve never made a journal with signatures before. So beautiful!
Its a simple trick, Patty. Once you do it, youll want to make lots of them!
You’re killin’ me…
LOL! I was going to say exactly what Laurie said! It will be torturous hearing all about Birdsong and not being there. Ladies, if you’re reading this and haven’t been to Birdsong before, sign up NOW. You won’t regret it!
Terri, that is so nice of you to say, it makes my day. Im down that there are so many graduations, weddings, and family trips that weekend and Ill be missing a lot of our peeps. Its nice to hear that you will miss us too! Thanks.