Sorry I've been MIA! Life is crazy again. What else is new! I wanted to blog the other shop I went to in Florida, and I will, but I don't have time at the moment. So, just a quick post to show you something I worked on a couple of weeks ago....before we got about 10 inches of snow and the temperature dropped to 8 degrees, like it was last night when I came home. Spring! Where are you? I want you!
I sewed up some of these the other day. They were way fun to make and turned out so cute!
Such a simple concept in terms of the patchwork. I have decided my fetish for books and notebooks is as bad as my fetish for fabric, office supplies, and storage containers. I just love them.
Looking at these pictures makes me long for those unusually warm January days we were having a couple of weeks ago....you could actually see the grass, and I was outside in my shirt sleeves....it was 50 degrees!
I used Kate Spain's Good Fortune fabric for these. I cut up a charm pack that I had purchased from Julie at The Intrepid Thread. She didn't have the yardage yet, so I bought a charm pack. I think she said the yardage arrives today. I totally love this fabric. I want more of it. I was able to make all four journal covers out of one charm pack. I thought that was pretty awesome!
I got some yardage of this fabric for the lining and flap holders. Isn't it cute? It is Tanya Whelan's Dolce-Rita from Free Spirit. I really like it. I bought a couple of yards of it. Really glad I did. I love the birds and the colors. As you can see, inside these journal covers is a simple composition book.
The pattern is called Patchwork Notebook, and it is from Sweetwater. You can get it in their etsy shop. The pattern is very simple and straightforward. Easy to sew and very clear directions. Honestly, I want to go sew up another 4 of these right now.
I think what really makes the notebooks, though, is the cute iron-on label I also got from Sweetwater. I have one left. I think I'll make one more journal. Or maybe I'll order a few more of these. This is the first time I had worked with Sweetwater's iron-on labels. I really enjoyed doing so, and it gave my project some extra oomph, I think!
What are you up to today? I'm going to work and am looking forward to some Valentine crafting with some friends this weekend. More to come on that one!
I'll finish up with my Florida stuff shortly. Talk to you again soon!
Until next time,
Mama Pea
I so need to make these! My daughter is a notebook nut to say the least.
Posted by: Johanna | January 20, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Those are so cute. I love Sweetwater's stuff -- everything they do! I see we have the same "blank book fetish", just like we share the office and school supply fetish . . . and the fabric fetish . . .
Posted by: Shelly | January 20, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Oh i love these!! I can totally see how you could get carried away making them, especially when they look so cute all stacked up like that. Great job (and thank you for spreading the Good Fortune)!! xo
Posted by: kate spain | January 20, 2012 at 08:51 AM
Those are pretty. I just love covered notebooks and journals. Such a great way to embellish things :)
Posted by: Sue | January 20, 2012 at 08:59 AM
we think alike!! I have the same pattern and label, just need to DO IT!! I think I will use some Ruby and change up the patchwork a bit. You inspire me!!
Posted by: Brooke | January 20, 2012 at 09:17 AM
I love your notebooks. I agree that you cannot have too many! And, ps, Kate Spain just commented on your blog. That's amazing.
Posted by: Jana | January 20, 2012 at 09:17 AM
How cool! These will make great items for a bazaar! Going to Etsy now and order!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | January 20, 2012 at 09:19 AM
Fabulous journal covers! This looks like a great way to use up some scraps. I especially adore that center subway art piece! It's so fun having a cool cover for your journal, isn't it.
Posted by: terriaw | January 20, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Those are just gorgeous Stephanie. I can see what they would cause "notebook love".
Posted by: Colleen | January 20, 2012 at 11:51 AM
I LOVE these! And I noticed that the designer of your fabric commented on your blog. How cool is that! Would these fit on a 5 3/4 by 8 1/4 reading journal by chance? Or very close to that size. I have a journal that Dad gave me to use for my Book Club reading notes. Sure would be cool to cover it with one of these to take to Book Club.... Fabulous!
Posted by: PegVan | January 20, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Pretty Cool! And the fabric is just right for it. You did an excellent job.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | January 20, 2012 at 01:23 PM
I love your notebook covers! I love to have "pretty" notebooks and journals!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | January 20, 2012 at 02:39 PM
Love our notebook covers and the fabrics you used. I started a daily to-do notebook (at my age I need to write everything down) and would love to make a cover for it. Thanks for the info. I love office supply stores and container stores too! Almost as much as fabric stores!
Posted by: carolld | January 20, 2012 at 02:42 PM
I've been working on a new quilt with this fabric line--my newest obsession!
Love your notebooks, you still have my address, right? Feel free to send one my way.
Posted by: Doris | January 20, 2012 at 03:24 PM
I was one of the lucky recipients of one of these and it's fabulous! Thanks for the pattern source. I may need to make some of these for my gift stash!
Posted by: Lynn | January 20, 2012 at 04:01 PM
Let's see...You love to make them....You want to sew up another four....My mailbox is empty.....Do we see a pattern here? Very nice.
Posted by: sisLH | January 20, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Wow! That is so hard to believe that just one charm pack made FOUR!!! They're so beautiful stacked up like that--and I love that I own one! And, wow, Kate Spain commented!!!
Posted by: Deb | January 20, 2012 at 09:41 PM