Make Your Journals and Notebooks Unique With a Cover

I've had several people comment on my Midori Traveler's Notebook inserts. I enjoy covering them with paper and ephemera sent to me from pen pals and friends. Using what I have makes the creative process more fun for me. I like to see if I can use items the universe sends and create a common look and feel. 

This past week, some beautiful new paper came to me from Christina at Girl About Downtown. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to share my simple notebook covering process. If you'd like to learn more about my covers, check out this video below:

Outgoing: Bird Mail

This week my outgoing mail theme is all about birds. I'm inspired by the collages of Lee McKenna. I first found her on Instagram. She does amazing things with paper and ephemera. 

Collaging is a great way to use up your supplies and ephemera. Usually, I collage in a notebook, but I had never thought to apply it to my outgoing envelopes and parcels. For this week's design I used a variety of materials around the house: an old Cavallini & Co calendar; a stack of vintage book pages; a box filled with items sent to me from pen pals; and postmarked bird stamps from old letters.  

I used small kraft bags to house a letter and various bird themed pen pal goodies. On the outside of the bag I used good old Mod Podge to paste a sheet of vintage paper and a stamp. My Letter Writers Alliance seal balanced out the design. From my tag stash, I pulled out patterns that were not my style and covered them with paper and bird images to make book marks. I was really pleased with the final product. This may become a continuing look for my future letters. 

Week 6 Journal Entry

I intend to share my weekly journal entries on this blog for several reasons. First, and most important, my entries have been a great way to demonstrate how to implement personal vision and goals with weekly journaling.  Second, people often ask how I decide the design for my layout and what materials I use. A blog is a great way to share that information.

This week’s entry was inspired by a couple of things. Of course, Valentines Day influenced the decoration. I received beautiful cards in the mail with lovely stamps and washi tape to use for collaging. There was no shortage of heart shaped ephemera this week.

For journaling, I updated many of my goals. I have multiple actionable goals set for 2016. Goal updates make great writing prompts for journaling. Here are a few of mine:

1.     Goal – Get outside and enjoy nature by visiting at least 1 local or state park per month.  Result – I visited 2 parks this week and hiked a total of 10 miles.

2.     Goal – Read 50 books this year. Result – I read 1 book this week. That’s a total of 6 so far this year.

3.     Goal – Launch Paper Tams blog. Result – This blog was launched on Valentine’s Day.

Materials Used For This Week’s Entry*:

Midori Notebook Insert http://amzn.to/1Xt24Nx

Pilot Fountain Pen http://amzn.to/1ojjCQx

Pilot Fountain Pen Ink http://amzn.to/1PztSwy

MT Gold/Silver Washi Tape http://amzn.to/1KSdUyR

If you are interested in more detail, here is a coordinating video post for this week’s journal entry. 

*Please be advised that some of the links provided are affiliate links and I do receive a small commission if you make a purchase using those links.  This does not cost you any extra when you make a purchase. Thank you for your support.