Happy New Year everyone! A fresh start, time for new beginnings, resolutions and bucket lists to complete. I don't really do the whole resolution thing but I do think about making changes or at least making the most of each day and all it has to offer. Making memories, sharing them. Over the holidays I made handmade gifts as always and thought I would share them with you now starting with one of my favourites. It could be used to record your resolutions or any other notes or memories. |
It all started because I wanted to give the grandparents in our family something different. I try to give something meaningful, something creative usually with a family connection. I saw some beautiful leather journals and thought how they could be used for our family. Fill them with our history, the answers to questions we always wanted to know. When ever we have get- togethers the stories come out and we share them around the table. So I grabbed some supplies and set to work.
1. Leather pieces ( from Michaels- approx $15. I used 50% off coupons so got 2 for 1)
2. Printer paper ( 40 sheets per journal)
3. String- could use yarn, embroidery thread
After doing some research I found some examples of other DIY journals and combined some to make mine.
Start by folding each sheet of paper and gathering into 4 sections of 10 sheets. These sections are called signatures , I learned something new!
Pierce holes in sheets. Made 4 holes in each down centre of fold.
Make small cuts into leather using exacto knife to line up with holes in paper.
Thread a large needle and sew through holes, attaching leather to paper. Go up and back creating a line showing on the spine of the journal.
What would you use yours for if you made one too? Here are some other journals I found.
Maybe one of these ideas could be for you . . . . .
New Year, New Projects. Stay tuned to see what this year has in store.