to make and to do

I’m so excited to introduce you to a brand new feature that will be popping up from time to time! I’m calling it To Make and To Do and it’s going to be part to-do list and part how-to. I’m hoping these posts will keep me busy trying new things and finishing (or starting!) projects that never seem to get done. So let’s get started!

To Make: a mini journal card!

Gather supplies: something for your journal’s cover, scrap paper, a glue stick, and bits and bobs like canceled stamps, ribbon, etc. You’ll also need a sewing machine (or needle and thread).

I’m making this journal for my sister and I wanted it to have a world traveler feel. I picked out a letterpress postcard from my stash to use as the cover.

Fold your cover carefully in half and decorate the front anyway you like. I used transfer letters (like these) to spell out a greeting.

Because I was going for a slightly worn and tattered look, I hand-tore scrap linen paper for the pages. I decided on two page sheets but you can put in anywhere between 2 and 5, possibly a few more depending on the thickness of the paper.

Now for the fun part! Decorate your pages! I used canceled stamps from Hong Kong and Canada, a pretty drink label that I steamed off the bottle, and a few little embellishments like tiny buttons and scrap booking flowers.

I used my sewing machine to carefully stitch on the stamps and stitched down the middle fold to hold everything together. Be sure to go slowly so you don’t rip the pages.

mini journal/card - stitch down the middle fold

Lastly, I used a snippet of twine to dress up the spine of the book.

This little project would be a great for lots of occasions. I’m thinking of making one for my colleges friends. Maybe we could mail it around and each decorate a page and write a note!

To Do: surprise a friend with a little snail mail love.

My sister is working at a camp this summer and I wanted to surprise her at mail call. I gathered up some of her favorite treats, a friendship bracelet from Ayofemi Jewelry, and put in the mini journal card on top.

I used the first page to write a note to my sis and the rest she can use to collect email addresses from her new friends at the end of the summer. Kind of fun, don’t you think?