a trip to Europe
would not be complete
without a travel journal...
would it?
So in keeping with my
bricolage sensibilities... rather than BUYING
a journal..
I decided to make it...
I had two small antique photo albums..
the larger black album was in better shape,
well... comparatively speaking...
but because space was at a premium..
we were trying to fit everything in two suitcases...
a small feat
for 3 weeks..
I chose the tiny orange album...
which I gutted easily..
and covered the outside with
document tissue paper...
and reinforced the spine with fabric
both inside and out...
I had an antique badge that I took apart
and used some French ephemera to cover a piece of cardboard that fit perfectly
inside the medallion
for the cover...
then I began to collect my signatures..
a motley collection of watercolor paper, drawing paper and old scraps..
I stitched some vellum in the front
to create an envelope to hold tickets and snippets
of memories...
my wonky stitches
with wax linen...
I am woefully dyslexic, so I have never learned to create those wonderful stitches... but I can manage a basic stitch..
I decided to use two of the original
photo frames
for my journal...
but recovered them
in the document tissue...
the vellum envelope below...
another pocket below
the paper collection...
rough torn and deckle edges...
the finished journal...
and my little pack of art supplies ready
to pack...
ingredients: watercolor pencils, travel brushes, paper ephemera, eraser, pencils, sharpener, glue stick.
I promise the end results...
But, first I will have some photos of Rouen, France
very soon...
Thanks for stopping by..
ciao, ciao!
31 comments:
A beautiful time for you to travel to Europe with your eautiful journal.\xx
E magnifico!!!!! Buon viaggio!
Loved seeing the journal and how you made it -- charming! And I will be making a travel journal myself very soon....have a great trip! (Looking forward to seeing the finished journal after your trip).
A true keepsake...even before leaving home! I look forward to your next post!
Your travel journal is wonderful. Enjoy your trip and have fun writing in your journal.
What a great idea to create a journal before going on a trip, so it can be completed as your journey progresses.
Thanks for taking us through the journal making process.
Have a great holiday.
Lovely journal for memories of a voyage through antique Europe!
Beautiful journal! Did you make the script tissue paper yourself or purchase it? I have been looking for som elite this,
Enjoy your trip!
Kim
BEAUTIFUL, Caterina, -wonderful to see the ransformation from photo album to traveling journal , and I love the way your papers looks roughly torn, and tattered , and the pockets added. I hope it is now filled with happy memories, and beauty !
Hugs from Dorthe
Just fabulous, wonky stitches and all. That badge is a stunner. xox
A brilliant journal! ...but TWO suitcases? R & I never travel with more than one between us...even for a month in Europe.
Amazing. Looks to be the perfect container of what will no doubt be incredible memories.
Stunning journal. I was truly impressed with what you call "wonky" stitches. They look really perfect to me.
I look forward to seeing it filled, but certainly appreciate you showing how you made this, and the few art supplies you took with you. Must have been hard to decide what to take and what to leave behind.
Judy, thank you, it was the perfect time... I adored Europe... xx
Grazie, molto grazie, Le Petite Monde!!
Pamela, so happy you enjoyed the journal and the process, I look forward to seeing your journal as well!
Mary Ann, thanks it was a herculean effort to finish it before travel... but so glad I did!
Pallas, thank you, it was a beautiful trip!
Maya, so happy you liked it ... and the little journal worked out so well... thanks for stopping by! x
Regina, I thought it would be most fitting... a petite antique journal to capture crumbling splendor! x
KIm, I used tissue paper that I found several years ago.. I have made it myself before, but I did not have time to do it before traveling... thanks for stopping by!!
Dorthe, dear, I love the rough papers too... they seemed the perfect thing... and yes it is filled to busting!! xoxo
Corrine, I love the badge too.. been saving it for years, and now I know why!! It works perfectly on the cover! xox
Jo!!! LOL... we took a transatlantic cruise to Europe... so we needed two cases, what with warm weather clothes, coats and cold weather clothes and formal wear!! Believe me it was a challenge to get it all in...
Seth, absolutely INCREDIBLE... thanks!!
E... it was very hard to decide what to bring... but wonky stitches and all, I really liked the way it turned out, and yes, you will be seeing it, though not for a bit... still have a few things to do to it... :D x
I love your journal and seeing how you made it, and can't wait to see the magnificent things and impressions you will collect on your trip... Have a wonderful time, Dear Cat. By the way, what is document tissue paper - gampi?
Oh Cat! What a magnificent travel journal! I love how you photographed your steps, and your wonky stitches, I'm not good at the fancy ones either! Wishing you the best days ever full of adventure and magic!!
roxanne
Lovely lovely journal Cat!
I always have the best intentions while traveling and seem to get lost snapping photos and well you know...
I admire those that can settle down and art journal while traveling.
oxo
Your journal is fantastic. I can't wait to see how it transforms with your impressions of France.
Your journal is so wonderful. I wonder, as well, if you actually did anything in it while you were gone. I'm sure you did. I seldom do...... last year I did get tour guides to sign my Italy journal. And when I was in Switzerland I met up with a blogging friend and she did a couple of pages in another journal I brought. I tend to put it all together when I get home...... or not. ha!
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