I have just discovered your channel and WOW I have been binge watching ever since. I have used a lot of books in journaling and scrapbooking but you are over the top on this. You have inspired me to take it to the next level. Thank you so much for posting all of your up cycling of old books they are amazing.
Hello and thank you!!! I am so happy to hear that your are inspired! Yes, I am a little over the top at times but I just can't help it. I love that you are taking your journaling to the next level. Keep me posted on your progress. xoxo- gina
This is very inspiring and creative! I am getting ready to start my garden journal, started from a blank slate and have tons of before and after photos that I have been meaning to do something with. Now, I have some really cool ideas, and have actually changed the plan for my garden journal, to make it more personal and not just the facts on the plants and where they are. I can’t wait to get started! Thanks for the great ideas!!
Hooray! I am so glad your are embarking on this voyage with me. Keep me posted on your progress. Tip:: the plan is the key to my success/sticking with it. xoxo- gina
Received my book yesterday. Did yours have a plastic curved thing in between the spine and the rings? If so,, did you leave it in or cut it out? It doesn't look like there is one in in your book but I can't tell for sure.
JoAnne, most of them have a clear plastic page holder in the binders. I tear mine out. Usually they are old and falling apart - plastic back then wasn't very good. Happy Creating! xoxo- gina
I got two books and I guess they had never been used. They both have that plastic thing in them. Couldn't turn the pages with them in there. Glad I didn't destroy anything! I had to cut it out.
Wonderful ideas. Perfect for what I need right now. I so need to do this with all my pictures and I didn't know where to begin. And yes I am overwhelmed with where to start putting things into a journal. Thank you, thank you.
So excited to start my garden journal! I found a 5 ring Better Homes and Gardens binder that I’ve been saving for such an occasional this! I have my sections mostly figured out and now I’m gathering some pages to use in it. Thanks for inspiring me to just get started! It is a bit intimidating and a tad bit overwhelming to start but I am tired of having sticky notes everywhere with things I want to put in my journal! Time to get it going!
Very inspirational! Really appreciate the concept of "just doing it" and the "portable ephemera journal". I have lovely stuff from my parent's (letters, calendars, travel brochures etc) that I am looking for a way to honor / use (without hoarding all of it). Just realized I can use those pages as background, when I have similar activities. Thank you.
Absolutely! That is a great idea! I love using items from my family and incorporating them into my current journaling. I am so glad you gained some inspiration. Take care and happy creating. xoxo- gina
Thank you what a great idea, i had just started folding my lose papers up.. but i love the folder/journal the way you have set it up is so helpfull i have a empty folder i was going to give away but not now!
Fabulous!!! I adore this! So many great memories put down in your own artful, quirky style! All those pieces of life are what make our books so special and I just love your focus is always there. Love your approach and seeing someone else document in an imperfect way, that really becomes soo interesting and collective! You have a style like no other! ❤ I am so looking forward to seeing you work in this beauty, what an absolute treasure! X
J, you beautiful doll! As always, thank you for your kindness. You are so right - imperfection makes our stuff 'ours'. It gives our work a unique twist. Hope you are doing well. Have a lovely weekend with your family. xoxo- gina
Hi Annie! Thank you for your kindness. It is never too late to document life. You may not get it all done but what you do get done will be priceless treasures. xoxo- gina
Wow..you TOTALLY explained my issue with being overwhelmed with so much paper and stuff that I end up not making anything....THANK YOU for the wonderful idea..I'm definitely going to follow your lead!!! xo
Yes! You go, girl! I am so happy you are inspired and fired up! Less is definitely more when it comes to creating. Have a happy weekend and thank you for your kind words. xoxo- gina
Me too. I've got a stuck of display folders & I've been wondering what to do with them...I might use them to store pages in categorised folders. Yay! Thanks, Gina
You made a flow book that everyone is making now days... I love your home landscape book... I enjoy listening to you and seeing your process of creativity and growth.
I think I am heading towards using the old binders for my way of JJ. It seems so much more flexible. I am 4 weeks new to this hobby. I was sent here by Diane Shaw’s channel. I just love the binder system. You do beautiful work.
I LOVE YOUR IDEAS! I'm a first-time gardener and seeing your journal layout is going to help me tremendously when setting up my journal and container garden. Thanks for sharing.
If you search "garden journals" on youtube you might find some really interesting videos. I spent a lot of time last spring watching other talk about how they plan out their gardens. Very inspiring. xoxo- gina
What a great idea! Yes, it is daunting! I have two journals in mind. One is for my childhood, and I am already re-purposing a cover from a storybook I loved that was falling apart. I'm also planning a high school journal from my yearbook the year I graduated. I'm just going to use the pages I want to save plus some from earlier yearbooks and some other memorabilia. This is going to help me use up a lot of memorabilia and some photos from my early years. :) Thank you for this informative video!
What a lovely memory keeping journal! Love love LOVE all the little pretty creatures and the pond section is amazing!! Love the note and tomato plant from one of your babies. Really cute and so real!! TFS and inspiring, Gina!!! xxRenee
Sweet Renee, your kindness always makes me smile. Thank you and I'm glad you loved my 'I'm sorry tomatoes' story. With teens you have to find the positives wherever you can. Have a beautiful weekend, friend. xoxo- gina
Here I am, 8 months later, still watching all your videos over and over. I have 3 binders calling my name. I keep putting it off because I'm a bit overwhelmed. My plan is to document the house in GA and ugh, I'm in 3 binders?!?! One for the outdoor areas, one for the improvements and repairs, and another for the decorating. Boy, when I do something I go a bit overboard huh?? Wish me luck!!! I'm starting!
as a garden geek I totally get it. I've bought the book (actually very similar to yours). I have millions of pics, just need the motivation to make it happen. Your video has helped. I even have the pond, although mine is much smaller, and a silly grandson that makes it even more fun. Thank you for the inspiration today. I'm in the middle of fall garden clean up but my book will happen soon!
How to think outside of the box or should I say book! I am so far behind on scrapbooking too because even though I don't do very elaborate pages I do stress about perfection! Great way to just focus on one subject. Thanks for sharing and getting all of our creative juices going.
Hey Kim! Great to hear from you. I have always been quite the non-conformist. I think that's what keeps me creative. Don't worry about perfection - its so over-rated. Just get those memories down and HAVE FUN! Thank you for your sweet comments. xoxo- gina
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome video. My BFF and myself have been collecting these ring bound recipe (etc) books and have been looking for ideas on ways to use them. I am so glad that I found your awesome video. I am going to share it right now with my friend.. Thank you again and I am going to search your channel to see if you have any other videos out there ... Hugs,
Elizabeth, you are so lovely! Thank you. I am so happy to hear you are a fellow ring-bound-cookbook-collector, too! I am obsessed with them. They make the best journals and scrapbooks. I hope you find some new uses for them. Keep me posted. I'd love to hear what you come up with. Take care and thanks for watching/commenting. xoxo- gina
This is phenomenal!!!! I have boxes of photos from birth and up, 38 years worth 😳.... I think this would be a great way to get them into a book!!!! I just need to decide a plan, I love how you came up with a plan sheet, very helpful!!!! Trying to decide order and sections will be where I struggle!! 😣
Thank you!!! The organizing struggle is real, my friend. Coming up with the sections was the hardest part for me too. I am glad you found the plan helpful...so did I. Having that plan has kept me focused and motivated. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress. xoxo- gina
Hello Angie! So glad to hear you are becoming addicted to Altered Book Art Journaling. You are gonna love it. Keep me posted on your progress. Thank you for your kind words. xoxo- gina
Oh my goodness, Gina! Just a few weeks ago I found this very book at a garage sale. It's in perfect condition and I have been dying to turn it into a journal. I have several other projects to finish first, but boy oh boy does this baby keep calling my name! After watching your video, my hair is completely on fire! May not be able to sleep tonight! Thanks for the great ideas and inspiration!! Can't wait to see your process videos and be sure to let us know when you the list the ones you were talking about in your Etsy shop. Hugs to you, Gayle. ❤️
My Hair is on Fire!!! ~ I love that! Gayle, I am so excited for you . Can't wait to see/hear what you come up with. Keep me posted. Thank you for you kindness. I will let you know when I list those other journals in Etsy. Take care and have fun! xoxo- gina
Hi Liz! Yes, you must try this....you will love it! With your creativity, you will make something amazing, I'm sure! Thank you and have a beautiful weekend. xoxo- gina
Thanks for all the inspiration...I tend to want to be more formal and organised when making a journal and it really doesnt work for memories which by default are often very random...I have photos of our pets that I want to do something with, also handwritten family and friends recipes ...your large binder idea is perfect, thanks, Dixx
I don't know if anyone else mentioned this but your bumble bees could be carpenter bees that bore into wood. anyways great journal! I love how you plan things out. I usually just jump in and it doesn't always work out for me.
Oh my goodness--You have totally inspired me to try this approach!!! I love your channel and always look forward to your new videos ... Just curious--how did you get started with junk journaling? Thanks again for your great ideas!!
Oh Sweet Sheila, you are so kind. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment. About 8 years ago my artsy daughter bought and abandoned a book called 1,001 Art Journals. I picked it up one day was instantly obsessed with the freedom and quirky-ness. Art journaling was exactly what I was looking for - an alternative to the staleness of scrapbooking. I began altering books about 4 years ago to use as my journals. Oh, I could go on and on about journaling. I am so glad you asked. xoxo- gina
OH boy lots that I have left because I got tired of scrapbooking I think I want to do it on my house and yard in oklahoma because we are going to retire some where else . I don't get overwhelmed I am just tired of the whole scrapping pretty precise thing . I am also going to do a recipe cook book which you already had inspired me to do. I would buy your paper scrap book cool idea
Rhonda, you are awesome! Your 'just tired of the whole scrapping pretty' sums it up, exactly! I am so glad you are inspired to document some bits of your life. Thank you for your lovely comments. I'm excited to get those collage books together. Take care! xoxo- gina
Love your journal/photo book! You could just put an envelope in that pond section for the rest of the pictures! Take courage. ..you are making great progress!
Oh, love it!!!! l struggle with same things too...that's basically why i quit scrapbooking years ago. 😞 your garden book is awesome! i love those old binder books too...need to make a sewing one. 😊 thanks so much for sharing ❤
Thank you for your sweet words, Faydra! The Scrapbooking struggle is real. Yes, if you find a sewing one...grab it up and make it into something awesome. xoxo- gina
I have just discovered your channel and WOW I have been binge watching ever since. I have used a lot of books in journaling and scrapbooking but you are over the top on this. You have inspired me to take it to the next level. Thank you so much for posting all of your up cycling of old books they are amazing.
Hello and thank you!!! I am so happy to hear that your are inspired! Yes, I am a little over the top at times but I just can't help it. I love that you are taking your journaling to the next level. Keep me posted on your progress.
xoxo-
gina
This is very inspiring and creative! I am getting ready to start my garden journal, started from a blank slate and have tons of before and after photos that I have been meaning to do something with. Now, I have some really cool ideas, and have actually changed the plan for my garden journal, to make it more personal and not just the facts on the plants and where they are. I can’t wait to get started! Thanks for the great ideas!!
Hooray! I am so happy to hear this. Keep me posted on your progress.
xoxo-
gina
So many awesome ideas. I love how you took the book, added pages to it, and then decorated it in advance. This is a treasure!
Thanks! Pre-planning has really made this journal fun and stress free!
Xoxo-
Gina
Now you did it! I just ordered two of the Garden Books from EBay! I'll be back to watch this again after I make my plan!
Hooray! I am so glad your are embarking on this voyage with me. Keep me posted on your progress. Tip:: the plan is the key to my success/sticking with it.
xoxo-
gina
Received my book yesterday. Did yours have a plastic curved thing in between the spine and the rings? If so,, did you leave it in or cut it out? It doesn't look like there is one in in your book but I can't tell for sure.
JoAnne, most of them have a clear plastic page holder in the binders. I tear mine out. Usually they are old and falling apart - plastic back then wasn't very good.
Happy Creating!
xoxo-
gina
I got two books and I guess they had never been used. They both have that plastic thing in them. Couldn't turn the pages with them in there. Glad I didn't destroy anything! I had to cut it out.
Yep, many times I have had to cut the plastic out - book surgery!
I am excited for your purchases. They sound divine!
xoxo-
gina
Wonderful ideas. Perfect for what I need right now. I so need to do this with all my pictures and I didn't know where to begin. And yes I am overwhelmed with where to start putting things into a journal. Thank you, thank you.
Patricia, you are so welcome! Thank you for your kind words. I love to hear that you are getting inspired. Good luck and happy creating!
xoxo-
gina
So excited to start my garden journal! I found a 5 ring Better Homes and Gardens binder that I’ve been saving for such an occasional this! I have my sections mostly figured out and now I’m gathering some pages to use in it. Thanks for inspiring me to just get started! It is a bit intimidating and a tad bit overwhelming to start but I am tired of having sticky notes everywhere with things I want to put in my journal! Time to get it going!
Found the garden book in great shape at the longest yard sale (Kentucky) couple of weeks ago. Ready to get started.
Very inspirational! Really appreciate the concept of "just doing it" and the "portable ephemera journal". I have lovely stuff from my parent's (letters, calendars, travel brochures etc) that I am looking for a way to honor / use (without hoarding all of it). Just realized I can use those pages as background, when I have similar activities. Thank you.
Absolutely! That is a great idea! I love using items from my family and incorporating them into my current journaling.
I am so glad you gained some inspiration. Take care and happy creating.
xoxo-
gina
Thank you what a great idea, i had just started folding my lose papers up.. but i love the folder/journal the way you have set it up is so helpfull i have a empty folder i was going to give away but not now!
Wow! I love your journal and I learned so much!! Thank you for sharing all your ideas and your journal with us.
So glad I am able to inspire you. I truly appreciate your kind comments and love. Thank you!
xoxo-
gina
Fabulous!!! I adore this! So many great memories put down in your own artful, quirky style! All those pieces of life are what make our books so special and I just love your focus is always there. Love your approach and seeing someone else document in an imperfect way, that really becomes soo interesting and collective! You have a style like no other! ❤ I am so looking forward to seeing you work in this beauty, what an absolute treasure! X
J, you beautiful doll! As always, thank you for your kindness. You are so right - imperfection makes our stuff 'ours'. It gives our work a unique twist.
Hope you are doing well. Have a lovely weekend with your family.
xoxo-
gina
Love your videos! Very inspiring. I have so much I want to document. Life passes by so fast and I want to capture the memories. Thank you.
Hi Annie! Thank you for your kindness. It is never too late to document life. You may not get it all done but what you do get done will be priceless treasures.
xoxo-
gina
Wow..you TOTALLY explained my issue with being overwhelmed with so much paper and stuff that I end up not making anything....THANK YOU for the wonderful idea..I'm definitely going to follow your lead!!! xo
Yes! You go, girl! I am so happy you are inspired and fired up! Less is definitely more when it comes to creating.
Have a happy weekend and thank you for your kind words.
xoxo-
gina
Me too. I've got a stuck of display folders & I've been wondering what to do with them...I might use them to store pages in categorised folders. Yay! Thanks, Gina
You made a flow book that everyone is making now days... I love your home landscape book... I enjoy listening to you and seeing your process of creativity and growth.
I think I am heading towards using the old binders for my way of JJ. It seems so much more flexible. I am 4 weeks new to this hobby. I was sent here by Diane Shaw’s channel. I just love the binder system. You do beautiful work.
That was a lot of useful information. I am definitely going to give it a try. Thank you for the inspiration! TFS.
Yes! You have to give this a try. You will love it, I'm sure!
xoxo-
gina
I LOVE YOUR IDEAS! I'm a first-time gardener and seeing your journal layout is going to help me tremendously when setting up my journal and container garden. Thanks for sharing.
If you search "garden journals" on youtube you might find some really interesting videos. I spent a lot of time last spring watching other talk about how they plan out their gardens. Very inspiring.
xoxo-
gina
I going to check out the site and thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.
What a great idea! Yes, it is daunting! I have two journals in mind. One is for my childhood, and I am already re-purposing a cover from a storybook I loved that was falling apart. I'm also planning a high school journal from my yearbook the year I graduated. I'm just going to use the pages I want to save plus some from earlier yearbooks and some other memorabilia. This is going to help me use up a lot of memorabilia and some photos from my early years. :)
Thank you for this informative video!
Oh, I am so happy you are inspired! Can't wait to hear about what you create. That yearbook idea is GENIUS!!!
Thanks for the love!
xoxo-
gina
What a lovely memory keeping journal! Love love LOVE all the little pretty creatures and the pond section is amazing!! Love the note and tomato plant from one of your babies. Really cute and so real!! TFS and inspiring, Gina!!! xxRenee
Sweet Renee, your kindness always makes me smile. Thank you and I'm glad you loved my 'I'm sorry tomatoes' story. With teens you have to find the positives wherever you can. Have a beautiful weekend, friend.
xoxo-
gina
Here I am, 8 months later, still watching all your videos over and over. I have 3 binders calling my name. I keep putting it off because I'm a bit overwhelmed. My plan is to document the house in GA and ugh, I'm in 3 binders?!?! One for the outdoor areas, one for the improvements and repairs, and another for the decorating. Boy, when I do something I go a bit overboard huh?? Wish me luck!!! I'm starting!
I love your videos. I understand you intuitive creativity. You have validated my style. Thank you
as a garden geek I totally get it. I've bought the book (actually very similar to yours). I have millions of pics, just need the motivation to make it happen. Your video has helped. I even have the pond, although mine is much smaller, and a silly grandson that makes it even more fun. Thank you for the inspiration today. I'm in the middle of fall garden clean up but my book will happen soon!
How to think outside of the box or should I say book! I am so far behind on scrapbooking too because even though I don't do very elaborate pages I do stress about perfection! Great way to just focus on one subject. Thanks for sharing and getting all of our creative juices going.
Hey Kim! Great to hear from you. I have always been quite the non-conformist. I think that's what keeps me creative. Don't worry about perfection - its so over-rated. Just get those memories down and HAVE FUN!
Thank you for your sweet comments.
xoxo-
gina
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome video. My BFF and myself have been collecting these ring bound recipe (etc) books and have been looking for ideas on ways to use them. I am so glad that I found your awesome video. I am going to share it right now with my friend.. Thank you again and I am going to search your channel to see if you have any other videos out there ... Hugs,
Elizabeth, you are so lovely! Thank you. I am so happy to hear you are a fellow ring-bound-cookbook-collector, too! I am obsessed with them. They make the best journals and scrapbooks. I hope you find some new uses for them. Keep me posted. I'd love to hear what you come up with.
Take care and thanks for watching/commenting.
xoxo-
gina
This is phenomenal!!!! I have boxes of photos from birth and up, 38 years worth 😳.... I think this would be a great way to get them into a book!!!! I just need to decide a plan, I love how you came up with a plan sheet, very helpful!!!! Trying to decide order and sections will be where I struggle!! 😣
Thank you!!! The organizing struggle is real, my friend. Coming up with the sections was the hardest part for me too. I am glad you found the plan helpful...so did I. Having that plan has kept me focused and motivated.
Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.
xoxo-
gina
Love your ideas, I am just getting into the altered book. I am hooked!
Hello Angie! So glad to hear you are becoming addicted to Altered Book Art Journaling. You are gonna love it.
Keep me posted on your progress.
Thank you for your kind words.
xoxo-
gina
Oh my goodness, Gina! Just a few weeks ago I found this very book at a garage sale. It's in perfect condition and I have been dying to turn it into a journal. I have several other projects to finish first, but boy oh boy does this baby keep calling my name! After watching your video, my hair is completely on fire! May not be able to sleep tonight! Thanks for the great ideas and inspiration!! Can't wait to see your process videos and be sure to let us know when you the list the ones you were talking about in your Etsy shop. Hugs to you, Gayle. ❤️
My Hair is on Fire!!! ~ I love that! Gayle, I am so excited for you . Can't wait to see/hear what you come up with. Keep me posted.
Thank you for you kindness. I will let you know when I list those other journals in Etsy.
Take care and have fun!
xoxo-
gina
What an awesome idea! I just love how you came up with this concept. I am definitely going to try this! 😀❤️
Hi Liz! Yes, you must try this....you will love it! With your creativity, you will make something amazing, I'm sure!
Thank you and have a beautiful weekend.
xoxo-
gina
Thanks for all the inspiration...I tend to want to be more formal and organised when making a journal and it really doesnt work for memories which by default are often very random...I have photos of our pets that I want to do something with, also handwritten family and friends recipes ...your large binder idea is perfect, thanks, Dixx
Hooray! I am thrilled to hear that. Keep me posted on your progress.
xoxo-
gina
Loved this. Thanks for sharing
Sweet Dawn, thank you so much!
xoxo-
gina
I don't know if anyone else mentioned this but your bumble bees could be carpenter bees that bore into wood. anyways great journal! I love how you plan things out. I usually just jump in and it doesn't always work out for me.
Thank you for sharing.
xoxo-
gina
So wonderful!!
I'm So Paper Obsessed thank you!
So very creative Gina, so many great ideas! Thanks very much for sharing!! :-)
Aw, thank you for being so kind. Hope you found some inspiration.
xoxo-
gina
Oh my goodness--You have totally inspired me to try this approach!!! I love your channel and always look forward to your new videos ... Just curious--how did you get started with junk journaling? Thanks again for your great ideas!!
Oh Sweet Sheila, you are so kind. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment. About 8 years ago my artsy daughter bought and abandoned a book called 1,001 Art Journals. I picked it up one day was instantly obsessed with the freedom and quirky-ness. Art journaling was exactly what I was looking for - an alternative to the staleness of scrapbooking. I began altering books about 4 years ago to use as my journals.
Oh, I could go on and on about journaling. I am so glad you asked.
xoxo-
gina
The china markers i havent seen anywhere but Lowes.. (Hardware Store)... Those pencils will write on anything.
This is amazing......LOVE!
Mary, you are so kind! thank you!
xoxo-
gina
OH boy lots that I have left because I got tired of scrapbooking I think I want to do it on my house and yard in oklahoma because we are going to retire some where else . I don't get overwhelmed I am just tired of the whole scrapping pretty precise thing . I am also going to do a recipe cook book which you already had inspired me to do. I would buy your paper scrap book cool idea
Rhonda, you are awesome! Your 'just tired of the whole scrapping pretty' sums it up, exactly! I am so glad you are inspired to document some bits of your life. Thank you for your lovely comments. I'm excited to get those collage books together. Take care!
xoxo-
gina
Love this idea a lot. tfs
Love your journal/photo book! You could just put an envelope in that pond section for the rest of the pictures! Take courage. ..you are making great progress!
Thanks for the encouragement!
xoxo-
gina
Oh, love it!!!! l struggle with same things too...that's basically why i quit scrapbooking years ago. 😞 your garden book is awesome! i love those old binder books too...need to make a sewing one. 😊 thanks so much for sharing ❤
Thank you for your sweet words, Faydra! The Scrapbooking struggle is real. Yes, if you find a sewing one...grab it up and make it into something awesome.
xoxo-
gina
I have the same binder
Hooray! Isn't it the best?! I snatch them up whenever I can.
xoxo-
gina
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👻
your link for etsy is broken, i think
Thank you, Wendy. I had an extra space in there.
It's fixed now.
xoxo-
gina