Keeping a garden journal is a good way to help assure a better chance for success in the future. Not only can reviewing notes you've jotted down help you prevent repeating mistakes, having dates of planting, harvesting, and problems you experienced can help you be more successful at heading off problems as you research better methods.
A garden journal can be something as simple as a spiral notebook or as elaborate as a beautiful, handbound leather journal with handmade paper pages. It doesn't even have to be a physical record; it can be a file on your computer. The goal is to find a method that works for you and motivates you to keep those records!
I have a difficult time with the idea of adding new information to an existing list in a book each year. I like to be able to reorganize and assure I don't run out of space as I add to it. In the past has meant jotting down notes on Post -It Notes and scraps of paper before I commit to making it permanent in a book. And that means lots of loose papers floating around getting getting rumpled, walked on, food stained, and worst of all, lost. I'm a big fan of aged and rustic but I always end up with just a big, sloppy, unorganized mess.
I've decided the best method for me is to find a way to keep all of my individual notes organized. This doesn't force me to try and change my natural bent to write little notes. Instead, it works perfectly with it.
While I could have gone out and purchased a box of envelopes to create this journal, the Fiskars Scalloped Envelope Shape Template helped me to make my own and customize them with the colors and patterns I wanted. It also allowed me to make them more durable by making them from fabric and to bind them together in a way that is functional and expandable.
To make each individual envelope, I started with a 10 inch x 10 inch square of fabric. Since I planned to create my own envelope flaps, my squares did not need to be any larger than this. If you plan to make your envelopes all one piece using the flap that is part of the template, cut your squares to be large enough to accommodate the full size of the envelope opening.
Next I adhered fusible web to the back side of the fabric square following the directions that come with it. Fusible web can be purchased in packages or from a bolt in a fabric store. It comes in various "strengths" so it works well with light and heavier-weight fabrics. And it is very simple to work with, requiring only a few passes with a hot iron to activate it.
I then used the Scalloped Envelope template to trace the envelope shape onto the paper backing of the fusible web. The template includes a grid to help with alignment and I stopped at the square on that grid that is just beneath the scallop.
Using the Fiskars No.8 Non-Stick Scissors, I cut out the envelopes.
To give the envelopes some structure, I lined them with paper. Since fusible web is double sided for the purpose of adhering 2 materials together, this is as simple as peeling off the backing paper from the fabric envelopes, lining the back of the envelope with book pages (or any paper of your choice), and ironing again to activate the adhesive.
My book paper was old and I was able to easily tear around the edges of the envelope leaving a decorative torn edge. You can also cut the paper with scissors. Using Fiskars Decorative-edge scissors is another way to add a pretty border to the edges.
To create the flaps, I cut 4 inch x 6 inch rectangles from file folders. Using a variety of Fiskars border punches, I punched along the 6 inch edge. I wanted an aged look so I used a Walnut Stain stamp pad and a sponge to ink both sides of the flaps.
The unpunched edge was then folded over 1 inch.
Align the 1 inch folded section on the flap along the inside top edge of the envelope and either glue it down or machine stitch it in place.
Assembling the envlopes was is easy as folding the side and lower flaps toward the center of the envelope and gluing the edges of the lower flap down.
Be sure to only apply glue to areas that you want sticking to the side flaps. Otherwise you'll glue your envelope closed!
To complete the envelope, fold the excess material above the flap over to the back side of the envelope, leaving a tab of at least an inch.
Use the Fiskars 1/4 inch Hand Punch to punch two holes through both layers.
The final step is to embellish the envelopes as desired. I've chosen to keep my notes organized by plant type. You could also label them by months and keep your notes in order chronologically according to planting dates. Whatever method motivates you to keep those records is the one you should use!
Stack the envelopes and bind them together using looseleaf binder rings. Since the base of the envelope is fabric and it has an adhesive backing, the holes have the integrity to hold up to use. If you feel better having more reinforcement, eyelets can be inserted in the holes and set using the Fiskars 3 Piece Eyelet Punch Set.
And now that I have a pretty bound garden journal that I love, I'm more likely to actually use it. I will try to keep my notes shipping tags but if I happen to grab a pad of Post-It notes, they'll fit in the envelopes as well. I can also drop in photos or the seed packets from varieties that produced well for me.
Anything goes when you use envelopes to organize!
** to see more fun crafting projects why not visit http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting
