Saturday, February 18, 2012

Journals and Paper

I'm not usually a paper crafter. In fact I haven't scrapbooked in eons! (Though I really should stop procrastinating and attempt to get some of the bazillion pictures I have into scrapbooks.) Anyway, over the past couple of weeks I took on a project involving paper. The challenge I set for myself was to create 21 journals for Nature Girl's class. I looked into buying journals but they were expensive. In the end I opted to buy composition notebooks and find a way to alter them. I have modge podged and taped my way to a 21 new journals. I even learned a few things along the way about the best ways to alter a journal, though honestly, I think there is more to be learned in this area as we see how they hold up. Nature Girl did already rip her ribbon through the paper but she taped it and is perfectly happy with hers.

I opted to add ribbon around the middle and cover them with paper so they tie closed. This is one I made for the student teacher in her class. This one turned out to be my favorite one, thought I accidently glued the cover upside down. It still works fine, though the top margin is on the bottom. Oh well after 19 journals I was feeling tired and messed up. It's still my favorite.

Here are a few other examples of journals made for Nature Girl's class. On the inside cover of each journal I included a manila clasp envelope with a ripped book page label that reads "Thoughts, inspirations and ideas." The recipients seemed happy with their journals. As much as it was fun, I am glad this project is complete. From now on I plan to experiment with altering one or two journals at a time not a whole class worth. Of course I have already started thinking about making these for my students as an end of the year gift. Go on, call me crazy, I deserve it!