4.24.2017

2017 Scrap Busting Craft Challenge April: Magazine Clippings Upcycled Journal + BONUS LIST: 27 Ideas to Fill Up a Notebook


It's Craft Challenge time again! I can't believe it's already April. This month, I decided to "refashion" a plain composition notebook. I've been attending a bible study class at church, and I decided that this month's Craft Challenge would be the perfect time to decorate my class notebook. I have TONS of magazines that I collected from my time at FIDM, so I put them to use this month. I've also included in this blog post a list of 27 ways to fill up a notebook, to get you started with your new one-of-a-kind upcycled notebook.


I started off with a plain composition notebook. I'm all about pink and girly things, so I needed to upcycle this little notebook. :)


I cut out pages and parts of pages that contained patterns and colors I wanted to use.


Now, for the fun part! Cut out any shapes that you'd like. You can use squares, triangles, diamonds, etc. The possibilities are endless! :D


After I was done cutting out my shapes and glueing them on the notebook, I placed long strips of packing tape on top so the magazine clippings would be secure. I also wrote "Take delight in the Lord" on the notebook binding, just to make it extra special.
P.S. See the white in between the magazine clippings? I covered the notebook with white paper, because the black and white pattern was showing under my magazine clippings.


TA DA! New, upcycled notebook!


Go check out what the other fellow crafters are creating this month:

Eclectic Soapbox-COMING SOON

And now, for the bonus list: 

Here's 27 Ideas to Fill Up a Notebook

1. Bible Study Journal
This is what I'm using this notebook for. :)


2. Gratitude Journal
It's so easy to get caught up in life's daily turmoil and forget about what truly matters the most. This is a great way to remember that there is always something to be grateful for.

3. A Book of Lists
Bucket lists, wish lists, favorite books, check lists, current favorites, books or movies you want to watch, the possibilities are endless!


4. Sketch/Doodle Notebook
A great one for all the artists out there! Even if you're not a Picasso, random sketching and doodling is fun. Plus, practice makes perfect!

5. Fashion Sketchbook
Similar to the option above, this one is for the fashion designers out there. I had a sketchbook full of designs when I was 15. It was so much fun to compare what I had drawn when I was a teenager versus what I drew when I was at FIDM. :)

6. A Book of Inspiration and Ideas
A great place to write down any ideas that come to mind (business, new product ideas, etc), and a place to organize all the things that inspire you (mood boards, songs, quotes)


7. Goals Notebook
Having your goals clearly written out makes it easier to achieve them and makes it less intimidating to do so. Each page could be dedicated to a goal and steps to achieve each one.

8. Bullet Journal
The ever popular bullet journal! There are many pages you could add and many resources out there to help you get started. There are endless possibilities to what you can create!

9. Diary
A notebook is the perfect place to document your day. Did you keep a diary when you were younger? I only kept one for a few days at a time, mostly when I was on vacation.

10. Event/Party Planner
Plan your next birthday, baby shower, or wedding in a notebook. Write down your guest list, supplies needed, vendors, etc. You could even include some photos of the process and of the event and keep it as a scrapbook.

11. Scrapbook
Talking about scrapbooks...use your notebook as a scrapbook! You can make a themed scrapbook (summer vacation, camping trip, etc) or by year (example 2016, 2017).

12. Favorite Quotes/Bible Verses/Poems
Keep all your favorite quotes, verses, and poems all in one place. 

13. Hand Lettering Practice
Use a notebook with grid or blank paper to practice your creative lettering.


14. Sisterhood of the Traveling Journal
This is a fun one. Basically, a journal gets passed along a group of friends and each one writes what they want every time it's their turn. I did this in 8th grade with my friends for a while, and it was fun. 

15. Blog Planner
Calling all bloggers! I have a binder in which I keep all my blog stuff, but I also have a notebook. Keep track of stats, plan giveaways, plan new blog posts, etc.  Here is a great list of things you can jot down in your notebook, if you're a blogger.

16. Prayer Journal
Use your notebook to write to God, and pour your heart out to Him.

17. Health/Wellness Journal
Keep track of meals, exercise, water consumption, etc.

18. Meal Planner
Writing out your meals for the week/month/etc makes it less overwhelming and saves you time while grocery shopping. How many times have we gone to the store, only to go back because we forgot something? I write down what I want to eat, and then I plan out my grocery list according to the meals I want to make.

19. Recipe Book
Speaking of recipes, a notebook is a perfect place to write down your favorite recipes. You could have a notebook for baking, one for breakfasts, etc. 

20. Financial Planner/Expenses
Keep track of your expenses, jot down a plan to save 1K by the end of the year, or keep track of your bills to pay. I like to keep a journal to keep track of my monthly bills. It's easier for me to remember when I see it all written out.


21. Travel Journal
Going on a trip? A notebook is a fun place to document your trip. Write down how you felt, glue in photographs, and include brochures or tickets from your trip.

22. "Destress" Journal
Ever have a restless night because you have way too much going on in your head? Grab a journal and jot down everything (I mean EVERYTHING) that is running through your head. Everything from thoughts to ideas to distractions should be written down. Things to include can be: I need to finish that sales report, I should change my blog header, I need to call the landlord, I forgot to do the laundry today, etc.

23. Fabric/Trims Swatch Book
If you're like me and you love fabrics, a notebook is a great way to keep all your favorites in one place. Use double sided tape to put your swatch in and include fabric name, fabric content, washing instructions, etc. It's also a good way to grow your knowledge about fabric.



24. Journal Prompts/Free Writing/Short Stories
Back in elementary school, I used to have about 10 minutes of free writing during class. It was one of my favorite parts of the day. You can use your journal to free write for a certain amount of time, write some short stories, or use journal prompts.

25. 1 Sentence Journal
From the moment I read about this idea, I loved it. Basically, you write down one sentence (something good that happened, something you were grateful for, or anything else), every day, for five years. At the end, you can look back and see how much has happened or how much has changed. It really doesn't take a lot of time nor effort and can easily be started.

26. Login Information
Keep all your usernames and passwords neatly organized in one place. No more having to click on "forgot your password?" links anymore!

27. Language Journal
Learning a new language is not only fun, but knowing more than one language is a great asset. Not only does it look good on your resume, but when you speak another language it opens up new doors to communicate with other people. Jot down new words that you've learned, phrases, and practice writing out sentences and paragraphs.

I know there are many other ideas to fill up your notebooks, if you have any more, please leave them in the comments. I would love to know! With a blank notebook, the possibilities really are endless!

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