I do what I can with what I have. Take one red folder found next to an Italian dumpster, a bag of fabric scraps, a 40 year old piece of cord trim, a stack of security envelopes, some paper scraps, and a couple of spools of red thread. Put the pedal to the metal and VROOM VROOM.
I'm not snipping a single thread.
It won't fall apart if I do or anything. This journal is built to withstand swatting a pickpocket over the head, being flung from a speeding bus, or stampeded by bulls. Not my sister, I mean real bulls.
A prime example of guerrilla sewing. Gone wild.
Okay, your sister is one lucky, lucky girl! Don't snip a thread, they are perfect! They are there to remind her how much love and work went into this beautiful thing! Bon voyage!
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 01:10 AM
Woot!!
Posted by: Nona Parry | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 01:28 AM
I agree, your sister is an extremely lucky girl! What an awesome journal!! I don't think I will ever look at mail envelopes in the same way again.
Posted by: Renate | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:28 AM
That's gorgeous! What a work of art! Sensational.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Lovely! What a lucky sister!
Posted by: Heather | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 05:53 AM
Yeah!!!! There is someone else that lets the threads enjoy the dangling. It's fun to play with them, why bother cutting.
Beautiful journal! Lucky sister.
Posted by: karen cole | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 07:09 AM
I have to agree with everyone, your sister is one lucky girl.
Posted by: lilylovekin | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 07:46 AM
I fully admit to being a lucky lucky ducky. you have outdone yourself sister. I hope the policia in Lisboa don't try to apprehend me because they think I have stolen it from a museum. muchisimas gracias para su trabajo muy fantastico! (that is guerrilla spanish, not to be confused with apache spanish.
Posted by: Sister! | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:23 AM
You tantalize and incite us with these journals. I think another on-line class would be gobbled up. Taking the loyal multitude through the process of assembling one of these creations and then going a step further, demonstrating and encouraging us to actually work in it. I, for one, tend to simply own something like this once it is made; petting it and admiring it, but rarely plunging in and making meaningful marks upon its innards.
think about it...
Posted by: susan w | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Can you adopt me as a sister!! That is such a fantastic journal....I'm sure she'll love it.
Posted by: Janet | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Oh, Mary Ann, you whip up the juiciest treats on that machine of yours! If your sis isn't thrilled you'll have to check her for a pulse. It's fantastico! Can't wait to see the riches the two of you pour into these little treasure chests.
Posted by: JeriAnn | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I like it.....I like it a lot.
Posted by: jeanie engelke | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 01:06 PM
its beautiful, she will love it.
Posted by: lee | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:10 PM
I want to be your sister, too, and have you make beautiful things for me. This is so yummy.
Posted by: Jo | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Wonderful journal!!!
Posted by: Deborah | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Lucky sis!
I know I've said it before, but I wouldn't be able to write one thing in a journal like that. I would just admire it, over and over.
Posted by: anna maria | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Super awesome!! Love it!
Posted by: Roben-Marie | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:41 PM
WONderful, MA! A mi me gusta, muy bien! Can I be your sister, too?
Cheers
Nona
Posted by: Nona Parry | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 02:26 AM
Your sister is such a lucky girl, I'm so jealous! This turned out so nicely, I adore the ribbon wrap-around- what a great way to be able to tuck things in that she finds or wants to keep for later. Glorious. -e
Posted by: Emily | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 09:52 AM
AND it's beautiful!
Will she ever show us a page or two of her journal?
Posted by: Chrissy | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Beautiful journal. I can almost reach out through the monitor and feel the texture. Love the red threads dangling. MmmmmmMmmmmm Yum!
Posted by: barbara | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 04:03 PM
That journal might be the most beautiful creation I've seen in a while. Thank you for the eye-feast. Big kiss and hug for being so wonderful.
Posted by: Elizabeth | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 04:05 PM
wow.
i love this
Posted by: Chris | Monday, July 13, 2009 at 09:26 PM
It's beautiful!!! love the colors. How did you use those security envelopes?
HK
Posted by: Hermila | Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Well, you got me off my butt and in front of my work table. Why did I have to see this at 10:00PM? I was up until after 2:30AM. At least I'm on summer vacation, so I just slept in and finished the journal in the afternoon. I thought you might like to see what you inspired.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68499916@N00/sets/72157621350088601/
Sewing all the pages together was great fun.
Posted by: Dawn | Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 07:41 PM
You make me want to get out my sewing machine and studio scraps to make a MA-style travel journal. Your lucky sister will enjoy working in this one.
Posted by: Paula McNamee | Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 09:35 AM