As I said in my post on Tuesday, I haven’t felt much like writing recently, being drawn more to craft instead.

Because I apparently do not have enough notebooks/journals – can one ever have enough?? – I decided to make myself a journal.

It was quite a free-ing experience in that I didn’t have to worry about making it ‘just-so’. It didn’t matter if I made a mistake or messed up a layout, if I glued things a little crooked or didn’t cut the papers straight.

The book I chose is a very used one I got from the library some time ago. Some of the pages were quite loose and in danger of falling out.

I like the colour of the cover, which feels like fabric, and didn’t want to cover it up.

The pages are nice and tactile; they feel more robust and fibre-y than more modern novels.

As with the book I altered for the ‘Steam Train’ journal, I removed a number of pages and glued together some of the remaining ones to strengthen them.

Pages removed, ready to be glued together

Instead of coming over all precious about which papers to use, I’ve finally decided its high time I start using the papers I’ve been hoarding instead of saving them for some unknown future project. By using them in a journal or on a piece of art, I’ll actually be able to see them and enjoy them instead of keeping them hidden away in boxes.

Who knows? Maybe I’m finally being an adult about my craft supplies! Stranger things have happened.

The papers I chose are from a cardmaking paper set I bought quite a few years ago… I can’t even remember where I got it from, it was that long ago.

To strengthen the outer spine, I first covered it with some Tyvek tape then covered it with cardstock.

The leaf on the cover is from the field where Liam looks after the lady’s horse; I glued a few more leaves on random pages in the journal.

I glued images from old calendars and magazines onto card to use as extra journaling spots. I also saved the page that had the name of the owner written on it, which can be seen below; the book had been a Christmas gift.

Inside front cover - pocket to hold journaling cards. Image from an old Mucha calendar.

The black strip is from a magazine, glued down to strengthen the pages

When I was preparing the book, I cut out a few phrases that caught my eye and glued them onto some of the layouts.

The white pages on the left are inserted in a side pocket. At the top of the left-hand page is one of the phrases I cut out from the book - “The immortal spirit of one happy day, Lingers beside that rill in vision clear.”

Journaling cards tucked into corner pocket; the bird card on the right opens for more journaling space

I cut a slit in the patterned paper to slip the cards in

This tuck spot is cut from a piece of patterned cardstock. There’s another phrase from the book glued to the top of the page, which reads, “Breaking the silence of the seas, Among the furthest Hebrides.” The leaf on the right is from the horse field.

Inside back cover with a couple of Mucha calendar images backed on card

I’m really pleased with how this has turned out. It’s solid and chunky and a nice size to work with.

To give a better idea of what it looks like, I recorded a flip-through and I thought I’d have a go at talking on the video. It’s far from smooth, a little quiet as I can be a bit of a mouse, and a couple of bits are out of focus… I do apologise and hope it’s not off-putting. And if you do watch it, I thank you.

Craft - Altering a Book into a Journal For Me