Leather Mini Gelli Journal

Hey, Froggers. Whoo-wee! It's been a busy time. 

I'm sorry for the delay for the Part II of "Clean Your Craft Mat With Skin Peelings." Part I can be found here, and I promise to try to get Part II written within the next few days. However, it did turn out really COOL!

I've been wanting to try my hand at sewing a simple binding on a journal, and I came up with this little Gelli Print journal. 

I had a leather sample that was the perfect size- about 5x7". 

I made a signature of 4 pieces of mixed media paper of Gelli prints that I had printed a few weeks ago.

Two pieces were smaller than the other two, but I was OK with that. I just put them in the center.

There was no rhyme or reason to my patterns. I mainly just used colors that I liked and my stencils that can be found in my Etsy shop here. If you haven't visited my shop, I encourage you to look at some of the very cool designs that I have created, especially the mask medallions that I made especially for the plate. Here's a sample:

I wanted to do a very simple stitch since this was my first stitched journal. The one I ended up doing is called a 5-hole pamphlet stitch. I found some instructions here. This is absolutely the simplest stitch. I didn't have linen thread, so I used waxed thread that I bought in the jewelry section of my local crack craft store.

Since the mixed media paper is quite sturdy, the book doesn't stay closed on its own, so I tucked a long piece of hand-dyed crinkle ribbon into one of the loops to secure it. That way, I can tie the book closed.

Because there was a big grommet in the front (after all, it WAS a sample), I covered it up with a die cut leather flower, added a vintage button, and swiped it with a little bit of white gesso. Of course, I just HAD to stamp it with a hand carved stamp. This one is my key logo for my shop. 

So, what would YOU put in this little journal? I'm thinking a few fave scriptures with a little bit of embellishing, drawing, or doodling, perhaps about God's promises, or things He is teaching me about myself. Hmmm?

Thanks again for stopping by!

Fondly, Tami

Getting My December Daily Challenge ON!

Hey again, Peeps. Whew! The holidays sure are ramping up, but I'm excited to participate in the December Daily because it keeps me focused on what is REALLY important- spending time in the Craft Room!!!

So, here are my first two pages. The first one was a white on white "suggestion". Since I love white on white, it wasn't a problem at all.

It's always hard for me to start a new journal. I have to get over several things:
1. That it has to be perfect.
2. That there has to be a cohesive theme.
3. That it has to be perfect.

So, with this journal, I'm embracing imperfection. I have several things I want to journal about, and if one doesn't jive with the other, that's OK. This is my PLAY time.

I've gone through some revelations lately, so I'm going to include them this month. I've had to re-define some boundaries concerning some relationships, so I'm going to write about that, as well as celebrating every-day life. I'm also including some materials from this month's Brave Girls Club Soul School, which is a fabulous course. So. Many. Good. Things.

So, in keeping with my new-found love of hand-carved stamps (see blog post here), I wanted to have a lined area for my journaling, so I made a stamp.

So, here is my first page in the journal. Pretty self-explanatory.

Ha! I did end up covering up some mistakes. Kinda ironic.

I often over-think my work. I think it's because since I'm in the business of designing and selling my crafts, that I think everything has to be perfect (like I endeavor to do for my customers). However, sometimes I need to just sit back and have fun.

And here's the page for Dec. 2. I included some interactive journaling cards that open up. This might become a trend.

Here are the cards.

And inside, I wrote about places where I'm peaceful.

Card 2

And inside, how I can seek peace:

And, here is the layout. I've never really liked my handwriting, but it's all a part of who I am, so I'm going to write more instead of relying on a cute font from my printer.

Of course, I had to do a little painting and doodling.

And I included the cute pin that came with my Brave Girls Soul School subscription.

And, I even sat at the sewing machine, which isn't my fave thing to do, but I love the effect. A few pearl embellies later, and I was done. I do have to remember to punch my holes in my pages before I start adding junque, so that I don't cover over those areas. After all, it DOES need to be somewhat functional and put together, not unlike me.

Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for the next few days' layouts!

Fondly, Tami