I can hardly believe it, but I've halfway filled my new remains of the day journal. I thought I could bring it to Colorado and still have plenty of time to work on it between now and then, but it's filling up so fast that I realized just one journal won't do; I need two. So, last week I set to work making a new cover to go with the extra signatures I had piled up from my first go around.
I cheated a bit this time and took the easy way out. I found some fabrics I liked and just sort of sewed them onto the paper foundation. I kept sewing and layering until it felt nice and sturdy then I stopped. I highly recommend following Mary Ann's directions instead and not taking my shortcut, but it turned out alright for me in the end.
I already had 5 full signatures of pieced and sewn scrappy pages just waiting to be used, but I opted to include 3 in this journal instead of just 2 hoping to make it last a little longer. Unfortunately, when I sat down to sew the signatures into the cover I realized that I had already packed up my waxed thread! Truthfully, I nearly cried until I remembered that I had not packed my spiral binding punch, so a quick change of plans and I ended up with something different but, again, it works for me.
After slicing my lovingly sewn pages in half to spiral bind them, my first thought was: I screwed up my beautiful papers!! But a night to sleep on it made me think, I can work with this. A few more days and I love my new journal and can't wait to get started working in it.
Your journal is truly beautiful, and it is truly YOURS! I am so impressed that you have time to do this when planning and packing for a big move!
I hope Colorado will be wonderful for you and your family, and I look forward to hearing all about it!
Posted by: Gwen | February 02, 2010 at 09:13 PM
love your problem solving techniques. and what a beautiful journal it turned out to be.
Posted by: Ludid | February 02, 2010 at 09:36 PM
I cannot believe how excited I am about your move, I can't wait to see pics of the new place! Maybe b/c it will keep me excited until we get to buy a house. I talked to the bank today, and we're waiting nine months (no I'm not pregnant) to work on raising our scores, so we don't have to put down 20%. I can stand on my head that long. It's bittersweet, we've come so far and through so much with God's patient blessings. He knows the right timing, even though sometimes we may not like it. Love you guys!
Posted by: Misty Kirkland | February 02, 2010 at 10:06 PM
The spiral binding is great! It looks like a fantasy version of a boring old school notebook.
I love your journals.
Posted by: Nancy S | February 02, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Sweet I love it!
Posted by: Tara FInlay | February 02, 2010 at 11:20 PM
I love it! You've made it your own, and it's just wonderful.
Posted by: Paula | February 03, 2010 at 08:23 AM
I love the way it looks like that (and I'm sure it will be really, really usable). Trying to tell myself that a spiral binding punch is NOT a tool I need....
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | February 03, 2010 at 09:27 AM
These are wonderful pages. I love how you substituted the binding with the spiral system. It's always good to be flexible.
xo
jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | February 03, 2010 at 09:53 AM
I like the spiral binding BETTER than the wrapped fabric ones. I don't like sewn bindings because I can't work flat unless I'm sitting at a table and when I was writing in my first ROD yesterday I had trouble getting into the edge nearest the binding. You can be sure I'll make my next one with a coil binding like all my sketchbooks. Thanks for leading the way.
Posted by: Jo | February 03, 2010 at 10:12 AM
I love your ROD journal with the spiral binding. I wish you had shown pics of how it looks on the outside - I can't quite picture how it attaches to the cover. Also, I love your pages. Mine turned out so messy and way too busy, but yours are neat and tidy. And I envy you your move to Colorado - hope you like it there!
Posted by: Randi Nervig | February 03, 2010 at 01:16 PM
the spiral binding is great. I have the punch for the plastic coil bindings ... so I could totally do that... I'd just have to figure out where to find the metal coils :D so inspiring!
Posted by: Effie | February 05, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Very cool! How did you attach it to the cover?
Posted by: Jennifer | February 05, 2010 at 02:00 PM
I think this is FABULOUS - and it helps take some of the pressure off of fragile paper that just perforates and tears when it gets sewn.
What kind of punch and metal coil-y stuff did you use?
Posted by: s | February 05, 2010 at 05:07 PM
What a work of art - love it!
mary
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Posted by: hoganfe handbags | February 05, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Delicious! I love it better than chocolate! yes, pls do tell us how you attached the spiral binding to the cover!
Posted by: patsy | February 06, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Really great idea. It's amazing how our creativity works when limits of time or resources infringe upon us. Very inspiring!
Posted by: Dianne | February 07, 2010 at 06:04 AM
Beautiful Journal, I love your pages. I love your Journal cover as well it turned out fabulous!!! Inspiring.
Posted by: camille | February 08, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Your artwork is stunning!
the journal pages are amazing and I love the sewing on paper!
I have just discovered this technique ...
Posted by: Yasmina | February 08, 2010 at 08:08 PM