Getting Too Predictable

I'm afraid I'm getting too predictable and seasonal in my crafting. I am through the Christmas knitting and crocheting season with dolls and handmade decorations, etc... and now I'm trying to think Spring and Valentine's Day. I naturally go into paper crafts mode about this time while still carrying on with my yarn arts into the drying times and while waiting on supplies to arrive. I often work on two or more projects so I can take a break from each of them while I'm working

This time I decided to make variations of a 5-1/2" X 7" ribbon bound journal. I've made journals of this type before so I have a head start on assembling them from scratch. I also have several digital paper packs previously used that I can print out for these. I got this paper pack off of Etsy from Janeybjournals. I started out with a 12" X 7" square of poster board and covered it with papers. I will be binding in three signatures with ribbon on the spine.

I used to make "junk journals" from scratch back in the day. I've made paper covered theme journals and leather covered folding ones too. I've made them from junk mail and brown paper bags. These are actually "designer journals". There is no junk mail in them. I also have a boat load of scrapbook paper to use up already.

If you really want to do these journals up right you should use punches on the corners, ink the edges of the pages and tags, use fibers and sew in touches of fancy fabrics or paper and cloth lace here and there. Don't forget to add dimensional stickers, tags, pockets and plenty of room to write or journal. You can also draw or paint on the pages if you like to. I also like to use key words all over the place to enhance the theme of the journal. And I love to use little charms or beads on the binding. This paper pack is gorgeous!

I'm still in the starting phase, gathering all the things I'll need to put it together. Making tags and swags and shiny things to go into it, printing and gluing everything together on layers.. My satin ribbon should be here soon. It can be quite an extravaganza of craftiness to really make one of these beautiful journals. I'll have to do a flip through when I'm done.