After my flea market adventure last Friday, I was inspired to use some of my vintage finds to make a journal.
I used the covers from some old books as the pages, and embellished them with a little bit of everything!
The books I used were not the same height or width, but were close in size. I cut the covers off the books with an exacto knife, and used the front and back cover of the tallest book (the tan one) as the front and back cover of the journal. Because my pages were very 3 dimensional, I only used one cover of each of the other books, 7 covers total...5 pages plus the front and back cover.
I punched holes in the covers with a crop-o-dile, and held it all together with 2" binder rings from the office supply store. The outside edges of the journal are the smooth edges, and the "spine" is the cut edges of the book covers. Here is the cover : lace, millinery, satin ribbon, and a rhinestone pin...
The back side of each cover was covered in assorted papers, and a piece of watercolor paper was added as a blank spot for journaling on some. Here is the inside cover and page 2: a vintage dress pattern, lace trim, velvet ribbon, a millinery rose, and a vintage calling card...
I hadn't added the journaling spots when I took these photos...sheet music, bridal lace, a vintage embroidered hankie, and a milagro tied on with ribbon...
The next page has a piece of vintage barkcloth with a bit of padding behind, so it can be used to "pin" on items, including a vintage enamel flower pin from my collection.
The next page has more vintage barkcloth and lace, and I laced seam binding to make a place to hold journaling tags, business cards, etc.
The back of this cover has vintage wallpaper and more lacing (like a corset), to hold more journaling. I may not actually use these tags for my journaling...I just put them here to show you a possibility.
The last page has a round doily cut in half, then sewn to form a corner pocket to hold notes, cards, etc...
The back side also has a pocket...
This journal is sturdy and thick and just filled with all the vintage things I love and collect...and it was SO much fun to make!
It would make a great guest book at a wedding!
So beautiful and inspiring! Love it! Christie
Posted by: christie repasy | February 24, 2012 at 07:25 AM
Love it is so beautiful and creative thank you for sharing.Still haven't made the little linzer cookies but I will
Peg
Posted by: Peg Joseph-Davis | February 24, 2012 at 08:04 AM
This is just BEAUTIFUL! Oh my gosh- the textures alone make me want to jump through the screen... it's just lovely. I'm sure whatever you end up using the journal for will be a lot of fun for you to continue to work in.
Thank you for sharing this- it's really inspiring!
Posted by: thegypsymagpie | February 24, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Oh Suzanne! It's gorgeous!!!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | February 24, 2012 at 03:02 PM
You are brilliant. I love the pages and all the vintage goodness!!
Posted by: Heather | February 24, 2012 at 03:45 PM
I just found your blog..how lovely your work is..I will come back and see what craftiness you have been making..
xo
Posted by: Dagmar leuenberger-Swift | February 25, 2012 at 01:10 PM
The journal is very beautiful. I would love to make one myself, but I'm too scaredy-cat to try! I just love your style.
Posted by: danaleigh | February 25, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Your journal is beautiful Suzanne - love all the details. So very cute
Posted by: Tina | February 27, 2012 at 02:40 AM
Okay Suzanne... Let me first say that it's been a while since I've visited (post on your daughter's gorgeous wedding) and you look soooo fabulous! Great profile picture. You're looking sexier and prettier than ever.
I always love all your beautiful shots of fresh flowers. Usually pink flowers. Your journal is inspiring me to make something!
Posted by: Mary | February 29, 2012 at 08:16 PM
Your journal is amazing...thank you so much for sharing such beautiful photos with us. Love all the fabulous fabric choices and that green enamel pin is such fun. Thanks again for all the inspiration!
Posted by: marie | March 01, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Absolutely incredible....breathtaking beauty! My daughter is newly engaged...I'm thinking she needs a book like this from me!
Posted by: Debbie | March 04, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Your journal is beautiful and very inspiring ! Love it !
Posted by: suzeeez | March 08, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Beautiful book!
Posted by: Linda Price | March 12, 2012 at 04:51 PM
Love it's contents.
Posted by: Linda Price | March 12, 2012 at 04:54 PM
This is sooooo beautiful! I just want to pin every single photo!
Posted by: Melissa | March 16, 2012 at 05:00 PM
I've wanted to make a journal for so long but one that was more my visual thoughts than one that required pen to paper. Yours is lovley. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Laurie | March 24, 2012 at 07:33 AM
suzanne - each of these pages is a work of art!!! Love it
Posted by: cathy | March 30, 2012 at 08:14 AM
Looks really beautiful a great idea for a book for the wedding for your guests to leave their comments.
Posted by: garym | June 06, 2012 at 04:51 PM
SO SO SO gorgeous! Every page and every bit of vintage sweetness! I want to make something like this for my daughter's wedding for her guest book! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Debbie | August 12, 2012 at 06:44 PM
This is what I call "soul food". Just gorgeous and so gracefully presented. I love your blog.
Posted by: Della | January 12, 2013 at 10:58 AM