Christmas Projects: Vintage journal

Ben and I decided that for Christmas this year we are doing things a bit differently. We are going to spend time together making gifts instead of shopping. Our budget is any craft supplies we already own (trust me we have a lot!) and 25 dollars. The money we would normally spend is getting donated to Advent Conspiracy through our church. Advent Conspiracy distributes the money to places that it is needed around the world; Haiti and to build fresh water wells in third world countries are just a few. This is especially important since the cholera outbreak in Haiti recently.

I will be posting some of our projects here. Some of them might have to wait until after Christmas, seeing as how family members would then know what there getting :)

I'm really excited about the first project. I love paper!! I mean really love all kinds, cotton, handmade, textured, old and new. I also adore journals. So, what better to start off with than a journal.

I have a rather large collection of double sided 12x12 scrapbook paper and that's what I used for the cover.

The book's pages consist of a stack of scrap paper from one of those "1lb scrap paper" bags from Joann's. For some reason the scraps were about the same size. So, it works well for a book.

For the cover decoration I used a photo that I found at an antique shop. I don't know who sells their family photos but I happened upon a hat box full of them. Most of which make for a nice story, whether it be for a card or journal. I also glittered the photo corners because everything is better with glitter!

And lastly I used Japanese stab binding to hold it all together. This technique is a good one to start with. Here is a link for directions.

Happy crafting!
Becca

In the Christmas mood

I went shopping at Monticello's Antique Market this last weekend and was inspired! To start decorating for Christmas. Granted it's only the second week of November so the decorations will not come out for a few more weeks but I can start dreaming.


A choir of candles


Wonderful vintage ornaments

Tis the season to start wrapping....

It's getting close to the holidays now. I find it helpful to start wrapping presents as I collect them so that there is less to do as Christmas draws near. At work last spring I brainstormed ideas with one of the women I work for on how to organize gift wrapping supplies. This is what we came up with and created.



Out of 1x2's, cup hooks, and dowel roads we made a rack for wrapping paper


To sort flat fold paper and gift bags I used wall mount magazine/file folder holders. They come in a set of three from the office supply store. The ones we used stacked atop each other but they can be used separately like seen here.


We found a drying rack at the Container Store and used it for tissue paper.


And lastly, Ribbon. We used kitchen towel racks from the Container Store and lined them up on the wall.





Now, the only thing that would be better than that much wrapping paper and ribbon would be having the space to create this set up. Not everyone has the room but even some of these elements will make your wrapping season easier. Happy wrapping!

Becca