Friday, June 7, 2013

Summer Journaling Book

I really enjoy making my own journaling books. This picture was taken this past weekend in Chicago when we visited Danny, Natasha and our little grandson. I love it so much that I decided to use it for the cover of my summer journaling book. 



I started by covering pieces of cardboard for the front and back. I formerly used double-sided tape but learned that it doesn't hold up. Glue is what makes the paper stick to the cardboard for a long period of time. This book is 10 inches long by 6.5 inches wide.


These are the insides of the covers. I was inspired by the image on the left and used my favorite bee image from The Graphics Fairy on the right. (I can't remember where I got the page on the left but would be happy to cite it if found.)


I love how the colors go together.


Here I have my pages in order and ready for adding the binding wires. My pages consist of sketch and copy papers, envelopes, printed images from the web and anything that is interesting and color coordinated with my book covers.


This is the Cinch book binding machine that turned my pages into a journal. It's a very simple machine but since I use it infrequently it takes me a little while to refresh my memory on how it works.  


So here's my finished product all ready for some journaling action.


I inserted my summer bucket shapes (I showed you in this post) in one of the envelopes in the journal so I could pull them out when I want to glue them to a page.


I love making journals. Here are some others I have made in the past:

My Own Smash Book, Handmade Journaling Book, Smashing Sunflowers

Have you made a journaling book?

Linking with The Graphics Fairy

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13 comments:

  1. That is fabulous! I love that photo!!!
    Precious!
    xo Kris

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  2. This reminds me of a binding machine at the office only so much more! Beautiful work thank you for sharing - I would like to try it sometime ;)

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  3. I didn't even know you could bind your own books like that--what a great machine!

    That photo is precious. I know you will treasure that.

    I like the idea of having a journal just for one season or time period. That's a great way to record the moments you don't want to forget. Thanks for sharing your process!

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  4. This is beautiful and so useful too! I wish I was a better journaler. I do it for a period and then cast it aside and then try again later. Maybe I would be more inspired with a lovely book like this. Love the picture of you with Jackson!

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  5. Beautiful journal, love your cover photo. So precious! Now you have inspired me to make my very own smash book.
    xxx
    Marlene

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  6. Your journals are so very pretty. So nice that you are able to make them yourself. Cool gadget. I keep saying I will journal or make a smash book and I do start, but then never keep up with it. I used to love paper crafting but now because it takes me so long to find anything, I haven't been doing as much of it. I think getting organized would help so hopefully I can begin that process once school is over. Sweet picture of you and Jackson. Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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  7. How smart you are !! This is just amazing and I can sure see why you chose that adorable photo for your cover. :))

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  8. WOW I love this and the front cover is truly adorable. I have never done this but sounds like it is worth a try. Smart idea Thank you. B

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  9. Beautiful, Patty! Love the picture on the front of your book.

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  10. Oh Patty- such a beautiful picture of you- it's perfect for your journal cover!! You are SO pretty!!

    Thanks for your visit- it's wonderful to hear from you--
    I love that you are still experiencing good things as a result of the blog party. I'm planning to do it again this winter!

    Xoxo
    Vicki

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  11. I have a Jackson as well, but I don't have a snakeskin shirt and I might just want one of those too!

    Bliss

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  12. That photo is so sweet, Patty. I love Smash books, and use them for several different purposes.

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  13. Your book is wonderful, Patty! I have the Cinch machine, and I feel like I only use it properly about half the time; it's frustrating when I feel like my last page always fall off. Do you ever have that problem? Anyway, I just LOVE your personalized SMASH book, and I can see you wanting to reach for it often over the months to archive your days.

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