Two simple Journals for Megs Garden - Part #2

Hello sweet visitors!!  Thank you for dropping by, so lovely to have you visit.

So, this is part two of my 'Two Simple Journals' posts.
If you would like to take a look at Part#1, HERE is the link.

These are the two books I created using Megs Garden's lovely papers.

In this post I will share with you the booklet on the right .. my writer's Journal.  This is the little book I will use to practice my hand writing.  As I said in Part#1, I used to have a reasonably neat hand but, over the years, that has deteriorated quite badly so now I need to practice to get it back up to scratch.

The inspiration for this booklet came from Astrid Maclean of Astrid's Artistic Efforts.  Astrid, like me, loves to make all kinds of booklets and, lately, she has been working with the Eileen Hull die.  Unfortunately, I don't have that die so I had to make mine by hand but I did use that book as inspiration for my design.
The papers used for this Journal are all from the A4, digital version of the 'In the Watercolour Garden' Collection.

As I wanted a reasonably soft cover, I simply made it from cardstock.  I used black for the outside cover and kraft for the inside.  The finished book, when closed, measures 4.75" x 8.5".

 I glued a piece of chipboard behind the spine on the inside cover for extra strength, punched the holes, threaded the elastic through those holes and simply knotted it at the back.   I then glued the two covers together.

 As with the first Journal, this one doesn't have much in the way of embellishment.  As this is also a work book, I didn't want anything three dimensional getting in the way.  Besides, these papers have such lovely graphics on them that I really didn't want to cover them up.
For the front cover though, I did add a Tim Holz door knob and some stamping.  I also fussy cut a second butterfly to give it a little bit of dimension.

I really love the graphic on this paper .. simply stunning!!

The inside cover and the first signature.

I added a pocket on the inside front cover and added some faux stitching with a gel pen at the top.  The 'lace' is simply a strip cut from the edge of a paper doily. 

 The pocket will house a small booklet which will mainly be used for any hints and notes that I may find and wish to keep.  I added more faux stitching around the edge of the paper.

 There are three signatures in this booklet ..

 I cut some pages from a cheap exercise book for the inside, made a cover for each signature and stapled them together.  Each one loops under an elastic band in the spine of the outer cover.  This way, as I fill them up, I can create new signatures and  replace them.

 Added a strip of washi tape at the edge of the signature to give the spine a bit more strength.  The only other bit I did was to add the quote.  As I said before, these papers have the most gorgeous graphics they really don't need any enhancement.

Back of the first signature and front of the second.

Love this music paper .. so gorgeous!!

All I did here was to add the quote.

Back of the second signature and front of the third.

I simply had to use this paper again .. I love it so .. and I only added the quote.  After taking this photo, I did add that strip of washi tape to the spine though, for added strength and continuity.

Back of the third signature and inside back cover.

 This is the most gorgeous background paper .. I didn't add anything because I didn't want to spoil it.  Love it just as is.

 As on the inside front cover, I just added some stenciling with Distress Ink.

A little metal embellishment on the back ..

.. and Voila!!

My work book is complete!!

I hope you like my little book and I'm sure you will agree with me that those papers are simply stunning!!!!  If you'd care to take a look at all of the gorgeous papers available in the Garden HERE is the link.  While you're there, why not take a look at all the fabulous products in store .. I know you will find something that you cannot bear to be without!!  LOL!!

There is some wonderful inspiration to be had over at the Garden blog.  Pop on over and take a look at the fabulous creations by my Teamies.  I know you will enjoy the visit HERE.

Thank you so much for dropping by today and, whatever you have planned .. do it well, do it safe and enjoy your day!!

Take care and God Bless.
oxox Marg

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #196 - Autumn

Hello sweet visitors and welcome to my blog.  Hope you are having a wonderful day.

There's a new Challenge starting over at Crafty Cardmakers!  For this Challenge, Kim is our host and the Theme is Autumn!!

As always, you may create anything you like, as long as it follows the Autumn Theme.
Please read our rules and take note of the 15 Challenge limit.

So, here  is the card I created for my DT contribution.
The papers used are from Maja and Kaisercraft.  I felt they were a really good match.

The leaves were cut with Tim Holz' Mini Tattered Leaves Die which I have had for ages but never got around to using.   I cut them from a light brown cardstock and then coloured them using sprays made from Distress Re-inkers.  I also added a few veins with a brown fine line pen.

Tucked some gauze under the cluster for some soft texture, added some berries and, of course, lots of prills.

The flowers were also coloured with sprays and I added a touch of gesso here and there.

More of the Maja papers inside.

Et Voila!!

Another fabulous Challenge from Crafty Cardmakers.

Take a look at the wonderful inspiration from the rest of the Team and, while you're there, why not join in the fun and link up your entry.  Simply click on the link below.

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #196 - Autumn.

I am sharing this card with the Challenge at
Fussy and Fancy Friday #196 - Fall Colours

Thank you so much for your visit and for leaving me a little love, and,
whatever your plans are for the day, do it safe and do it happy!!!

Take care and God Bless.
oxox Marg

Two Simple Journals for Megs Garden - Part #1

Hello sweet friends and welcome!  So pleased to have you drop by.

As you would have guessed by the Title, I am here to share two Journals with you.  Both have been created with some wonderful papers from Megs Garden. 

I have used the A4 digital versions of two Collections ..  In the Watercolour Garden and Slightly Grunge, and I have also used papers from the Mini Book printed version of the Sherlock II Mini Book Kit.

These are the two books I created.

The journal on the left will be used for sketching and Mixed Media work and the one on the right I will use to practice my hand writing.  Believe me, I need lots of practice (LOL!!).  I used to have a reasonably neat hand but, over the years, it has degenerated quite badly so this little book will help  me to get it back in shape.  I hope!!!
Now, originally, I was going to show both books in the same post but found it would be way too big (lots of photos) so I have decided to do this in two parts.

In this post I will show you the Art Journal.
The idea and basic design of this Journal came from a You Tube video by Jen of Eve Designs.  It is a very easy book to make and Jen explains it very well so, if you would like to take a look, HERE is the link

I made my book from cardstock (it measures 5.5" x 8") and then decorated the cover by simply layering papers  and ephemera from the Mini Book Kit.   I added a little stamping and the flourishes in the corners were done with a Tim Holz Stencil and Distress Ink.
Punched an eyelet into the front cover and knotted a double length of twine through it and then attached the beads.  The twine simply wraps around the book and is looped through.  The weight of the beads help to keep it closed.

 The inside cover and the first signature. 

The paper on the inside cover is from the Slightly Grunge Collection.  All I have done here is added the stamps.  The grid and coffee stain are from Kaisercraft and the quote is from My Favourite Things.

As per the video, there are three signatures in this book (the inside pages are 160gm white paper).

Each of these signatures have been sewn into the spine ..

.. and I have made a little cover for each of them.
 The papers used on each of these covers is from the Sherlock II Mini Book Kit.  Again, the only thing added here are the stamps.

Back of the first signature and front of the second.

These papers have so much detail on them they would certainly stand on their own without any embellishment.  I have only added the stenciled flourishes here.  

 Again, all I have added here are the flourishes.  The postal stamp and faded script are all part of the papers. 

Back of second signature and front of third.

Sorry, but I have to keep repeating myself.  All I have added here is the flourish stencil.

 And, again, only added the stamp and the stencil.

 Back of the third signature and the inside back cover.

 Yep, just added the flourish!!

 The inside back cover is paper from the Slightly Grunge Collection as is the paper on the flap.  And .. again .. just added the splatter stamp and the flourish stencil.

The back cover of the journal has paper from the Mini Book Kit and .. wait for it .. all I added was the splatter stamp and the flourish stencil!!  LOL!!  Sorry!!

A closer look at the closure ..

 .. and a full frontal!!

As you've obviously noticed, (and I kept on, and on, and on, and on, telling you (LOL!!) ) there are no extra embellishments in this journal.  Firstly, as this will be a work book, I really didn't want anything  dimensional getting in the way.  Secondly, these papers are so detailed, I really didn't need to put anything more on them.  I added the stamps and stencil simply because I felt I should do some kind of embellishment even though it wasn't really necessary!

I hope you enjoyed my post and my little book and that I have inspired you to take a look at the video and make one for yourself.  Also, why not go and take a look at the fabulous range of other papers and embellishments available at Megs Garden.  I know you will find something that will be perfect for whatever you are creating.   And, if you're looking for more inspiration, why not also take a look at the fabulous creations by the rest of the Team.  HERE is the link to the Megs Garden Blog.

I am entering this Journal into the inaugural Challenge at
Mini Album Makers Challenge Blog

Thank you so much for visiting today and I hope you will come back and take a look at the second journal as well.
Take care and God Bless.
Marg oxox