When the daffodils and crocus pop up just outside my kitchen door, I know that it is time to celebrate the arrival of spring! Even though we had just a tiny bit of snow after the appearance of my spring blooms, they stood tall and straight (all while shivering from the cold and wind) and survived the last frosty breath of winter.
And of course, the robins arrived and there were cardinals, sparrows, blue jays, and black birds flocking to the bird feeder. The chipmunks popped their little heads out from the "doors" of their burrows, but hubby decided that they were too destructive to be ignored . . . . so a live trap was set, but they were just to smart to let that stop them.
Meanwhile, in between all the other daily tasks that were calling my name, I had great fun playing in my sewing / art room making more altered books. Some days I would "make" the paper that I use for the journal pages, other days I would prepare the book for the next steps of adding pages and lots of other "stuff." And that's when the real fun would begin!
This beautiful altered book is filled with springtime images and garden themes, including vintage seed packet images, vintage postcards, tags, pockets, and envelopes with tiny treasures tucked inside. There are little journals inside of the bigger book so there is a lot of room for you to make this one all your own.
I just love all the little hidden gems inside each of my books, and this one is no exception. I figured out how to include a smaller "book" that can be completely opened, front and back, and inside there is room for even more journal pages, journal cards, tags, and fun vintage garden images.
It's hard for me to choose, but I think those little pockets might be my favorite part of making altered books / journal! They just add the perfect touch of whimsy, and can be used to hold vintage recipes, sheet music, handwritten letters, old luggage tags, bookmarks, or anything else that you find that you just love!
But when I'm thinking of something different to include in my books, that's when my imagination starts to soar! So in this beautiful book I thought about making a little tri-fold with "doors" that open in the middle. I found this cute vintage advertisement for some kind of a French pastry shop or cafe, and put that on the front of my doors that open and close with two vintage buttons and gold cord. And inside these cute little doors . . . .
you will find yet another pocket with a vintage French menu tucked inside! On the next page of this sweet altered book / journal is another smaller blank book filled with "aged" tea-dyed paper where you can continue your own journaling journey.
All of my altered books / journals have lots of space for writing your own thoughts, dreams, ideas, or for sketching / doodling / drawing. After all, that's the whole purpose of a journal, right? So my altered books / journals aren't just "pretty" or "whimsical" or fun to look at (although they are all of those things!) each one is a one-of-a-kind story telling treasure where YOU can write your story!
And, of course, you can always add more "stuff" to your journal . . . tuck a favorite picture or letter or other memorabilia into the many pockets and envelopes, or fill the pages with anything you want that makes your heart happy!
Making the tags for my books is a really fun, quick, and easy project that you could do with your kiddos . . . I usually cut pieces of cardstock the size I want them, or cut them from heavy patterned paper or cardstock. Then, I glue on different pieces of scrap paper or other images that I like, such as small scraps of sheet music or torn out pieces of scrapbook paper that are too small to use in my scrapbooks.
On the very back of this book I was having so much fun that I added ANOTHER tri-fold section, but this one opens from top to bottom. It closes with a vintage white button and gold cord, and below that is a fun little envelope that I made from a piece of scrapbook paper that was too small for anything else - and more torn pieces of "junk" paper that I had laying around my work table.
And what would be the PERFECT addition to this little fold-out page of my altered book / journal??? Well, another pocket, of course! I have a circle-cutter (but can only cut one size of circle so maybe I'll need to pop on over to Hobby Lobby to see about getting another, smaller one), so from a small piece of lonely scrapbook paper that really had nowhere else to go and nothing else to do, I cut a pretty circle of pink paper with red roses, and attached a small golden safety pin. That works, right?
So, here is another one of my creations that I just love . . . and I hope you do too. And I would love to encourage YOU to try your hand at creating something this week. It will make your heart happy! Let me know if you have any questions. You can email me at vintagewhimsystudio@gmail.net
You can also visit me at my Etsy shop Vintage Whimsy Studio.
See you next time!
Nina
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