Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift

Benetta
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Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - finished journal Turn an ordinary manuscript book into a jazzed up journal for your child's favorite teacher. The teacher will love making some notes in this journal, keeping her thoughts organized during the school term. An easy, cost-effective way to show appreciation.

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: one decorated journal

Supplies:

A5 lined manuscript book
two A5 sized pieces of white paper
white linen
white tissue paper
1.6 in wide light purple embellished organza ribbon
dark purple decorative tape from Bud Silk Stationery
sellotape
quick-drying craft glue (such as Bostik Clear)
pencil
sewing pins or needle
standard scissors
sewing machine and white thread

Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - manuscript book

Steps:

Cut a piece of white tissue paper that is bigger than the book, allowing a border of about 1.2" all the way around, and neatly cover the book with the tissue paper.

Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - cut a piece of tissue paper larger than the book and cover the book with the paper

Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - view of the paper cover from inside the book

Now cut a piece of white linen that is also larger than the book, again allowing a border of about 1.2" all the way around.

Decide where the ribbon will be placed along the length of the book, and use pins to temporarily pin it to the linen, or use a basting stitch to temporarily secure. Use the sewing machine to sew it in place and cut off any protruding pieces of ribbon.

Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - pin the ribbon to the linen, sew in place

Measure the linen across the spine of the book. To allow a perfect fit, you will have to cut a rectangle out of the linen across the top and bottom of the spine. Use the pencil to lightly mark the areas where the linen will be cut away, and then stitch a zig-zag all along the pencil lines.

Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - mark and zig zag along the spine of the book to help it fit over the book

Using glue to keep the linen in place, cover the book with the linen. Cut away the pre-measured rectangles across the spine of the book. Be careful not to cut into the stitched zig-zags. Spread glue across the cuts so that the linen will not unravel and allow to dry.

Decorated Journal Teacher's Appreciation Gift - glue the linen in place and cut away the marked rectangles, taking care not to cut through the zig zag stitching

Glue the decorative tape horizontally across the back and front of the book, making sure that it is folded over onto the inside of the front and back covers, before cutting off the rest of the tape.
Cut one A5 sized piece of white paper slightly smaller, and glue it to the inside of the front cover to hide the fabric edges. Cut the second piece slightly smaller and glue it to inside of the back cover.