Journal beginnings

 I am preparing to spend two weeks in a very favorite place; Kona, Hawaii.  I like to take a handmade journal with me to record highlights of each day.  This year I started with wallpaper sample packs from Bradbury & Bradbury for my pages.  This is just starting to come together so none of the pages are complete.  Yet it's been so long since I posted I wanted to put something up for my visitors. 

 I decided to use cereal box board for my front and back cover base.  This color scheme from a couple of the wallpaper sample packs isn't traditional for a tropical vacation, right?  I've found that for me the basic journal needs to be constructed of appealing papers and elements to encourage me to pick it up daily.  And right now these colors are just what I want to look at. 

Love these colors and designs.  Bradbury & Bradbury specialize in reproductions of period wallpaper from the early 1900's.

 I'm having fun with bits and bobs of die cut and embossed elements from my growing supply of dies. I did stenciling, spraying and inking on white watercolor paper to use for journaling pages (not shown).  Meh.  I do not get the technique of stenciling with sprays; I have better results with using an ink blending tool and Distress Inks.  Still it was good experience and I will insert the pages after I stamp images and froo-froo them. 

 I'm also making a journal for my 17 year old niece who will be joining us for a week during her school break.  I can't go wrong with Graphic 45's Tropical Travelogue collection. 

Her pages will be simple with room for notes.  I don't know if she will use it, but maybe she will enjoy just looking at the pretty papers, like I do. 

Sewing Needle Case

 Now that I'm enamored with fabric and even doing a bit of embroidery, I need a sewing needle case.  I first got this idea while in Pamela Huntington's class at Spellbound.  For her needles she had a lovely fabric case in a French theme.  I poked around youtube to get further inspiration.  This video by Jeanette was just the ticket.  For my cover I used some of my precious vintage barkcloth.  The dimensions are 6" high and 3.5" wide (I cut the front and back covers to 7" width then folded in half). 

I used wide burlap ribbon for the inside cover; wool felt for the pages; old lace for decoration. 

 I don't show the middle of the case 'cause it's just more of the same.  I glued front and inside covers plus all of the lace and ribbon with liquid fabric glue.  I did a little sewing on the front cover to add the buttons, beads and rosettes.  I did stitch down the inside center of the case, hand sewing through all layers with embroidery thread and a running stitch, but I got the seam crooked.  So, I pulled out the stitching and now have it pinned in place with 2 corsage pins.  Works fine. 

 I was hoping my BFF would want one when I showed her my project...and she did!  So I got to make one for her while having some fun with color.  This time I used a mid-weight toile print on the cover and a French General's cotton print for the inside cover lining.  Hand dyed seam binding?  Check.  Hand made fabric roses made with Spellbinder's Spiral Blossom?  Check.  Ribbon rosettes?  Check. 

 I used a corner of an old dresser scarf for a little pocket on the first page.

And a scrap of Charlotte Lyon's print fabric for a pocket on the back page.  In between is felt, velvet ribbon, bits of barkcloth.  So, who else do I know that sews??