Living the Creative Life

Big Blooms Felt embroidered journal

My daughter just got dropped off at a slumber party for one of her friends that turns 11 this weekend. We like to do handmade gifts for friends because we know they won't get anything else like it. Also, we like putting our time and love into something because we know the recipient will really appreciate it. 

So, for my daughter's friend, I made a felt covered journal (you can check out the one I posted the other day HERE and I also have some on my Etsy Shop). This seems to really be the age of these girls writing in journals and diaries so I hope this will give her something really special to write her thoughts in. 

(Click on photos for larger view)

I used the Big Shot die cutting machine, the Flower Folds die and the Baskets & Blooms die for the three flower pieces. The coral and yellow flowers were cut using the two smallest flowers on the Flower Folds die. The small red flower on top was cut using the mid-size flower from the Baskets & Blooms die. 

This journal measures about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches when closed. 

For this one, I used regular copier paper for the inside since I knew the birthday girl would likely just use it as a diary rather than putting any pictures inside and needing it acid/lignin free. I added some black glass beads to the binding on the front of the journal and I think I'll do this on all of the other journals that I make in the future. It adds a really nice touch to them. 

For those of you that like to embroider, here are the stitches I used:

* Running stitch for around the egde of the journal, the small red flower and on the yellow flower

* Applique whipstitch for the large coral flower and around the leaf edges

* Back stitch for the curly green tendrils on the stem and on the inside of the leaves

* Chain stitch for the stem

Every time I finish a journal, I can't wait to get started on the next one. It's snowing outside and we're supposed to get about 3 inches so it's a good night to stay in and get to work on another and pop in a good movie.

Make sure to check out the Be a Big Shot with Felt tutorial CD that I have if you'd like to try some other projects with felt and the Big Shot. It has stitch video tutorials, as well! 

Felt embroidered journal - Bright Beads and Trims

When I saw theTasteful Trim die, for the Big Shot die cutting machine, the first thing I thought of was cutting felt out with it. Sure, I've used it with paper, but felt was my first thought. I finally got to use it with felt this past weekend and I LOVE the way this little handmade journalturned out. The bright colors, the patterns of the trims, the beads....it all makes me smile every time I look at it!(You can find this journal on my Etsy Shop - with more to come!)

Yes, this did take a lot of time and yes, I am a perfectionist when it comes to my stitches (I just can't help myself). But....it keeps my hands busy when I'm sitting. I'm determined that I'll never have arthritis when I get older if I keep my hands busy with needlework. *wink*

I love using my Big Shot for felt projects. Because felt doesn't fray, die cutting shapes out of felt makes embroidering felt on projects so easy! In fact, last year, I created a Tutorial CD that deals specifically with the Big Shot and felt projects: Be a Big Shot with Felt is still available as a CD!

I did a double lining on the journal cover so that it hid the stitching from the back of the front cover. I also made the trims go across the entire cover of the journal. 

I did 12 folded pages of cardstock (for a total of 24 double-sided pages) and used my Crop-a-dileto punch holes in the fold of all the pages at once (LOVE that tool!) and double-stitched the pages into the binding so they're extra secure. 

When the journal is folded, it measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches. It can be used for so many different purposes:

• A journal
• A sketchbook
• A quote book
• An art journal
• A mini scrapbook 

Since the cardstock inside the journal is acid and lignin free, it makes for a great mini scrapbook and you don't have to worry about your photos being adversely affected. 

A lot of people ask me what type of felt I use and where they can get it. Most fabric stores have eco-felt (made from recycled plastics and the cheaper option, also known as craft felt) and wool-blend felt by the yard. You can also get felt on Ebay stores and one of the best sites I've found online is Felt-o-rama.