April 11, 2012

sometimes i'm a little crafty....


forever now, i've been making my own journal covers. 
unfortunately, i haven't made any in a few years, 
since my photography addiction has been holding me hostage. in a good way.
so when i saw a blog post {that i can't find anywhere}
where someone was making one, the "journal cover making" bug bit me once again.


the original journal i used was a hard covered, circus themed one from michael's {1.50}


i took the latest anthropologie catalog and cut out a few of my favorite photos.


then i used scrapbook paper scraps to cover up my uneven lines.


i kind of liked it like this, but decided to add a bit more oomph.


a butterfly rub-on


and then some word stickers and flower rub-ons.


the white flower rub ons were too bright, so i dulled them up with stamping ink and q-tips.


i like it


but you can't leave the back undecorated, right ? 
so before i used masking tape to finish the spine, i added a little bit of fun to the backside.



and to finish it, i personalized it with my little "be yourself" stamp.



these are a few of my old journals. i've always used scrapbook paper, but now
i'm totally in love with using magazine photos. but be careful. 
it's easy to get bubbles with the thinner paper, so make sure you have something to smooth them out with. like a bone folder.
*
if you want to make your own and have any questions, feel free to ask !!

25 comments:

  1. So nice to see you being crafty...I love the use of the magazine photos and the ink to dull the flowers. I remember watching you cutting and sizing bits in Florida and saying about how neatly you manage to clip -- paper to cover something uneven? I think it just adds a nice touch because you trim beautifully my dear! xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. I too cover my journals, but I've been using scrapbook paper. Next one is getting a taste of your idea. thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your journal cover, beth, and your step by step. Wow! Now I want to play with you...

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are truly an artist.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well look at crafty you! How gorgeous! Love!

    ReplyDelete
  6. dear martha stewart,
    this is so cool! and it's always good to add a little bit of fun to the backside.
    ha ~

    ReplyDelete
  7. never forget the backside ... love these so creative, dahling!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are too damned talented for words, Bethie ! These look so great ! And are done with that meticulous care that you put into all you do. Love that !

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very cool! So how do you get the edges of the book to look so crisp and clean? Do you wrap the new pieces over the edges?

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are so beautiful! ... like your new header look too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love it :)

    I'm finally back in my studio after almost 2 years of focusing my creative energy into the blog/photography, it feels good to get my hands dirty again. Thanks for the additional inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very creative, I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is fun to play and be crafty once in the while. Love your finished journal.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So crafty and clever. I'll have to try it, but I always give out on the journaling. I'll call mine idea books....

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are crafty! I love it, especially the "sometimes she would have to explore"...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Holy smokes! That is a beautiful cover. OK...so how do you keep the pictures from eventually coming off? Do you use a special glue? Would love to make my own...

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh they look great! what kind of glue did you use? i tried something similar before and the paper i used kept getting all wrinkled

    ReplyDelete
  18. I adore the look of mixed media like that--the photos, prints, words, stamps. Cool stuff, Beth.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very creative, looks like something I would like to do (I do a lot of scrapbooking) but what to do with all the journals afterwards? I'm not much for journalling other than blog journalling. And did you cover the whole works afterwards with MacTac or something?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very creative, looks like something I would like to do (I do a lot of scrapbooking) but what to do with all the journals afterwards? I'm not much for journalling other than blog journalling. And did you cover the whole works afterwards with MacTac or something?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh you are so crafty!! Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  22. LOVE this! And yes - questions for me are those above! Can't wait to hear the answers!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. really beautiful, Beth.
    I likes it:)
    -Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  24. love, LOVE these...so Beth. So fresh. So YOURSELF!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! Your artistry is just breathtaking! Your photos, mixed media, talent for writing! Just gorgeous! I know I don't comment on every post; but please know I love everything you do and am so impressed with your talent!!!! Love you!

    ReplyDelete

**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth