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Saturday 13 July 2024

What Are You Inspired to Sew These Days?

What to sew?
What are you inspired to sew these days?
Having spent the first half of 2024 (not the mention the final weeks of 2023) immersed in junk journaling activities, I am now ready to let go of that and refocus on sewing.

But to be truthful, since I stopped blogging regularly, I haven't come across exciting new sewing projects to entice me. With my YouTube recommendations gravitating towards junk journal channels, I had thought that letting my regular (subscribed) sewing based channels accumulate a backlog of videos would result in some fun diversions for me at some point in time. I anticipated looking through a whole slew of them over several sittings and being inspired to make all kinds of different things.

That didn't happen.




The content featured on the sewing channels that I've been following over the past several years are mostly regurgitating the same projects with only minor alterations and different fabrics. Similarly styled small wallets, zippered pouches, toiletry and crossbody bags are starting to look excruciatingly plain and ordinary to me.

I did a search on "unique things to sew" and was almost depressed by the results.

Do you know what kept coming up? Scrunchies. (OMG, how many tutorials do we need for how to make hair scrunchies? And how different can they be?) For some reason, the concept of unique seemed lost in the algorithm, with results skewing towards easy and fast. Or things to sew for sale. Argh!

DIY Knot Pillow by Beth Huntington
DIY Knot Pillow by Beth Huntington...

Have I reached that point where the sewing adventure is mostly done, by default? Was my decision to step away from the blog last December a true harbinger of the reality to follow?

I have to accept that it may well be true, and that – outside of the rare, occasional "thing" that may pique my interest or that I dream up out of some personal need – there may not be much more to sew that will bring about the same level of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that I've experienced over the past decade.

That made me sad, so I retreated back to my own archive of Other People's Projects (folder) to see if there were any hidden gems there. The two images that you see in this section are from projects that I had saved years ago.

DIY Lace Cuff Watch by Down Home Inspiration
DIY Lace Cuff Watch by Down Home Inspiration...

This lace cuff watch dates back to 2014 (copy this link into your browser if you want to check it out: https://www.downhomeinspiration.com/diy-lace-cuff-watch/) and if I could find a similar watch face easily without spending big bucks, I'd make one in a second. Not a whole lot of sewing would be required, but I do prefer cuff style watches and it's certainly a different sort of sewing project.

The knotted pillow is also somewhat unique (copy this link into your browser if you want to make one: https://www.ehow.com/how_12340972_diy-knot-pillow.html). It doesn't require a lot of sewing either, so if I were to make one, I'd use fabric scraps to piece the strip for the long tube. That would turn it into a much more involved sewing project and the final result would be truly one of a kind.

Still stumped for ideas, I decided to check back on sources that I'd featured here in the past.


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Do you recall a post about Singer from 2022? When I went back to the site, I found that the link to the projects page has been rebranded as mySewNet. While still hosting projects that relate to sewing, Singer has apparently branched out into the cutting machines arena and thus many of its recent crafting ideas are paper related; no sewing involved.

This one here is simply a sheet of paper put into such a device, where cuts are then made per a set of programmed instructions (a file). All that remains for the crafter to do is carefully remove the paper and then manipulate the various petals for the final 3D effect.

Singer Cut Out Wall Art Project
"Cut out" project from Singer...

Cutting machines seem to be growing in popularity among crafters (crafters with deep pockets, I might add, as these are not cheap) but somehow I feel cheated when I see how a project like this is made. It's probably just me, but it strikes me as being manufactured and lacking a personal touch. (Seems very apropos in our increasingly AI-oriented world.)

In any case, I did not find many sewing related projects that were inspiring during my visit. The only project that stirred anything within me was this leafy potholder.

Singer Patchwork Leaf Potholder project
Patchwork leaf potholder project from Singer...

But that's because I have a thing for leaves; it's really nothing new or different. It's made in the same way as the tropical leaf rug – except on a much, much, smaller scale – so I may be inclined to give it a whirl down the road.

Speaking of leaves, I also visited AGF Studios again and found this little item.

AGF Studios Little Leaves Garland
Little Leaves Garland from AGF Studios...

It reminded me of what I originally wanted to do with my autumn leaves last fall.


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To close, let me share a project idea that did appear – to me, at least – to be different. I am not a card player, but I know a lot of people who are. For various reasons, young and old players may find it difficult to hold onto a set of cards. During this search for new sewing projects, I came across two tutorials for making playing card holders, including one that featured recycled CDs.

This first one is from Creatively Beth (copy this link into your browser: https://creativelybeth.com/diy-playing-card-holders-for-family-game-night/). It features a large multi-tiered surface on which to organize your hand.

Card Holder by Creatively Beth
image courtesy of Creatively Beth...

The one that features old CDs is from one of my favourite YouTube channels: Sew Very Easy. It was uploaded April 30, 2024.

It's made out of a couple of old CDs, two buttons, some fabric and some batting. (I've since found various versions of the same basic tutorial elsewhere online, so the idea is not new.) If you know card playing enthusiasts who are finding it harder to hold onto their cards due to arthritis or whatnot, this could be a welcome gift.

Playing Card Holder by Sew Very Easy
image courtesy of Sew Very Easy...

Since writing up this post (about a month and a half ago in real time), I've actually found a few projects that have caught my eye. I've also gone back to some of my past projects to create downloadable PDFs for them. All of that will end up here at some point in time.

Meanwhile, if you've come across any truly new and different projects in the world of sewing, let me know in the comments.

'Til next...

Saturday 29 June 2024

Jumbo Junk Journal [Pt 6]: Adventures in Button Making

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
Final part of project JJJ...
It appears that I've had a fascination with buttons during my time here, dating back to 2014.

In 2018, I featured an idea for making big buttons out of fabric and Peltex for decorative purposes.

In the years that followed, I put buttons to use on hair combs and zipper pulls, then finally used them as bag feet.

So I suppose it was not surprising that when I saw a video from Treasure Books demonstrating how to make cardboard buttons out of various paper and fabric, my interest was piqued once more.

Cardboard button by eSheep Designs
Cardboard button...

Crafter extraordinaire Natasa had made sixty-nine of these over a period of just a couple of days (all while under the weather yet). I was intrigued, but it wasn't my intention to come anywhere near her level of production.

Altered paperclip button by eSheep Designs
I turned my button into a altered paperclip...

As it turned out, this most recent foray into the world of buttons was eventually filled with frustratingly funny failures... that I was mostly able to fix.




I started with the best of intentions, gathering images from a magazine I was about to discard and feeling rather accomplished about making use of it before tossing it into the recycling bin.

gathering images for buttons
Potential button images from magazine pages...

Other materials I harvested from included a colouring page, the remains of a tote bag commemorating our local library's 100th anniversary (which for some reason – odd choice for a book bag – had the skimpiest paper-like handles that I ever saw, that had ripped apart) and remnants from a roll of wallpaper border. Fabric scraps were also on deck for me to try, but since I had done a previous project – the wall art – with fabric, using it here wasn't a priority.

Library book tote
Either way, it didn't take long for a couple of issues to arise that caused me to shut down the button assembly line.

See the blue skyline button in the picture below? I used a regular office handheld hole punch to put that hole at the edge. The implement, however, is not long enough to get near the centre of the circle for me to punch holes that would make the thing resemble a button, like the colouring page button in the middle of the picture. (I had suspected that would be the case.)

Cardboard buttons by eSheep Designs
These were the start of my button making...

For that one, I had to make the holes manually, which naturally did not produce the same clean look as a hole punch, but since I eventually installed eyelets into them, it didn't matter. But here's the thing — I only had two sets of black eyelets. When I put my gold and silver toned eyelets down on the faux buttons, they didn't pop in the same way as the black ones did.

I was therefore left with a conundrum: 1) buy more black eyelets to continue with the project, or 2) find another way to make clean holes (which then wouldn't necessarily require eyelets), or 3) reposition the holes and turn this into another project altogether.

At that point, I stopped to think more about what my objective was with these.


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Natasa had a second video showing how to use the gorgeous buttons that she had made. On my part, I knew that I wasn't about to make them to sell. My junk journal also had something decorative on its spine, and it already had a pretty nifty closure, so none of those proposed uses applied.

I had to consider if my fascination with these buttons had any actual end purpose?

Altered paperclip button by eSheep Designs
Reverse side of my "successful" button turned altered paperclip...

All wasn't lost, because I liked the idea of using a button as an altered paperclip at the top of a page. I also figured that if I made a smaller button, I'd be able to get in there with my hole punch, since an alternative tool that I had thought might work didn't pan out.

Altered paperclip button by eSheep Designs
But how many altered paperclips did I want or need? (And what about the super cool factor of the really big buttons?)

Then, as it turned out... what if I don't want holes punched into the button at all??

Let me explain my madness.

Altered paperclip button by eSheep Designs
I wanted this image on the back to stay visible...

Turns out I had two other problems with the holes. The first (as demonstrated above) is: what if there's an image that I want to be clearly seen? In this particular case, it's already pretty small; adding holes and then threading something through them would hide the candles.

Secondly, for me, my junk journal requirements involve creating usable space on various ephemera. At this point, anything that I add to this already jumbo journal would have to be functional – i.e., a surface to write or doodle on – as opposed to being merely decorative. Therefore, buttons with actual holes in them wouldn't serve much purpose in my journal, even if I left one side "plain".

Cardboard button by eSheep Designs
A colouring page circle...

Here's an example of where one side of the (potential) button features an image that I can colour. I suppose if I had more black eyelets, it would make a decent button, just like the one that I actually completed.

It was then that I had an epiphany: what if I simply created the illusion of holes? And then just add them to one side, so that I can keep the colouring page side for me to doodle on?

Cardboard button by eSheep Designs
... that is a (faux) button on the reverse side!

Ta da! A simple template + a broad tipped black marker = an instant "button face". This is now something that can be easily slipped into a journal pocket that has both a functional and decorative purpose.

Altered paperclip button by eSheep Designs
The illusion of a button is good enough for me!

I was so jazzed that I immediately put fake holes on my small altered paperclip (the one with the candles on the reverse). By the way, you can see how a couple of well positioned staples is an easy way to keep a paperclip in place.


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Now... back to the problem of the big buttons. 

I had gone ahead during my original effort to make two CD sized circles, each backed by the wallpaper border roll. (The remnant came from an office that hubby and I decorated ourselves when we moved our business from one location to another.) The reverse sides were finished off with a colouring page piece and a scrap from the tote bag, respectively.

Mobile buttons by eSheep Designs
Eventually to be turned into a ceiling mobile...

When I realized I had no way of punching holes anywhere close to a location to make these appear like buttons, I decided to turn the whole thing into a ceiling mobile. (Remember my option to "turn this into another project altogether"? Plus, Natasa also demonstrated this use with her supply of buttons.) All I'd need to do was punch a couple of holes along the top and bottom edge.

Well, the thickness of the two big circles proved to be too much for my handheld hole punch and the amount of strength my hands were capable of exerting to use it. Argghh!

Big Buttons Wall Art by eSheep Designs
A more successful button project (these are still on my wall)...

With the benefit of hindsight, I would have punched holes along the way as I added each layer. (Or, if I wanted to add grommets/eyelets to the mix, I could use a steel punch and a hammer to put holes in these.) As it sits, it's a project for another day... I'm done with buttons for now.

This series on junk journaling is also done. I've determined that any further journal making won't come anywhere near to eclipsing the freedom of expression and creativity that I had making this first one.

Basket of journaling supplies
I don't want this to grow into something unmanageable...!

Therefore, per my expectations when I started the project, it's a one-time deal. While I was still actively adding elements to the journal, I found myself keeping this, that and those for the purpose of "doing" something with them. I managed to keep most of the materials in a single container (photo above), but the idea of becoming a pack rat – even if for the noble purpose of reusing and recycling – started to make me nervous. I love my completed junk journal and it serves an important purpose in my daily life, but I'm not about to start making more of them "just because."

It's time to refocus on sewing something! (Oh, and Happy Canada Day weekend to my fellow Canadians!)

'Til next...

Saturday 15 June 2024

Jumbo Junk Journal [Pt 5]: Fabric & Paper Pockets

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
Project JJJ...
As designer friend Christine is fond of saying, you can never have enough pockets.

Of course, she's talking about bags and purses, but I've discovered that the same sentiment also applies to junk journals.

It didn't take long for me to realize that one of the main goals of making a junk journal is to stuff it with as many bits and pieces as possible. 😁 To maximize this opportunity, one needs to create multiple "tuck spots" and corner pockets. These are traditionally paper-based things.

As I was "finishing up" the pages (I put that in quotations because my junk journal is an on-going concern), I thought about making a separate pocket to keep stickers and small ephemera close at hand while I used the journal. This, I determined, would be made out of my scraps of Tim Holtz fabric.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
A two-side pocket to keep journaling ephemera handy...

And I would need the pockets to be – gasp! – see-through and made out of vinyl. (As I confirmed previously, I have a small supply of vinyl that I purchased some years ago. While I will refrain from buying new plastics, using what I have is not going to make my sensibilities explode.)




This vinyl and fabric pocket is very simply designed, consisting of a stiff divider that is open on both sides for storage.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
A piece of Peltex covered on both sides with scraps of Tim Holtz fabric...

I cut a piece of single sided fusible Peltex to size and then arranged pieces of scrappy fabric on top (fusible side). Once fused, I repeated the process on the other side, only this time, I used glue.

None of the pieces of fabric overlapped, so no sewing was required.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
Vinyl wrapped around the resulting fabric-pieced Peltex...

Next, I cut a piece of vinyl twice as long as the length of the divider and 2" wider. I made pleats with the extra width (they're hard to see, but you should be able to barely make them out in the photo above) and then clipped it in place.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
Edges bound...

Using some more Tim Holtz scraps, I cut some binding strips and secured the vinyl to the divider by binding the two edges.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
View from the top showing openings on both sides...

Couldn't be easier, right? A great way to use up some scraps and the resulting pocket/pouch is perfect for keeping some journaling supplies handy. (I sized it so that it can actually be stored in the journal itself, but my pages have become so embellished that I can't actually close it up if I leave the pouch inside, especially if it's also full of stuff.)

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
Stickers that don't stick...

Before anyone points out that I must have purchased other materials for my junk journal like this "scrapbook kit", let me clarify that I had these from a long time ago. They are so old, in fact, that the adhesive on the stickers is quite useless; I ended up having to apply glue every time I used anything from these booklets.


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There are likely dozens of YouTube videos that show various ways of making paper pockets for junk journal pages, but I "discovered" this particular method when I took apart one of the many greeting card envelopes that I had at my disposal.

Transform envelope into pockets for junk journaling by eSheep Designs
Cut envelope into three main pieces...

As you might guess, this method works especially well if the envelopes have printed patterns on them, but in the spirit of junk journaling, a plain envelope can just as easily be decorated after the fact.

Anyway, my process for making corner pockets is to take the two back pieces of a deconstructed envelope, fold them in half vertically, stack them as desired (in one of two directions), glue them together and then attach to a journal page by gluing along one or both sides and the bottom.

Transform envelope into pockets for junk journaling by eSheep Designs
Corner pockets out of an envelope... 

Once attached to a page, the resulting pocket will actually consist of three or four separate openings, depending on whether or not the flap piece is sealed to itself. (An alternative use for these pockets is to slide them onto the top corner of a page, sort of like a bookmark.)

transforming an envelope for junk journaling by eSheep Designs
My sewing tool for rounding corners comes in handy here too...

What to do with the front of the envelope then? Round off the corners and it's a piece of paper that you can actually journal – i.e., write – on.

sample junk journal page by eSheep Designs
How you might use this pocket...

The above photo shows what my journal page looks like, with items contained in two of the storage areas of this corner pocket.


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My friends, we are getting close to the end of this amazing (ha, ha, ha!) series of posts about my jumbo junk journal; part six will be the last one. I hope they've given you a smidge of inspiration towards realizing that it's possible to create something unique and beautiful out of the most unexpected and simple things.

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
This jumbo junk journal is part of my daily routine...

In case you missed it from my previous posts, if you want to see a flip through of my journal, I've uploaded three PDFs for you to explore at your leisure: signatures one, two and three.


As I slowly wend my way back to the topic of sewing, let me take this opportunity to advise of another of Sew Modern Bags' bundle sales, now on its final day. This National Sewing Machine Day (June 13; did you know there was such a thing?) promo features nine patterns by various designers for the unbelievably low price of just $19.99, a savings of 70%!

National Sewing Machine Day Bundle Sale
All this for only 19.99!

The patterns (all pictured above) include three that are currently not available anywhere else, so if you're looking for something truly new to sew, this might be just the ticket. Oh, and to wrap up today's post on the same note as I began – with a reference to Christine at ChrisWDesigns – use this link to get all the details about this bundle and to support her creative efforts (as her convertible backpack in two sizes is one of the featured patterns).

'Til next...



Saturday 1 June 2024

Jumbo Junk Journal [Pt 4]: Easy Ephemera

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
Project JJJ...
One of the most compelling reasons for my interest in junk journals is the ease with which ordinary throwaway items can be transformed into useful, uncommon keepsakes.

This is especially true when it comes to making the ephemera used to decorate and fill junk journals.

While you may be tempted to purchase supplies to make some of the more elaborate pieces that are often featured on YouTube videos, understand that it is entirely possible to make unique ephemera with what you have on hand. (Or, perhaps more rightly stated, with what you can suss out from some nook or cranny in your home.)

ephemera made out of postage stamps
Ephemera made out of an envelope, stamps and assorted paper...

And because I am still very much thinking about sewing in the back of my mind, wherever there is a mention of paper in the upcoming descriptions, fabric scraps can almost always be substituted.

Oh, by the way — long post warning!




Postage Stamps & Paper


It used to be that we all had access to cancelled postage stamps since we wrote letters and sent cards, but I will grant that many people likely don't have any these days. I found mine in a bag filled with old letters that I'd kept from my younger years, when I corresponded with friends and family by mail on a regular basis.

Once I freed the best looking stamps from their old envelopes, I pondered how best to showcase them. My first inclination was to scatter them on the front of a card, but that seemed like an unimaginative choice. Then I recalled having seen them being glued down on various paper backings and then being used to create interesting clusters.

making journaling ephemera with postage stamps
My initial plan was to lay these down on the back of a card...

I dug into my box of paper crafting supplies and found some remnants of yellow scrapbooking paper that had been cut into petals for flowers (you can see one of them in the photo below). With those, I cut various shapes to accommodate a backing for the stamps. I mainly used my edging scissors, but I also tried making jagged cuts with my regular scissors, just to see if it would work. Given that the aim is for uneven edges, it actually turned out quite well.

making journaling ephemera with postage stamps
Making some postage stamp ephemera...

Before gluing down the stamp, I took a felt marker and carefully went around the edges of the paper to give it a proper finish. (Simulating that practice of inking that journal makers do with sponges.) With the yellow paper, I used a brown marker, with the blue paper, I used a blue highlighter and with the red and the grey patterned paper, I used a black marker.

making journaling ephemera with postage stamps
My collection of postage stamp ephemera...

Once the stamps were secured, I added other embellishments with a marker (lines, dots). Some of the remaining oddly shaped scraps were glued onto the back of some of the pieces, as you can see above. Lastly, I brushed on some glossy Mod Podge on top of each one to seal the layers.

I believe you can still get small containers of Mod Podge at Dollar Tree for cheap. Because it also functions as glue, I don't consider it a frivolous purchase if you're doing junk journaling.

making journaling ephemera with postage stamps
Next up, a home for my collection of stamp ephemera...


making journaling ephemera out of window envelopes
In terms of the other supplies, I actually had scrapbooking paper remnants, but if not, I would have glued wrapping paper to cardboard as an alternative, or used the afore-mentioned fabric scraps (which I would probably interface with scraps of SF101 or Decor Bond to provide some stiffness).

By the way, if you don't have postage stamps, you can make similar items out of stickers and small images. Here's an example of a sticker applied to paper which has been edged and then the whole thing is adhered to another piece of edged paper.

making journaling ephemera with postage stamps
A couple of my postage stamp pieces in a plastic pocket...

So what do you do with these once you've made them? You can slide them under a paperclip, add them to journaling pages or tags, or slip them into a pocket. Or if you're looking to make larger, more 3-D types of ephemera, add more layers using lace or ribbon fragments, tiny bows, buttons, etc.

Windowed Envelopes


Here's something that I think you'll have: windowed envelopes. The ones with patterned interiors like these shown below immediately lend themselves to other kinds of potential uses (like for the backing of the postage stamp ephemera).

making journaling ephemera out of window envelopes
Windowed envelopes with patterned interiors...

I used one of these envelopes to make a new envelope for my collection of postage stamps. The front is embellished with some washi tape; the back view is of the patterned side of the paper (as seen in photo near the top of this post). This envelope is now tucked into a pocket inside my junk journal.

making journaling ephemera out of window envelopes
A home for my postage stamp ephemera collection... 

Another piece of ephemera that you can make with windowed envelopes is something with a quasi-ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) feature. This will crinkle and make a sound when you handle it, which may or may not evoke a true ASM response, but it adds another element of intrigue.

making journaling ephemera out of window envelopes
Front and back views of my quasi-ASMR item...

For this, I put two windows back to back (or front to front, considering that the patterned side is out) and trapped little things inside. These were the holes punched out of tags that I had made for the junk journal, plus a couple of stickers stuck together.

making journaling ephemera out of window envelopes
Adding some "crinkle" to my junk journal...

Small pressed flowers or leaves that you might have saved from last summer would be good options for something like this too.

In the true spirit of junk journals, an item like this is just something different to explore and look at... and perhaps to marvel at the idea that it was made out of things that could arguably have been categorized as garbage.


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Stickers, Washi Tape & Cardboard


If you also have a huge collection of stickers and address labels (from charities) like I do, you can turn them into scads of altered paperclips with the help of some washi tape.

making journaling ephemera with stickers and washi tape
Easy ephemera with stickers, washi tape and paperclips...

These are meant to be double-sided, so there are two stickers on each. They are as simple to make as they look. Just slip some washi tape between the prongs of the paperclip and stick the tape to itself. Add a couple of stickers at the midpoint and trim the end to your liking or add the stickers to the end.

making journaling ephemera with washi tape
Oops... gotta trim up that cut!

If you don't have stickers, washi tape by itself can do the job just as well. You can also do this with strips of scrapbooking paper or fabric if you glue them together (or use double-sided tape).

I have a section of my journal that's kept behind a sliding "lock" made out of an Olay Regenerist box, stickers, and a staple.

making journaling ephemera with cardboard & stickers
A sliding lock that hides some "top secret" journal content... ;-)

You can see how easily this was put together. The silver and red cardboard pieces were cut to size, the stickers were put back to back onto the ends of the horizontal sliding "bolt" and then a staple was applied to the silver piece, which was then glued onto the page. Sliding the bolt to the right releases the page to reveal what's underneath. Cool, right?

And totally made out of stuff that was either in my crafting stash or my recycling box. (The heart stickers were a purchase from years ago when I was still doing Valentine's Day with hubby!)

heart-shaped paperclip
Speaking of hearts, one more piece of ephemera I want to draw your attention to is the heart shaped paperclip. (You can search for "how to bend a paperclip into a heart" to find out how to do it.) Totally cute and you can do it with any size regular paperclip, although the vinyl wrapped ones are the best choice.

My junk journal Christmas pages are clipped together by a couple of these, as I don't feel the need to access them on a regular basis when I flip through the book.

Perfume Sample Card Holders


making journaling ephemera with perfume sample cards
I'm not big on scents, finding most perfumes too overpowering. Whenever I receive a sample of something from somewhere, I usually toss it into a drawer in the bathroom and forget about it. When I found the most recent one that I received from Avon (called Bali), I was struck by how lovely the card holder was. The one that's shown here is nice too, but I appreciated the design of the former, since it doesn't show a bottle.

making journaling ephemera with perfume sample cards
A beautifully designed perfume sample card...

Anyway, I took the card and trimmed it up to resemble a tag and glued some blue paper on the back (for writing on). Some gold-toned string and a paperclip later and it was a quick piece of ephemera.

making journaling ephemera with perfume images
Tag now has a matching cover...

Several weeks later, I received an actual Avon catalogue, from where I harvested two other images relating to this perfume. With those and a Dominos gift card holder, I was able to craft a matching "envelope" for this tag.


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Fabric Scraps & Cardboard


These final ideas came from Natasa at Treasure Books (again). 

The first one – which you've likely seen if you've done a flip-through of my journal (part 1 here and part 2 here if you haven't) – starts with just a simple shape drawn onto a piece of (scrap) paper with a dark marker. Fabric scraps are then laid over top in random fashion, glued and zigzag stitched into place. After cutting away the extra fabric and paper to reveal the original shape again, the whole thing is glued and sewn onto a piece of card stock.

making journaling ephemera with fabric scraps
My fabric scrap tulip...

I liked the essential idea but didn't want to have stitching showing up on the reverse side, given what I wanted to do with it. So I zigzagged the perimeter of the original finished piece, glued it onto some cardboard (that came from the back cover of the pad of paper that I used for the junk journal) and then cut around the shape.

This is a tulip — for spring, which was just around the corner when I made this. Of course, then I had to transcribe a whole slew of spring related quotes onto the back of it. (Around the perimeter, I repeatedly printed "spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be".)

making journaling ephemera with fabric scraps
Reverse side for journaling...

The inset in the photo above shows how big this piece is, in relation to my journal page. The scraps came from five selections, a couple of Tim Holtz pieces (Subway and Correspondence), two Dollarama "linens", and a bright pink duck fabric from a Value Village drapery panel.

This is definitely something that all of us sewing folk can do with fabric scraps, regardless of interest in junk journals. I can see putting several of these onto a canvas and creating some abstract DIY art. Single pieces can be framed. If you apply fabric to both sides, they can be strung up mobile-style or hung individually from the ceiling. Many possibilities, and anything that can transform the bits and pieces from my box of fabric scraps is worth considering.

making journaling ephemera with fabric scraps
Scrap fabric and paper tags...

Finally, back to the topic of tags: you can use fabric scraps to make them, too. This particular design incorporates a torn book page (or in my case, a torn magazine page) – which I really like – along the bottom and is sewn layer by layer onto cardboard (think of recycling cereal, cracker, or other similar box), ending with paper of some kind on the reverse side to accommodate journaling.

making journaling ephemera with fabric scraps
Tags usually provide writing space on the reverse side...

I believe Natasa used tea dyed paper for the back; I opted for one of my greeting card envelopes. For the front of the tag, she finished with a (paper) picture, but I couldn't find an image that matched well with my linen fabric, so went with more fabric, trimmed with lace. (On the small tag, I've shown it with a temporary sticker, but I actually prefer it without that third element.) The sheer ribbon that's looped into the top of the larger tag came from the ribbon that I was originally going to use as the belt around the journal.

With most of the supplies for these coming from crafting scraps or a recycling bin, did you expect that it would be so easy to make unique ephemera for a junk journal? I didn't.

Part five of this series focuses on storage ideas, one of which again involves sewing.

'Til next...