Make It Monday with Kraft Outlet - Movies, Songs or Books Challenge

You know I love the Make It Monday challenge over at The Kraft Journal (blog for Kraft Outlet), and this week's challenge was a lot of fun.  The challenge is to make a project using the theme of  'movies, songs or books', and two of the Design Team members actually made books so I decided to follow their lead and alter a mini-journal and make a matching bookmark for my project.  I have three craft shows coming up in October and November, and the mini journals sell quite well, so it was a good chance to add to my inventory!

Here is my project based on the challenge . . .

I never would have thought the current trend of 'steampunk' style would be (or could be) my style, but these days I am being drawn to the new steampunk style products more and more, and these new papers by Graphic 45 from the 'Steampunk Debutante' line were perfect!  Here is the mini composition notebook I used for the project . . .

It is approximately 4 1/2 x 3 3/4", and comes in a package of 3 for $1 at most Dollar Stores.


Supplies:

• Mini composition notebook - Family Dollar
• Kraft cardstock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers - Graphic 45 'Steampunk Debutante' line
• Mini tag - upcycled from packaging in a shipment I rec'd recently
• Metal sprocket - Tim Holtz 'Idealogy'
• Vintage lace, cotton twine, brown felt, vintage button on bookmark and black wire - my stash
• Brown ink and gold metallic ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• Stamps - Tim Holtz
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler, rotary cutter
• EK Success 'Arch Scallop' edge punch
• 1/8" hole punch

Tips and processes:

• For the bookmark, I cut 2 strips of kraft card stock 2" x 5 1/2", glued them together for sturdiness, then cut a piece of patterned paper 1 1/2" x 5", inked the edges and adhered it to the card stock, inked the edges of the cardstock, and stamped the sentiment on the back.  The sentiment reads "Time is a companion that goes with us on the journey.  It reminds us to cherish each moment because it will never come again.  What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.".  Then I tied the cotton twine through the hole and tied on the vintage button.
• For the pockets:  There is a pocket for 'things' on the inside of back and front covers of the journal.  I wanted them open to the inside of the book so items would not fall out.  The open edge is punched with the edge punch, and the other 3 edges are folded under and glued.
• I inked the edges of the white papers with brown ink, then again with gold metallic ink to give it the appearance of an older book.  It really makes a huge difference in the overall appearance of the journal.
• For the lace ties and binding: I took one long length of lace and glued it onto the black tape binding.  Then I measured the binding and added about 1/4 inch to that width and cut a piece of brown felt 1 1/2" x 4 1/2".  I glued the 2 edges of the felt to the black tape binding, leaving the center loose so it will open and close easily.

Back side of bookmark

Inked edges of paper edges

Back cover of journal

You know, I really think it is the 'little things', like binding the book with soft felt, adding a vintage button or bit of lace, or inking the edges to give a feeling of age, that make the biggest difference in the crafts you make.  Taking an extra minute to add a finishing touch can take a nice project  and make it something really  special!

Thanks so much for joining me today, and I hope to see you back soon!  Blessings, Becky