I made a journal out of an old ledger and here's how I did it...I actually took the ledger apart, and because the front and back covers were exactly the same, I can make 2 journals! To make the back cover I cut a piece of chipboard and covered it with a sturdy embossed piece of vintage wallpaper. I covered the inside panel with vintage ledger paper and did some machine stitching.
I used an exacto knife to cut out a window in the front cover and added a piece of vintage wallpaper...
I backed the wallpaper with a piece of cardboard, and then covered that with decorative papers. To bind the journal I used some twill tape...
I really liked the cover image, and didn't want to hide any portion of it. I decided to sew the twill tape under the cover, instead of on top of the cover.
I cut 5 sheets of 140 lb. watercolor paper and folded those in half to make my signatures. I sewed each signature to the twill tape "spine".
The pages have lots of room for adding lots of stuff!
One ledger=2 journals, and 5 pieces of paper=20 pages! I may sew ribbons to the front and back so that I can tie it together when I am done. My next project is trying to make a slightly more elegant version of this to be used as the Guest Book in my daughters wedding! I can't believe she's going to let me do it!
well of COURSE she is going to let you do it...she knows her mama makes beautiful things with her loving and creative hands :)
thanks for sharing this, suzanne. i love how the various little bits you have saved turned into one lovely piece.
♥karla
Posted by: karla | April 27, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Wow,it's a wonderfully manual journal.
You are smart. I will visit your blog again
Posted by: cheap designer handbags | April 27, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Beautiful Suzanne - I love it and thanks for sharing the how - to - I like the ide aof the twill tape - I've done similar journals and always went to buy the actual binding tape and it is so ridiculously expensive that I never did - the twill tape is a great alternative!
Posted by: cathyb | April 27, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Just Beautiful!
Posted by: Tamara @ A Treasured Past | April 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Suzanne! I love it! You are so talented. Can't wait to see Elizabeth's guest book!
Posted by: Jessica at Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping! | April 27, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Ooooh, it turned out beautiful!
Posted by: Kathy | April 27, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Oh my this is lovely and so creative... Very inspirational...
Posted by: Marietta | April 28, 2011 at 09:08 AM
So incredibly beautiful! I love all the elements you used, the wallpapers are just stunning. How did you manage to sew through the cover/chipboard? Did you use a special needle?
I can imagine what a beautiful guest book this would make - sounds like your daughter's wedding will be full of classy and unique details!
Posted by: Laura | April 28, 2011 at 10:27 AM
What a lovely piece you've created! And I'm sure your daughter's guest book will be stunning...I'm interested in what needle you used as well...
(((hugs)))
Posted by: Knitnana | April 28, 2011 at 01:20 PM
What a great idea, and so "green" and thrifty! Would you please post a link on my Mother’s Day Themed Linky Giveaway party? http://the4rsRamblings.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Sandy
Posted by: san | May 06, 2011 at 10:32 PM
OMG, it's gorgeous Suzanne! Thank you so much for showing us how you did it! Love it!!
Posted by: Laurie | May 09, 2011 at 10:30 AM
How beautiful and stunning!! I have to make a journal for an upcoming event and this gives me such wonderful inspiration!! Thank you so much for sharing! Blessings ~ Heidi
Posted by: Heidi Meyer | June 10, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Beautiful-even the wallpaper is fabulous!
Posted by: donna joy | July 10, 2011 at 05:08 PM
this is fabulous. I like the idea of the twill tape. Your work is awesome
Thanks for sharing
((((hugs))))
Maggie
Posted by: maggie Robinson | August 12, 2011 at 12:23 PM
I like the idea of the twill tape - I've done similar journals and always went to buy the actual binding tape and it is so ridiculously expensive that I never did - the twill tape is a great alternative!
Posted by: Car Insurance Washington | February 16, 2012 at 07:48 PM
could you make me one? This is amazing. Do you sell these?
So happy I tumbled upon your site.
I want your tag gate too?
Please write back! :)
Linda
Posted by: Linda Dodds | March 25, 2012 at 10:39 AM
where do you get vintage wall paper?
Me again!
Linda
Posted by: Linda Dodds | March 25, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Absolutely GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Sheila | April 16, 2012 at 06:33 PM
Suzanne, what a wonder idea!! You created such a beautiful book!! It is beautiful!!! How wonderful it must feel to see your ideas turn out to be so lovely!! You are both creative and talented!! Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Sharon Hosmer | February 25, 2013 at 08:52 PM