Recycling Autumn Journal

Recycling Autumn Journal This unusual journal, at least for me, is pretty much all recycled. The Amazon packaging is building up in my craft room, and I thought perhaps it would be time to use some of it up. I also have lots of scrap paper leftover from previous projects that I need to use up. You know, those too big to throw away scraps, but not quite big enough to make a book with the scraps – those are the ones. I used a recyclable paper envelope for the cover, and cut all that brown wrapping paper into letter size pieces to make the pages. The cost of materials was fairly low for this project, but I must say the time was increased considerably, specially having to flatten out the paper and then cut it is size. I wanted to try a new binding method. At first, this journal had four signatures, but I got the thread all tangled up binding. I had to take out the signatures and start over. I decided the best way would be to have two signatures instead of four, so I ended up making a new cover as well. See what I mean about time? Two signatures worked much better with no tangled thread. Since we are heading towards autumn, I decided that would be my theme on this journal. I went to Nightingale Craftery on Etsy to beef up my fall clipart. The digital papers arrive at 12” x 12”, but can easily be sized down. I created a bunch of sticker sheets with fall themes to use throughout the journal, and I found some autumn scenes that I could use stick on the front and back covers. I was thinking that it would be a time saver, but it took so long to consolidate the images on the sticker sheets. I didn't save any time at all, but they sure look nice. There are a lot of the smaller stickers that I didn't use and will be including for the purchaser of this journal. This brown paper journal is 8½” tall x 6¼” wide x 1¼” deep. I found working with the pink roses to be very relaxing. Photo corners are provided. As always, I would recommend that you write a little bit about each photo that you put in the book so your children and grandchildren won't have to wonder who's in the picture, and why was important to you. The price of this journal is $33.00 plus shipping and handling, if required, in the continental United States. All paper goods are sold as is. If the album featured has been gifted or sold, I can usually make another with the same or similar theme, if the paper is still available. I print most of my paper from digital designs, but some of the album/journals are made with pre-printed paper, and that is often only available for only for a few seasons after its release. Prices of new album/journals/folios may be different than this one. Because of the nature of hand crafting, the whimsy of creating, and vagaries of recollection, it is highly unlikely that any new iterations using this paper will be exactly the same as the first one. The journal should be unique to you.