A Pink Gift

Sewing the pages into my travel journal.  Attaching tabs in no logical order.  Searching for long elastic loops with the barbed ends.  I want to make a simple loop closure around a fabric button I've decided.  Like the one my Kindle has.  Except I can't find the elastic loops anywhere.   Was thinking maybe you, resourceful reader, would know...? I'll add the closure when I return from Istanbul.

 

 

In the meantime, I'll be busy adding more tabs while watching back to back episodes of Mad Men.  

 

Nearly every surface of this journal has been laminated with tape.  I like to know that if I drop it in the Black Sea it will not disintegrate before my sister has a chance to don her mask and flippers and dive down to retrieve it.  That thought makes me feel secure.  I like feeling secure.  When I'm not feeling reckless, that is.

 

Something opened in the garden today.  A pink gift. 

Comments

[Julie]

I'm kind of like a blind person who has regained their sight...

http://www.axelrodco.com/detail.asp?pk=156#

You can probably melt the ends of this together to make it your desired length..

[Sally]

Check out the selection of hair accessories at your local dollar store. I've used the longer elastic thingies that go around your head to keep journals closed : )

[susan crane]

Ditto Sally's comment, except I found mine at Target (my home away from home)....The thin black headbands fit perfectly around my journal and the extras make handy slingshots for scaring off predators (both real and imaginary)

[Karen]

Hi Mary Ann, the elastic closures from 7gypsies might be what you are looking for. You can get different lengths. Here's an example: http://www.starlitstudio.net/7g4blelco.html
I just did a quick Google as I'm holding a sleeping baby. Hope this helps. Your journal looks fab as always.

[Shelley Noble]

Google didn't come up with any elastic loop closures per se but if you are after some cool elastic I find a huge selection downtown at Micheal Levine's notions department. What color you wants?

[paulette]

The last batch of hydrangeas I purchased at home depot's garden department were wrapped with a decorative paper and a colored elastic band at the top. Just a thought...

[Kim]

Lovely, lovely journal!! I am on this trip with you in my imagination - like a little pebble in your pocket :-)) Have a fabulous time!!

[ellen kelley]

I have no clue about elastic for your journal. Just remember that I will be there and if you drop it in the water, I, the Goddess of Swimming, will be there to pluck it out and place it in your hands. You will have to provide the towel for drying. All will be well....it's a promise.
(Perhaps many of your readers would like to see that I am committed to someplace secure...a place where I will be medicated and rendered silent.) e.w. sends love.
p.s. seriously, that flower is just gorgeous...and your travel journal is worthy of such a wonderful, fantastic trip. It is beautiful.
Sending love to you and your sister, e.

[Nicol]

Wow! Your journal is amazingly beautiful. I love reading your blog and seeing your lovely art. Take lots of photos on your trip please. Then I'll be able to live vicariously. :)

[Lynette (NZ)]

Mary Ann - I LOVE your journals and have been so inspired by them. Have just posted about my own Paris creation (for someone else - unfortunately I don't get to go) and have linked to your posts on travel journals as my original source. Thank you for your generous posting of your work.

[susan w]

Re: elastic hair bands - Michael's has sets of lengths of the same material, sold in the beading cords area. I even found bright colors with sparkles as well a card of non-sparkly colors. There are about six colors of elastic cord per card, each several feet long.

Is that first blue page made from scrapbook paper, from the source you mentioned earlier for rather funky designs (don't remember it now though).

[cheryl]

Wow pretty and indestructable! Awesome!. The blooms are really looking nice

[missy]

the travel journal looks so inviting.....I can't wait to see and hear your impressions of Turkey. I lived there when I nine....quite an adventure.
Also nice to know of another 'Mad Men' fan!!
Missy from the bayou

[Janice]

Mary Ann- If you get a coupon organizer from a bargain store they usually have this type of closure (elastic w/ barbed ends) and it is easy enough to remove.

Also sometimes Michaels has these types of organizers in their dollar bin section. Just check before you pruchase the organizer as some have elastic and ball ends--the barbs are so much nicer as they will lay flat within your book interiors.

Given the juicy size of your books, you would need at least an 8" size, so it would stretch. I may have some stray ones, will look.

Janice

[Susie LaFond]

Hey You
The journal is looking totally rockin' and your pink gift is AWESOME. I'd be smiling if that were greeting me early in the day!!!! You are going to have an awesome journey!!!!!

[Jill]

Bon voyage, Mary Ann! Have many wonderful adventures :)

[Jesse/Joan]

Walgreen's Drug has these hair elastics in the section with the brushes, combs, bobby pins, barettes.

[Jesse/Joan]

Forgot to ask: What is your source for the lettered tabs in the journal? I've looked high and low for them in Las Vegas...no such animals.

[sara jane]

Agree with everyone on the hair elastics.. if you want it to be attached to the journal, like I do, because otherwise I would lose it, punch 2 holes in the back of the journal, grommet them if you wish, cut the elastic, thread it through the holes and stitch the elastic back together.
Voila - attached elastic band.

[ocean lotus]

ohhh...i love this with the tabby thing-a-ma-gummies - where did those come from??? honestly though as much as i come for the beautiful journals i come for your posts too...they make me giggle as i follow your nonsense and dare i say, bit of sarcasm...love your blog...

[Mary Ann Moss]

JJ - those black tabs came on a sheet of cardstock - they were like die-cut punch out tabs. mayyyyyyybe 7 gypsies...? someone gave them to me. ive had them for awhile