Monday, April 15, 2013

My final journal made from greeting cards



Before I make my second (and final) journal from greeting cards, I wanted to show you another project I made to accompany the journal.

For this project, I started with three sleeves I picked up when some friends and I went to a cafe that wrapped their silverware in these sleeves.  Instead of letting them go to the trash, I put them in my purse, anticipating a journal of some kind in the future.  I've placed a sheet of rosin paper in the first sleeve to protect the back from the front when I use these spray mists.

For this piece I'm using purchased spray mists, rather than the ones I made on Day 1 of Earth month.  The reason is, these mists have a vintage feel to them, and this gift is for my friend Kathy, who loves vintage. Bright, almost neon colors won't go as well in a gift for her.

When I went to put this book together to take photos, I was angry with myself.  Although I checked over and over, I  still got the middle backs upside down.  The middle of the book is at the bottom of the above photo.  It should be turned around because the image I used would look better turned over.  Also, the symmetry of the book is now off.

There was, however, nothing I  could do about it now, because those images from this side of the sleeve were not coming off, no matter what I did, or how much I tried to remove them.

So here is the book after I assembled and scanned it.







Stamped styrofoam hearts from Day 11.

I hope Kathy doesn't notice initially, because I'm ashamed that I wasn't more careful.  Seems no matter how many times I checked the day I made this, somehow I managed to flip the middle image upside down.

 Here are the tags I made.  Those of you who have been here all month saw the two on the ends were coffee stained on Day 2.

The middle tag was part of the resist pages I revamped on Day 4.

This book will be tucked in a pocket inside my final greeting card journal.  This one was marginally easier to make because at least I knew what I was doing this time.


The cover is unfinished because I have no idea how old Kathy is, but I think she is around 70.  The book will be "Kathy's (whatever age) Book Bash."  I wanted to imply that Kathy had a brag book for every year of her life.

Personally, I find these cards a bit boring, because I'm used to a few embellishments sewn onto pages in my scrappy journals.  One of the things I noticed when I made the last book (Days 13 and 14) was I wasn't careful about which colors were next to which when I put the book together.  I tried to be more careful with this one, hoping I didn't place too many like colors next to each other.  So, scan or flip through these pages, because I'm not going to talk you through them (grin).





OK, maybe a few words.  Like a reminder that the left page is part of a larger page I revamped on Day 4.















Even more of one of the pages from Day 4 (left side).

The right side of this scan and the left side of the following scan show paper I cut from waste paper from my craft desk.  The randomness of those colors and patterns make this paper perfect art fodder for backgrounds.

And another example from Day 4, this time on the right side.

And the last of one of the pages from Day 4.

Please note this journal was not designed to be written in, but to store photos and memorabilia from Kathy's birthday.  And my "Handmade by Bleubeard and E" isn't much better in this book, either.

Today I recycled three sleeves that originally held silverware from a restaurant, along with eight greeting cards.  I further incorporated tags from coffee stained paper, and several sheets of scrap paper.  This is Day 15, and if you live in the US, I hope your taxes are in the mail, or you won't have time to recycle anything, except your money.


15 thoughtful remarks:

Anonymous said...

Wow Elizabeth. I am always amazed at how much you accomplish. Love those silverware sleeves. YOu made them look stunning. The paper they are made out of takes the inks so well. What a fun project out of the most ordinary of things. xox

Rebeca Trevino said...

E
this was good fun.
the silverware sleeve pages turned out great.

i have a question: when you say 'scan' - are you scanning the finished piece into your computer, or are you 'scanning' a photograph of the piece into your computer?

the images are always very clear.

Darla said...

Another interesting journal. I like the idea of all those pockets to put things in. I'm sure she will be delighted with it.

Darla

Darla said...

Another interesting journal. I like the idea of all those pockets to put things in. I'm sure she will be delighted with it.

Darla

Divers and Sundry said...

this is so much more creative than buying pages already done, and you can personalize everything this way.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

This will make a beautiful keepsake book with all of those pockets.

Dawn said...

Ooh I'm loving the first journal Elizabeth, what a brilliant thing to do with something that would normally end up in the rubbish bin, the vintage feel is perfect. I love the card book too, what a colourful and personal present for your friend.
Huge hugs x

Halle said...

Once again I'm impressed with the way you can pull it all together. The mini book is wonderful even though I understand your angst for messing up the order and therefore the symmetry. Let it go....breathe....all is well. :)

~*~Patty S said...

SO interesting to read and see your creative process E!
Love what you've created here ...
extra nice of you to think of someone else for their birthday in your birthday month
oxo

Rita said...

Love the manner in which you recycle, lady! these are great! And I'm sure she won't notice that minor mixup. :)

Dianne said...

I think these projects turned out terrific! I know you were frustrated about the little tag book but it really didn't seem out of place to me. the vintage feel, textures & colors are beautiful, and of course the scrappy journal is lovely too. what fun it will be to fill! you are the queen of recycling (me bowing to you from Ohio!)

Katie said...

Oh! I love the idea of making a book out of greeting cards! I just can't seem to throw them away, but I didn't know what to do with them! Thanks for the idea!

katie

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