{Curio Journal}

So many of my favorite May Arts ribbons pair beautifully with the vintage vibe of Graphic 45, so I am excited that this week is a blog hop with these two amazing companies! I received products from the Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection including pretty patterned papers, chipboard stickers, metal brads, and adorable mini metal clothespins. I decided to use them to jazz up the plain Jane cover of one of my art journals.

I'm fond of this journal because it's the first one I ever made using the coptic binding method. The covers are upcycled from a discarded book and the inner pages are mixed-media paper that's perfect for watercolors, paints, inks, collage, or anything else I want to splash on them! But I have to admit the plain cover could use a bit of sparkle!


I wanted to create a dimensional opening in the cover that looks like a peek into an old shop window full of curious and beautiful things. You could do this with a store-bought journal or even a composition book! Here's how:
*Cut out the center of a 2-piece chipboard die-cut and trace around it with a sharpie.
*Use a sturdy craft knife to cut out the opening. Sand the edges if necessary.
*Set the chipboard piece aside and decorate the cover as you wish. After the journal is decorated, put adhesive on the back of the center chipboard piece, place it inside the frame, and then press it down to adhere it to the first page of your journal. This will ensure that the placement is perfect.
{For my journal, I painted the cover with a little gesso, allowed it to dry, then used a baby wipe to add some Broken China & Peeled Paint Distress Ink here and there.}

After the gesso and inks are dry, the next step is to add some pretty patterned paper to the cover. I trimmed a piece of Olde Curiosity Shoppe paper 1" shorter than the cover on all sides. Glue the paper to the front cover, cut out the window with a craft knife and glue the outer piece of the chipboard as a frame for the opening.
Black sheer/looped trim from May Arts adds a finishing touch all around the edges of the paper!


I added some Graphic 45 stamped metal brads to the corners for a bit of interest. I removed the metal tines on the back of the brads by simply twisting them off, and used extra-small foam squares to attach them. Much easier than punching holes!

The journal is looking much better, but still needs a couple of finishing touches. A butterfly cut out from the Butterfly Specifics paper looks lovely perched on the corner of the frame. Fold the butterfly in the center after you cut it out to add some dimension and attach it to a corner of the chipboard window frame with a foam square. 3 metal clothespins with stamped words add an inspiring element to the edge of the cover.
Now I love my jazzed-up journal more than ever! Thanks to May Arts and Graphic 45 for sponsoring this fun project! Hop on over to the lovely blogs listed below for lots more inspiration and ideas! Happy hopping everyone!


Comments

  1. Gorrgeous project love what you did with the ribbon looks really cool.

    Monica
    scraps2treasure.blogspot.com
    ilu4eva3@gmail.com

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  2. Your journal is wonderful! Wow! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Love the G45 paper and May Arts ribbon for this project, great job.

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  4. Wowwwwwwwwwwww! This is GORGEOUS!! I loveeeeeeeeee all the details!!

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  5. love the graphic 45 paper and may arts ribbon is wonderful! looks like a fun journal!

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  6. The black May Arts ribbon is such a fine finish to your beautiful arranged project. Very nice!

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  7. Really great... the inset detail is a lovely idea - I love the 3D it gives you on a book cover. Thanks for the detailed how-to info too.

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  8. Love what you've done for the front of your journal. Terrific!

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  9. The black sheer loop ribbon from May Arts looks perfect with the Old Cursoity Shoppe Graphic 45 paper. And those metal clothes pins are to die for... Thanks for sharing your lovely Art Journal

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  10. So beautiful project!!!!! I loved it!!!

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  11. Your journal turned out just gorgeous!!

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  12. LOve the technique you used with the chipboard punch out and frame. I've just been hit with a brain storm idea.

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  13. Your journal is beautiful and I love the small brads. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Kim
    k1i2m3@cox.net

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  14. This is a beautiful journal and love your tutorial. Keep up the great work.

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  15. Amazing work, what a wonderful way to personalize a journal.

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  16. This is so pretty and I love the idea of looking through into the shop. Stunning.
    Tracy x

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  17. Oh my gosh this is beautiful! I love the 3D cover with the window - soooo creative. Thanks for sharing your how to for that technique!

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  18. That is very cool! love the trim you used.

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  19. Love this! What a gorgeous cover you created!

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  20. Lovely book-cover! I like the "window" on it, very clever!

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  21. What a great idea! May Arts had the perfect trim!

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  22. Such a great book, I love how you made the window opening. Nice work!

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  23. Great project, I love the sharpie technique to pop the edges of the tag.

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  24. Gorgeous book cover, love how you used the black sheer/looped ribbon to frame it.

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  25. Beautiful cover--thanks for all the details!

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  26. Your journal cover is gorgeous! I love the inset chipboard idea - thanks for the inspiration.

    Lynn Wild

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  27. thanks for the cover ideas. I have Once Upon a Springtime waiting.

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  28. This is a gorgeous project! Thanks for the great instructions!

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  29. This is a beautiful book. Great Techniques, thank you for sharing this.

    Sara Tanner
    Sar Tann

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  30. A Beautiful book and even more perfect, it has a butterfly!

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  31. Love how you created the window with the chipboard--isn't it great how black makes everything pop? Love Once Upon a Springtime--( actually all of the Graphic 45 papers) and the May Arts ribbon is such a nice touch! Thank You for sharing!

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  32. What a fabulous transformation! I love this! Thanks for sharing!

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  33. Beautiful journal. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  34. I love the idea of a window to peek into the Curiosity Shop, especially for the front of an album or book! The sheer black lace from May Arts is perfect for the frame! TfS!!!

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  35. I really like this! Terrific inspiration. Thanks!

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  36. This is a good idea to glam up the mundane.

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  37. Love the ribbon. I need to do this.

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  38. Cleverly done. You do lovely designs.

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  39. Beautiful colors, great design. Thanks for sharing.
    Ramona

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  40. With such great products to work with, how could you miss? I love the piece you put into the opening; the whole thing is so lovely you will reach for it again and again!

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  41. Beautiful colours and I love the cover design. So inspiring and thanks for sharing..I want to try this at home :)

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  42. WOW!! what a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. What a cute journal.. very nice!!!

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  44. The ribbon just popped the decorations out. I love the look. I especially love the buttflies--they are georgeous. TFS.

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  45. How great is the Curiosity Paper...love all the blues in your page and the black May Arts Ribbon that frames the whole thing out is beautiful

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  46. Wonderful journal, awesome paper, and that black sheer trim is the bomb. Love the window you created too.

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  47. fabulous journal and thanks for the tutorial!

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  48. Beautiful, thanks for the tutorial

    Paula

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  49. OMG!.....THIS IS A WONDERFUL WORK.....!!!!! I really like the way that you have used the ribbon over the cover of your journal and the project is so inspiring because I'm a rookie bookbinder and this piece is absolutely wonderful!.. I LOOOOVE it!

    Regards

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  50. Fabulous project , love the trim

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  51. Beautiful job, and love love love the dp, and staples you used on this!!!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  52. love the tip on placing the recessed chipboard elements thanks
    upnurse at aol dot com

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  53. Great combination of ribbon and paper to make your journal stand out.

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  54. Your book cover turned out fabulous. Love how you've framed it with the ribbon. Patti

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  55. This is a great idea to use with my grand kids. They would love to decorate their own journals. This would be a great summer project.
    You did fantastic.

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  56. Delightful! I love how you made your frame. :)

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  57. Great cover to your art journal. I like the way you cut out the opening and inserted the chipboard image. God bless, Peggy Allen

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  58. Wow! I love that blue with the black ribbon. Stunning!

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  59. Love your cover just beautiful!! TFS

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  60. LOVE those metal clothespins!!! they are such a great addition to the cover!

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  61. Great project..........love this hop! Met some new crafters along the way!

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  62. Very nice journal. Like the way you added the cutout.

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  63. Oh I just love the way you used that black trim. It really jazzed up that cover. Oh wait I loved that butterfly and the clothespins too. Your work is great.

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  64. Love your journal! Great job!

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  65. Love this journal! Thank you so much for sharing your work

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  66. The Journal turned out spectacularly. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

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  67. Wonderful project . Love the ribbon around the frame. Thanks for sharing . France.

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  68. Love how this turned out!!! Beautiful!

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  69. I love love love love love that ribbon!!!!

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  70. Gorgeous project. Thank you for sharing.

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  71. What a great ideal. That ribbon looks like it was made for this project. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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  72. Thanks for sharing your journal with us, it's great! Shari (cricutrookie)

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  73. Oh I love that black ribbon, I've used that before but never for a frame what a great idea. I love the Curiosity Shop Collection, what fun embelishments you used ( those brads are on my wish list)!

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  74. Wow! I love it! Great use of ribbon!

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  75. Love this journal Kimberly! I have been dying to try that coptic binding, but have not had the chance yet. Thanks for the tutorial on how you created your "window" - will definitely try this out! Those clothespins are adorable! My must-have list is just growing beyond belief with this hop (wish my budget would grow too).

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  76. great look, will have to check out the "Coptic" binding system. Love the new look to your journal. Love those ribbons and paper!

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  77. Kim,
    I adore your journal! The chipboard piece would be a great stamp, but I will settle for getting the chipboard sheet. Everything looks perfect, from ribbon through to final clothespin.
    Look at all the lovely comments too! Enjoy!

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  78. Your journal is amazing! I love the ribbon and the Olde Curiosity Shoppe papers you used! Thanks for the tutorial I am going to try it on one of my albums!

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  79. Wow gorgeous album!!!! Love the chipboard focal point piece and the gorgeous butterfly!

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  80. Great Journal.
    Thanks for the tut. I have used similar techniques before but I am now inspired tio revisit them.

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  81. Fun cover!The ribbon is a great addition to the fabulous paper!

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  82. Absolutely awesome album..you have so rocked these papers and ribbons!

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  83. Your journal is fabulous and WOW, that black scalloped trim from May Arts has me drooling!! The perfect trim for your cut out!

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  84. Fabulous and gorgeous! I love how you decorated this album cover and your tutorial was fantastic. The scalloped trim from May Arts ade the cover pop. One of my favorites this week. Thanks for sharing

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  85. This is a beautiful project,the ribbon is perfect.

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  86. KIM!!! Your journal is gorgeous! I can't believe how brave you are cutting a hole in the cover - that's what I love about you!! Great job!

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  87. Love this project. So pretty and fun too!
    Debbie

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  88. I love the cover! You achieved what you wanted, its beautiful!

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  89. Wowzers Kimberly!!!!
    I never would have thought of cutting out a window and using the chipboard frame. Not only do I like your project very much but I actually learned something too!
    thanks for sharing your project.

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  90. Georgeous...love that denim with the vibrant colors!

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  91. Very cool. You don't even recognize "plain Jane" after you went to work!

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  92. Love the cutout idea and that ribbon! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  93. Gorgeous creations! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Carol B
    ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

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  94. I just love the cover of your journal, fabulous!

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  95. Absolutely fabulous journal and mahalo for sharing how.

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  96. Kimberly, I loved the idea of creating a window in a book cover and can use this information for a project right away. Thanks for the clear explanation on how to do this. Your art journal certainly is beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  97. beautiful journal, thanks for sharing how you made it.

    Luanne

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  98. That journal cover pops!!! Terrific work.

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  99. The Journal Cover is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  100. This is a breathtaking design. Thanks for sharing it.
    alsmouse ~C8> Ratty Hugs

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  101. Your album is gorgeous. I love the way you created a window into the shop and then explained how you did it Thanks!

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  102. Lovely Journal in such a pretty colour combination - It would be a pleasure to write in it.

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  103. Kim, nice share on your project. thanks for the details too. beautiful work with great products

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  104. What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing the technique!

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  105. Beautiful book. It will look amazing sitting out in view. It doesn't have to be hidden away because it is so plain.

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  106. I cannot wait to see how your album turns out! I am a new subscriber as well!

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  107. What an inspiration you are, thanks so much for sharing your amazing talent with us. Great blog hop!!

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  108. That is just so freaking cool!!! Love it!

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  109. What a great cover! I was going to dress up the existing cover on an art journal I just purchased but i change my mind! I love your idea! Thanks!

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  110. I love the colour and the design. Awesome.

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  111. I just love it! Will be signing up to follow after this and can't wait to see it when it's finished. Thanks for sharing!

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  112. Wow, your cover idea and beautiful attention to details is STUNNING....

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  113. How beautiful and elegant! Love your choice of colors and the format you have used to set it up. Great job!

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  114. Beautiful, that will make a great journal!

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  115. Loved this Kim, can't wait to get started on one. Thanks.

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  116. Very nice- love this! Tfs!

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  117. What a fun and easy project. Thank you so much for sharing I really appreciate it. You did a wonderful job.

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  118. ...this is so clever.. could i even try to make something like this ? its wonderful.. thanks mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

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  119. Love what you did with the book, the window is awesome
    Val (BYW)

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  120. Now that's what I call an art journal cover!! Mine should be so beautiful!

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  121. Who wouldn't be inspired by this journal! Beautiful!
    Robin

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  122. great upcycle project, wonderfuly done!

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  123. Despite my self-imposed rule to not subscribe to any more blogs, I couldn't help myself. I'm a big fan of upcycling and mini-albums, so you can see why this post convinced me there was wiggle room in my rule. This is wonderful. I'm looking forward to having some time to come back and look around. Getting an automatic feed every day will at least keep me current.

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  124. My son journals all of the time. He lives out west and is a frequent hiker & backpacker & camper of the mountains. This would be a perfect gift for him. Thank you for the inspiration and creativity.

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  125. You have transformed a plain cover into a work of art !!!

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  126. What a beautiful journal project! Love the colors and details!

    JamieH

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  127. Such a difference it made. I love it

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  128. Beautiful cover! I love G45 paper and am enjoying all the beautiful projects this talented group has come up with.

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  129. Your journal cover is really very beautiful. Thanks for sharing your ideas

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  130. I enjoyed your tute on the beautiful journal. Today I'm here to tell you I saw your favorite projects on the May Arts blog today. They were marvelous. Thanks

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