I have had this rather large journal sitting on my shelf for over three years. I have never once written in it until this past week because I have always found it to be a bit intimidating. It is very thick, and has large blank pages. Every time I open this book and even think about writing in it I see these big blank pages and something in me freezes up. I simply have not been able to bring myself to write in it.
A few years ago during the time I recovered my ironing board (Oct. 24, 05!) I decided to make a cover for this journal with this same fabric. I REALLY like this fabric. I thought that perhaps if this book was a bit prettier I would want to write in it.
That was not the case. After I covered it I promptly put it back on the shelf where it has been collecting dust ever since.
A couple of weeks ago I read a few posts at Eyes of Wonder and Gumbo Lily which inspired me to take the book off the shelf and and take the beautifying a step further. I followed the example of these two creative women and decorated my pages with various pictures I found appealing. This seems to have done the trick. My journal has become a little more approachable and I have enjoyed writing in it.
Here are a couple of samples...and yes, I am not brave enough to share what I wrote so I blanked it out. Sorry for the visual dissonance of this. I should have taken pictures before I started writing!
Making the pocket was fun! I unfolded and traced one I already had as a pattern for this.
As you can see my tastes run more toward flowers and natural sorts of things. You may even recognize Edith Holden's artwork. I have one of her old Nature Notes books that I cut up long ago and a good supply of old magazines and calendars. I can't wait to see how this book will evolve.
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth
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