The Pay It Forward Project

I jumped in on the Pay It Forward swap way back in April.  We had until the end of the year and it took me a while to decide what to make.  I finally got my swaps mailed out last month and they have been delivered now so I can show you the project.

My inspiration was the Natures Blessings swap I recently participated in.  I had so much fun making my pages and wanted to make more to share.

Each little journal is one signature, bound with a pamphlet stitch.  They are each similar but not the same so everyone got a one-of-a-kind.

I liked the idea of leaving room for the recipient to make it their own so I left plenty room for them to add their own embellishments.

I included pockets so I could slip in a few tags and papers they can use for this project or another one.

The pages are heavy so they can hold up to plenty of playing.

I combined both vintage and new papers.  Some of the images are from my horde of Somerset artwork.  I always have a hard time using those but this was a special project so it was time to let go and I loved the feeling of sharing.

The stamps on these pockets are from a great Etsy shop called StampsForCrafts.  She has such fun assortments!  I ruffled some old crepe paper for the edge on these pages.

The covers, front and back, are vintage wallpaper.  I hope they will enjoy playing in them as much as I enjoyed making them!
Cataract update...  My surgery went well on Thursday.  I bounded out of bed yesterday morning, thinking it was back to life as normal.  Well, not so much.  DOH!  This eye seems to require more resting and sleeping.  I will set my expectations a little lower today but still hoping I can get out in the art room to work on that big pile of buttons on my work table.