Mini Observation Journal Notebook~
(* am having trouble w/Blogger and can't change the font or size! : ( grrr

Hello dear friends~  I have been spending time around blog land and what do you suppose the "buzz word" is these days!?! lol - -
SPRING!
Well, I have mentioned to several of you that around here, (in CO - or at least in El Paso county where I live)  we don't get too hopeful or excited about spring just yet. : )  March and April can be our snowiest months. Not always, but often.  We have a rule in our house; no planting til after Mothers Day~

But still, the spring bug has bit - and my hopes are for some creativity real soon.

 

I'm hoping you've been able to take some time to create lately??

I've been seeing some beautiful things out there recently!

 I am still struggling in the 'creating' department  : J  (friends I'm  still really hurting. . .)

 - - So,  I'm sharing something I created two summers past. 

But let me insert here - I am sharing my book @ http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/2016/03/simply-neutrals-19-romantic-ponderings.html

For Wen's   "Simply Neutrals Tuesday" link party!!!!

You will find beautiful photo's, creations and artistry - with a neutral color palate! every other Tuesday over at Wen's blog "AppleApricot."

 

Please join in on the fun!

 

 

Well, about my book - -  It is a very 'organic-y' (I made that up - LOL : ) journal/observations book.

 (The book is about 8"X5" maybe)  For logging  observations, or,  just for journaling some thoughts while out in nature!

I tried to imagine what a girl (maybe 100 years ago)  might have put together for collecting bird and butterfly information~
Well, she probably would have found burlap sacks to cut up, scraps of twine and paper, lace or fabric,
tags, twigs and lots of textural elements!
Thus my book includes all that and a few extras~
 Mulberry paper, twill,  corrugated board,  canvas,  velum and such.
 A white twill bow ties the book together~ (I almost always 'gotta have a bow' : }

The book cover (above) is layered with Velum, a canvas flower under that, layers of dark brown and pale green Mulberry paper, and the burlap cover.  I bought a roll of  6?" wide burlap, which was conveniently finished on the edges~

If you'd care to, please keep scrolling down;   I have lots of pages to share : )


Ok - here is the inside front cover and page one  of my observations book.
The left side is a pretty tissue paper, decoupaged  on to the inside cover with Modge Podge.
On the right is a pocket for notes. 




Pages 3 & 4 have 'pull out tags' for photo's, sketches and journaling. The large pocket on the left (holding the tag) is made from Velum.

 

Pages 5 and 6~

On the left side I 'fussy-cut' a tree branch from some (click > )   Graphic 45 papers , The bird is a die cut piece pre-made, I think also from Graphic 45.  The fibrous paper I believe is called Mulberry paper and was gifted to me from a dear friend at Scrapbook.com; where I have a gallery.

 

 Page 7 & 8;   pg7 has a pocket, and the bird house on page 8  is a stamp - isn't it so cute!? Twigs are from my elm tree~

  

 Page 9 & 10 have a few (paper)  butterfly specimens : ) on white corrugated board,  - and room for notes.

 

Page 11 has lots of ephemera and papers for journaling, sketches or notes.  Page 12 has an envelope pocket attached to hold a few findings or treasures! Most of these papers are from Graphic 45. 

 

Just some fussy-cut stuff on pages 13 & 14~  The metal clip on the right will help hold some scattered ideas or little items.

 

 

Here is the back side of the Observation Notebook.  There's a pocket for a pencil and paper; and a paperclip for notecards; etc.  The paperclip is from Hobby Lobby ( > )copper bookmark clip   

  I cut an image of an egg and glued it on the paper clip; finishing it with Glossy Accents.http://rangerink.com/?product=inkssentials%e2%84%a2-glossy-accents%e2%84%a2

 

Thank you for looking in today!   I am so blessed by your visit.

Have a wonderful week and I hope it is filled with peace and love.

~Karen