Next Steps

Last week I took this mini course offered through Indy Bloom on IG and it was the motivation that I needed.

After the happenings in my life over the past 2 years I have had a few false starts at getting back into surface pattern design. My heart is there. But my creativity isn’t. I’ve tried creating again and it just falls flat. So I have been giving myself some grace to get myself going creatively again.

Mindy, from Indy Bloom is a superstar at selling her patterns on Spoonflower. She has figured it out! And she is making a nice profit from her designs. She offered this mini course as a hook for her more in-depth course on designing and selling on Spoonflower and it began to stir something in me again. As I thought about it I realized that even though I may not be ready to jump right in with creating a new pattern collection, I can upload my previous designs to Spoonflower and offer them for sale!

I started repaperedshop already on Spoonflower, before my life spiraled, by uploading two different pattern collections and making them available for sale. But I didn’t really know what I was doing. Now, having taken this little inspirational course, I have new thoughts and a renewed fervour for moving forward.

So, with a little motivation in my pocket, I will take the next step…

New Beginnings

So I have a confession to make…

I have had some significant changes in my life over the last year. And they’ve been hard. And all the creativity drained right out of me.

But I am not letting that hold me down. Out of the grief and misery there has also been light and life. I moved out into the country and it has been the greatest gift! There is so much sky. There are so many plants and creatures and colours. We are up on a hill and look down onto lots of green and a lovely pond rimmed with cattails. I didn’t know how badly I needed this until I was here.

This is the perfect mixture of inspiration that I needed to get my creativity back. So my next pattern collection is coming and it will reflect all the things that have been healing me lately. Out here in my house on the hill in the country!

Welcome Back

It has been a minute (or several years) since I have added to this blog, but it surely is time.

This past year has brought several life changes for me. As such, my time and creativity were limited. However, I am back and ready to share with you again!

The biggest news I have to share is that I have been working on developing my signature style within surface pattern design. After taking the Immersion course by Bonnie Christine I spent time making over one hundred patterns, as she suggested. In doing this, I feel like I have explored various ways to design my patterns and have fallen into a bit of a groove with what makes me happy.

Collection: Mama’s Garden

Additionally, you may notice some changes to my website. Because I am going in a new direction with my creativity, I have redesigned my website to include a Portfolio in order to share my work with the world. I still have so much to learn about building and tweaking this website, but this is a start for me.

So welcome back! Thank you for being on this creative journey with me…

New Collection: Strong & Sweet

I have been busy. Making patterns. And collections.

And it makes my heart sing…

This is the second collection that I have designed. It was created around an outdoor/hunting theme and inspired by my youngest daughter. She is my tomboy, my outdoors girlie and so very independent. There is a strong, tough side to her, but at the same time she is so soft and sweet. All of the designs for this collection were made with her in mind.

Strong & Sweet Collection by rePapered

After designing this collection I realized that it would make a sweet theme for baby products. Can you imagine a onesie covered in flower camo? Or a swaddling blanket in the mountain landscape? Perhaps a diaper bag lining with the X and Os? And the mix of deer, arrows and flowers on a nursery wall would sure cozy up the room, don’t you think?

I would love your feedback on this collection.

Which prints are your fave?

Creative Habit 2: Turning Adversity into Advantage

These are unprecedented times. As we all adjust to social distancing and taking precautionary measures while out in public, everyone responds in a different way. There are those who welcome the time at home, to be closer to immediate family, to have a slower pace, and to prioritize their lives during this pandemic. There are those who are pushing back, eager to meet up with friends (because FOBA and FOMO rule*), eager to eat out in a restaurant and eager for life to ‘get back to normal’. And then there are all manner of those who fall in between and spill over the edges.

But did you know that some of the strongest personal growth, deep transformation and bold creativity come out of experiences where one suffers, struggles or feels defeat?

It is through overcoming such struggles that we discover just how strong and beautiful we are as individuals. As we each live through the day by day news reports, statistic updates, and social media messaging, we have a choice how to respond. It is in such moments of adversity when we turn inward and look to what we actually believe. Often we find that the old belief structures no longer hold true and we begin to create new meaning for ourselves.

Creativity is giving yourself permission to see things differently. - David Robert

When roadblocks are plopped in front of us, it is our human nature to find another pathway around them. How many of you have attempted to cut your own hair (or someone in your family), tried a new recipe or redecorated a room in your house during this pandemic? You are exercising your creativity.

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis

Somehow we find a way through hard times. Often we get creative doing it. The brain is an amazing problem solving machine and when it sees a roadblock it sets about to smooth things over. When things are going as normal, the brain gets a bit bored and actually tunes out the typical. But when things get stirred up, the brain is awakened and revitalized by the novelty and challenge of the situation.

Do you feel it?

*FOBA - fear of being alone & FOMO - fear of missing out =)

Creative Habit 1: Driven by Passion

I am attracted to people who exude passion.

I have recently been watching the Masterclass by Marc Jacobs on Fashion Design. I have no desire (at this point) to become a fashion designer. But what I was so attracted to was Marc Jacobs’ passion for what he does. Listening to him speak about his career and what he has learned over the years, I was equally impressed and inspired by his passion for fashion design. All careers come with ups and downs and Mr Jacobs speaks to that, but at the end of the day it is one’s passion for the job that keeps you coming back and it was clearly evident in his class.

There are many connotations for passion. I like to think of it as an immense desire and love of what interests you, to the point of throwing your entire being into the pursuit of your passion. The famous blog Life Hack claims that passion is more important than money when it comes to your life’s work. And I agree.

Passionate people are driven by their intense interest in and desire to excel in whatever they are passionate about. You can spot people with passion because they are often quite chatty about their craft. When listening to Marc Jacobs I saw an exuberance for fashion design that I do not see in everyone. His face lights up, his tone of voice is light and cheery and he just can’t share enough about his love for design. I also had a strong sense that he just wants everyone to love fashion design as much as he does.

This kind of excitement is contagious. Passionate people are contagious. If you are fortunate enough to know someone or listen to an interview of someone with passion, you will know it.

And you may even be a little more inclined to find passion for yourself!

First Pattern Collection

So…I made my first pattern collection!

While taking the Immersion course with Bonnie Christine, I was creating the motifs for a collection. By the end of the course I was able to put all of my newly acquired skills together to complete an entire pattern collection. This is a big deal for me!

During the past year I have been creating my own patterns using my original watercolour motifs and then trying to put them together using my skills in Photoshop. But Photoshop does not hold a candle to Illustrator when it comes to creating a pattern. So it was high time to learn Adobe Illustrator and that is what I did.

I named my collection Leaping Forward as we were on the verge of spring as I took the Immersion course and it was a nod to my decision to leap into a new adventure.

A collection consists of two hero prints…

Bird in Paradise

Royal Lotus

Then there are a variety of blender prints and coordinates…

Dripping Down & Backyard Bunnies

Field Flowers & Scratchy Grass

Little Minis & Picnic in the Park

Sketchy Blooms & Budding Blooms

Looking back I have so much to learn, but looking forward…I am ready to leap!

Keeping A Sketchbook

Wow.

The start of 2020 has not been what I expected.

The world is in turmoil over the COVID-19 pandemic and life is not as we formerly knew it.

But life does go on - right?

We just have to establish a new normal. And we can do that by continuing with the things we love and letting go of the things we cannot control.

So that is what I have been doing during this time of social distancing and isolation. I have been doing what I love and that is learning and creating.

In early spring I signed up for a course from Bonnie Christine, who is a well-known surface pattern designer. Her course taught me, not only the tools of Adobe Illustrator, but the business of pattern design. And I am all in! I will have more to share over the coming weeks on this, but for now, I want to simply share what is making me happy…

Inspired in the Immersion course, I am now keeping a daily sketchbook.

Sticker courtesy of the Immersion course by Bonnie Christine

It is not perfected drawings and I scribble things out a lot. But it is becoming a collection whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I see something inspiring on TV, or Pinterest, or IG, or in a magazine (like my new fave Uppercase) and it just needs to be captured.

Keeping a running sketchbook has not been a part of my creative practice in the past. But with the intent to make patterns, everything is now an idea to be captured as I do not know where it could possibly lead. This sketchbook is becoming my favourite thing to do while being holed up at home. And I am loving it.

Sometimes I simply write words or ideas that inspire me…

Words from Elisabeth Olwen

Sometimes I have ideas for a collection and sometimes it is just motifs that I want to explore and play with more. At any rate, the pages of this sketchbook are quickly filling and I cannot believe that I have never taken on this practice before!

How about you?

What are you inspired by in these crazy times?

What are you dedicating your time to that makes you happy?

Go Big or Go Small?

Creativity comes in many forms. From photography to watercolour painting and sculpture to stop motion films, the range is very wide. Even within art journaling, scrapbooking and those who keep planners, there are numerous preferences and outlets. And then there is the size of format that varies from one artist to the next. Some prefer to go big and some prefer to go small.

Did you know that the brain is stimulated by novelty? Something new or out of the ordinary or unexpected actually fires the neurons in our brain! If you have ever experienced ‘creativity block’ then you know how hard it is to come up with ideas or inspiration in those moments (or days. or months), but all the brain needs is a kickstart and that can be achieved by novelty or moving outside of your comfort zone. The writer who stares at a blank page could watch and listen to the birds to be flooded once again with language. The sculptor can try playing with paint, the collage artist can try stepping out to take a few photographs… in each case, the brain will suddenly awaken instead of tuning out the ritualistic motions of working in one’s preferred medium.

TN book covers from vintage books

Many scrapbookers, art journalists or planner addicts have a preferred size of book in which they consistently work. Right now, the trend for scrapbookers is the traditional Traveler’s Notebook size (8.25in x 4.25in) and many planners or bullet journalers are using an A5 or 8x6in or larger notebook. But it all depends on the artist.

Herein lays the challenge. As a scrapbooker, art journalist or planner addict, have you tried working in a different sized book? In doing so, you may uncover new inspiration, new talent and at the very least, a new challenge. Perhaps I can give you some insight…

Repurposed Book and insert from rePaperedShop

Reasons To Go Big

• you are used to the Traveler’s Notebook size

• you like to write a lot

• you want to add extra lettering, photos, ephemera

• you are documenting a longer time frame

Reasons To Go Small

• you can still do scrapbooking or journaling or planning!

• you like bullet points - keep it simple

• you want to carry it in your purse

• you want cuteness!

• you are documenting a shorter time frame

Two sizes of book covers and inserts are available at rePaperedShop

Regardless of size, there remain similarities in both big and small sizes:

• you need a system of productivity or documentation

• you need a catch all for important stuff

• you are a die hard for analog

• you are a creative

So, will you take up my challenge and try a notebook in a new size in 2020?

You may discover a favourite new size!

3 Reasons Why You Need Pretty Pocket Folders

You know when you find that special item that just makes sense? It’s like…where has this been all my life? Or…finally someone came up with the perfect things that I have needed! Well, that’s what I felt when I first made these folders. They just make sense. There are so many little bits that life offers and that we have to pass up because there is nowhere for them to go. But often they are the little reminders that take us back to a special time and place. The ticket that reminds you of your first concert. The receipt from the ice cream store that you first went to with your boyfriend. The drink coaster from the cool pub that you recently discovered. All of these seemingly insignificant bits make up the pieces of your life and who you are. But without a purposeful place to put them, they often get lost or left behind altogether.

However, when I travel, I now find that I grab those maps and brochures because when I get home I am going to put them in my pretty little folder for safe keeping. Then one day, when my granddaughter is flipping through my journal and asks where this bookmark is from I can tell her it came from a bookstore in Italy on my 25th anniversary trip (and then continue to draw on that little tweak of my memory and tell her how we had climbed the 66 arches in Bologna and after making our way back down we dipped into this little bookshop on such-and-such street where I bought an Italian fairy tale book and they tucked in this bookmark as a freebie)!

If you find yourself nodding here, then I encourage you to read on to find out the 3 reasons why you need one of these pretty pocket folders…

1. You like pretty things

Not only are these pocket folders pretty, but they will help to keep all your items visible and arranged in an organized way - and that is pretty too! Now, when I am out and about, I look for all the pretty things because I know that I have a special place to keep them all. And I love looking back through these folders as reminders of what I have done in past days.

2. You will have all your important ephemera in one place

Last spring Hubby and I went on our Bucket List trip to Italy. Of course I created a personalized journal to document the entire experience. But it was these folders that took it from just a journal to a beautiful display tool! Every event that we attended, every shop that we entered, every restaurant that we ate at and every tourist station that we inquired at yielded maps, business cards, drink coasters, receipts, pamphlets and brochures. Well, I grabbed them all! Having a place to tuck all these reminders of the little things (and big things) on our trip made it all worthwhile. And now, when I share my travel journal with friends and family, all of the ephemera is in one place neatly organized and prettily displayed. And that’s what a girl wants, right?

3. Your friends will all be asking where you bought it

Not only will you be organized, but others will be looking over your shoulder when you whip out your little pocket folder to produce the movie tickets you have safely stored for this moment. Not only will they be impressed that your tickets are not crumpled, but they will feel a little pang that you have something so cute to store them in. And then they will want to know where you got this lovely folder. Of course you will tell them at rePaperedShop!

So, do not be hesitant to collect the things that tell your life story any longer. Even though Marie Kondo may say otherwise, collecting gives us a sense of belonging and history.

Your future generations will thank you…

Traveler's Notebook Set Up 1

I love paper. And notebooks. And journals. And piles of it all.

So it comes as no surprise that I am always playing with different ways to configure my traveler’s notebook.

Here is a look at one way to customize your notebook…

About Me

Happy New Year! And yay to 2020!

As we begin a new year (and new decade) I thought it was time to share a bit about myself and this little blog.

I am a creator.

Currently I am still working full-time as an educator. Doing this blog and Etsy shop are my side gig but I look forward to working on them every night when I get home. I am intellectually stimulated during the day and in the evenings I create with my hands. It’s the perfect combo for me! My passions lay in the intersection of learn and create. Driven by the next new idea (and how I can accomplish it) is what propels me forward. I love to do calligraphy and watercolour painting and am trying to incorporate them into my little business as well.

I am a wife and mother.

Being married 26 years is one of my greatest accomplishments. Perhaps it is our mantra of being a ‘team’ that has made us strong, but the longevity of our relationship has deepened it and I am grateful. We have two lovely girls who are pursuing their careers and dreams and we couldn’t be more proud.

I am a small-business owner.

Since starting my Etsy shop named rePaperedShop in 2017, I have learned so much. My launch has been slow but steady as time allows. I think I am disobeying all the ‘rules’ of starting a business and blog, which tell you to be consistent and ever-present and curate a mailing list and follow a social media calendar. Hasn’t happened for me…yet. But I am making my way the best way I know how right now. Slowly I am making some videos on You Tube and I am growing a small audience on Instagram so I feel like progress is being made.

I am looking toward the future.

My goals for 2020 are to grow many areas of my business (obviously) but to keep it all manageable. It will happen, but it doesn’t all have to happen by tomorrow.

Thank you to all of you who have shown an interest in my endeavours and I wish you all the best for 2020!

Two Ways to Express Gratitude this Thanksgiving Season

I am so blessed.

I have recently read two different novels giving insight into the differing perspectives of WW2. I also watched a movie about the genocide in Burma. I cannot relate. I am safe and secure. I have food. My needs are met. I am content in my life.

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, I am reminded to be grateful. Having much to be grateful for, I want to share that message with those around me. Studies show that exercising gratitude improves one’s psychological and physical health, self-esteem, mental strength and more. I am taking mindful steps towards gratitude this month (and throughout the year).

Here are two ways that I am exhibiting gratitude in this fall season:

By hanging this print on my wall as a reminder to me and all my loved ones…

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By writing down all that I am grateful for in my journal…

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I have been keeping a Gratitude journal since the beginning of 2019 and I can truly say that it keeps me grounded and constantly aware of all that I am blessed with in this life.

How are you preparing your heart for the upcoming Thanksgiving season?

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Through the Tough Times

This summer was hard.

Our weather was not overly sunny or warm. There were very few days worthy of pulling out the patio furniture cushions. I did get to do some travel so that was nice, but my heart was as heavy as the clouds hovering over my head most of the summer.

Why, you ask? Well, several of my people were struggling and it weighed heavily on me. Two of my cousins (who are as close as siblings) are wading through divorce. A very close friend lost her father-in-law. One of my daughters who lives eight hours from home due to her job is missing home and desiring some changes. The other daughter is stressed out preparing for her CPA (accounting) exams that are three days long (how is that even a thing?). And then returning back to work I found out that one of our office personnel died from cancer after being diagnosed less than a year ago. Ugh…

So, yes, life is tough.

But it is not insurmountable or hopeless. Life does knock us back on our heels sometimes, but this summer made me reflect on the things that I have already overcome in life. And how they felt hard at the time. And how I struggled, but made it through. I had to be tough.

And you are tough too.

If you can relate to life being tough today, then this quote is for you! Let’s stand side by side and show life just how tough we can be…

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5 Ways to Enrich Your Mind

The other day I came across an interesting blog post that listed 25 Ways to Nourish Your Mind. I found it interesting that six of the ideas listed are all related to notebooks and journaling in some way. And they are already things that I am doing!

Start Journaling

Journaling has been a part of my life since as far back as I can remember, high school at least (and that is a long time ago for me)! I love colourful patterned notebooks and offer several options in my shop, namely blank, dotted or lined.

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Get a Planner

I have been using a planner for 2 years now and I cannot say how freeing it is to have everything written down. My mind is free of the worry that I have forgotten to do something or that I will not have time to do the things I need to do. It took some time to get into the habit, I must admit, but now that I am using my planners regularly I am so much more efficient!

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Create a Bucket List

Everyone needs to dream. Bucket Lists are a wonderful way to imagine what you want in life and then when you are in the throes of hard work, you remember what it is all for! I keep adding to my Bucket List as life unfolds and I am more aware of what I truly want for myself.

Try a Brain Exercise or Do a Puzzle

When I saw this one listed I nearly laughed. Puzzles and brain challenges are my jam. Doctors agree that word or number games exercise unused parts of the brain, so I am banking on that! My game of choice is something called Blackout Poetry.

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You simply start with book page and look for random words that make sense together. I love a good fun challenge. I have made vintage book pages into notebooks for this purpose and I fill them to exercise my creativity.

Start Making Goals

When your dreams and Bucket Lists are written down in your journal, and your planner is begging for you to fill your time efficiently, you will find that you want to set some long-term goals to work towards. These goals can be big lofty, I’m-gonna-get-there-someday goals, or they can be goals that are easily achieved during the week. Either way, writing them down allows them to be in front of your face regularly, making them more likely to attain. As well, setting these goals allows you to break them down into manageable and doable steps that you will portion out in your planner.

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Learn Something New

This one can be a stretch, but it is always worth it. A couple of years ago I set out to learn the art of calligraphy. I bought books, watched YouTube videos, took a few online classes, then practiced and practiced and practiced. I used my journals for this daily practice and it is so rewarding to look back to see where I have come from. Finding every chance I could to do calligraphy ensured that I didn’t get bored of just writing random words. I lettered quotes, phrases, poems, and even did Bible journaling using this new skill. I cannot say I have arrived, but I have definitely progressed to where I am happy with my calligraphy.

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So, do you partake in any of these activities that are said to enrich your mind?

This is my challenge to you…

Process for a Calligraphy Piece

I am not yet able to create a perfect calligraphy piece on the first attempt.

Many calligraphers can pick up a pen and their years of practice and learning have brought them to a place where they can just start writing and make a perfect piece the first time. I hope to be there one day.

In the meantime, I still have to make many versions of a quote before I can call it ‘done’. Often I will start with a pencil drawing straight from what I envision in my mind. That doesn’t always look good, so I pull out my eraser and make a few changes and tweaks. This can happen several times.

When I feel that it is getting close to what I want I will draw the piece in brush pen, so that I can make adjustments for the width of the pen lines.

Inevitably, once I see it done in pen I usually see a few more areas that could be better. Again, I could end up doing this a few more times. Sometimes I am happy at this point and let it rest.

But sometimes I look at this quote after a few weeks and see where I still need to make changes. When this happens I will bring the piece into my iPad as an image and then I can trace it and make adjustments from there.

Currently, this is where this piece resides. I am still unsettled on a few things, so I will work further on it.

But eventually, this quote will end up in my little Etsy shop!

How I Improved My Calligraphy Skills

I have been doing calligraphy for nearly 5 years now.

It takes a lot of practice and a lot of patience. Along the way I have made many ugly pieces that will never make it to social media! For a long time, when I would come across offers for calligraphy classes I promptly passed. I didn’t need more instruction, I knew the basics and I just needed to practice. Slowly I saw improvement. Eventually, over time I have improved in the smoothness of my letter formation and I am getting better at composition. I am not there yet, but I am seeing a difference.

With this growing confidence I began to look at my calligraphy with a more critical eye. I could see that I was getting better, but I still was nowhere near many of the ladies that I follow on Instagram. I knew I was improving but I couldn’t quite put my finger on how to make my pieces look amazing, you know? It was then that I realized I needed more training. Very specific training. And feedback. On my work. So I went searching…

One of my calligraphy heroines is Amanda Arneill. I don’t remember how I got on to her IG feed, but I am sure glad that I did. Over the years I have taken a few different classes from her, but I was only at the beginner stages of my calligraphy. And then I noticed that she was offering a new class: Intermediate Masterclass and in that moment it sounded perfect for me. I wasn’t a beginner anymore, but I am clearly not a pro either. So ‘intermediate’ caught my attention.

The experience I had in this Intermediate Masterclass left me challenged, encouraged and re-energized toward calligraphy. Amanda has staged out the class so that there is a clear goal in each lesson. She provides the learning through worksheets, an instruction video and even live videos of her doing a calligraphy piece and talking us through it! I benefitted from her knowledge, her experience and her encouragement. Every lesson I found myself pausing the video and jotting down notes of wisdom and insight into how to letter better. Each week we uploaded samples of our own work into a private Facebook group for the class and Amanda went through each of our pieces and gave feedback on our work! This impressed me. Not only did I learn where my areas of improvement lay, but Amanda taught us how to look at any piece and see where something may be amiss and how to fix. This helped me tremendously.

Now, I don’t profess to be an expert after taking this class (after all I am still only an ‘intermediate’) but I learned more pertinent instruction for where I am right now in my learning journey. And for that I am grateful. Trust me, I still have a long way to go and I need much more practice on the things that I learned from this class, but I can honestly say that I am pleased with the difference this class is making in my calligraphy.

Amanda’s calligraphy class has taken me from here (don’t judge) to here (still don’t judge!)…

As I said, this class has given me more confidence and has allowed me to put some of my pieces out there. I have begun sharing more on my IG feed ( @repaperedshop ) and have even uploaded a few pieces for sale in my Etsy shop ( rePaperedShop ). And I welcome any feedback that you may have.

Also, I am in no way affiliated with any kind of promotion, I am just speaking from my heart and sharing my experience. However, if you are a calligrapher or are simply interested in challenging yourself to begin calligraphy, I encourage you to check out Amanda’s classes.

Cheers friends!

Recycled Paper TN Folders

New folders have just been uploaded to my shop!

These folders have been handcrafted from recycled shopping bags. These colourfully designed bags from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. make a perfect folder with two layers of pockets to hold all your pics, docs or whatever you need to keep track of!

Each folder is 8 in tall and 4.25 in wide in order to perfectly fit into a traditional Traveler’s Notebook, as well as one of the book covers you can find in my shop.

I had fun coming up with the design for this one. I was trying to create something that will allow you to hold many paper items as well as organize them visually. After carefully measuring and folding, I run each folder through my trusty vintage sewing machine to secure the edges and complete the look.

Don’t miss out on these fun and colourful folders. Grab one before they are gone!

Books I Make In My Shop

With a few new followers lately, I wanted to say hello! And a great big welcome to you!

I also wanted to give a bit of the story that I am trying to weave with the notebooks that I sell in my shop. First, I love vintage books, so I am seeking out the prettiest ones, gutting them and rePapering the inside.

Then I have created a number of notebooks, folders, and planner items to fill the book covers.

Are you the journaling type? Perhaps you have a family to keep organized? Maybe you are a planner addict or bullet journaler? An artist? Either way, these books are the perfect way to personalize your needs.

All of these have been designed by me and created for you with love!

Cutest Ever Library Pockets

Do you remember when you were a kid and it was Library Day at school? If you are like me, it was the best day ever! Not only did you get a break from the seat work in class, but it was so exciting to browse shelf after shelf of stories that would take you anywhere you wanted to go. Now, I may come off a bit nerdy here, but as much as I enjoyed a good story, I was also intrigued by the little library pocket at the back of the book. It always looked so perfectly important there, all official and organized, protecting the card holding all the names of the previous readers who enjoyed this very story. I used to check the pocket to see if anyone ever left something in the there (no, but I was always curious and hopeful) and every once in a while I would store my bookmark in that pocket until I started reading the book.

That little pocket made enough of an impression on me that I still hold the memory as an adult. So now, when I am creating items for my Etsy shop, and my goal is to make useful and beautiful things, the idea for a library pocket pops into my head. Even though the ones you’ll find in library books (only the old ones of course as now everything has gone to a digital scanning system) are so cute and tiny, I decided to make these ones long and sturdy.

This past spring, Hubby and I went on our Bucket List trip to Italy. There were 6 stops on our adventure and for each one we had collected all kinds of paper to keep us organized on track - and that was even before we left home! We had AirBnB reservations, train tickets, event bookings, restaurant suggestions, maps, itineraries, and ‘must do’ lists for each destination city that we were to visit. So, in a moment of need mixed with nostalgia, I had the idea to make a long library pocket to hold all of the pertinent pieces for each of the 6 towns on our list.

I simply adhered one pocket in my travel journal every few pages (left blank for documenting the daily goings on while on our actual trip) to not only indicate the order of our trip, but to store and keep handy all of the important papers that we had to produce when we arrived at the next town on our list. Then, when needed, I knew exactly where to go to find the address for the AirBnB. It turned out to be a brilliant idea!

Each of the pockets is fashioned from recycled shopping bags. Not only does this offer a unique and varied characteristic to my journal, but the shopping bag paper is much sturdier than regular paper, making it durable and able to stand up to me reaching in to pull things out and then return them over and over again. And in a world where recycling is a household word now, I figure I am doing good by the environment to use up these pretty bags!

Perhaps you are not going on a trip anytime soon but you are intrigued with this library pocket idea. No worries, there are many other uses for them as well. They could be used in a baby book to hold birth stories or hospital information for new moms. They could hold love letters or pen pal letters (I know people still do that kind of thing because I’ve seen it on Instagram). They’re great in a scrapbook to keep archival documents that are too fragile to be glued in or that need to be read on both sides. And, if you love making lists, they could even hold the weekly shopping list on your fridge for you!

So, if you are interested, I’d love for you to go check out my Etsy shop at rePaperedShop.

I’d even love it if you were to leave me a comment here telling me your idea for how to use one of these lovely long library pockets. Or, perhaps you’d like to share your memory of the good ‘ole Library Days from your childhood - I’d love that too!