If this happens (which it should) then I definitely want to sign up!

I have been meaning to learn how to do book binding for some time now and finally finished my first journal! I was inspired when I found the two pieces of cardboard that had the recycle symbol printed on them. I covered the inside and spine with newspaper to hold the cover together. For the inside I hand sewed 100 pages and added some office supplies I found in my basement for holding things. What I always didn't like about journals that I bought was that I never had any place to put loose pieces of paper and things. So, I put it all together and glued it in. It's not the best, but I really like it.


The front. The recycle symbol was printed on the cardboard when I found it.





Inside. First Page

The center:


First, I cut a manila folder down to size and added a pocket to it. Inside the folder I put blue paper. I think I'll put stickers on it.


I also took some envelopes and sewed them together to hold concert tickets/train tickets/whatever.




Last I had a mailer that I cut down and fitted and added legal sheets.

Thanks for looking!

Great idea!
just for future reference, masking tape works really well and it is cheap.

Haha yeah. I was going to use painter's tape but couldn't find any and I didn't have enough masking tape. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea. I guess I was wrong.

And the stencil on the front was done with fabric paint and the green on the back was acrylic.

I made this for the "I Miss Harry Potter" swap (First swap ever!). My partner was a Snape fan who liked to cook so I made this bad boy for her. It gave me a lot of grief and I feel it turned out pretty well considering so I felt I should post it.


The Front. The pockets are a bit wonky but I think it adds to its charm.


Close-up of the stencil (which took FOREVER to cut).


The opposite side. This is what gave me the grief. I couldn't find a grey and green fabric with a pattern I liked so I decided I'd make my own. I also couldn't find any blue painter's tape so I had the brilliant idea to use duct tape. The not so brilliant part of the plan was that it left a WHOLE lot of sticky residue behind that didn't come off when I washed it. From the experience, however, I learned that WD40 gets duct tape stickiness out of fabric. Who knew?

Thanks for looking!

I'm glad you like everything! That apron gave me a lot of trouble (first with making the pattern, then sewing machine troubles) but I'm glad you liked the finished product. And it's good to see mini Snape found a nice home.

I finally sent today!

And I really love the packages here. It's like a cornucopia of magical and amazing crafts.

That has to be one of the most amazing things that I have ever seen in my entire life. I mean...there really are no words to describe how fantastic this really is. Octopus? Plus cupcakes? Amazing. I wish I knew embroidery.

But really, FANTASTIC job!

So, just checking in. The amazing swap pictures people have been putting up have kicked my butt into crafting gear again. As of right now I don't think I'll have to send late, but since work has been taking up a lot more of my time that I was expecting, it may be a possibility. But, I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

But I just wanted to say all the packages posted so far look fantastic!

So, did anyone go to the Harry and the Potters show in DC last night?

Because it totally rocked my face off.
 

The wand is made out of wood- I cut it from a dead branch, stripped the bark and made it into a wand shape.

Your wand inspired me to make my own. I took a branch I found at the camp I work at and started carving it on my break and some of the campers saw me doing it and got really excited and asked me to help them make their own. It was cute. You started a trend!

That's cool! Everyone should have a wand! I'm glad you liked your swap package. 

I loved my swap package! And I know I already said this but THANK YOU! I should finally have a free weekend to craft next weekend so I can finish your awesome (well, hopefully) package.