Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Fabric, Flowers, and FREEDOM to share...

Hey, everyone!


I have a really special project that's kind of near and dear to my heart.   Tracy (our DT leader, President of Helmar, USA, and a really dear friend of mine) reminded me the other day of one of my favorite all-time quotes inspired by Ray Bradbury...  


"She took a LEAP OF FAITH" and built her wings on the way down..."   
It's a quote that I love so much, I actually have a necklace with that sentiment as well as an engraved bracelet charm.   I started thinking about those words, and about how important it is to have a SOFT PLACE to land when we take those important leaps in life.    
One of my "soft places" to land is my family, and I am really, really grateful for that.  Sometimes though, I like to have a private, safe place to keep my thoughts, hopes and dreams and now add the very recent love of art journaling and well...journals are much needed around here.


Another dear friend of mine and my AMAZING boss, Marie,  hand-bound this journal for me for my birthday and I adore it:


Add to that?  A THIRD dear friend of mine, Eryn  sent me a package the other day in the mail from the gorgeous boutique, "Vintage Glam" she owns and it was wrapped with this beautiful hand-made fabric flower:


It was WAYYY too pretty to just discard and I wanted to do something special with it...it, too, is soft, and girly and beautiful and I just love it.


So there I was- journal, flower, and I found some fabulous Pink Paislee paper and UNITY stamps to play with.   I was all set with the help of my Helmar Acid-Free Glue and a Zap Dot!   Here's what I did:
I covered the chipboard cover with Acid-Free glue and spread it evenly using a sponge brush.



Flipping over to the back side, I almost became devastated (lol) when I realized that I cut my paper for the back of the journal, in order to highlight the "THINK POSITIVE" graphic and much to my eye rolling, realized I was about 1/4" short.  Ack!  Well, it was Distress Ink to the rescue as I was able to cover up my little mis-measure :)


After adhering the paper for both covers I was ready to stamp these adorable clouds and sentiment, "Believe in Rainbows" from the Unity stamp set "Happyville".  I LOVE this set.  After cutting out a fun piece of Pink Paislee paper for the front cover and gluing it down, I was ready for my final 'touch'.


I glued down this AMAZING flower/ribbon embellishment and made sure that it was secure with a Zap Dot.   Two of the ribbons are stationery and the other two are free to flow and I really love how it makes the journal look and feel.  What do you think?
Here are a few final photos of the finished product:
Front cover:
Be sure to stop by the HELMAR Design Team blog today too, for more info and THANKS for stopping by...as for my journal?


I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to 'keep' in here but some very special thoughts and notes, indeed.  I hope that you guys have enjoyed this and that you all have a 'soft place' to land- and a soft place for your thoughts along with an appreciation of the FREEDOM we have to share them...
hugs and love,
xoxo,



Photobucket

11 comments:

Jessica Griffin said...

Beyond having a great family, it's great to have amazing friends!! :) Love your quote, and your gorgeous photos. I'd love to learn how to make my own book like that. The binding looks gorgeous!!

Andrea Murdock said...

this is sooooo beautiful! I love how you incorporated a few gifts you received- especially recycling your fabric flower. I have to check out that Unity stamp set- don't think I have seen that one yet and anything that talks about my beloved rainbows is something I need. Thanks for the tutorial- can't wait to try it! xo

donna mikasa said...

Hi Jess! Such a beautiful journal! I love that you used special pieces to make it unique--just like you!

1CardCreator said...

This is gorgeous Jessica, looks like it holds a lot of love.

Pam Varnell said...

I love this Jess, and I love the way you showed your progress in making it. Just gorgeous!!!!

Danni said...

Gorgeous!!! You're amazing!

Leanne said...

Gorgeous Jess!! I have to say, I love to use wrappings and any fun little tags that come on packages. If it's in good shape or has a cool feel to it, it will work somewhere else. hehehe.
TFS hon, and hope ur having a wonderful day! hugs,

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

What a great idea!! I just love how you used that fabric rose for the journal!! I just got one of those bracelets--totally getting another! LOOOVE! I am totally casing this!! FAB IDEA!!! <3

Toni K said...

This is gorgeous! I love that you used the beautiful packaging! I love Eryn's packaging. Always beautiful!

StampinCathy said...

Eryn is so sweet and your project is over the top GORGEOUS!

Jessie/knightrone said...

You are SUCH the lucky girl! SO pretty!!