DIY Junk Journal from Scraps

While picking up around my craft room the other week, I got the urge to purge a couple of my scrap paper boxes. But, I couldn't just throw away any of those beautiful bits of paper. Nope. I decided to grab many of the larger pieces and incorporate them into a small junk journal. 

For the cover, I used an old file folder, but a lightweight cereal box or piece of cardstock would have worked just as well. Additionally, when I tore down the filler papers, those scraps were saved. They were then used to decorate the cover.

For the complete tutorial, here's the DIY Small Junk Journal from Scraps video.

In the video tutorial, I go over the dimensions used for the cover, trimming down the scrap papers to fill the journal, decorating the front and back, and using the basic bookbinding pamphlet stitch to complete the journal. 

I recognize that not everyone has the use for a junk art journal. However, you could still use these same techniques with more common papers like copy or notebook paper to create a journal of any size to suit your needs (list-making, idea-keeping, sketching, bullet journaling, etc.)

Don't hesitate to let me know if any of the instructions are unclear or if you have any questions. I'm always happy to help!

Thrifty Thursday - Hauls from May and June

Like my last haul reveal, my thrifting has been limited because of my concern for others and self-limiting exposure during this Covid-19 crisis. But, I did bring home a few thrifty items over the last two months. In May, it was all about the Dollar Tree as I would go there for a few things I NEEDED and happen upon other fun items.

On my first trip there for a few cosmetic items, I happened upon an updated craft section that stopped me in my tracks. The above pictures are just a few of the items I picked up.

When I went again for bubble mailers, I grabbed a couple more items.

When the library re-opened with limitations, they had their "Free Books" shelves outside. I couldn't help but indulge myself.

I mean...FREE BOOKS!

I went a second time.

And when the neighbors had a yard sale, I couldn't resist walking over to stand in their yard and look at what they were selling. I had my mask and everything.

And, I scored this amazing vintage sheet!

As more restrictions loosened, before Alabama began spiking, I hit a couple of antique malls one day. Rest assured, I had my mask and hand sanitizer and kept my distance. And, I came home with two yearbooks.

 I got the 1944 and 1945 versions of this school's book because a couple of pages, in particular, CRACKED ME UP! I was giggling like a madwoman in the store.

You'll have to watch my May & June Thrifty Haul Video to see what tickled me so much and to see my reveal of the full array of thrifty scores.

I know, going out to pick up a few yearbooks during this crisis was a little silly. I'm working on being a better example. Each new day is a chance to be a better person. And, I've been lucky enough to have those days so I best appreciate them.

I hope y'all are staying in good health and making better decisions than I am. But, if you have been out thrifting...find anything good?

Peek at my Week (May 31-June 6)

How are you doing? Seriously. How are you? As if this year couldn't be full of any more drama, we've finally reached a boiling point on race relations in the US and elsewhere. I know Black Americans have been fighting for their rights for decades, and I stand with them. I hope you do too. Now, we've probably all seen the news, but it's time to share what some of this past week looked like for me. 

On Sunday, I had an alarm set so I wouldn't miss a Lord of the Rings reunion on YouTube. Everyone in the house watched. It had me laughing, crying, and yearning to rewatch the trilogy (which I started yesterday). There are a few other cast reunions on Josh Gad's channel that I'm hoping to catch up on as well. 

After that, we had a dip in the pool. It was the weekend after all!

Monday meant groceries and other errands before I headed to Mobile to check on my mom, step-dad, and niece and have dinner with them. Tuesday was Black Out Tuesday, so I focused on sharing Black Lives Matter material, voices, and inspiration as well as knocking out some of my own work (privately)

On Wednesday, I headed back to Mobile to take my niece to an appointment. Back at home, I found that my order from Jerry's Artarama had come in!

But, it was late and I needed to tackle other things before bed so I waited until Thursday to try out my new supplies. That's real restraint!

As I checked the mail on Thursday, I had to stop to admire the gardenias. They're just about done blooming, and I'm going to miss them so much.

I kept myself busy on Friday. 

While refilling the birdfeeder, I spied this little mushroom.

Look at the little fairy door at its base!! Ahhhh! It's so awesome. 

I had to upload a few videos, so I made a trip into town to use the public wifi. I saw that the Library had its carts of free books sitting outside, so I picked up...a few.

I can't resist free books!

Back at the house, I decided to go ahead and try eco-dying papers on my own.

I've only ever done it with others on a retreat before. The papers turned out beautifully!

I was so happy with the results that I was back out in the rain in the yard on Saturday (tropical storm Cristobal) picking plants for more eco-dying materials.

The above arrangement of weedy flowers made me smile. 

And, into the pot they went!

Now, I just need to decide how to use all these luscious, dyed papers. I'm sure I'll come up with something!

Speaking of papers, I've done an okay job keeping up with my #The100DayProject.

On Day 55, I was to use some of my distress inks. That's never a problem for me. In fact, I used them quite a bit this week. But, to mix it up, I first carved a couple of stamps to use with the inks. I'm totally digging them. 

Here's where I began to falter. I was so busy on Monday that I had a tough time getting to day 56's task of using stencils on my small gelli plates. I started this spread on Tuesday but just wasn't feeling it and put it aside to finish on Wednesday. 

Using something from one of these Dover sticker books was the focus for Day 57. However, I think that's part of what held me up on Tuesday. None of them seemed to quite fit in (I mean...they're holiday stickers...) Instead, I decided that they no longer need to be in my stash and were transferred to my donation pile. 

I needed to use my sewing machine with some of my miscellaneous fabrics. While I think I had grander plans when I set my tasks for the project, this worked for Day 58. It made it into the spread I had been struggling with and helped finish it. 

Tissue tape was my material for Day 59. It was easily worked into the background of this art journal page.

Using my Colorix Crayons was Day 60's assignment. I really let myself play and tried not to go overboard with this page. 

Using some of my scraps of paper on Day 61 almost felt like cheating. I use scraps in most of my art journal pages. While I struggled a bit with this page, it came together in the end with the addition of the blue. 

Since the week was fraught with turmoil, I didn't feel very inspired or find much inspiration. However, there were a few things...

• I encourage everyone to watch this video to understand some of the Black Lives Matter movement and some of the inequalities that African Americans face. 
• On a lighter note, Jewelry Making Journal has some examples for making Lariat Necklaces. 
• And, this very short video on Lifehacker might inspire you to Finally Start that Creative Project. 

Here's to a brighter future and better days ahead. I hope you have an inspiring week!

Peek at My Week (Dec. 29-Jan. 4)

There's something about starting a new year that fills you full of hope and aspirations. I wrote down a couple of things I want to accomplish, and I was trying to be realistic about it. Instead of lofty, long term goals, I thought more about what would be attainable and planned for a few short-term intentions that could be accomplished within the month: organizing a few areas of the house that have gotten out of control, begin shopping for cabinetry that would help organize the craft room, and working on developing a better morning routine. I've even gotten one of those checked off the list! However, things don't always pan out as you plan, and you have to roll with the punches. But, I'm getting ahead of myself, let me give you a look at the week.

On Sunday, I knew I wanted to get as much in order as possible for the new year so I worked on cleaning and got the craft room in some semblance of order. I even organized all my art journals and discovered the vast abundance of ones I have in progress!

That evening, I met one of my best friends for dinner and had a nice night out with her and a couple of other friends. 

I had planned to spend Monday at my mom's house with my grandmother since Tuesday and Wednesday were holidays. But first, I started the day with a new-to-me practice.

Though I already have far too many art journals, I received this little planner in a gift basket for Christmas as decided that it would make a nice little daily warm-up. So I added a little watercolor to each date and plan to do a little doodling each day. This was inspired by the work of CeeCee of CreationsCeeCee on YouTube. You can see that I started on Monday and have actually made it work each day.

At my mom's I found my grandmother easily confused and simply not herself. On Tuesday, I made her an appointment to see her doctor at his first open spot - on Friday. I also knocked out as many chores as I could so that I could welcome 2020 with a clean(er) slate. We went to a party that broke up before midnight and celebrated the New Year at home.

When I went to add more birdseed to my feeder the next morning, I found that the old bird food had sprouted. I thought that the little plants were a wonderful symbol for the new beginning of a year. 

We spent the afternoon watching Alabama win their last football game of the season then I made a traditional New Years Day dinner of pork (ham), black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread.

On Thursday, I worked on finishing a custom order for an Instagram friend with one of the soldered baubles I made a few weeks ago.

I also tackled one of the bothersome areas: the bedroom desk that was buried under mail and miscellaneous papers and office supplies. It took hours, but it's such a relief to have that done!

That evening, my niece and I headed to the library to meet a friend and her daughter for a bookbinding and bullet journaling class that was packed to the max. I rushed my project but enjoyed the process. We met our husbands for dinner at a nearby favorite restaurant. 

I've since fixed my messy book!

On Friday, Mawmaw and I went to see her doctor and have an MRI.

We learned that she's had two small strokes and will need some more tests to determine the best course forward. Her confusion has now robbed her of some of her independence, and I'll need to spend more time with her while my mom and step-father are at work in order to help her in her day-to-day for the time being. 

This diagnosis means that I'll need to alter how I work and accomplish the initial goals I set. But, I want what's best for her and am lucky that my schedule can be flexible. It'll be an adjustment for the whole family. As I pondered all of this on Saturday, I worked in my art journal to process those feelings.

 It was a rough week. But, each new day comes with new challenges no matter who you are. It's just about learning to roll with them. I'm learning. 

Here's a bit of brighter note to end this post - some inspiration:

• The future of art is here and Nany Liang's Gifs are perfect examples of technology and art combined. 
• If you're still working on those goals and resolutions, here are 10 Ideas for Creative People. 
• Sometimes it's so easy to focus on the bad things, I love this list of 99 Good News Stories You Probably Didn't Hear About in 2019.
• Check out the murals from Izzy Izvne that look like 3D portals.  
• I mentioned my husband's recording studio the other week. He recorded a short video of himself playing a guitar solo for one of his clients. I really love it!
• Here's a tutorial on how to make wire wrapped pearl hoop earrings. 
• This roundup of 35+ Glass Bottle Crafts shows a wide variety of ways to upcycle bottles rather than throwing them in the trash!
• Though this post is from 2010, I adore the wire, button, and found object birds from House Inside Out. 
• Though I already use old cookie tins in my jewelry, I'm smitten with repurposing them with old maps into these suitcase-looking decor containers. 
• If these photographs of harvest mice from Dean Mason don't bring a smile to your face, I don't know what will. 

I hope your New Year started with much fun and continues with much joy. And, remember, "Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day."

How to Make Velvet Ribbon Bookmarks

A few weeks ago, a friend asked if I could make velvet ribbon bookmarks for her booth in an antique mall. The process was surprisingly simple.

It really came down to finding velvet ribbon and ribbon crimps. I had the rest of the supplies needed: charms, beads, jump rings, and eye/head pins on hand.

It was so easy, I made a quick video to show you the process.

Since I was making these for a client with special requests, I stuck to the color scheme, metal, and charm type that she requested. But, depending on your own preferences, you can go in any direction with this project.

If you live in the area, you can find some of these for sale in the Cozi booth at the Daphne Antique Galleria at 1699 US-98, Daphne, AL 36526. And, to learn more about my friend Kim, you can find her blog at CoziNest.

These bookmarks work as a great little gift, a decor accent for a stack of books on your shelf, or even as a tool to mark the place you stopped in the book you're reading!

I'd love to know if you have any tips or questions about making your own velvet ribbon bookmarks. Just let me know below!

I'm sharing this post on the DIY and Recipe Linky at The Sway,  Talk of the Town at Knick of Time, Friday Frenzy at Trampling Rose, and Saturday Sparks Link Party at Pieced Pastimes. 

Currently I'm....

Creating a batch of Thank You cards for my Etsy orders since I just used my last one. 

Watching Leeloo run around the bedroom and craft room in full play mode. Catching her still is kinda hard, hence the blur. Her current favorite toy is a balled-up piece of paper (that's what's in her mouth.)

Reading The Orphan Keeper

Listing these super cute Red Tin Heart Earrings!

Needing to take care of a few more tasks for my Mardi Gras ball this weekend. 

Feeling a little chilly since it "snowed" last night.

Hoping everyone stays safe on the icy roads.

Baking these Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins from Together as a Family to warm up the house a little. As a bonus, breakfast for tomorrow will be ready! I'm also about to throw a roast in the crockpot so dinner will be done too.

Looking forward to working on making some jewelry today. My tools are ready and waiting!

So, what are you up to?

Currently I'm . . .

Cooking some very standard comfort dinners for the most part because our Blue Apron delivery comes in tomorrow, and those meals will be much less ordinary.

Creating by testing out some chalk paint on tin cans, cutting out tin from old containers, playing in my art journal - basically, getting my hands messy any way I can.

Eating a healthy-ish breakfast of plain greek yogurt, berries, honey, and homemade granola.

Enjoying the pop of color in the azaleas outside my window (though they are withering some).

Feeling a little stopped up from the result of allergies because the azaleas have decided to bloom.

Hoping to get to the bead store today to finish my shopping for the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop.

Listing these Flower and Rusty Key earrings in the CraftyHope Etsy shop.

Looking forward to seeing my oldest niece march with her high school marching band in the Crewe of Columbus Mardi Gras parade tomorrow night.

Loving the progress on my kitchen.

Needing to put some effort into exercising.

Reading Alice I have Been. I JUST started it so I don't have much to say about it yet.

Sewing nothing at the moment, but I’m ready to get started on some projects like curtains and placemats for the living and dining rooms.

Wanting to check off all the tasks on my bullet journal today (but I know that’s probably wishful thinking).

I guess it’s time to be done so I can get to it. So, what are you up to?