Mon Amour Travel journal and a tutorial!

I love making these fun journals!!  I think I'm addicted.  For this one, I used Sizzix's Eileen Hull Scoreboard XL Travel Journal die to cut the covers.  The thing I love most about these journals is that they are really quick to make as the inner pages are bound in with elastic bands, QUICK EASY!  My idea of a good time!

The Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog hosts bi-weekly challenges and I made this for their With this Ring challenge.  The challenge is to create a vintage or shabby chic project that celebrates the big day.

I think this journal fits the bill as it could be used for so many things, organizing before the wedding, a honeymoon journal, a place for photos and memories from the big day, there are so many possibilities.

 I found my die at The Funkie Junkie Boutique last week and alas, I think they're already sold out, again.   But, if you're looking for one, you can asked the store to email you when they are back in stock.

I've put together a photo tutorial of how I made this; just scroll down for the tutorial.  But, first a few photos inside.

Now remember I said I loved this because it was quick and easy?  Yep, for the insides, I just purchased 3 notebooks that I inserted under the elastic bands.  There are 3 notebooks, 64 pages each I believe.  The notebooks are all different, one is ruled, one is plain, and the last one is graph paper.  These notebooks are so popular that you can find them most anywhere.  The covers are craft and I just covered them with design paper from Graphic 45's Mon Amour collection.

I added a chipboard Love piece from Creative Embellishments on the inside cover and colored it with Prima Metallique Wax.

TUTORIAL

This tutorial covers the techniques and products I used to make the journal. You can find the instructions for assembling the journal here.

Supplies used for this tutorial:
Chipboard
Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Journal

Black gesso

TCW416 Stencil Grunge Hearts

Prima Texture Paste - White Sand

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks:  Iced Spruce, Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber

Prima Color Bloom mist - Empress Gold

Prima Metallique Wax - Vintage Gold

Petaloo Gypsy Rose Branch - Rose 5014-161

Petaloo Magnolia Mix - Blush 5015-311

Graphic 45 Mon Amour collection paper, chipboard, and stickers

Creative Embellishments word "love"

Step 1:
Cut a front and back cover from chipboard with the Sizzix journal die.  paint both outside covers with black gesso.  The inside covers will be covered with design paper, so no need to paint those.  The book edges will be waxed with Prima wax.

Step 2:

After the gesso dries, randomly mask on some hearts with modeling paste and let that dry completely.

Step 3:

Then dab with Distress Oxide inks randomly on the cover.  You can dabble one color at the time or several colors.  There's no right way or wrong way to do this.  Just dab away.

Step 4:

After dabbling on the inks, lightly mist with water and dry.  If you don't like the result, you can use a moist paper towel to remove some of the color.  Repeat this process until you are pleased with the result.

Step 5:

Now mist with Prima Color Bloom mist in Empress Gold.  I misted mine quite heavily as I wanted that gold to shine through.  After the mist dried, I added a bit more Oxide ink.

Step 6:

Do the outside of both the front and back covers. 

Step 7:

Rather than using an elastic band to hold the journal closed, I used a diecut clasp. (Part of the Journal die)  I used vintage gold Prima Metallique Wax to color the clasp which is attached with a gold brad.  Then I used velcro on the inside of the clasp and back cover to hold it closed.

Step 8:

Diecut paper for the inside covers and glue securely.  I misted the inside of the cover with gold mist so it is important to have a good bond between the paper and journal surface.  The paper will pucker very little if you adhere with glue stick or liquid adhesive applied to the entirety of the paper.

After you are satisfied with both the inside and outside covers, bind the covers together following the instructions provided by Sizzix.  In the center of the photo, I've applied 1/4" scor-tape for adhering the front cover to the back.

Inside cover after misting and binding.

Step 9:

Now go around the edges of the journal and rub on some vintage gold  Metallique Wax.  It only takes a little bit and you can apply with your finger or a stiff brush.

Step 10:

That's it, ready to embellish.  I added chipboard and a sticker from the G45 Mon Amour collection.  Then I used Petaloo's Petaloo Gypsy Rose Branch and Magnolia Mix flowers to embellish the cover.

I love it!  It's vintage, grungy, and shabby all at the same time.  

Thanks for joining me today!