Nursery Rhyme Journal - Part 2

 Hi Crafty Friends,

This is my cover ready from Part 1, which you can find here: Nursery Rhyme Journal Part 1

I hope you are having some creative fun, playing along, and you are ready for the next step.......  

 I started pulling papers from my stash and found my heap of children's book pages I'd kept to make a journal. It has a lot of Nursery Rhymes from my childhood, plus other images to include. My best option was to make the signatures first, then decide on a cover. This makes it easier to know how big I will need the spine. 

As you can see above, I like to include a good variety of pages in my journals. Whether I add things over them to journal on, or add photos, pockets, tags, and things I make. For this one, I have included: book, music, old ledger, index, and botanical pages. As well as paper grocery bags, lovely florist and gift wrap paper that I cut to size. I usually add some scrapbook paper. I also love to add daily ephemera, like receipts, business cards, clothes tags, postcards, etc. You can add them as is or alter them to match your project. There is so much "free" stuff around when you look...... Thrift shops, garage sales and markets are a great way to start junk journaling.

I love making ephemera from the book pages, as they are too lovely not to add. My fave things are pockets, tags, flip-outs, envelopes, belly bands and corner tucks. I fold my paper different ways to get unique looks. I also, if needed, hinge extra pages and add them for more room. I do love a "chunky monkey" journal......

I decided to have three signatures with approx 15 pages in each. To allow for the journal to expand, with a three-inch spine.

Inside the front cover, I like to have a pocket with a few pieces of ephemera in it. This one has a couple of envelopes made from scrapbook paper and book pages. A paper/fabric doily is a great place to tuck things into.

 I have always had a sewing machine, as my mum and her best friend Helen taught me when I was a teenager.  I love decorating my pieces and also sew pages together if I need a different size. I do tend to make larger journals. You do not need a sewing machine to make journals; everything can be glued. Here, I used a book page to make a belly band with a journaling card underneath it.

There are so many options for what you can add to your journal. I have made a slanted pocket on the left and a paper bag covered with a napkin on the right.

The pages I kept from the small book, I made a waterfall, so I had all the rhymes. It adds an interactive element.

Scrap pieces of paper; make a pocket on the bottom and a book image for a tuck spot at the top of the page. 

I loved the book page from Aristocats; I decided to fold it over, so I kept the rest of the story. I made another tuck spot on the left, from part of another book page.

A white envelope on the left, covered the front with scrap paper, and added some ink and a paper napkin to the back. I attached it to the book page by the flap and left it open. I had a small pocket, so I added that on the right with the rabbit coming out of the top. A nice place to add journaling or small items.

For the back pocket, I also made it from fabric and added aed a vellum pocket, so I can see what is in there. A great place to keep items; I haven't yet decided where they will go.

Last but not least for our Journal adventure is the decorating. You can go over the top or minimalist as you like. I am a little in between, I think. I like adding extra pieces like fabric and paper ruffles, page tabs, etc. I have also added a few small pieces of doily and a couple of bits of lace as belly bands.

Snippets are made from continuous pieces of paper/fabric to the width you like. Then embellish with what you like. They are great to have ready-made to add to your projects.

 

My paper and fabric snippet rolls live on my Vintage spools. I cut pieces off them and use them in my journals. They all give your projects a textured feel..... 

Now, you can decorate your journal any way you like. I hope you have enjoyed a look at my project and playing along. 

Have a great week,

Kerri x

Fairytale/Nursery Rhyme Journal - Part 1

 Hi There

I always have crafty ideas going around in my head, and of course, they're about what I can create next. I have been collecting some of my childhood favourite book pages and decided I want to have them all together.

 My idea is that one day, my boys will have this book and it will show them some of my favourite Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales. I remember mum singing and reading to my younger sister and me when we were little.  I hope it brings back memories for them of their Gran...

 I nearly always make a cover first, then make the pages. I was working out what to use, as in my previous post I had a small book cover. This time I wanted something a little softer in mind. I received a parcel this morning in a cardboard box, which was perfect for my project.

Of course, it is way too big, but I can fix that. These boxes have a great quote on them...... This is one of the main online craft shops in Australia. I tend to purchase here and a few other faves which I have listed in my sidebar for you......

Once I opened it up, I could see a book cover. It has a ready-made spine at about the size I was wanting for this journal. Any packaging is gold in the Junk Journaling world.

I first cut all the extra tabs down the sides, using my large metal ruler and cutting blade. The spine piece down the centre was 3 inches, so that didn't need to be altered. I used my large cutting mat to line it up straight, and the ruler and pencil to measure it to approx 9 x 11 inches, which is quite a good size. I used the lines on my mat to get it straight enough. I am not a perfectionist, but you do you :)

Now you can see it will be my journal cover with a spine already. I had a rough idea of how big some of the pages I pulled out of the kids' books are to give me a measurement for the cover. The lace runner I found at a local thrift shop this week and thought I might use some of it also.

As the cardboard is just corrugated, I always reinforce the spine edges with tape. Use what you have: chipboard, cereal box, etc. I ran out of brown packaging tape, so I just used wide sticky tape. 

Going around the edges is a good idea too, as it will be protected from wear and tear when used. So, the base is done and now have a think about what you want your journal to be?

Do you have a theme in mind, like a colour or a topic? Being kids themed, I wanted it soft and more pastel. To cover and protect it, I was thinking fabric and trims. You can also use paper, napkins, wallpaper, scrapbook paper, etc.

 I went through some of my fabrics and found this pretty lemon floral one. I used a piece of sheet under it to give a bit more body as I was adding it over the cardboard and wanted it a bit sturdier. I used a glue stick to keep them together on the cover, while I sewed around the edges. Let any glue dry first, so your machine needle doesn't get ruined. I have a separate needle for fabric as the paper tends to blunt it. You can also just use a good wet glue and paint over with a brush so it doesn't seep through. 

I then wanted a bit more strength on the spine, so I added a small print right around the back and front. To finish it off, I glued down some butterfly trim that I had. 

On the inside, over the cardboard, I measured two nice pieces of thick cardstock and sewed the edges. I then roughly measured the pocket size and sewed it onto the paper before gluing it down in place. I added a little trim to the top. I put the cover under some heavy books for a while, as this flattens the cardboard and any buckling from the wet glue. You can add your binding now, or wait for Part 2, where I will be making the signatures.

I decided I wanted to have three separate bindings instead of wrapping the elastic around the cover. Since it was only cardboard, I didn't want it to get all squashed. Your pages will need to be a bit shorter for this method.

I used some paper to make a template and my Cropdodile (eyelet setter) to make the holes and set the eyelets. You can use just a normal hole punch. The one I have will punch anything.

To hold your pages in, I find either elastic, ribbon, sari silk or lace are good, as they won't tear.

 I finished it off by threading some pretty sari silk through the eyelets and tying some bows to make it pretty.

On the front and back edges, I only added a bit of Ric Rac, and I wanted it to have a title, so I made it from a book page and decorated it a bit with some die cuts. 

I hope you are following along and making your own JJ. I find once I start, all sorts of ideas pop up.

Stay tuned for Part 2 as we collect our papers and make our signatures to go in our journal,

Thanks for stopping by, and go have some Moments Yo Create.......

Hugz Kerri x

No Sew Notebook

Hi There

It is a coolish day here, and I am finished work for a few days. I thought I would ease you into this journal-making fun, showing you a simple little journal that requires a few basic supplies.

This is the first YouTube JJ maker I ever followed, and Debbie-Ann's tutorial is one of the best I have used over and over... Feel free to watch to get a better idea of how I started making journals. I now make my own covers, but an old book cover is perfect.

BASIC SUPPLIES - 

A book cover, scissors, ruler or paper trimmer, glue of your choice, twine, trim or elastic to bind your pages, some fabric and paper. Embellishments if required. 

I needed a small notebook for my bag, so I have a cute mini Little Golden Book, which I took the pages out of for my next project, and I kept the cover intact. It measures approx. 5 x 5 inches.

I then added some washi tape over the spine to strengthen it with a piece of fabric from my stash. I roughly measured it to cover the spine, where it bends to close. I glued it down using PVA (white) glue and spread it with a paintbrush. This stops it from seeping through your fabric. I could have used paper, but I like the look of fabric, and it is strong. 

I then went through my stash to find some plain and lined paper to make the pages by measuring the cover. They don't have to be perfect, as you can trim them down to fit. Also, if you have different-sized paper, it gives a bit of interest. I had a couple of window envelopes covered with some ink, so they made little pockets.

To bind the pages, I wrapped some 4mm elastic around the spine and tied off with a double knot. I added a button, but you could also add a bow, charm, etc.

 I then slipped the middle of the signature through the elastic. This allows you to add or remove pages and also refill when needed.

Back inside cover

Front inside cover.

I then put my pages together to my style. For the inside covers, I decorated a little with a couple of images from the book, which gives a whimsy feel. I added a couple of tags to the back pocket.

To keep it closed, I threaded a button through a bit of elastic and tied a knot. This allows easy access and keeps everything in there. I didn't add much embellishment, just a couple of pockets and a few tags for extra writing space. I want to keep receipts and things in there so I know where they are if needed. You can decorate however you like.

This is one of the easiest ways for a beginner to get started. Eventually, with some confidence, I ventured out trying lots of different ways to make my Junk Journals. You will never run out of ideas with so much inspiration everywhere.

I hope you give this a go, and if I can help in any way, please leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugz Kerri

 

Craft Room Reset!

Hello again,

WARNING: Before you continue, this is a big post, and I would say you may need a big cup of your favourite beverage :)

 I have just had my internet connection updated, and I want to have my desktop on my craft desk.  I know my boys use ChatGPT for different ideas, so I thought I would give it a go. 

Well, I started with my computer, then I ended up doing a complete reset of my crafting spaces. It has taken me a few days, in between work, but I am so happy with it.

I thought I would share and maybe give you some ideas for your space...... At the moment, I have my sewing machine in the living area, as it's Winter here in Australia. It is pretty cool in my actual sewing/spare room.

At one end of this space there is a lovely big window, which provides awesome light during the warm months and makes it a lovely place to craft. 

I now have all the furniture and storage containers that I need. I want to use what I have and not purchase anything.  I don't have things that match, but that is fine, as I like to mix things up and I am a rustic type crafter, where I don't measure and if it's too complicated, it isn't for me :)

I am lucky to have a sit/stand desk, which is great,  and room for my monitor on the left, with plenty of space to create. I can now watch YouTube tutorials or movies when I am crafting. My most-used items are in my Raskog cart, and on the shelf at the back, attached to my desk. Yes, I do need to get a bigger powerboard and fix up those cords...

Mostly my supplies are in containers so that I can see them and know where everything is. 

I found this lovely big old sewing machine base, with the large tabletop on FB Marketplace. It is perfect for holding my stamps in a small vintage suitcase at the back. Then I have jars with different trims, ribbons and twines. Ephemera that I have made in the old sewing machine drawer, on the left. I keep scraps and vintage pieces in the lovely box that my sister gave me, all close by. On the far left, I have my revolving bookshelf.

To the right of the window, I have my small bookshelf and cupboard. The bookshelf I have had forever, which houses my display on top. On the shelves, I store my large scrapbook paper, book covers and different pages, plus a few of the journals I have made. 

The cupboard I found locally, and it has another little shelf on top. This keeps my art supplies, washi tape and my mini die-cut machine.

 I have the metal revolving storage that holds my ink sprays and paints. In the cupboard are some punches, extra glues, tape, etc. The supplies I don't reach for all the time are in there, out of sight.

To the left of the window is the wall that goes down the lounge, where I have also added this large wooden table that I found locally. I decided to put it up against the wall and make it my sewing table. Lots of room to hold all my bits and bobs.

 This allows me to have my sewing machine out and to have an ironing station to the left. I have my cutting mats handy, and my rulers and paper trimmers sitting on the small drawers to the right, ready to go.

 Along the wall, my sewing cottons and tools, and I make sure there is nothing that a certain kitty can get into....... I found the old sewing machine drawers in Geelong, and they hold a lot of my laces and trims. Two small drawer sets under the desk hold some lace, small doilies and fabrics. The cane basket holds the hand-stitching supplies. I can pick it up and take it to where I want to work. The small cases under the table hold some of my favourite fabrics.

Across from the sewing area, on the other wall, there is built-in shelving, where I keep my sewing/art books, larger junk journals, alcohol markers, and paint pens in clear containers. 

Below them are a few other craft supplies in baskets, and to the right I have some plastic drawers with larger pieces of fabric and doilies. The bag sitting on top I made, and I take it with me when I go away.

The small table I thrifted a long time ago. It is handy, and it sits nicely where an old heater used to be. There is a long wooden box on top that I found at a market and that holds different papers and my decoupage napkins in a clear bin. The denim-look box on the floor holds my recycled cardboard and packaging. 

Overall, looking across from the loungeroom, I think it is now inspiring me to create. I now have separate paper crafting and sewing zones. 

I have gone through my supplies and donated a few things to a local thrift shop, and made it feel more like my idea of a comfortable and calming space to create. 

I will probably find a few small things to change, and I really want to organise my fabric a bit better than it is, but that is a project for another day. Now the floor is clear, I think a nice rug would be great also.

I found ChatGPT very helpful, and it made great suggestions for me based on the photos I provided.

Thanks for stopping by, and I would love to hear your thoughts and let me know if you are doing a reset of your craft room.

Also, thanks to my sister Ali for her inspiration, after she showed me a tour of her updated craft area :)

Have a great weekend,

Kerri x

Junk Journal July (UK)

 Hi Friends

I hope you are having a lovely week. I have been changing up my craft space a bit and having some craft time. I have joined a Junk Journal challenge, using daily prompts, to create a page each day of July...

It is hosted by The Vintage Button, and Bee Happy Stationery. They have a Playlist to explain what is happening. From creating a journal, how to use the prompts and making a page each day. 

I have a journal ready that I made from squishy Amazon packaging and some of my favourite fabrics. I did sew this one as I have a machine, and it has a lovely texture and inspires me to create.

I like to use all sorts of different types of paper in my journals. I love map and calendar pages, scrapbook paper, and book pages, and I dye paper and fabric with tea, coffee and inks.  I love to make different sizes also. Sometimes stitch in the signatures or use an elastic binding so I can remove or add pages as I go. 

I have created a few smaller journals for prompt challenges, and you can interpret them any way you like. By watching the ladies that are hosting the challenge, you will have wonderful inspiration, which will get the creative juices flowing.

There are also other YouTube creators joining them, so hop on over and watch their ideas too :) Of course, you don't have to do everyday; do what time permits or the prompts that inspire you. It's all about having some self-care time, creating and having fun!

I will of course share here what I create, most likely a few days at a time.......

Ok, off you go and get creating; I would love to see what you make.....

Enjoy 

Hugz, Kerri x