Paradise Window Journal

It's that time again! Welcome to my stop on Club Scrap's Paradise Blog Hop.

I've created a 5x7" journal with papers from the Paradise Collection. The 1x3" window in the binding exposes the brightly colored inside pages. The pages are stitched onto the wrapped book board covers with black waxed linen thread.

Here are a few tips for creating one of your own.

Materials:

(2) 5x7" Book Board Covers

(2) 1.25 x 2" Book Board Spines

(2) 5 x 9" Outside Covers

(1) 3.5 x 9" Outside Spine Wrap

(1) 11.25 x 6.75" Inside Cover Wraps

(12) 9.5 x 6.75" Inside Pages

(12) 20" Pieces Waxed Linen Thread

Tools Needed:

Bookbinding Glue & Foam brush

Paper Trimmer

Bone Folder

Grid Ruler & Craft Knife

Cutting Mat

Piercing Awl & Stitching Cradle

Needle for Waxed Linen

Assembly Tips:

Align the top and bottom edges of the spine boards with the covers to create a window in the spine. Adhere the outside cover wraps, and cut an "x" into the window with a craft knife.

Adhere the flaps to the inside cover and burnish with a bone folder. Disguise any remaining exposed book board with a black marker.

Temporarily place the inside spine cover in place, trace the location of the window onto the spine cover, and cut an opening slightly larger than the marked area.

Adhere the inside cover.

Fold the inside pages in half and pierce stitching holes 2" from the top and bottom edges of each crease. Thread the needle with waxed linen and follow these steps to stitch a page:

1. Enter the bottom pierced hole from the inside of the page, leaving a 6" tail.

2. Exit the page and go through the window in the spine.

3. Bring the thread around the bottom of the window and bottom edge of the page, and exit the same stitching hole.

4. Enter the top stitching hole from the outside of the book cover to the inside of the page.

5. Bring the thread around the top of the book cover, through the window and back into the top stitching hole.

6. Remove all slack in the thread.

7. Tie a knot and trim excess thread tails.

Repeat stitching process for a total of twelve signatures.

Thanks for taking the time to view a little paradise here on my craft table. Next on this marvelous hop is the talented Deb at Deb Duz Scrappin'.

Enjoy!

Kay