Simple Wrapped Journal

     This is based around the Eileen Hull Sizzix die for a Wrapped Journal, with a few adjustments to suit my stash. As this project is built from scratch it makes an ideal item for Altered Eclectics, where all things altered, recycled and mixed media are welcome, anything but cards and ATC's really.

 
     The base was cut from greyboard using the die, it's a Bigz die so it will cut through most materials.
     For the papers I found an A4 booklet of double sided papers in my stash. Using PVA I covered both sides of the greyboard, but when I folded the board the paper split. Now this I think was partly the papers are not all that thick and partly I was too impatient to let the glue dry completely so the paper was still damp, a silly mistake. I did not want to start again so out came the washi tape, a strip of this over all the joins and all was well.
   

     A little ink along the edges to add to the distressed look made quite a difference too.
     To close the book I chose to use a ribbon tie but it needed to be fixed to the journal, I didn't want a hole in the spine to pass it through so I die cut a label to go over it.
     The ribbon was stuck to the cover with red line tape, then the label was stuck over it also with red line tape, this is the strongest thing I could think of to hold the ribbon firmly in place.

     The cover die cuts holes for you to thread cord through to hold booklets, but this one wasn't having those so I had to make a spine to stick my pages to. I planned for four pages in this book, two flat and two with pockets.
     The spine was glued in place with a very strong PVA and left to dry thoroughly.
     I cut and folded my pages using the same paper pack, for the flat pages I also cut labels to stick on for somewhere to write. These labels were inked around the edges to soften them, allowing them to blend into the page.   

     A panel added to the front cover matted on a die cut label finished off the outside. Another panel added to the inside front cover and a die cut ticket slot pouch on the inside back cover, complete with tags finished off the inside.
     There were topper panels in the pack so I cut some of these out and added them to tags, these also have inked edges and a tiny organza ribbon coloured pink with an alcohol marker.
     The pages are alternated pouch, flat, pouch, flat and there is enough space between pages to stick a few items on and still be able to close the journal.
     These would make ideal little keepsake gifts you could theme to special events. This has been a learning experience so hopefully as I make more of these they will continue to improve.
     Don't forget to come over to Altered Eclectics and show us your creations, we would love to see them.

I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes optional More Than One Fold