A hand made Address Book and a Pretty Apron

I recently was on an address book hunt. I quickly found out that the pickings are very slim ! I found out that most people are using their computers or digital devices to store their address's in. I really wanted a physical book I could sit and browse thru.....go ahead and call me old fashion, I'm OK with that. I wanted something pretty but I was also wanting something that would function for today's techno world . I wanted to be able to include websites/blogs, emails and birthdays for all family members. I also wanted a spot to be able to add pictures. After searching high and low I realized If I wanted something like this I was going to have to make it myself. So I got busy.

I started by making a template in PhotoShop. After much thought I decided to make the address book a landscaped 8.5 x 11. I choose this layout for many reason. I knew I could easily print all the information I needed on this size and it would limit my cutting. After much debate (thanks Cindy for being so patient in this process) I decided to use the Wausau Royal Linen® 80 lb Cover wt Cardstock in NATURAL from Cut Card Stock. The texture in this paper is fantastic and perfectly gave it a rich feel. Luv it !


I than decided to use some fabric I all ready had at home that I had gotten on clearance at JoAnn's last year. I knew I wanted some pretty matching pattern paper and I didn't have to go far to find some.....October Afternoon was just what I was looking for:


I was clearly on my way. Once my printing was done and my card stock cut I worked on my search tabs. I decided to use the yellow My Little Shoebox mini alphas. A perfect fit for my tabs. I also was a bit worried about all the handling the alpha's would receive and I wanted them to hold up well so I Modge Podged the tabs.


I was than ready to punch the binding holes. Before I punched my holes I created the cover pages by cutting and using the 12 x12 Chipboard from Cut Card Stock.com . I than glued on a layer of felt to the cover pages so that when I added my fabric it would give my book some substance:


I than started working on my fabric. I knew it could get tricky since I wanted to be able to bind it, cover it with fabric yet not have any seams showing. I did not want it to be glued together either. I created a pattern and was ready to start stitching. Binding it all was actually the Fun part and super easy using my Bind it all:


I created envelopes to hold little odds and ends like receipts and added them to the front before binding. In the back I created extra pages for notes (not pictured):


Here are some pictures of it finished and the spine:


Here is the cover. I made some fiber flowers for the front and just ended up pinning them for now since I'm not sure I like the way it looks. I will have to play a bit with adding something a bit more simple. All in all I am pretty happy with it. I spent about 5 hours on it all together. I know that my next one will turn out so much better an go lots quicker. I'm thinking Christmas gift. What do you think ?


I will quickly post some pictures of a reversible Apron I made for my friends little girl Gracie with a matching little doll. I had some extra fabric so I made Isa one too. These are super easy and fun to make.


ETA: oPPS forgot to mention about a cool punch from EK Success new slim line I just got. This one is called Swiss Cheese and I cant wait to actually make something with it.



Have a Blessed and Creative Day, Norma Kennedy