posts in category Journal Studio

3.11.2020

A look through my latest TN | Day 2

Here we are at Day 2 of our look through my latest TN!

Let's get right to it...

These pages, like the first ones, document Christmas 2018, but this spread could definitely be used for any occasion. There's nothing too overtly "holiday-ish" about it.

Here I added my photo to the left-hand side (you'll soon realize that a full-size photo is my favorite format for my notebooks).

One the opposite side, I started by layering some stickers...first the circle, then the "love," and then the heart.

**NOTE: Overlapping stickers or ephemera pieces like this adds dimension and visual interest. But remember, if you're going to type on your labels/stickers, make sure you do it before you add them to your spread. It's next to impossible to get a notebook to run through your typewrite easily.**

Next, I typed up some journaling strips and then added them to the page.

Finally, I added a strip of washi tape to each side of my spread to make the layout cohesive.

This clean, simple layout came together so easily and can be repeated over & over.

Try following these steps to change things up:

*Use patterned paper to create your own embellishments
*Draw pencil lines directly on your pages to keep things straight, and then add your journaling using your handwriting
*Add washi tape to the top & bottom of your spread - across your pages

Have any questions about how I create my spreads?

Don't hesitate to contact me at maggie@midwesterngirldiy.com!

Thank you so much for stopping by...I'll be back Monday with spread 3!

SUPPLIES:

Heidi Swapp Journal Studio Inserts - Happy

Heidi Swapp Color Fresh Sticker Book

Heidi Swapp Journal Studio Sticker Book

Heidi Swapp Color Fresh Washi Tape

We R Memory Keepers Typecast Typewriter

See more about these pages HERE on Heidi's blog

Want more notebook inspiration?

See some here:

Hawthorne: DIY Travelers Notebook

This is Magic (via Kerri Bradford)

Five New Stamp Sets (via Kerri Bradford)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. Don't worry, clicking these links won't cost you any extra money. Please check out my disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

3.09.2020

A Look Through my latest TN | Day 1

There are few things more satisfying than finishing something you started what seems like forever ago.

I started this notebook in January 2019, and I just added the last spread...yayayay!

I thought it might be fun to take a little more detailed look through it over the next few weeks!

Just so you know...there is no rhyme or reason to this book.

The spreads are in no particular order, chronological or otherwise.

Sometimes I just opened up the book and added my spread to whatever blank pages were available.

And that's OK by me.

It's the fact that I actually got the event/moments/photos documented that's important.

Here's we go...

Now this first spread is obviously from Christmastime and was for a blog post for Heidi Swapp entitled Journal Studio | 5 Ways to Document in Your Journal.

I added a photo of our tree to the right-hand side, and then I added the word "magical" to the bottom. A little pink star sticker sits on top of the tree.

On the left-hand side, I covered the blank notebook page with a piece of patterned paper.

**NOTE: I try to choose my patterned paper so as not to compete with my photo. If my photo has a lot of color/pattern, I try to choose a paper that is more subdued. For this spread, I chose a more colorful paper to offset the basic black/gold of my photo.**

Next, I cut out a little rectangle of vellum, and adhered it to my paper on both sides and the bottom to create a little pocket.

I used a piece of baker's twine to string together two tags...and on the bottom tag I added my journaling.

There are so many ways you could change this layout up to create your spread...

*Reverse your photo and patterned paper

*Use patterned paper or even another photo to create your "pocket"

*Replace the large photo with 2 or 3 smaller ones

One of the things I love most about scrapbooking is that just by changing up one or two things, you can make your spreads/layouts look entirely different from one another.

And that's spread 1!

I'm so excited to share this notebook with you...

Hopefully you'll be inspired to work in your own notebook, or to try something new!

Have any questions about how I create my spreads?

Don't hesitate to contact me at maggie@midwesterngirldiy.com!

Thank you so much for stopping by...come on back Wednesday to see more!

SUPPLIES:

Heidi Swapp Journal Studio Inserts - Happy

Heidi Swapp Color Fresh 12 x 12 paper pad

Heidi Swapp Color Fresh Sticker Book

Heidi Swapp Journal Studio Ephemera

Heidi Swapp Journal Studio Sticker Book

Vellum

See more about these pages HERE on Heidi's blog

Want more notebook inspiration?

See some here:

Hawthorne: DIY Travelers Notebook

This is Magic (via Kerri Bradford)

Five New Stamp Sets (via Kerri Bradford)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. Don't worry, clicking these links won't cost you any extra money. Please check out my disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

11.16.2018

Journal Studio Pocket Folders DIY

Hello, hello!

If you've found your way over here from the Heidi Swapp blog, welcome!

If you made it to this post before seeing Heidi's, head on over there super quick to see what's happenin'...

Here's the folder I gave you directions for on Heidi's site...

Next up are the instructions for the other two folders I showed you.

This first folder is probably the most straight-forward and easiest to make...just 2 sheets of 12x12 patterned paper (either double- or single-sided), and a couple of scraps are needed.

1. To begin, cut your papers to the following sizes: 12x8.5, 2 @ 3.5x8.5 & 2 @ approximately 2x3.

2. Turn your 8.5x12 paper over and score at the measurements shown below.

3. Then, fold this paper in half width-wise.

4. Fold over each flap at your score marks.

5. Turn your paper over and adhere one 3.5x8.5 piece to each flap...leaving just about .25" of paper on the outside of each score mark (or fold).

6. With your paper still turned over, and, using your craft knife, trim a small triangular section off the top of each flap, from the score (fold) mark inward toward the middle of the folded folder.

7. Fold each 2x3 scrap in half length-wise...

8. ...and apply adhesive to both sides of your fold.

9. Open each flap on your folder and adhere your folded scrap along the bottom of each side...making sure to stay close to the outside edges of your flaps.

10. Fold in your flaps and press down along the bottom edges to make sure each side is securely adhered.

That's it! You're done!

NOTE: You may choose to simply adhere the bottom edges of each flap to the back side of the folder directly. That's totally fine...adhering them to the scrap paper first just gives a little extra room inside your folder for more stuff.

And, finally, we have the larger pocket insert...

I love this design because it has both deep and shallow pockets and can be used for bigger items like passports or larger papers.

This insert calls for 2 pieces of patterned paper...cut to the following dimensions:

1. To begin, score your paper along the middle (at 4.75") and up from the bottom 2.5".

2. Fold your paper along the middle score line and trim off the corner created by the middle fold and your 2.5" score line.

This is what your paper will look like when you open it back up...

3. Next, fold your 5.5x9.5 paper in half width-wise and, using your 1" circle punch, punch a half-circle into the middle of each side, along the top, of your paper.

NOTE: This step is totally optional...I just like the way the half-circles look punched into my pockets.

Here's what your paper will look like when you're done.

4. Place the bottom edge of your 5.5x9.5 paper along your 2.5" score line and adhere onto the inside of your 10.75x9.5 paper, along the sides and bottom only.