I’ve been on the hunt for a simple, list style reading journal for some time to simply have a record of the books I have read. Unable to find exactly what I wanted I decided now was the perfect time to create my own by pairing Bookish with the Story Foundations collections.

For this one I started with the internal page design and the SF Monthly cards. I chose the colourful version in horizontal 4 x 3 (I wanted the month written out in full) and layered that on my blank canvas in PSE, slightly offset to the right to allow for the rings.

And then I added a sub-title using one of the alphas from the SF collection.

Using the colour from the monthly card I then chose matching pattern papers, mostly from the SF: Routines collection(swoon, those colourful woodgrain patterns!!), to be the base of the journal page to go with each month.

I’ve than dragged the “Books I’ve Read” page from the Bookish Book Journal onto the pattern paper side of my canvas, adding a drop shadow for depth. Again, slightly offset to allow for the rings.

Apart from my covers, my internal pages were missing a little something so back to the Bookish collection - specifically the digital embellishments. I chose 4 of these and alternated these between each month. So for January I used embellishment 1, February embellishment 2, March embellishment 3 & April embellishment 4 and repeated this pattern.

Each month with the co-ordinating journal page were stuck back to back.

HOT TIP: If you are to create your own journal only punch holes in 1 of the pages, stick the back on and then line up your punch to get your holes lined up perfectly!

Onto my covers! Again, working with more acetate for my front cover!

Well, this is actually a printable transperency but the important thing is that it’s see through AND I can print at home on it!

I’ve created my cover with one of the SF First & Last 4x6 cards - the colours work perfectly!

To finish off my front cover I’ve added the same tile alpha I’ve used throughout the journal and a floral digital embellishment from the SF: Routines collection. How perfect is that embellishment with the florals coming out of that book?!?

My back cover is VERY simple but sturdy!

I’ve used some thick white cardstock as the base (340gms) and attached a pattern paper from the Bookish collection both on the inside & the outside of the cardstock.

My final touch - which was slightly terrifying to add - was the cutest navy blue pom pom trim that I found in my stash! I love this extra little detail and feel like it brings the whole project together perfectly!

I’ll leave with all of the rest of the photos of my journal and I hope that you enjoy! If you want to create your own make sure you check out my process video for all of the extra tips I’ve thrown in!

Melinda

xx