September Birthday journal

 September has always been my favourite month of the year, and not just because it's my birthday month! I have always loved the changes in the light, the air; and to me, a sense of a new beginning. I created this journal as a love letter to September (and to myself), to write down my thoughts and dreams at this beautiful time of the year. 

 

After gathering a pile of some vintage linens and a pretty deep mauve coloured skirt bought from a thrift store, I created a lot of collaged paper that I had tea dyed and inked, and then sewed some fabric scraps into signatures and also as pockets on some of the pages.

I decided on a soft fabric cover and added some lace and ribbons to tie the journal together. I handmade the flowers by taking strips of same fabric and running a long gathering stitch down the center, gathering up the strip of fabric, and then winding them into a circular flower shape. I sewed the gathered fabric together at the bottom, and then hand sewed them onto my cover. 

Here are some photos of the signatures:

I had a tiny light bulb go off in my head one night, and thought to add several strips of sari ribbon to use as a book marker, and then found this adorable little magnifying glass to add a little whimsy.  I sewed a small lace pocket on the right page so that when not in use, it can be tucked away.

Thank you for looking! I hope I have inspired all the journal makers out there.

I'll be back next month with another autumn inspired book.

 

Love, Lisa xoxoxox

My first fabric collaged journal

 

Hello dear readers, I hope everyone is enjoying summer so far...

I am back to share another style of journal, this time with my very first fabric 

collaged cover.

I have admired for so long all my favourite fabric artists, especially those creating many layered vintage fabric collages, 

so I tried it for myself, and this was my result. 

 

I believe this is also called slow - stitching :) :)

I was quite late in discovering slow - stitching; but since then, I've found myself a bit obsessed with hunting for vintage fabrics, especially antique linens and laces. Now that I have built up a little collection, I can start to create collage projects by grouping together like colours and textures. 

I found slow - stitching described as:

Slow stitching is a new art form built on old traditions. The movement was originally spearheaded by Mark Lipinksi, one of the quilting industry's most well-known figures.

Slow stitching is a craft where modern creativity meets ancient practices; a craft that's about the journey, not the destination. Slow stitching isn't about mending or making garments from a pattern. Neither is it about working towards a goal or a timeframe.

Slow stitching is about using the needle and thread in the same way you'd use a paintbrush. It's about creating art, about enjoying the process rather than worrying about the product.

Basically, slow stitching is about taking a step back from the busy, chaotic world we live in. It's about appreciating the moment, about taking a few deep breaths and relaxing. In other words, it's about mindfulness.

Doesn't that sound wonderful? An art practice that is relaxing - not stressful, more concerned with exploration - rather than fixed goals, focused on peaceful enjoyment - not rules, or complicated expectations. As well as, low investment! You can pick up a few fabrics at your local thrift store, and some basic trims, needles and embroidery thread at your local craft store. 

If you love fabrics and sewing, I highly recommend you try your hand!

  I selected various pieces of coordinating vintage fabric pieces, then starting with a sort of base piece of fabric, I layered on different pieces and swatches of fabrics and trims, and once I liked the arrangement, I hand sewed them all together using some very simple embroidery stitches.

Here are some more photos of my journal signatures.

Lots of collaging using bits of vintage book pages, lace doilies, and printed images. 

Then I use gesso to blend my elements together, and add messy black Stabilo writing.

Your journal is a space for anything that suits your fancy...design plans, drawing practice,

favourite poems, songs, or photographs. 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking, see you next month.

Love, Lisa xoxoxo

Shabby Spring journal

While I know we are in full swing of summer,

I want to share my shabby peachy Spring journal made with 

my Mother's Day and Easter cards as my inspiration.

Spring Journal

I have been so lucky finally living near a larger city that I find myself obsessed with going

to estate sales every Saturday, scavenging for treasures....I have found so many vintage linens

I have to pinch myself sometimes. Here I made a sort of fabric collage on the cover using some

of these linens that I dyed with strong tea, and then layered and stitched them together.

I love how this turned out so I have many photos.....

 

 

I added some pretty charms to the sari silk ties that bind the journal.

 I created the cover with cereal boxes cut to size and then layered with cotton batting. 

I then cut out whatever fabrics and lace that I've chosen and sew them right onto the covers.

 

Words can't even describe how much I adore vintage embroidery, whenever I find these beauties

it just makes my heart sing. I love ripping them up, sewing bits together and creating lovely 

pieces that make delicate soft pages in a book.

I try to leave plenty of spaces to sketch, doodle, write down some thoughts, or add photos.

Thanks for looking! Enjoy the sunshine!

I'll be back in August with another style of journal.

Take care,

Lisa xoxoxoxo

New journal made with 'In the Past' AB Studios collection

 Hello dear readers, I'm back today to share another journal I made, this time using

the AB Studios collection 'In the Past'.

This time I chose to try my hand at a soft journal cover made from an old embroidered blouse and some black velvet. I added a little glass cloche that I made using some tiny shells and a bit of sand from 'my beach' nearby. I also added some seashells and glass beads.

You can find this collection and all of Ada's other wonderful products here.

Lots of soft pretty trims sewn onto the edges of my signatures so that they spill out of the book.

 

 

 I use either coffee or tea to darken and age my pages. Then I use different things I've gathered to collage onto the papers....old letters, doilies, vintage book pages, dried flowers etc.

Thanks for looking, have a wonderful time in the sunshine this month! 

I'll be back with my Spring Flowers journal that I've almost finished.

Love, Lisa xoxoxo