When I made up my mind to start a blog the ideas starting flooding in, and I decided I had better write them down as they arrived and save them for the future. So I started a blogging journal where I recorded ideas for names, content, tutorials and the like. A little time later I decided that I needed a beautiful, inspiring cover to go on the journal. Several years ago I came across a number of blank journals at Borders for a very reasonable price so I bought a small stash. I had made this covered journal as a gift for my friend Tera and dug out my notes from that project.
I strongly encourage you to make notes about the things you create. Trust me – those projects you believe to be one-of-a-kind have a way of resurfacing, and it is so nice to be able to look at your notes and not have to go through the figuring-out process again. Sometimes I make these notes directly on the pattern for the project, sometimes in a little book I keep for the purpose. So, I pulled out my little note pad and there were the details I needed.
I had planned to make one similar to the one I made Tera but with a different icon on the front. But my time is very short these days with trying to complete all of my planned projects and now trying to find time to blog about them. I also am on a quest to use up things I have laying around my sewing space. While I was planning my cover I remembered that many years ago I had made a sample for a class I was going to teach that might work well as the base for this cover. On measuring my sample it was just a bit too small in one direction, a problem easily solved with the addition of two fabric strips along the edges.
When the cover was finished I thought it needed a little something else so I embellished with hand-cut ultrasuede flowers and buttons. I now have a place to write all of my brain storms as they come to me, and one that is stylish and inspirational, too.
I’ve written a tutorial on how I made this cover so you can make one, too. Click on the Tutorials link in the right side bar. Make sure you check out my tip for drawing freehand flowers even if you can’t draw (like me!) If you like the journal cover I made for Tera I am planning a tutorial on how I created the background fabric for that which can be used for any number of projects. Enjoy!