Flowish Lap Book

FLOWISH LAP BOOK

I've noticed a small craze going round the journal making community lately where people are making Lap books and instead of putting it on my to-do list I decided to have a go at making one this month. Instead of a 'normal' type of lap book, I wanted to make this one more of a 'flowish' which can be used in conjunction with your journals.

A Flowish Journal was started by Rosemary Morris a few years ago based on the Flow Magazine. This is a put together journal where everything that is in included can be used and pulled out to be incorporated in other crafting projects, so the signatures are not sewn or glued in.

A Lap book  generally consists of a paperboard folder such as a file folder with small pieces of  folded paper glued inside. These folded papers may contain facts, diagrams, illustrations related to the subject (in my case a flowish journal).

The Making:

I started the lap book by making a paper template to show the sizes of each panel I wanted.

I cut 2 large panels 7 inch by 5 1/2 inches (inside panel/cover front and back panels)

I cut 2 panels 7 inch by 5 1/4 inches (outside  panels flip outs)

I cut 2 small spines 7inch by 1 inch

I cut 1 large spine 7 inch by 2 1/2 inches

For a closer look at the pictures below:

Once I had worked out the size and the layout of each panel I cut the cover from the Graphic 45 ChipBoard Sheets and I must say these sheets worked a treat as the base cover for the lap book, very sturdy indeed.

When the panels were cut from the Graphic 45 chipboard, I used one long piece of calico from my supplies and glued each piece/ panel in order on the calico. I left a small over hang of calico to which I then folded over at the edges of the chipboard.

I let this dry for a little while and then grabbed some strips of calico and glued them over the three spines, making sure I used my bone folder to press into the small gaps between each spine panel.

Working on inside covers and spines...I cut out the backing pieces of papers for each panel and spines  out of some of my supply of patterned papers and these were cut 1/4inch smaller than the original sizes. I used my sewing machine to zig-zag around the edges of the papers and they were then glued to the inside of each of their respective panel size. Before gluing them on to their panels I also inked each edge with the Stazon Rusty Brown Ink which can also be purchased from Aunty Vera Scrap and Craft.

Above left to right before center spine

Above left to right after center spine

Working on the outside/front of the lap book:

I made a mat for each of the outside covers and spine. Cutting them 1/4 inch smaller than the original sizes. The bottom mats being from some craft paper folder (recycled) and the patterned papers from Couture Creations Sunburnt Country Collection numbers OA9, 10A for the cover panels and OSB for the spines. Before gluing the pieces together I used the Stazon Rusty Brown In and inked the edges  (I do like a good edge inking...lol) I then zig-zagged stitched the two pieces together. 

Before gluing them on their respective panels, I wanted to add a tie closure so I used a strip of calico and sewed down either side to stop any fraying. I then glued this to each inside front and back panel.

The panels are on either side of the large spine.

Then all the ouside cover panels were glued in their places.

...and at a different angle...

When I had all my inside and outside cover and spine panels glued down and left to dry, I used my cropodile to put holes in the top and bottom spine panels. One hole top and bottom of the smaller spines and two holes top and bottom of the middle large spine. I placed an eyelet in each hole from my supplies and then thread some black hat elastic through top to bottom eyelets.

after eyelets have been added...

...after elastic has been thread showing middle large spine...

Decorating and adding bits and pieces to my Flowish Lap book:

 This part of my process wasn't videoed but I do show the completed flip through of the book after all embellishments. I have included a lot of pictures from here on...

Front and back of lap book using the Couture Creations Sunburnt Collection paper and ephemera Pack. Also the Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set under the cocky embellishment.

View of the Couture Creation Sunburnt Collection paper when the book is first opened.

First inside panel. I made a note book for you to write all your wild ideas on. This is attached by a belly band.

First journal thread through one small spine. Cover is from Couture Creations Sunburnt Collection. It has been made from a large envelope. Sewn around the edges and there is a pocket in the back that holds a postcard floral tag with coffee dyed paper on back.

Second panel after small spine. I used floral magazine images to make some flip out pockets and each pocket contains a handmade tag. There are two flip outs and then the base has two pockets holding tags.

after opening the flip out pockets...

The large spine holds two file folders packed with goodies to use in your other projects.The first one being laces and fibers and the second one being Aunty Vera Srap and Craft Washi and button bag as well as another smaller notepad that can be ripped up to use in other projects. These file folders have been covered with floral magazine images.

This is the panel after the large spine. I have made a multi-pocket which has five pockets in all.

The last smaller spine holds anothe flowish journal containing all different types of papers that can be used in other projects and also has a large pocket where I placed some Aunty Vera Scrap and Craft Doilies as well as some of my own napkins. And on the back of the journal cover is another smaller pocket with a card inside and a hidden tuck spot for more tags. Then finally, the last panel and I think my favourite is a double pocket panel which also holds the small flourish embellishments on bulb pins and some die cuts from the Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set.

showing the calico tie...

Full view of the opened Flowish Lap Book.

To get a better view of the completed Flowish Lap Book
 you may like to watch the video below.
 It shows more detail and all the added items I have included.

I absolutely LOVE the finished project.
 I was quite surprised how sturdy the Graphic 45 Chipboard sheets were and
 I will definitely use this again as a journal cover.

Have A Great Day !!
Wendy xox