Floral Guide Handmade Journal Midori Style

Did you think that all envelopes were good for was to address, stick a stamp on and throw in the mailbox? Well, I am here with yet another way to create a journal this time using 12″x12″ Kraft Envelopes and five of the 7 Gypsies 8.5″x11″ Starter Journals. – says mysteriously Tonya Trantham, our Crew member.

Let’s see what she means by that…

Materials used:
Canvas Corp: 12″x12″ Kraft Envelopes
Canvas Corp: E-Flute Kraft
Canvas Corp: Vintage Brass Decorative Hardware
7gypsies: 8.5″x11″ Starter Journal (how many depends on the thickness of your midori)
7gypsies: Architextures 12″x12″ Mixed Media Pad and 8″x8″ Paper Pad
7gypsies: Architextures: Sunshine Coffee Jar
Chipboard, Brads, Button, Lace, Elastic Cording, Seam Binding
Tim Holtz: Paper Doll
Beacon Adhesive: Zip Dry
Scissors, Hole Punch, Paper Cutter, Bone Folder

First, start by measuring 3 1/8″ from the bottom of each envelope and creating a crease with the bone folder. Next, adhere the 3 1/8″ end on top of the other 3 1/8″. This will be the spine of the journal. The front and back covers are covered with E-Flute Kraft and a mix of cardstocks from the 7gypsies Mix Media Architextures 12″x12″ and 8″x8″ pads are used to create the covers and inside of the journal.

Next punch a small hole in the front and back covers and attach a hanger from the Vintage Brass Decorative Hardware with a brad.

Cut a piece of chipboard 3″x12″ and punch five holes at 1/2″ a part on both ends. Next cut and adhere a piece of Market Signs Cardstock to the chipboard and punch holes again on both ends.

Adhere piece to the inside of the spine and punch over the same holes. You could do all hole punching one time if you are confident that you won’t get it wrong. String elastic cording through the holes and tie off. Cut to fit and adhere a piece of Vintage Bunting and Floral Guide cardstocks to the inside covers.

Cover the front and back of the flaps with leftover cardstock. Fussy cut the framed butterfly and the “play” tiles from the Art Wall Cardstock. Close the flaps and place each fussy cut image slightly over the flap. Add a little glue along one side of each fussy cut image, place on inside of cover and hold until dry.

Fussy cut banners, frame and signage and adhere to the cover. Add the Architextures Sunshine Coffee Jar to corner of the frame and place a Tim Holtz Paper Doll and butterfly wings to the lid of the jar.

To add the 7 Gypsies 8.5″x11″ Starter Journals to the inside open each one up to the center and slide under the elastic cording – just like you would in a midori travellers’ notebook.

When I finished, the journal still looked like it was missing something so another Tim Holtz Paper Doll image was added along with some lace and a button. To keep the journal closed when not in use, seam binding was added.

– Tonya –

The Midori binding of the journal makes it easy to remove and replace your inserts. you could even take it one step further an make your own mixed media inserts using the various Canvas Corp papers or even 7gypsies Mixed Media pads.

For more from Tonya, visit her blog. 

Happy crafting!

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