2010 Fall Journal: cover how-to

I really shouldn't be posting much because the computer screen is one of the most difficult things for me to see right now, so I apologize in advance for any typos. My eye is still acting a bit wonky but I am missing posting so much! I have sooo much I want to post! So, I figure if I am going to irritate my eye by posting I would start with two of my favorite subjects: autumn and papercrafting!!!

Every year I make a fall journal/scrapbook of sorts. I usually put all the pages together sometime in August so I can add to it throughout the season. You can see my 2008 journal here and my 2009 journal here. I realized while searching my blog archives that I don't think I ever posted pics of my 2009 journal all filled up. Duh! I will have to do that because I loooove that book!!!

Anyhoo, I have gotten started on my 2010 and thought I would give you a little peek and do a little how-to on how I made the cover, which I have to say, is one of my most favorite yet!

Eeek! Love!

When you hear what the base of it is made of you will laugh! Let's just say there is not much I throw away. I am always thinking that those little bits of this and that can be used in a project some how, some time.

This is what I made the covers out of:

Sticky back canvas...

Glue stick...

Chipboard pumpkin...

Acrylic paint...

Distress ink...

And...wait for it...

The cardboard backs from pads of paper that I have been hoarding forevaaa!

Here is what I did!

I had to cut down the cardboard to the size I wanted. I decided to make this year's book 9" x 7". I decided to used two pieces for each cover to make it sturdier.

After cutting the four pieces I glued two each together with the glue stick. I covered the entire piece of cardboard with glue. I then put the glued together covers under something heavy for a while (no, not my ass!) to really set the glue.

Once they were good and stuck together I pulled out a piece of canvas. I love this stuff. It is canvas that is about the thickness of cardstock with a peel off backing and adhesive on the entire back.

I laid my cover in the center of the sticky side, pressing it down firmly.

Then I cut all four corners at an angle. This makes it easy to cleanly wrap the canvas around the cardboard.

It looks like this...

Voila! Canvas book cover!

I cut a smaller piece of canvas to cover the opening that was left on the the inside of the cover.

And as you can see I definitely don't stress about corners being perfect and pieces matching up and stuff. It is all getting painted anyway!

Next I took my chipboard pumpkin and glued it on the front cover with the glue stick. I stuck this under a few books again to set the glue.

Once the glue was set I painted the entire cover including the pumpkin. I also painted the back cover. Once those sides were dry I painted the inside of both covers.

I highlighted the pumpkin with distress inks that I sponged on. I ended up using Tea Dye for the pumpkin and edges of the cover and Old Paper for the stem.

The last thing I did was measure out where I wanted my holes for the binder rings to go and punched them effortlessly with my Crop-a-dile!

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I have also made the dividers for each section. I always do five sections: September, October, Halloween, November and Thanksgiving. I have most of the pages cut and the holes punched. I just need to do a little embellishing to everything...not much, because this book comes together throughout the season, but enough to give it some interest and get a hard start on everything.

I also do something similar for Christmas each year, too. Making my own minibooks/scrapbooks/journals has always been one of my favorite things to do as opposed to making layouts. And I love having books I can add to as time goes on.

How about you?! Are you getting started on your fall and Christmas crafting?!