Journal daze

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I've been making journals lately to fill an order from a friend, who has been gifting them in turn to her friends.  Wanna see?
This one was for a gal who has schnauzers...
loves Florida, and the sea...
 the beach, and parrots...
The journals are much prettier in person than they look in these photos.  Another one was for a couple that love horses and the West...

I really like this cover, with a piece of a tweedy crazy quilt, and some fun lace and buttons.
The couple lives in Oklahoma...
and the guy was in the Air Force...
and the gal loves cross stitch.
But this one was my favorite; instead of old book covers, like the other two journals, I used pieces from a very old perfume box for the cover of this one.  I just loved the umbrella theme, because it was for a gal who my friend remembers giggling under an umbrella with when they were kids in rainy Germany!  I embellished the cover with jewels and glitter to dress it up.
I really got into the whole rainy day theme...
and the other things her friend likes, like Shakespeare...
and cake and coffee...
and pink roses and California poppies...
and riding trains.
Three down, two to go!

In other news, my sewing machine went kaputt.  How depressing is that? I had been having lots of problems with it and took it in to be adjusted, but the repair shop told me it would cost more to repair it than it was worth!  And it was less than 2 years old!  That's how long I have been sewing -- I taught myself on this machine!  Anyway, don't EVER buy a Singer Simple.  They are junk!  So, I researched machines and decided on a nice Brother, which is inexpensive but a really good, solid machine.


I can't wait to get it!  My poor handmade Etsy shop is very low on stock, and I am dying to begin sewing more pillows and things!

Comments

Angela said…
Personally, I swear by Singer machines, but I know other folks have had different luck with them! :o) That Brother machine will be good, it's the one my Mom got for the kids to use. (Lizzie is really taking to sewing!)
I love the page with the pink rose, not just because of the rose, but because my maiden name is Thompson! :o)
You do lovely work!
February 18, 2011 at 6:54 AM
Linda @ A La Carte said…
Your journals are amazing! Sorry about your machine but the Brother should be good for you.
February 18, 2011 at 7:12 AM
andrea creates said…
love the journals-especially the horse. i have a button just like the one on the bottom left of it, but i pink!

sorry about your machine-but getting a new one is always nice...good luck with it...
:)
February 18, 2011 at 8:10 AM
Marion said…
You've been working very hard! The journals look awesome. Sorry about your sewing machine. I bought a used Singer from a pawn shop in high school and had it for over 20 years before it died on me. I got another Singer about 10 years ago and so far, it's been good. I guess there's a lemon in every bunch!! xoxo
February 18, 2011 at 8:41 AM
Bunty said…
Beautiful journals! Sorry to hear about your sewing machine and less than 2 years old!

I got a new machine for Christmas and settled on a Janome. I now have over 60 embroidery stitches so am looking forward to trying them all out. My old Huskvarna machine is donkeys' year old, still going but only does basic straight and zig zag stitches. Enjoy your new Brother machine.

Barbara
February 18, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Jingle said…
These journals are so fantastic!
February 18, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Alyssa said…
Laurie, I think this is the first time I've seen your journals close up. I love them, especially the rainy day one. The cover is gorgeous!
February 18, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Linda Sue said…
Such a busy person, you! Your creativity is awesome- I am dumbstruck! LOVE the stitching on the tweed.
If , rather WHEN I get another machine it will not be computerized- I bought a high rent phaff a few years ago- so sorry I did- it was well over one thousand dollars and is capable of doing tricks but i don't need that kind of stunt happy machine- PLUS it needs "rehabilitation" often- sending it in to the phaff hospital to the tune of $150.00 plus shipping- ACK! The brother is a little work horse from what I have heard and you will like it.
February 18, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Anonymous said…
Your journals are so lovely! My favorite it the umbrella one as well plus I love the idea that she can remember giggling under one with her dear friend as a child. How quaint is that?
February 18, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Micki said…
Your journals are just lovely. I love making them too.
Micki
February 18, 2011 at 1:54 PM
Unknown said…
Hi Laurie thanks for leaving me a comment. Wow your journals are just awesome. I really cannot pick a favorite. I have yet tomake one and really do not know where to start but I will be jumping on the band wagon soon I hope they are just lovely. TTYS
February 19, 2011 at 4:32 AM
karlascottage.typepad.com said…
I have one of those, and so far so good. But I don't sew a whole lot.
February 19, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Suz said…
Laurie,
Those journals are just wonderful. The ephemera you have selected (and own) is perfect for each theme. You must have a lot of fun with each one.

Sorry about your machine. I just taught myself to sew this year...and for the life of me, I can't remember what my machine is!
Hugs,
Suz
February 20, 2011 at 9:46 PM
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