Floral Fabric Cover Junk Journal

I seriously need to use these old paper collections I have accumulated over the years!

And, as I was going through my neglected paper stash, I came upon the Bo Bunny Gabrielle paper line.  I immediately remembered what drew me to that collection…the gorgeous designs, colors of cream, various hues of aqua, brown and coral.  And, I found upon viewing these papers again that they sparked a renewed energy and inspiration.  So I set about creating this junk journal. 

The size of the journal cover is 4.5 inches wide and 9 inches in length.  It is a pamphlet style with one signature.  There are 54 pages in total which includes both inside covers and the short papers. 

Some of my favorite features in the journal are as follows:

 Filigree Pendant Hitch:  I knew I wanted a simple cover and a closing hitch, but I didn’t have the proper hitch to affix to the cover.  I sewed a button through the fabric to secure it, but it didn’t give me the height I needed to wrap the textured teal ribbon around the button.  I resolved this by affixing this pretty filigree pendant on top of the button and sewed it down through the underneath button and fabric.  I wasn’t going to give up using that teal colored ribbon because it really helps set-off the colors in the journal and adds lovely texture.

 Inside cover page features an aqua ribbon woven through a flower lace pattern and tied at the middle.  I must do this again, as I love the effect.

Elegant Twig: After pruning a shrub one day,  a small fragment fell down.  As I reached down to pick it up, I envisioned what it could look like slathered in gesso with pretty embroidery thread wrapped around the twig.  It’s interesting how you view objects after you become a junk journalist. ;)

White Kraft Long Flap Envelope from A Tattered Dream on Etsy:  I just can’t say enough about these envelopes and their design.  They are so unique in their design and the paper quality takes on inks and staining beautifully.  I do think I should have diluted the coffee a little bit before applying it to the envelopes, and I’ll remember that the next time.  There’s stamping and some Tim Holtz stencil work with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo inks.  I save some of the die-cut remnants and used them as collage pieces. I think die-cuts and chipboard remnants add a lot of interest in a collage with very little bulk.

 Vintage Photo of Little Girl on Chair:  I adore this photo of this young girl sitting on the chair with her legs dangling from the seat.  You can tell her sweater is skewed because one side is longer than the other…I think she dressed herself that morning.  I had these little bits of trim left over from a previous project, and I thought I could use them to adorn the photo.   The trim was placed on layers of paper and sewn in places for more texture and topped off with more ribbon and a petite size jewelry tag.  The element piece became a pocket on the page.  Some embellishment pieces just design themselves and this is a fine example. 

Paper Tags:  I think these page tabs are one of my favorite embellishments to create. Each one is unique, and since I am fond of “elegance,” I think they render some tattered elegance and a little shimmer and shine.  Just tear off a piece of designer paper and fold it down the middle (don’t try to make a perfect square or rectangular shape… you want it to look tattered). Open it up and apply layers on both sides of the torn fold with a lacy bit, sari silk ribbon, embroidery or metallic threads, and sew them down in a straight stitch and ziz zag stitch, and with a threaded fine needle weave in some pretty beads, or add a button.  They’re really simple.

Thank you for viewing, and I hope I have inspired you to use some of these ideas in your junk journals too.