Creating a Journal using a Manila Envelope

Several days ago in one of the, 

Facebook groups I belong to,

someone shared an art journal they had created using a manila envelope as a cover.

My 9 year old has been home sick for 3 days now,

and I had an envelope sitting on my desk from, so what else to do but make some art.

This is the finished cover,

inside are 2 sewn in signatures.

Each signature is made using 4 sheets of canvas paper folded in half.

The journal also has an interior pocket and a flap closure.

This is the start:

I took a 9x12 manila envelope,

covered with Gesso, and began adding layers.

This will be the inside covers.

You can see where the pocket will be.

I added color a little way inside and reinforced my flap figuring it will get the most wear.

This will be the outsides of the journal.

I found some AMAZING tissue paper the other day at Joann's.

It's created by Rebekah Meier and marketed towards a fabric creating line,

but OH MY is it perfect for other mixed media as well.

The designs are insanely good.

Here is the cover again before adding my closure.

Layers of Golden Fluid Acrylics, Adirondack Paint Dabber in Gold,

book text, Washii tape and stamping all helped to add layers.

I took a piece of silk ribbon and added it as my closure.

It's a fairly simple one. Just wrap around and tie.

The inside with the signatures sewn in.

Back inside cover,

again you can see the pocket.

Finally the back when it is all said and done.

This was incredibly easy to put together.

Not including drying time it was just a couple of hours.

I see myself making more of these as Christmas presents and RAK gifts this year.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.