This week I’ve been busy collecting all kinds of envelopes to recycle into something new. I was inspired by Ashley’s blog post of The Creative Place earlier in the week when she shared her handmade christmas journal. I’ve used the same distressed corrugated cardboard effect here, I love how it is peeled back to show the rawness underneath. I like Ashley’s idea of a christmas journal, but I don’t think I would have something to write in it every day in December, so I decided to turn my journal into a diary that I’ll use in 2011.
It took a while to build up lots of different types of envelopes. It’s surprising how colourful and decorative some of the insides of the envelopes are, although some of them hurt my eyes. Any sorts of paper can be used to make a handmade journal but I wanted to make mine solely out of recycled materials.
You could even use specifically made scrapbooking papers and embellishments. I used a handmade fabric flower and a couple of ceramic decorations that I had made to decorate the cover.
My journal is A5, the perfect size I think. The pages look a little bare at the moment but once I start to write in it, it will get full up with photos and other bits & bobs such as receipts, tickets, etc. I stuck plain coloured bits of paper down onto some of the ‘busy’ patterned envelopes which would be difficult to read if written on. These patterned envelopes are good to use as backgrounds.
I hole punched a few envelopes to tie in with the journal, these could be filled with little trinkets or photos. I also added some clear cellophane pockets. I found some fun papers whilst flicking through old magazines too. If I find any more interesting papers etc I can untie the string and add a new page.
The best part about making this journal is that it was all free!
I really enjoyed making it, it was nice to get stuck into something different for a change. I wonder what it will get full up with during the next year…?
Wow, that looks fab!
What a good idea!
This is beautiful!! Love, love, love it!! :):) Thank you for the shout out 🙂
What a beautiful journal! It looks amazing. Fantastic idea!
Ali (MudMeddling on Folksy)