Several weeks ago, on the night before I was leaving to fly to Kansas to see my friend Karla, I had this wild idea that I needed a journal to record the weekends events. Now the thought of a journal isn’t crazy in itself, it’s that it was 11:00pm and I had to be up at 5:00am, and well…I still hadn’t finished packing :) So of course, I made a journal. A really easy journal. Here’s how I made it, using what was on hand:
I used one piece of watercolor paper that was 12”x18” from a notebook…
I cut the sheet into 3 strips, each 12” x 6”. I folded all 3 pieces in half to make a 6” x 6” journal with 6 pages (12 pages front and back). I really quickly painted a watercolor design on the front and back of each page-stripes, dots…really simple. You could then sew the spine, but I punched 2 holes and tied my journal with some seam binding.
I decorated the front with a few vintage items and a crepe paper ruffle to hide the rough edge where I tore the paper from the book (you can see the edge on the left front page below)…
When I travel, I save business cards from shops and restaurants (and the cardboard holder from my coffee in the airport) and tie them in with a bit of ribbon. Once a scrapbooker, always a scrapbooker!
I took the journal, a few pens, a glue stick,a small pair of scissors, a few bits of ribbon and paper, and put everything in a cigar box and carried it in my purse. That’s all you really need.
I left blank pages for photos and more journaling.
here’s the center of the book, so you can see the punched holes and ribbon…
my place card from lunch at Carol's…
I finished most of my journaling while waiting in the airport for my flight back home, while everything was fresh in my mind, and before it was back to reality!
the last 2 pages are for more photos…
This is a small journal, but perfect for a long weekend or a little trip. If I had more time, I would have tried to make it more complicated, but you know..it worked just fine being simple! The only thing I would change is that I should have had everyone sign it…guess I’ll have to go back again one day!!! Tomorrow I’ll show you another easy journal that Beth showed me how to make!
That is brilliant and beautiful, Suzanne. I really love it!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | June 08, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Lovely -- i love little small journals --
how did you get the scissors thru the checkin ??? -- Kathy - ga ♥
Posted by: kathy | June 08, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Suzanne. I just love that. I also love that you left the torn edge at the top of the paper. Now I could do that! Just a beautiful, manageable project.
Hugs,
Suz
Posted by: Suz Reaney | June 08, 2010 at 12:20 PM
i love those "trip" journals that you create!
what a wonderful idea!
and as to yesterdays question... YES!
i absolutely would carry on a type writer....or any other treasure that needed to find it's way home with me! shell
gypsylemonade.blogspot.com
Posted by: rachelle | June 08, 2010 at 12:27 PM
You make such beautiful art! just in awe of your painting,too.
Posted by: Evelyn | June 08, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Gorgeous, as always, Suzanne.
Posted by: holly abston | June 08, 2010 at 02:46 PM
This is a great little journal, I have a hard time stopping, and just want to add more and more!
Posted by: Penny Patten | June 08, 2010 at 08:44 PM
Lovely idea, lovely journal! Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | June 10, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Sooo beautiful!
Posted by: Kelli | June 10, 2010 at 01:46 PM
Hey! I looked a little closer and realized that you went to 715 Massachusetts for dinner. My daughter works there! I wonder if she waited on you. . . Did you go to Sarah's Fabrics, the Yarn Barn, or the cute kitchen shop that I can't remember? My daughter got married at the old theater on Massachusetts a year and a half ago. Don't you just love Lawrence? It's a fun town.
Karen B
Posted by: Karen B | June 11, 2010 at 12:40 AM
I SOOOO do things like this. People think I'm nuts, but usually it works out pretty good for me. And you're quick journal is too cute!
Posted by: Thespoena McLaughlin | June 18, 2010 at 03:24 PM