Thursday, August 5, 2010

Field Journal

A few weeks ago I picked up a cheap composition notebook with plans to turn it into a pretty journal. I started with this...

And ended up with this...

Here's the back...

First I covered the notebook with fabric using a basting spray. Then I started adding embellishments... trim, buttons. The images and words were all printed onto a craft envelope that I trimmed to 8.5"x11" size.

For the words for the bird cutout, I copied the definition of flight from an online dictionary, then printed it out on the craft paper in the font and size I wanted.


I used three different stamps to decorate some of the journal pages.


I added some beads strung on wire and tied to an organza ribbon to make the bookmark. I attached the bookmark to the back of the inside cover before I glued it down. For the band that holds the journal closed I sewed down a girl's hair tie.

Should be a nice place to jot down a few lines when I can. Definitely an improvement on the under $2 notebook and one I will look forward to using. The only thing I didn't already have were a couple of the stamps, so it was a cheap project. And I am pretty sure this journal will be breeding others... I have more planned.
Keep an eye out for my next post - I came across an amazing artist from Washington, Teesha Moore, while I was in the planning stages for this journal and rather than making this a super huge post, I'll be featuring her work on it's own.

39 comments:

Unknown said...

I am here from the hodgepodge party...but wanted to let you know how I liked how your journal turned out! I just did something similar. We are going to Europe next week, so I wanted to make my daughter and I travel journals. I bought the composition books for
.25 at Walmart and did some fabric for the cover and embellished with some ribbon and buttons. I then took a manilla envelope and glued it to the inside cover and wrote words like: Europe 2010, ticket stubs, memories, photos, souvenirs...I then printed a map of all the places we will be going and am going to highlight it with yellow marker...I like your idea of stamping a few pages...hmmm, maybe I am not done with my book? LOL
anyway, I wanted to pop over here and tell you I liked your project!

Anonymous said...

Your journal turned out great! I like all the "extras" ... nice job!

Sandy said...

Hi Cecily.. I really love how you took that school book and turned it into a beautiful Journal... the stamps on the inside pages really made it special...
thank you for coming by to visit my blog today and your kind words..
Happy Journaling..
Sandy
thewondersofdoing@blogspot.com

Miri said...

Very clever! You really turned a simple notebook into something beautiful and special.

KimMalk said...

This is so beautiful. I love the bird theme and the stamps inside really make it tie together. Thank you for linking with Fabric Fun Thursday :).

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...

That turned out so nice! Love the stamps you used on the pages. Definitly an improvement.

p.s.phyllis sews said...

You made the inside match the outside theme! That's really special. With schools opening soon, these notebooks are currently on sale!

Unknown said...

Hi, stopping by from Cheap Chic Home's Fabric Fun party. Great idea and it looks wonderful. It would make a great gift!

Chana@ Mamma Town said...

If you even knew how much I loved little birdies! I can't believe how beautiful this turned out! Great job, I'm totally swooning over here at the cute-ness of this project:)

Michelle said...

That is absolutely beautiful -- and having a journal that's just what you want definitely makes it worth buying the stamps!

Unknown said...

Love it! Can't wait to see what you com up with next.

Unknown said...

very creative!

Thanks for linking up at www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com

Melissa said...

Oh, what a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous journal. I love it and I am entirely wishing it were mine. I do have such a thing for birds!!

Kristen said...

love this, such a good idea! especially the stamping on the pages. now i have some inspiration to make one of these, thanks!

Larri said...

I'd love to sit down and write in this beautiful journal. Those birds are so sweet! Stopping by from Sew&Tell. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sewing! :o)

www.seamsinspired.com

Becca Ross said...

This journal is a beautiful finished product. Thanks so much for sharing!

Becca
becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com

W-S Wanderings said...

Such a lovely transformation!

Anonymous said...

Your journal is so beautiful! You really did do a great job. I love your sweet stamping on the pages too.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Dandelion and Daisy said...

I've been thinking about making a journal for a "birder" friend of mine....this is a perfect ides. Doing the stamps on the inside pages and the book mark just make it even more special. Great idea!

Edith Schmidt said...

Love it love it love it!!!! I home school and this idea is great for an art project. Thank you so very much for entering this. I love your arrangement and your attention to detail.

Katie said...

Simply beautiful! I've covered notebooks with paper but never with fabric. Your composition of elements is very lovely and the stamped pages and bookmark make this extra special.

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

absolutely beautiful. TFS.
Have a great day.
Hugs,
Marie

PetraB said...

The journal looks amazing, such a great project! And thank you for sharing for sharing the tutorial.

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Wow! Every bit of this is so charming!!! Thanks so much for linking this up to Brag Monday.

Ginger said...

Love it! You did a great job! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

And link up all you want for more chances to win 30 days FREE ad space!

Sharon@Keen Inspirations said...

Wonderful Transformation! I would love to make something like this only a little more maculine ;-) for my son. He is 11 and an avid bird watcher and nature watcher in general! Thanks for sharing this!
Sharon@KeenInspirations

Debra@CommonGround said...

Just beautiful, love the stamps on the inside pages!
xo,
Debra

Rebecca said...

This journal turned out so awesome!!!!! I think it's super cool!

Rebecca said...

This journal turned out so awesome!!!!! I think it's super cool!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous journal, Cecily! So many lovely details you've added, and the bird stamps are stunning...

Lynette

Rebecca said...

This journal turned out so neat! So many interesting details! Thanks for sharing!

Leslie said...

What a cute idea! I love the stamping on the pages! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

what a transformation! it is beautiful!

Terrell said...

I just love this creation!! It's terrific and so chic!! I am happy to be your newest follower and would love to have you as a friend at FFD! Be sure to link up at my party on Friday's as well..hope to see you there!
Hugs,
~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~

Prior said...

Love how it all came together! The print being about birds, the colors just great! Lezlee

Kat @ Black Kats Design said...

I love that you used basting spray! The stamps on the pages made it look so pretty.

Thanks for linking up to the “Cheap Thrills Thursday” party at Black Kats Design. I hope you had fun and will join in again next Thursday!

Kat

www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com

Sharon@Keen Inspirations said...

I really love this journal! I did a little feature on it in my Friday Newsflash, with a link back to you!
Thank you for sharing such a creative idea!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sharon@Keeninspirations

Candy said...

this is so creative and so well put together. thanks so much for sharing.

Shelayna said...

So fun! I love that you stamped the pages!

shelblogs.blogspot.com