100% Repurposed Paper-Waste Journal

[Martine]

I made a little journal for a friend of mine for her birthday.  Nothing too special though I think it turned out quite well.  I cut all of the pages from partially used notebooks I bought at a thrift store (except for a few pages which were several layers of a used sewing pattern glued together for a little bit of strength since it's so tissue-papery).  The pages that are glued to the front to attach the pages to the cover were cut from an old Readers Digest atlas.  The cover was rescued from a discarded tagboard box from my office that held file folders or something of the sort before one of my coworkers threw it away (didn't even recycle it!).  The cover is then covered with some old sheet music.  I bound it with the stitch that I forget the name of, but it's the one that allows the book to lie flat when open.  There's five signatures of five sheets (ten pages) each.


The sheet music cover, on which I stamped her name (store bought stamps) and a little heart (hand-carved by me).


The inside cover, which has a map of Washington state (where she lives) with the same heart from the cover stamped on Bellingham (where she is about to move for school this Sunday).


The back inside cover, which has a map of Maryland (where I live) with the same heart again stamped on Baltimore (where I live).


Look at all the different types of paper!


One of the sewing pattern pages, and also a plain lined page (but the lines are really faded and also vertical due to the way I cut the paper).


Just another shot of some more of the variety of papers I used.

Anyway, that's it!  I'm mailing it to her probably tomorrow so I hope she likes it.  I like the fact that I was able to take a bunch of things discarded by other people and bring it all together into something for someone I care about.

[A Robot Emotion]

I love it! That is such a cute idea, I especially love the map with the hearts- that's adorable. Great job!

[Chel02]

that is so cool!

[Alli_Lucy]

I love it!  Those pages look like art in themselves when put together that way.  Great job!

[zimfreak]

This is such a cool idea.  You executed it reallly nicely.  What a lucky friend

[Katxena]

This journal is gorgeous.  Your friend is super lucky!

[Granite_turtle]

That is one of the coolest journals I have ever seen!  I love the detail of stamping hearts on where you're each living.  I'm actually sitting here agape.

[KarenLouiseM]

Very cute.  Love the way you put the varied pages together.  And yeah for you for recylcing!

I have been wanting to do one of these for a while - and yours looks great.  I love the idea of using all different papers. 

How do you get them all the same and keep them so well aligned?  I'm not always a very "neat" crafter - so that kind of stuff frequently puzzles me 

[Martine]

Thanks everyone for your nice comments!  I hope my friend likes it as much as you all do

Also, KarenLouiseM, as far as keeping the pages the same and aligned--a paper cutter is a must must must.  Nobody could pay me enough to do that all with scissors.  I just use the rulers on the paper cutter and it gets everything even for the most part.  For aligning them, I just hit them against the table to even the edges before I poke the holes through.  I mean, you can't really tell from the photos, but it's not 100% even and aligned.  The pages aren't all exactly the same size, and there are edges here and there that are a little ragged from the paper cutter not going all the way through, etc.  But it's handmade--its little flaws give it character, right?  I wouldn't want it to be so perfect that it looked machine made!

[Astica]

I LOVE the inside back & front covers. I think the idea's so cute!
Plus everything else is amazing too <3

I think she'll be really happy to find this in her mail 

[red_phooka]

This is so beautiful! I would love to try making something like this - recycled paper-journals turn my crank  Yours is one of my favourites! I love all the different types of paper you used - and maps are such a sweet touch (the hearts are a really nice idea - especially when friends are far away  )

[LOaccidentallyVE]

That is amazing! <3

[chihuahuamom]

What a great book, your friend is lucky to have you as a friend.

[owl be there]

thats really cute     I love the map idea

also has anyone seen hairspray?? "good morning baltimore" hehe

[MissMischief]

THIS IS SOOOOO AMAZING!!  I love everything about it!   you HAVE to remember the name of that stitch!!  Is it done with a sewing machine?

[A2K]

Your caring for your friend is only exceeded by your creativity (or vice versa, if you prefer)!  What a great project!

[craftylittlemonkey]

wow, this is really nice. i want to make one!

[Kiell]

you HAVE to remember the name of that stitch!! 

I agree, I would love to know!
Thank you for posting this, it's really beautiful!

[daiconharuko]

Haha! this is fantastic! I love using a variety of papers in my journals! Not everyone I make them for does tho. I like writing outside of the lines!!! And they're great for art journals too.

[hp_nerd]

totally just hit this rocks.

[redharborlights]

I love it!  I especially love all the different kinds of paper.  You've inspired me to try making one for myself.

[KittyCreates]

That's so cool!  I love the different types of paper!  I should learn how to make stuff like that...

[divadiver]

this is SUCH a great idea!  I did this with some of the paper scraps from my scrapbooking supplies, but hadnt thought about doing it with other types of paper!  Wonderful!

[FairyFemme]

oh, my gosh. that came out wonderfully. It's quite beautiful.

[Weddy_in_Paris]

This journal is so lovely and one of a kind ! Great job ! I would love to have something like that but I would'nt dare write on it (spoil it ?).

[McGooglykins]

What a beautiful gift. I'd be really touched if I got given something like that. The different papers really make it effective, too. awesome!

[Martine]

Thank you all for your nice comments!

[Weddy_in_Paris]

I've just hit the "replies to your posts" button and this thread appeared.. Well, it's the second time I look at your journal and my reaction is that I find it even better than the first time. You really desserve the compliments. I'm hitting the "tjis rock" by now !

[staciart]

Outstanding, I had to Rock It!!

[zibster321]

i really, really want to make something like this
i'll just have to start yet another paper collection!

[sprinklez]

I really love this. It's really great and so thoughtful.

[katie_sews]

oh i love this journal. shame i don't have the patience to learn bookbinding... you're friend will love it 

[Ms Marple]

Your friend is lucky, that is a gorgeous journal!!! I love the variation in papers and the general look, I have to try to make something similar!...

[KMartKid]

Cute!  Great gift too.  i love that every page is different.  You can never get bored.  It is a perfect personalized journal.

[sonic joy]

Oh wow.  I would be STOKED to receive that!

[geekette]

That is one sweet journal. 
Yay for recycling, and yay for creating something super-cool! 
I've never done any book binding before, but this just might get me to try it!

[BethIsABear]

Hope she's loving Western! Bellingham is such a beautiful place to live (though I am of course a bit biased... since I live here)

What a wonderful book!!

[death_cab_qt]

i'd love to know the name of that stitch that you used to hold the book together! this is a wonderful idea and you did an amazing job.... i have someone in mind that i would love to make this for! a nice inexpensive and heartfelt gift!

[Craftrica]

What a fabulous, fabulous journal! Your friend is very lucky indeed! Where did you get the inspiration to create this from?

[Daz]

What a fantastic journal.  I think it's so cool how it was all recycled pages.  Do you know where you found the stitch you used to bind it? Thanks for sharing this!

[sarahs.mullberry.cloud]

so inspiring!

[Maraluce.Murder]

It's awesome! Great job

[PinkPug,INK.]

it looks awesome especially with different types of paper! 

[melaniechapstick]

This is a really good idea,
I'm going to make one for this girl that I'm in love with across the country.

Thankyouthankyoutha nkyou.

[missingyoo2]

looks so cool xD and you get extra points for recycling

[tinymandolin]

That journal is BEAUTIFUL.

I feel so inspired right now.

[stringofpearls]

Very well done!~

[nylaelis]

Oh!  Lovely, I would be so pleased to get a gift like this.  I am totally stealing this idea for one of my friends who loves journals as much as I do.  Thanks for the ideas.

[colourbucket]

After seeing this I don't think I can write in plain paged store brought journals anymore. You've inspired me!