I love to create notebooks of collage. They serve as inspiration ~ capturing my innermost hopes, fancies and dreams on paper.
I attend estate sales, search through thrift stores and scour through dusty boxes of garage sale books that are no longer loved. While some people like to decorate the fronts of their books, I leave mine rather plain. It is a way of keeping secret the beauty that lies within.
For this recent college I found an old record ledger book and embellished it with vintage tulle and a rhinestone pin that had lost its backing.
The front interior page includes a rose made from pattern paper that I received as an embellishment on a gift and my initials so that there is no mistaking the notebooks owner. 🙂
Unlike Charlotte Moss I tend to exhibit restraint in my collage creations. But that is the true beauty of collage~ there is no wrong or right way to do it.
I play with bits of fabric, lace, buttons and paper trying various layouts until the perfect positioning captures my eye and heart. In between the pages I include several sheets of notebooks paper where I jot down thoughts, favorite quotes, poems and occasionally a shopping list.
The colors included in this particular notebook are comprised mainly of the palette found in Louis XVI’s Versailles. The vintage cameo cabochon on this page is a favorite of mine.
My favorite soap is Tokyo Milk. I love the scent as much as the paper it is wrapped in. I thought that the red Marie Antoinette was too pretty for the trash so it ended up on a page with vintage millenary and a ribbon the Fashionista wore in her hair as a little girl.
A few of the pages hold pockets for loose treasures.
They are filled with funny bits of bliss. This is a French memory game card. Is the policier (police officer) issuing the woman a ticket for her scantily clad attire on a child’s game? 🙂
Small bits of glitter embellish a page here and there.
I was once trying to create a pillow trim and the velvet ribbon did not gather as I had hoped. But the happy accident looked pretty enough to put on a page of paper along with French fashion notecards I could never bear to use.
If you would love to have a collage scrapbook of your own but don’t have the time to create one I have made a few extra notebooks on a smaller scale that you can purchase in my Etsy shop. Priced at just $15.00 they make a perfect, one of a kind, holiday gift.
Are you doing anything crafty this weekend?
Laura
Linking to:
Common Ground, The Charm of Home and French Country Cottage
Ohhhhh this is BEAUTIFUL Laura!! I just love it!!! Loving the Victorian feel to it!!
You sure know those ledgers Beautiful.. I havent the patience for such intricate detail.
my crafty weekend will include covering some pillows. nothing fancy:)
xoxo
Beautiful, Laura! I love this. I'd like to do something like this but for my 2013 planning calendar. I could use the pockets for sure. I'll have to see if I can't find something to alter to make prettier and fit my needs better.
How cute is that. I wish I was doing my projects I said I was going to do on vacation..BUT still cleaning out closets, laundry but throwing things away before the city fall clean up day!
So lovely!!! I have never done anything like this. This is so inspiring!
Look at you! How pretty!
Have a wonderful weekend, Laura!
~Lynne
w/L.
My! This is so pretty . . . while looking at the pages, I feel like I am journeying through the keepsakes and memories of some French lady.
I must say that her life seem very romantic and blissful.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Your blogging sister, Connie
Oh so pretty and what a wonderful pastime! Perhaps you should start selling your lovely creations. Have a great weekend.
Hugs from Idaho,
Susan and Bentley
Lovely job on the journal(s)! Yes, I have a few projects that I am hoping to finish up this weekend! Also starting to make my paper angel tree toppers.
So beautiful and whimsical.
There's an award for you in my place.
Love,
T
Your collages are so pretty, Laura. I love this idea. I've done a few of these a number of years ago, but you are giving me the hankering to get back to it.
This weekend I'm going to be stitching some handsewn blank journals – small size, perfect for tucking into a bag or purse.
Laura,
Your journal is beautiful and will only be improved when your handwritten, heartfelt words fill the pages.
I have over 500 bulbs to plant this weekend (and that's just Saturday morning.) Hooyah!
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
Oh my word … so pretty!!!!
This is pretty enough to make me want to try one! ~ Maureen
Laura I love getting to know you even better through your journal designs. I admit I already found you to be a romantic! We both love all things French!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
Hi Laura,
Your notebooks are just exquisite! I know how much time it takes to create these lovely pieces. I'm visiting from Feathered Nest Friday and hope you will drop by for a visit.
Your altered books are so pretty and fun. They are such a fun creative way to play and experiment with out feeling like it has to look exactly like something. When I am not trying so hard is when they usually turn out the best. I like your layering and the yummy papers and embellies you used.
Thank you for sharing your lovely work! Very inspiring. 🙂
Laura, thank you so much for your post today on not rushing to enjoy the seasons and holidays – I actually felt pressure this year to decorate pumpkins and make my house autumn-ready before fall had even started so I could link up to blogger parties. I had to kind of talk myself down – not being in a blogger party is not the end of the world, and I was able to enjoy the last days of summer.
Absolutely stunning laura! Love it! Also want to say that you are doing awesome on this 31 days of decor thing!! WooHoo to you 🙂
You made a book to die for it is so beautiful. Can I say I am partial to Marie Antoinette items. Love it! take care, Darlene
This is gorgeous Laura! Thank you for joining me at HSH!
Sherry
Your collages are works of art. Exquisitely beautiful. Elegantly presented. Bravo Virginia