Back to the Writing Desk: Want to Make One of These?

Now that I've had a couple of days to express myself a little bit    ;o)  (controversy is always good for generating traffic!) . . . . I'm ready to return to writing my eBooks.  Several of them, in fact, are in the works.  The first one I've committed to finishing up is the Crazy Patch Journal Cover.  It's really simple, fun, and can be as creative as you want it to be.  And the best part is that you can use up some of those scraps of fabric, ribbon, lace, braid, beads, and buttons that we all have stashed in a drawer somewhere in our house.  Yes, I really do have a couple of "junk" drawers where I toss the stuff that I don't know what else to do with. 

These journal covers can also be made any size you want. So, for instance, one of the things that I am planning to do (along with about 10 million other things!) is to make covers for my girls' scrapbooks.  I have been scrapbooking for several years, and the books that I originally bought when I started are the kind that are really very nice but the covers are rather boring    ;o)   At first I thought I would just use the same color scrapbook for each kid, including my older kids.  I ran out of colors.  And then as I went along and added more books to each child's collection, I could no longer find exactly the same book. So they didn't match anyway.  Why bother??? 

But if I make a cover for each of the scrapbooks, even though they won't be exactly the same, I can do a couple of things to easily identify them.  I could just color coordinate them, which was my original plan, but this time I would be able to make sure that whatever color combination I choose can be duplicated.  I wouldn't need to use all the same fabrics, but if I choose red, white, and blue for my youngest son's scrapbooks, then no matter how many books I eventually fill (you know, wedding, first baby, second baby, third baby . . . . . ), I can always choose a combination of fabrics that are red, white, and blue.  The other thing that I might do is to applique each child's name on their books.  Or perhaps kind of a combination:  matching color combinations, with the child's initial on each book.  We'll think about that. 

The original reason these Crazy Patch Journal Covers were created was in response to a journal swap that I participated in a couple of years ago.  The stated goal of this journal swap was to be as creative as you wanted to be, and incorporate a bit of "yourself" into the journal that you would be sending to your swap partner.  As I thought about how I could do that, it occured to me that, since my particular artistic focus is typically fiber art / quilting, making a cover for a journal would allow me the opportunity to do what I love and share it with someone else. 

This technique would work for covering any book that you love.  It would work for a Bible cover, or an art journal, or a treasured childhood book that might be showing signs of dilapidation.  If you are a very organized person and use a daytimer, when the original cover starts to wear out you could either spend another $30.00 on one of those fancy ones, or just re-cover the one you already have, and pop in a new package of paper, and there you are! Going green and being frugal all at the same time.  Maybe I should make a cover for my ancient Betty Crocker Cookbook. . . I love to use that thing (when I get around to cooking), but it really is starting to fall apart after so many years. 

So, here's the deal:  if you are interested in this eBook, I will send it to you FREE during the month of February as a Valentine's gift from me to you   ;o)  All you have to do is leave me a comment and I will send it out to you as soon as it is finished (probably next week).  Beginning on March 1, though, I will be listing it in my little Etsy shop and sending it out to other websites where it will be for sale.  So if you want to get it for FREE you need to leave me a comment anytime until the end of this month.  I've had several requests for this eBook so I'm doing my best to keep up with whatever you all are wanting to make!  Email me your ideas, suggestions, and questions and I'll try to post them right here so we can share the fun of creative discovery!  Have a great Thursday and be sure to take care of yourself . .. . we need you around here!    ~~  Nina

      

Comments

[Shelley]

Oh I would love a copy of this eBook...sounds like a great way to use up my crazy quilt stash of ribbon and fabric.

[Kana]

It'd be great to have one.
My 17 year old daughter and I want to
make them as gifts. Thanks!

[Tammy]

Absolutely love it! What a wonderful way to use up scraps and make something beautiful in the process.

[Becca]

I would love to cover some journals I have. I would great appreciate the instructions. :)

[Carrie]

These are gorgeous! Thank you so much for the Ebook, can't wait to make several. =)

[Kathie]

Ebook or not... This is an absolutely stunning project! Can't wait to try it!

[jody]

your journals are awesome-hope mine are half as gorgeous

[jen]

That looks beautiful!

[Karen]

This is a lovely project and thanks *so* much for making it available to people!

[Charlotte]

I love the style and versatility of these books. They will be much much nicer to handle and a lot more sturdy with these wonderful covers.

[Kuttuna]

It´s lovely. I will try it

[Diane]

What a beautiful project.I never fail to be amazed at how something so beautiful can be made out of those little bits we can't bring ourselves to throw away

[Leslie J]

What a wonderful idea! I Love it. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Leelee]

I'd love the e-book, this is a beautiful way to cover the less than ready for prime-time books I have! What a generous offer!

[Jo]

Oh, wow, could I get my hands on a copy of that e-book? Thanks for offering such a wonderful valentine's gift!

[Karen]

I love the ones in the hot colors. These look like so much fun to make. Thanks

[Veronica]

Just bought my daughter a "Pregnancy Journal" and I could make a great cover. Would love your ebook.

[Lori P]

These are beautiful. I have been wanting to try one and this looks like the perfect opportunity. Thank you.

Lori

[Marilyn Podoll]

I have been looking for something like this.My friends and I are turning 60 this year and we are going to keep journals for one year. thank you so much

[Karen G.]

Oh I LOVE this idea!! Please add me to you list for sending your sweet valentines freebie pattern :)

Karen G.

[a pink dreamer]

HI!I;M ELENI FROM GREECE! I LOVE YOUR CRAFTS!!!!!!!!!PLEASE SEND ME IF YOU CAN THE e-book!
thank you!!!!

[Connie]

I'm enjoying your blog and would really love to receive a copy of your ebook for the journal cover.

[Kelly S.]

This would be perfect for the scraps of fabric I saved from making my little girls dresses. They are in their 20's now and this would make great journal or album covers for them. What a lovely idea to share. Thank you.

[Sheila]

I'd love a copy of your tutorial! Thanks!

[Elizabeth]

This is just beautiful. I would love to make one. We need to get back to more writing and less texting etc.