Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Inspire Me Thursday - 'Gratitude'

I've been wanting to make my own journal for awhile now so IMT's 'gratitude' prompt and Thanksgiving were the nudge I needed.

The inspiration for this handmade journal was a great tutorial from artist Judy Wise - I love Judy's style and 'go for it' attitude! She's always so generous with sharing her techniques and journal spreads too.

This particular journal is made from grocery paper bags and bound with a coptic stitch (not sure I did that part completely right, but for the most part it's put together ok!) I love how crinkly and textured the surface is and that it's sturdy enough to 'play' in :) I think it will be a great place to sketch out ideas and also to try out my handcarved stamps. I also LOVE the colors in the fabric swatch that I used as a wrap for the cover and had a lot of fun embellishing it.



I have so many things to be thankful for and really have so much when many in the world do not, a very humbling thought to me...



Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your journal is wonderful! I love the bright colors. I'd would very much like to try bookbinding myself in the future.

april nance said...

beautiful journal! i love that you used grocery paper bags-you did an amazing job with the surface design-did the pages start out paper bag brown? your tree and falling leaves are filled with letting go, being grateful and alive. i also love the beads on the spine. did you make those too?

Peggi Habets Studio said...

Beautiful journal and entry! The journals would make holiday gifts for bidding artists or writers.

Deb G said...

Love that you used paper bags. This is wonderful!

Susan Tuttle said...

What an amazing paperbag journal--gorgeous dear!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

Susan
xox

carla said...

Wow! That looks so wonderful! I saw Judy's tutorial on the paper bag journals, and I made a mental note to try making one sometime soon. Yours is really lovely - enjoy! (p.s. - your header is fabulous! I love the black & white and the contrast between the lyrical background and the harder-edged forground.)

emilayusof said...

Wow! This is wonderful, Laura!