Blank Book Mania!

There's something about me you should know. I love books. Especially blank books. There is something wonderful in the promise of filling a book with thoughts, secrets, ideas and inspiration.

Like any good artist, I carry a sketchbook with me. I used to insist that the book be unruled, but as I got older, I started to not worry as much whether the book was lined or not. It was more about whether the book itself met my needs...and of course whether it was pretty. I sometimes worry about completing a book without having a standby waiting in the wings. For this reason, I am always on the lookout for new, lovely (and preferably inexpensive) sketchbooks and journals to keep handy.

A couple of weeks ago, during one of my regular jaunts to Goodwill, I found a three pack of journals that were seconds from a well-known retail outlet taped together and being sold for $1.99 (well below what they originally retailed for.) I couldn't resist the cuteness!

One problem: they were taped together. With packing tape. And trying to get packing tape off a paper backed book usually ends...well, not so well. Part of the cover tore. What's a girl to do?

This girl got some lace fabric (recycled from an old tank top I never wear anymore) and some gel medium and recovered the book. 

To do so, I  cut the fabric larger than the book. I used the gel medium as a glue to adhere the fabric to the book, letting each side dry thoroughly before moving on. Once both sides were glued and dried, I trimmed away the excess.

 So simple and now, you can't tell that the book was ever torn. 

Til next time! -Erika