Sep 03 2007
Ruby Tuesday: Stella’s Desk Set
I went on a cleaning, tidying and clearing out kick this weekend. I could have chosen a more fun or relaxing Labor Day weekend activity, but I can’t say I regret how I spent my time. It felt pretty good and looks even better.
When I was clearing out a desk drawer I found an old journal I started many years ago. I’ve never been very good about keeping journals and this one ended after a few weeks’ entries. It provided some very interesting reading after all these years, though. It was begun at a time when we were living a little more hand to mouth than we do these days. Our son was a school kid and we were struggling to work out a budget to deal with the new house payment we could supposedly afford. One entry found me worrying how I was going to buy my son a new pair of shoes and still pay the bills and buy groceries. The next entry described his shoes further deteriorated and my decision that he was more important than the bills… I was glad to look back on that and feel proud and happy about the choice I made. Needless to say, everything worked out just fine.
I thought I’d give journaling another try. I didn’t want anything quite as large as a composition book so I picked up this smaller 5 x 7 notebook instead. I was hoping I could use my SU! spiral punch for the cover but the holes didn’t line up correctly, darn it. If you find yourself in that predicament sometime, the photo and explanation that follows may be helpful:
I first determined that the distance from the outer edge of the notebook to the inner edge of the hole was 1/4″. I drew a straight line at the 1/4″ mark and placed my cardstock next to the binder as shown.
I simply drew dots at each spiral and then punched the dots with an 1/8″ hand held punch, aligning the edge of the punch with the line. At each hole I cut a slit from the edge to the hole. I could then slip the cover right over the spirals. The white cardstock, by the way, is just for demonstration purposes.
The cover of my journal started out with Chocolate Chip. I sponged the edge that would show with Chocolate Chip ink and wadded up toilet paper. Yes, toilet paper — the TP technique. For that tutorial, please click here. The rest of it is BasicGrey Stella Ruby paper and Almost Amethyst cardstock, the latter also TP’d. There’s some Chocolate Chip sponged around the edges for a little aging. I used the heart from Gentler Times and a sentiment from All Year Cheer I, thinking one’s journaling is usually outpourings from the heart, although mine will be full of mundane day to day musings, I’m sure.
While I was at it I made a coordinating pencil holder from a Crystal Light container as well as an R.S.V.P. pen. In case you’re not familiar with these pens, R.S.V.P. is just the brand name of this particular pen which lends itself well to this type of decoration. I cut a piece of Stella Ruby 1″ x 3 1/4″, rolled it into a little tube and tucked it into the barrel of the pen.
This last photo shows the back cover of the journal covered with Chocolate Chip cardstock that I TP’d with the same color ink. This technique is just the ticket for something like this because of the illusion of leather it gives your paper.
Well, that’s it for this week’s Ruby Tuesday project, the only thing I made this weekend. I haven’t spent much time at all in my stamp room or on the computer these last three days and I know I’ve got some catching up to do. I hope you’ve all been well and will have a wonderful week!
Stamps: Gentler Times, All Year Cheer I
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Very Vanilla, BasicGrey Stella Ruby
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Creamy Caramel, CTMH Vanilla
Accessories: Ribbon, swirl clip, 1/8″ hand held hold punch, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape, spiral bound notebook, R.S.V.P. pen, Crystal Light container, Sticky Strip red liner tape, Alene’s Tacky Glue
You are so patient and always strive for such accuracy. Love the leather look from that TP technique. Enjoy your journal. Glad your son’s shoes won out. I’ve had to make similar decisions as well and it does feel good to know you made the best one.
Oh my gosh….that is just gorgeous! I love the leather look. And I do so appreciate your tutorial. Beautiful job!
My gosh - another beauty! This one, looks like I could “do”. Of course, I’m the same way with journaling, but am trying yet again! I, too, have journal entries with the same worries back when. Sending two boys thru private school was a real sacrifice. Yet, today, the tuition has more than doubled and there’s no way we could afford it now. …I think Anyway, life has always been good, eh?
Thank you for sharing yet another treat to the eyes.
Beautiful!
this is awesome and I love the directions you give! thanks!
OMG Leslie, what an awesome tutorial and inspiring color combo, tp’ing journal set. I can not wait to try. I am back from Burning Man, but barely functioning yet. Need way more sleep, but had a blast of sun, fun and dust:-) Nancy
YOu inspire me so much Leslie. I am always in awe and wonder at your work. Thank You!!
This is absolutely gorgeous! LOVE IT! I’ve been putting off trying the TP technique, but now I’m off to try it! Thanks for showing how to get the paper right to the edge of the notebook. I’ve been putting it up next to the coils, but it looks much better when you punch the holes and thread it through. TFS!
Beeeeeeutiful! Love this!
That’s gorgeous! Did you do anything to the outside to protect it? I’d like to do a planner that way, but since it would be in my purse half the time, I’m worried about wear and tear on it.
NancyS (momsnack)
Thank you for this tutorial! Your desk set is so stunning, and I love the ‘faux leather’! Gorgeous!
Gorgeous Leslie!! This is such a beautiful set. I love the papers you used and the faux leather looks wonderful.
Oh WOW! This is sooooo gorgeous Leslie!! I just LOVE the colors you pulled from the paper! Love it all!
gorgeous desk set, Leslie!! love the amethyst!!
very nice, so lush and rich looking with those colours, i am always wondering about that punch and how it might fit with everyday notebooks, can’t wait to get out the tp later, thanks for the great tutorial and clear photo of how to.
Wow, Leslie! Even the back is gorgeous! It looks like leather!! What a very special journal! I like the pencil holder too. Wow!
What a beautiful journaling set you’ve designed here, Leslie! Love the deep rich colors. I would journal just so I could look at this pretty notebook every day. And Thanks for the great reminder about the TP technique. It looks great here, especially on the back cover where you can really see the leather-look effect. Linda
This is a lovely project that you have done. I want to get into altered art more & your blog is a great inspiration.
Awesome set!
~Ang