Decoupage Mini Journals

This easy project is made from materials that you've probably already got laying around! Since I recently finished making a new batch of mini-comics, the leftover paper scraps were more than enough to cover some cardboard I would've otherwise just recycled. Instead, these throwaway items became my pretty new journals!

Materials:

-paper or fabric scraps

-recycled cardboard

-recycled newsprint

-string

-button (optional)

Getting Prepared:
Step 1: Draw a vertical line down the center of the cardboard.

Step 2: Score 1/8" to the left of the line and then again 1/8" to the right.

When you've finished with steps 1 and 2 you cardboard will look like this:

Step 3: Fold on each of the scored lines. This gives you the shape of the journal.

Decoupage:

If you already have some decoupage medium, skip this step...
BUT if you don't, making it is crazy easy! I found this terrific recipe from Life In Rehab a while back. I'm excited that this project gave me a chance to try it out. So thank you, Sandy, it works great!


After mixing mine up in an old jar, I decoupaged some paper to the top and added a bunch of rubber bands around it to look like stripes. Cheap, lazy decorating? Yes! But fast and instantly cheerful.








Decorating:
Step 1: For the first journal I wanted to do a simple weaving, so I cut my paper into strips and wove them over under until it was slightly larger than the cardboard. Set aside

Step 2: Brush a thin layer of decoupage on the inside of the cardboard, then cover with a piece of paper larger than the cardboard and press down.

Step 4: Flip over and paint the decoupage around the four edges. Turn the excess paper over top of it.

Step 5: Push the paper up at a diagonal at each of the corners and snip away the excess with scissors.

Step 6: Coat the whole side in decoupage and carefully lay the weaving over it.

Step 7: Cleanly trim away the excess.

Step : Cover the woven layer in decoupage (a few thin layers may be necessary).

*For the second journal, I just cut up the scraps randomly and glued them down without any real plan. Of course it ended up being my favorite. 

Set them aside to dry.

Putting it all together:
Step 1: Cut your paper so that it is 1/4" smaller on each side than the cardboard (so that it will fit nicely inside), then fold in half.

 (If you'd like the edges to be even, just trim with a ruler and knife.)

Step 2: After the journal has dried, binder clip the pages into the correct position.

Step 3: Flip over and use the awl to make holes in the center of the spine 1/2" apart.

Step 4: Start sewing on one side to the other and then back in the opposite direction filling in the spaces between the stitches.

Step 5: When you're back to the end you started from, trim the strings, leaving a little extra to tie into bow.

*You can add a closure by making 2 holes in the back flap. Sew string through and tie. 

Sew a button onto the corresponding area on the journal's front cover. 

Wrap the string around the button to close.

Tiny, free and the perfect size for keeping handy in your purse!

TOOLS:

*Ruler

*Awl

*Scissors

*Decoupage medium

*Paintbrush

*Knife

*Needle

Bandeau Top and Collar Necklace

I've had this spring outfit in mind for awhile now! I wanted to use a sheer blouse as a way to both play up and down the saturation of a brightly printed fabric (by creating a bandeau top to wear beneath it, and a collar made from the same material to go on top). 

The vintage scarf below was perfect for this. I used to wear it all the time, but the past couple of years has seen it just sitting in my closet, mostly because some areas had become frayed and worn, and like everything else in my life, has way too many coffee stains. This project let me finally bring my bandeau top idea to life while using the parts of the scarf that were still in terrific shape. So excited to be able to wear it!

Materials

-rectangular scarf

-5" wide piece of elastic

Bandeau Top:
Step 1: Measure around your chest with a tape measure. To make sure that my top was  fitted, I measured just above the bust to prevent the bandeau from ultimately being too loose at the top and bottom. The piece of elastic will accommodate the top's expanding where needed.

Step 2: Cut your materials. Of the measurement I took, I devoted 3/4 of that number to fabric and 1/4 in elastic. You may want to give yourself more elastic if you have a large bust or bought elastic without much stretch to it. (Do not add sewing allowance.)

Step 3: Fold the fabric in half longways...

Step 4: ... and pin.

Step 5: Sew the two long sides. First, the pinned edge, then the folded edge.

When you're done with this step the fabric will look like this:

Step 6: Place the elastic good-side up and lay a pice of double stick along one of the cut edges. Lay your fabric (good-side down) over top of the tape. 

*If your fabric is larger than your elastic, like mine, use this chance to distribute the excess evenly.

Step 7: Sew straight across.

Step 8: Repeat steps 6 and 7 on the other side.

When you've finished with these steps, turn right-side out and the bandeau top is done!
The front will look like this...

and the back like this....

Collar Necklace:
I chose to go about my collar pretty organically. Essentially, I wanted the end product to be worn like a bandana. Looking pristine from the from, but a bit more rough from the back.


If you like the idea of adding a collar, but want it to be a collar in a more traditional sense there are numerous great tutorials out there to coach you through it. I particularly like this one, from Wayward Daughter.


Step 1: Draw and cut out a general shape that you like for the collar. This will ultimately represent half of the collar.

Step 2: Next, divide the remaining fabric left from the scarf into to long strips each 6" wide.

Step 3: Trace the pattern onto your fabric.

Step 4: Place double stick tape on the angled lower line of your shape and fold the fabric over it.

Step 5: Follow by placing double stick along the top edge of your fabric and fold down.

Step 6: Sew both folded edges.

Step 7: Fold the collar in the other line you drew and sew straight across the fold. (No tape this time!)

Step 8: Repeat steps 4 through 7 on the other strip of fabric you cut.


Step 9. The last step is to line up the two top points of the collar and tack stitch them together.

To wear:

Tie around your neck in the back.

Insert the two pointed tabs on the back side of the collar behind the neckline of the shirt to help it stay in the position you want.

Fold the front half of the collar down.

Good luck and have fun!


TOOLS
*scissors
*knife
*tape measure
*pins
*doublestick tape
*sewing machine / needle and thread

New Clutches From A Vintage Suitcase

A year or so ago my friend Chris gave me this tiny vintage suitcase. Originally, it had belonged to his older sister when they were children. It was so pretty, I had to take it! Unfortunately, the zipper was beyond repair so up until now it's been serving as storage for my daughter's artwork. Now that her art pile has outgrown the suitcase it seemed liked a good time to give this thing an upgrade while creating a summer staple for myself!

Materials:

-small suitcase

-cotton thread

-oversized button 

-large vintage adornment (optional)

Preparing The Material

Step 1: The first step is to separate the useable material from the suitcase's frame. Use an exacto to puncture a hole in the fabric, as close to the edge as possible. 

Step 2: Insert one of the scissor blade into the hole and cut the rest of the way around.

When you're done with steps 1 and 2, the panel you'd like to use should be completely separate from the rest of the suitcase. Repeat these steps on the other side. (This is also a good time to salvage any other usable parts you may want to use in the future, like the handle and any other hardware.)

Step 3: Use a ruler and knife to straighten three of the fabric's sides (the two long sides and one of the short ones). 

Step 4: The fourth side (the one you didn't straighten) will be used as the clutch's flap. Use a ruler and a pen to mark the exact center of this edge. 


Step 5: Place an oval template on the mark and trace the top half of the shape with your pen.

Step 6: Use a ruler to draw a straight line from the left side of the oval to the left side of the fabric, then repeat on the the right side of the oval.

Step 6: Use scissors to cleanly cut on the lines you've just made.

When you're done with these steps your material will look like this.

Sewing It Up

Step 1: Flip over you material so that the backside is facing up. Cut two pieces of double stick that are each the height you'd like your finished clutch to be (mine is 6 1/2"). Place one piece on the right side and the other on the left and remove paper backing.

Step 2: Fold up and press down firmly on the two taped sides.

When you're done with this step, your project will look... like a clutch! Almost there!

*The next few steps involve hand sewing the sides of the bag. If you want to do your sewing on a machine, skip steps 3-6. Though the hand sewing below will definitely take longer, it's very effective as an additional design element.


Step 3: Place a ruler 1/4" away from the edge of the bag and begin making marks 1/4" apart. These marks will extend from the left corner, around the flap, to the right corner (the folded edge will remain unmarked). These will be used as guides for a consistent stitch length.

Step 4: Use an awl to pierce a hole in each of these marks. This will make the sewing MUCH easier, especially if you suitcase was made from tough materials.

Step 5: Begin sewing at the bottom left-hand corner and keep going until you've reached the right-hand corner. Each stitch should go over the edge of the bag before emerging through the next hole.


Step 6: Once you've reached the bottom right corner, reverse directions, sewing until you're back at the left corner. This will give your stitches the "X" appearance pictured here.

Closures:
I ended up with enough material to make two of these clutches (one large, one small) and wanted to handle the closures on each of them differently.


On the larger one I decided to go with an extra large vintage button.
I found the placement by marking the center point on the flap and slitting it open with an exacto knife...

... then sewed the button into the corresponding area on the bag's front panel. 

(If you're unsure about the placement, fold the flap onto the front of the bag. Push an ink pen through the mid-point on the slit. Lift the flap and sew the button directly over the mark that was made on the front of the bag.)

For the smaller one I cheated a little bit. I sewed on a random medallion I had laying around. This isn't technically a closure, in that it doesn't actually fasten the bag together, but it's weighty enough that it will keep the flap down on the front of the bag. It works for my purposes (also, it lets me finally use this excellent giant adornment).

Thanks for the inspiration for this one, Chris!

Tools
-ruler
-exacto knife
-scissors
-double-stick tape
-awl
-