Etsy Spotlight: Paris-Themed Travel Junk Journal Glue Book

Today I'm sharing an in-depth look at a Paris-themed travel junk journal I just listed in my Etsy shop.

Since Etsy limits a listing to ten pictures, I'm sharing here so I can show the entire inside of the book.

This is the inside front cover.

There is a pocket between each inner page that includes a journaling paper. It can also be used for memorabilia.

This is the inside back cover.

And this is the outside cover. (The front is on the right in the picture.)

I hope you've enjoyed a peek inside this journal. I had a lot of fun making it!

Etsy Spotlight: Victorian Pink Floral B6 Traveler's Notebook (5x7")

This beautiful Victorian-style floral Traveler's Notebook includes:

* laminated cardstock cover
* flower-embellished paper clip
* jewel pen
* pen loop
* July 2018-December 2019 weekly planner
* 2 ruled inserts with 20 sheets/40 pages each
* 1 folder
* 4 inner elastic loops
* planner charm

This is the coordinating planner charm that can be repositioned, if you prefer. It's attached with a lobster clasp to make this easier.

This is the cover of the weekly planner.

This is the handmade flower-embellished jumbo paper clip.

I really love these coordinating jewel pens!

Here's a sneak peek of the inside of the dated planner.

This is the outside cover of the first ruled notebook.

And this is the second ruled notebook.

Last is the folder.

You can find it in my Etsy shop here.

Spring and Summer Decor: Table Centerpiece

I recently found this cute little wagon (JUST the wagon) secondhand for a great price ($3, I think). I was wanting a table centerpiece for my spring and summer decor, which is mostly white.

It came to me with very old and tired sunflowers hot-glued all over it, as well as lots and lots of black electrical tape everywhere. I have no idea what was up with the electrical tape, since it's structurally sound without it. And while I love sunflowers, these were really tired-looking and just had to go. I pulled all of that off almost immediately.

Then I bought some flowers from Dollar Tree and redecorated it. I love how it turned out!

I used a total of four white rose bushes and two bushes of the flowers at the bottom (refer to my previous post about my knowledge of flowers - it's almost nonexistent).

 As a side note, if you think you can't make floral arrangements, I'd encourage you to watch some YouTube videos that use Dollar Tree stems. That's where I learned what I know, and I was surprised at how easy it can be.

For about $10 total (including the floral foam inside), I have a beautiful table centerpiece that would have been priced around $80 at Michaels. I love shopping secondhand and Dollar Tree stores!

Review: Washi Tape Stickers from Wal-Mart

I recently found these Pen + Gear washi tape stickers at Wal-Mart. At the time, I was looking for a theme for the next month, so I was happy to go with flowers.

So, what did I think of them?

PROS

• As you would expect, they're repositionable.
• The designs are detailed and lifelike, which is a preference of mine.

CONS

• Since they're repositionable, sometimes the edges pull up slightly (see photo below - it might be hard to tell, but it's there). I didn't have any fall off all month, but I doubt they'll be there if/when I go back to reference this journal in years to come.  

• Like most washi, they're a bit transparent. When I drew lines on the paper before laying down the stickers, you could faintly (and sometimes not-so-faintly) see the lines after laying down the sticker (see photo above). In the photo above, I was using a highlighter for the lines behind the sticker.
• There are only four of each flower design, and they're not all grouped together. Since I used one on my monthly layout, and since some months have five weeks, I had to choose coordinating flowers and alternate them each week. I also had to go through the whole roll of stickers, separate them by flower, and then reassemble the roll. (Why, yes, I do lean a bit toward OCD about some things. What makes you ask?) ;)

The Verdict

I will definitely use up the roll, but I doubt that I'll be choosing more washi stickers in the future - unless I find some gorgeous ones that I just can't resist. Since I love flowers, I'll probably find some traditional flower stickers I like for my theme each month. Who knows, though? I'm a woman, and I change my mind now and then. 

As an amusing side note, although I can't name many of them, I love flowers. I can identify cabbage roses and double peonies, simply because they're my all-time favorite flowers. However, I can't grow flowers to save my life - or theirs! I've joked with people that flowers shrivel up and die overnight when they realize they're in my house.