Grandmas laces: Four Seasons Edith Holden NATURE JOURNAL

This is a HUGE journal! Biggest one I've ever made! It is actually a FOUR in ONE journal! Each 'season' journal is removable from the main journal. Makes it so easy to write in and embellish! The spine of this book is a full FIVE INCHES! After assembling the inner season journals, it pulled something fierce on the spine. So I took it all apart and created a spine to last centuries! Here are the pictures...only a few, because this book is ginormous! The book itself weighs 5 pounds, and the satchel of remnants, tags, pages, and embellishments...that weighs a full pound!

Each Season's Journal has 72 lined pages decorated with seasonally appropriate images...along with many pages with pockets, tucks, and secret spaces. I've filled many pockets etc....but I'm including a separate portfolio stuffed with tags, embellishments, off cuts, as well as full pages from the book. You can see those things at the end of this post.

This first photo shows the very strong spine...collaged with Edith Holden papers. Hanging on the side is a dangle of paper beads all made with book pages. The journal is cloth covered in a rich forrest green. The front cover features an embroidered leaf nestled in a bed of beautiful yarn. The yarns and the leaf were made from rescued designer fabrics and notions.

You can see the detail of the paper beads. Inked edges give the beads depth and interest. Remember, the spine is a hearty 5 inches! Looks really great on a bookshelf, while you have the current season journal out for your journaling.

This shows inside the book structure. The elastic cords are hidden from the outside. The elastic cord was stark white, so I gave it an ink bath in a baggy, and I love the muted tan color. Each cord knot is reinforced with a dab of glue.

So, here are the four season journals that can be removed from the book frame. I've had these papers in my stash for a few years, and I'm happy they fit so well as the cover for each season.

I'll try to show the inside signature of each season. You can see the elastic band holding it in place. Each center signature, of each season, is a flip out with lots of pockets.

We'll start with Spring....

There are so many pockets, envelopes, journaling opportunities.

I keep coming back to this page, I love so much! I used two different editions of Diary of an Edwardian Lady...one is much smaller...but it doubled the opportunity for a spread like this.

Here is an example of one of the 'Winter' journal pages.

This leaf was actually part of an exquisite piece of upholstery fabric. I fussy cut it very carefully and stitched it to a length of this really interesting 'yarn'.

Here is the inside...in all her glory!

A better closeup of the paper beads and the collaged spine.

Okay... so what to do with the glossy, somewhat worn book cover? I sewed the sides to create a folder to house all the leftovers and embellishments. This, in itself, weights a full pound!