Detectie Case Journals 2-3

  Some of you may have remembered the first Detective Case File journal I did. I had plenty of material left after the first one, so I made two more, having finished these both back around the first week of July.    For those who enjoy simply junky, somewhat grungy file folder journals, the video above is for you.    I'm glad I decided to use my Roman font stamps for the second book. A big classified in red is more eye catching compared to the little tiny title I used on the first file book.   Also, the second book made from an old Mead journal already had shiny silver font on it.

Here the two books are side by side, as you might see them on a detectives desk. My inspiration to make two more of these books all started when I pulled the old Mead cover from my stash.   The material is like a faux leather, slick yet durable. I didn't know what I would be using it for till I remembered all the leftovers I had for making a few more detective case file books.  This time though I decided to add fewer pages to each, splitting up the pile into two parts so the books would have room to expand as content is added.  I know for a fact they'll get thicker as I work in them because the first file book has already gotten chunky, and I didn't even do that much to it, other than add some collage.   Here's a peek at some of my favorite sections. I glued part of a grungy map to a folder and added a Netflix paper to pick up on the red in the map. I even had fun adding a gauze packet, which I'm sure can lead to some interesting stories. The rest is pretty simple, added some planner paper, envelopes, and calendar pages.

I even used paper that's not so perfect, like this page which came from a larger sheet of paper that someone stepped on with a dirty boot. I thought that was funny, so I added it in as a "clue". I also added part of a map page from some big map book I've had in the stash. Second book is pretty much the same, only it has some of the better parts of the grungy map, and textured envelopes. I also added some of my own things, like the page with a pentagon, a practice sheet from the time of sacred geometry study. Along the way I added in some rejected striped paper sheets that I had printed for a different project. And the second book also got part of the map which was large enough to split for both books. Can you believe after making these I still have scraps which can be turned into a mini detective case journal....That idea is on the list, so you might be seeing it sometime.

Chocolate Happiness Journal

"Chocolate Happiness Journal"

(Completed Sep. 13, 2016)

As mentioned, I had leftovers and certain chocolate packaging left from my first chocolate book, the Traffino journal. Since I plan on selling the Traffino journal, I decided to make a second chocolate journal of my own, having some chocolate art ideas in mind. I also want to keep record of the chocolates I enjoy eating, a way to remember brand names and flavors.

I used a cereal box for the cover, and this time chose out some scrapbook paper that seemed appealing for a chocolate book, then sealed it with satin Liquitex varnish.

I used some leftover Nouveau scrapbook paper for the spine of the book, seemed to match rather well. I also really like the heart locket on the back cover, the pink flowers and aged paper images reminding me of old love letters, something usually read while eating chocolates.

The front page and inner cover were assembled in a way that the colors complimented each other. I added tuck spot pockets to the front and back inner covers, a nice way to keep track of stuff while I'm working in the book. 

The paper choice of happiness, smiles, and good times seemed appropriate for what chocolate revolves around or leads to. One bite and you smile, then you feel happy, and things start to feel better for a brief moment. I also chose that paper because the red text matched the packaging of the front page.

I used the tabs from the chocolate packaging to make pull tabs for tags, having fun with a mini peanut butter cup bag from Trader Joes to hold them.

I love the bright green color of this package, having had in my stash for years. It went well with the M&M bag behind it, used as a pocket.

My favorite spots in the book are the ones that have matching colors, like this Lindor caramel chocolate package next complimentary shades.

I even found a place to slip in blue packaging, creating a section for different colors throughout the book. The first section is for orange and green themes, second section for blue, and third for red.

Some pages I like more than others in the blue section, like this spot with Bahia chocolate, the gold letters looking nice with a silver chocolate chip bag.

Here's where the second signature ends and the red section begins. Most of the book consists of blank pages ranging from black, tan, white, and red, with a few junk items tossed in.

Back page has a tuck spot, and the inner cover pocket for the back side as well.

It's already quite thick from the side, containing four signatures in total. (left).

And now for the flip through video, just for fun. :)