Old Journal Face Lift

I always get so excited when I buy a new notebook.  I usually write in it for a few pages, forget about it entirely, and buy another new and exciting notebook.  In an attempt to be green (and frugal), I have decided to not buy anymore notebooks until I use up my old ones.

I've been having the itch lately for new notebooks-- but I'm sticking to my resolution.  Maybe if I give my journals a pretty facelift I won't be so tempted to go buy a new one.

Here is a tutorial for a fun way to jazz up your notebook!

You will need:

Journal

Fabric

Glue, Mod Podge, or Golden Gel Medium

Paint
Paint Brush

Stencil
Sponge or pouncer

Scissors

Ribbon

1. Cut your fabric to fit the cover of your journal.  I added an inch on each side to wrap the fabric around to the inside of the cover.

2.  Paint your adhesive medium to the cover.  Lay your fabric on top and smooth it down.  If you are wrapping the fabric to the inside, paint a strip of adhesive medium to the inside cover as well.  Let it dry completely.

3.  Cut out space for the binding.  Then use your adhesive to adhere your fabric to the back of your journal, and tuck the edges inside against the back cover-- just like you did on the front.  

4.  If you like the look of your fabric covered journal-- you're done!  

5.  If not, keep working!  Pick out a stencil.  Remember my Martha Hurricane Holiday Vase project?  I used the rose stencil from the Four Seasons stencil kit and layered the rose pattern.  Then I used my gel medium to adhere a ribbon to the bottom.  

6.  Wait for it to dry.  My ribbon was white and looked funny after being glued so I painted it a light blue.  Your old journal is new and beautiful and you can love it once more, filling its pages with your best ideas!  

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  I would love to see your fancy new journals!  Post pictures of your work on Mister G's Facebook page or on Twitter @MisterGandMe.  Be sure to check out my Etsy Shop too! :)  

Holiday Poinsettia Hurricane Vase

I made this candle vase today following Martha's tutorial for "Holiday Harvest Hurricanes" .  Martha's features autumn leaves and while Thanksgiving came and went-- I'm ready for Christmas!

This is such a beautiful project!  If you buy the stencil kit, you can make one for every season!

A few tips:
**Seriously-- splurge for the Martha products.  I cheaped out on the paint and tape and I was sorry.  I used regular acrylic paint and it was difficult to get a rich, even coat on the glass.  Also, my masking tape peeled up part of the spray painted surface.  I have a feeling the Martha stencil tape would have been a wise investment!
**If you live in a warm climate-- don't stencil in the sun!  The spray paint part got a bit sticky and blemished.

What Christmas crafts have you been working on?

How to Paint Your Pet's Portrait Tutorial

Last night I was inspired to paint Mister G's portrait.  

To paint your pet's portrait, you will need:

A copy of your favorite photo of your pet

Sharp scissors-- the tinier the better

Tape

Paper to paint on

Tracing Paper

Pencil

Paint

Paint Brushes

First, cut your pet's silhouette from your photo.

Then put a tiny rolled up piece of tape on his face and stick him on your paper.  

Choose your background color and use your pet's silhouette as a stencil.

Use the tip of your scissors or a toothpick to lift up the edge of your stencil and remove from the paper.

I needed a little help spacing out Mister G's eyes, nose, and mouth so I used tracing paper.  

Put a sheet of tracing paper over the photo of your pet.  Mark where your pet's eyes, nose, mouth, and other important features are.  

Line up the tracing of your pet on top of the painted silhouette.  Gently trace over the tracing to make soft marks on your paper.  Remove the tracing paper and sketch the features of your pet using the soft marks as a guide.  

Now you are ready to paint your pet!  Be patient and have fun!