Hi, TT&J readers! I’m Ann from Duct Tape and Denim and I’m so excited to be able to share my latest project with you! I’m a jewelry designer but I can’t contain my creativity to just jewelry! From childhood I’ve loved just about every craft I’ve ever tried. And my studio currently looks like I’m enjoying every craft! I especially love upcycling vintage finds. I raised two daughters who are now married, have one grandson, and live with my musical husband and the boss of our house, the cat. 

I received a box full of Jen’s new Home + Made collection and was told I could make anything I wanted. Do you know how overwhelming that is?

I love repurposing vintage items and I’ve had these old black book covers around for a while. And since I need a new journal for when I celebrate the 30 Days of Thanksgiving this year, I decided to create a gratitude journal.

Supplies

These are the supplies I used from the Home + Made collection:

• burlap paper with white dots
• rub on transfer sheets
• kraft pocket tags
• gold metal clips
• chalkboard stickers
• Thickers: Gilded chipboard letter stickers
• papers: Hardwood, Let’s Visit, Gilded Florali, Gilded, others from the paper pack

Other supplies & tools:

• vintage book covers
• 2 book rings
• eyelets
• hole punch/eyelet setter
• chalk ink pad
• black marker
• white pencil
• paper cutter
• assorted paper punches
• glue stick
• spray adhesive
• scissors
• assorted bits of vintage lace, tulle, and string
• washi tape or any other embellishments you’d like

Covers

I started off by finishing off the inside of the book covers. They had some writing and stains on them that I didn’t want showing. I cut this floral paper from the paper pack just a bit smaller than the cover, sprayed the back with adhesive, and smoothed it down. I did the same inside the back cover.

Thickers are absolutely one of my favorite supplies so I was excited to see them and the burlap paper in my box. I cut the burlap paper 1″ smaller than my cover and glued it on, adding the title with the Thickers. I ended up glueing them on since this will get a lot of use and I wanted to make sure they stay on. Visit my blog to see more projects with Thickers!

To reinforce the holes I punched for the book rings, I added decorative eyelets. I added a few additional embellishments to the front cover, including a gold metal clip from the collection.

Pages

I cut all the pages from the double sided paper and even recycled the cardboard insert as a page, too. (I don’t like anything to go to waste!)

I had all the supplies laid out on the table and I just started cutting and glueing them together. No plan. That’s the way I do a lot of my creating. I just tried the different papers together until I found a combination that I thought was pleasing. There are so many patterns in this collection you’re sure to find some you like.

These kraft pockets make a great place to add little notes or photos. Now I’m ready to start filling it up with my notes, lists of things I’m thankful for, Scriptures, and photos.

I hope this journal has inspired you to create one of your own. And to be grateful!

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Thanks Ann! I just love the idea of practicing gratitude, so this journal is just perfect. We’re going to be having a lot of guest posts over the next month or two with some amazing bloggers who are using my Home+Made Line in all of their projects.  I’m super excited to see all the amazing projects they are going to create.

Here are a few other projects from Duct Tape and Denim that I know you’ll love:

This Wood Burned Tic-Tac-Toe Board would be such a fun idea for an outdoor summer activity!

Ann also has fun make-over projects like this Chalky Finish Jewelry Box. So cute!

And, I love her idea for a Mason Jar Sewing Kit! It would make a fun gift for someone that loves to sew.

Visit Duct Tape and Denim and

xoxo

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