Garden Notebooks

Hello, today I'm sharing a trio of small garden notebooks and nature journals. I love the idea of recording annual garden inspiration, plans, expenses, and plant information in a small pocket notebook. I also love the idea of documenting, with small sketches and written descriptions, seasonal observations about nature. These mini-journals are the perfect size for quickly recording ideas and experiences for future reference.

To create each garden notebook, I started by trimming six sheets of plain copy paper to 8" x 5 1/4", scoring each sheet at four inches and layering the scored paper into an aligned stack. Next, I trimmed a piece of [hero_product_link sku="PS627" text="kraft layering paper"] to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored it at the center. Then, I simply stapled the kraft cover to the paper stack in two places along the scored line, folding in half to create a small notebook.

I knew immediately that I wanted to use the [hero_product_link sku="CG691" text="Garden Bold Prints"] background stamp to create monochromatic, nature-inspired journal covers. I love how this beautiful pattern contains small flowers, leaves and dragonflies. I stamped the background with [hero_product_link sku="AF233" text="Pale Tomato"], [hero_product_link sku="AF210" text="Field Greens"], and [hero_product_link sku="AF243" text="Passion Flower"] inks onto [hero_product_link sku="PS620" text="carnation"], [hero_product_link sku="PS622" text="grass"], and [hero_product_link sku="PS619" text="lilac"] layering papers. Then, I used the [hero_product_link sku="CL927" text="Love Bug by Lia"] set to stamp a collection of insects onto a strip of [hero_product_link sku="PS610" text="white layering paper"] with [hero_product_link sku="AF345" text="Intense Black ink"]. I added color to the stamped insects by quickly watercoloring over each image.

To create the look of a traditional journal, I created custom title text with my computer, printed it on white layering paper, and then stamped a label from [hero_product_link sku="DC180" text="Kelly's Labels Stamp & Cut"] set around the printed text. I fussy cut the label and then adhered it to the notebook with foam tape. To finish, I added a narrow strip of contrasting paper along the left edge and then tied some colored cording around the binding.

I hope you are inspired to make a few mini notebooks for yourself or some friends. How cute would it be to pair a few of these with a pretty pen and maybe some new garden gloves? Thanks for stopping by today! Have a happy, crafty weekend!