5 x 7 Journal

I'm excited about the interest so far in the Joy Journal Project....it will be fun to get my first envelope of papers.

I wanted to take a minute and remind you that I need to manually publish a comment before it goes on the blog....allowing me weed out the spam. Also, blogspot is being finickly and sometimes doesn't let me respond directly to a comment and as of today it's not even letting make a separate comment. I don't know what the problem is...but could be my ancient computer. Yikes! I am able to get your comments and publish them so please know that I read every one.

Be patient with me on comments and if you want to contact me about the project please email me. Or you can just send your papers. I will always reply to your comments if I can. If you haven't heard from me it's because I'm having trouble with that feature. I continue to love any feedback and conversions. 

OK...enough of that admin stuff! 

Paul found joy in the snow as he headed off to snowshoe in the woods. 

I got out for walk too....and was quite impressed with some of our snow piles We did get 15 inches of snow in this last storm! 

I made a loop around the pond....it was fun plowing through the deep snow.

As promised...here's a glimpse inside Judy's 5 x 7 journal.

I have come to understand that the cover of a journal is pretty important...it sets the tone for what's inside. I'm excited about coming up with different techniques for the covers letting the papers lead the way.

Judy included three cards which coordinated well. It took a bit of nerve...but I randomly cut them up into chunks and created a patchwork quilt adding in just a few of my own papers. 

There is a neutral bookpage collage on the back of the cover and I folded the papers around to the front to cover the edge. I reinforced the spine and button closure spot with fused fabric on the front. It looks pretty sad at this point...but it all got covered with the beautiful cards. I wasn't worried...but I sure could have been.

I used an advertising flyer that comes with our weekly circular mailing...it was just the right weight for the substrate. I love using recycled materials and the fact that the word "toilet" is under the cover is our little secret now. 

I attached the papers onto the front with a glue stick overlapping them just a bit to create the patchwork quilt. I love the bit of fabric peeking out on the spine. I was pleased with how well it worked out.

I took it to the sewing machine and stitched around the all edges. I wasn't concerned if I went over a line twice...I just kept sewing until all the edges were stitched. 

Here's a little glimpse at some of the pages inside the journal. 

I like varying the sizes and shifting the pages off just a bit creating visible layers. Judy can add things on each of the pages that will peak through to tie them in even more. The pink flower is the rest of the card from the cover which I fussy cut along one edge.

I thought this green papercut was lovely....

so I left it just as it was so it became its own page.

I added some lined notebook paper from my stash

which works well for quotes or doodling. 

Graph paper is good to include I love that the pine tree is still peeking through.

This lovely translucent paper is a little pocket.

I liked the interesting way these papers lined up.

And I do love using some of the scraps!

Hidden In My Joy

In February of 2023 I launched  An Ounce of Joy giveaway. 

I spent about a month filling envelopes with an ounce of snippets from my stash and sent them all over the country...and a few outside of the country. I loved every minute...it was one of my most memorable and engaging joyful puttering projects.

Once again I have found a purpose...and it was hidden in my joy. 

Several days ago I shared a little pack of papers that Judy sent to me to turn into a personalized joy journal. 

I actually used Judy as a test case....and her journals (I made two) are on the way to her and should arrive tomorrow unless delayed by the snowstorm. THAT is what I talked with the postal clerk about on Saturday....he was very helpful and didn't mind hearing about my project.

Here's a sneak peak at the cover of one of Judy's journals. The other one is very different with the bright purple paper you see above setting the tone. I'll share that soon....and a bit of the insides of both.

I was giddy as I opened the envelope and sifted through the papers....it felt like Christmas. I loved the challenge of coming up with a cover design and turning the papers into something unique.

When I am absorbed in cutting, folding and stitching, I am in a place of peace.  when I am doing it for someone else, I am in a place of joy. 

I would love to make a Joy journal for you!

You don't have to decide now....I will keep this open for a little while. If you don't know what you would do with one....I'll share some ideas and what I am doing in my own journals over the next several weeks. I will be blogging about Judy's journals and others if I get takers. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea....so you can just follow along and cheer us on. Or not. Of course I have no idea what the response will be so I am leaving it up to the universe that it will all work out.

If you're interested...read on. The rest of you can get on with your day.

The following information will be on the blog on the Your Joyful Puttering page along the sidebar.

Here’s how the Joy Journal Project will work:

Send me a small pile of papers in a color scheme you love. Some should be foldable foundation papers....some can be thin and some can be a bit heavier. 

Papers can include greeting cards, calendar images, junk mail, art projects, gelli prints, children's art and stationary. Images that I can cut out with irregular edges are fun and images on good old copy paper are a nice weight to work with. Plain paper is good too. Anything goes really. Your journal could also be all neutral inside with just places to write and tuck. No art needed.

Don’t send too much, I can only make one journal for each person. Your papers should fit in a 5 x 7 or legal size envelope and not cost much more than a stamp or two to send. Five to eight medium to large pieces and a hand full of smaller pieces like art scraps, stamps or tickets would be useful. 

If you don’t have many papers....no worries. I have plenty to fill in the gaps. But I do need at least a couple inspiration papers. Everyone has something.

Don’t send anything too precious…I might cut it up. 

You can request certain plain filler papers from me: mixed media, watercolor, graph paper, lined paper or simple art or simple gelli prints. If you don’t specify, I will mix it up inspired by your papers.

You can choose your journal shape: about 5 x 7 or about 4 x 9 (legal envelope size). If you don’t specify….I’ll choose. I want the finished journal to fit into regular envelopes keeping the mailing costs under $5.

Include $5 to cover mailing it back to you. Any extra money will be used to buy items for Maine Needs. International requests might need a little more postage and we can discuss that through email. 

If you don’t have my address, you can email me at joyfulputtering@gmail.com

Make sure you have a clear return name and address on the envelope or include it inside. 

I will open one envelope at a time finishing one journal before moving onto to the next one. I hope to work on these a few hours every day this winter, but you will have to be patient because some days fill up with other things. 

I will share some of the process and a glimpse of each journal on the blog using first names only and where it is going. You know I love to share my joyful puttering. Please let me know if you would rather not have your first name published....that will be just fine.

I would love to see and share (if you're OK with that) some of what you do with them if you’re willing...but that is not required.

Questions? Email me at joyfulputtering@gmail.com

Let's spread some joy!

MaryAnn

Home Run!

I was quite taken with these fabulous snow/rock sculptures on our patio fence. It's already covered in snow again. 

It's been a day of connecting! I had a nice long conversation with my siblings this morning. Nancy lives in Minneapolis so is up close and personal with all of this chaos and tragedy. Marilyn and LaVonn are living through frigid cold in Wisconsin....and Doug is getting freezing rain in Atlanta. We're expecting up to 15 inches of snow here in Maine overnight...so we had lots to talk about. 

I also had a good long chat with Clarke today....which is always a delight. 

Remember Clarke's Creature Christmas? She loves knitting these little frogs...and said she may be making them the rest of her life. They have unlocked something in me....she said. I totally get that.

There was nobody more special to Clarke than her grandmother....dear sweet Margie. When Margie turned 92 Clarke sent her a purple sweatshirt with SHUPE 92 on the front....and Margie wore it with pride. Purple was the color of the Colorado Rockies...and Margie was a fan. 

She was wearing it on the day of the the solar eclipse...and staff snapped this photo of her. 

Clarke wanted a frog of her own...so made one as a tribute to her grandmother.

Could it be any cuter? Home run!

She actually knitted the Shupe...and 92 into the tiny sweater!

Blows my mind!

Here's another one she made for a work white elephant gift exchange....that's the company logo on the back which is stitched on top of the sweater. Somebody was really lucky! Another home run! Well done Clarke!

More Precious Little Scraps

It's heartbreaking that there was another shooting in Minneapolis. We can all see what happened with our own eyes. God help us! 

I went to the post office early this morning to mail a package and it was cold with a wind chill below zero. I was the only customer and the postal agent greeted me as I turned the corner with Welcome! Thank you for coming! I had a few things to talk to him about....so I was glad there was no one behind me. We had a delightful conversation and thanked him for for his interest and enthusiasm. 

I had a few more stops...and there was a bounce in my step.

When I posted about Roseanne's journals I made a point saying I used every single scrap in her chunky joy journal. But that wasn't actually the case. Roseanne asked me if I would make a label for the inside cover of the altered art journal with my name. Of course I would....and I chuckled and said I would search the trash for a few scraps to stitch together. 

I did go through the trash....I swept the floor...and sifted I through the pile of cut-offs next to my paper slicer. Score! 

And yes...I'm going to write a whole post about these precious scraps because we all know that joy is often found in the little things! And we need every little joy we can muster up these days! 

I was surprised at how many more snippets I found. I make quite a mess when I work...so there is really no surprise here. 

Some were just precious. Just look at that little watercolor strip on top! It made my heart skip a beat.  

Once I had my card stock printed and trimmed...

I put down a strip of double sided tape.

I lined up some of the chunkier scraps on the tape.....

....and added a few more on top with a bit of glue.

Then I took it to the sewing machine finished it off with stitching.

I couldn't help myself from making a second card...and bagged the rest of the precious little scraps up to put in the mail for Roseanne. 

Joy IS found in the small stuff....even the scraps. 

My purpose IS actually hidden my joy. 

The gathering in Lewiston was moved to an indoor event space. Paul and I were ready to be outside...but the warm(ish) space allowed us to interact with people more easily and actually hear the powerful speakers who have been on the front lines.

Local leaders celebrated and promoted the power of community....neighbors helping neighbors...and the power of love. We are both glad we went.

Solidarity

From the Portland High School Website:

Portland is the largest city in Maine with a population of nearly 70,000. It features industrial and business interests, professional sports, an orchestra, theaters, museums, a busy port and working waterfront, an international jetport and lively arts district. One of three public high schools in the city, Portland High is among the oldest public high schools in the nation. Portland High School is a comprehensive four-year school located in the downtown district.

There are 791 students enrolled as of September 15, 2025. Approximately 40% of our student population is made up of immigrants representing 39 different countries and 26 languages, making Portland High School one of the most diverse high schools north of Boston. PHS cultivates the academic, social, emotional and civic skills of every student by fostering a mindset of lifelong learning and inspiring students to become dynamic participante in our local and global community. 

In 2000...our family moved from a predominantly wealthy white suburb into Portland in search of more opportunities and diversity for our two boys. We found it...and we love our vibrant, immigrant welcoming city on the Maine coast. 

Both Nate and Sam went to Portland High School and Paul and I are proud of the school's support and commitment to immigrant and non-traditional students. 

Ice agents have come to Maine and have named their mission "Operation Catch of the Day." I think that is despicable. They are targeting students and residents just because of their race and regardless of citizenship status often using violent and inhumane tactics.

Attendance at all Portland schools is down and immigrant families are urged to shelter in place. 

Paul and I joined a small group of Portland High School students and faculty on January 20th to protest the inhumane and targeted acts of violence by ICE against their fellow classmates and their families.

Earlier this evening we attended a Minnesota/Maine solidarity protest and we were impressed with the turnout and the energy of the crowd. We are heading to Lewiston tomorrow...another targeted immigrant welcoming city. 

Even in the chaos...there is always joy. We have walked by these lights going to protests during the day many times...but this is the first time in the dark. 

I think they're magical. 

For some reason I was not able to reply directly to a comment on the blog this morning. If you leave a comment...I can still publish it, and I will respond in a separate comment until I can figure it out. I may have to consult Clarke this weekend...she is my tech support and can usually figure out anything.

Color Palettes

How to stay on top of housework when you have a craft room (or a puzzle). 

1. You can't.

2. Find a new dream.

I continue to sit at my puzzle table for at least a few minutes every single day. It's almost meditative. Actually....it IS meditative....and a nice escape from the complete nightmare going on in our country. 

I finished the top half of Philippa's puzzle and got to push it up on the table and attach the bottom border. The bottom almost feels like a blank canvas.....

....and here's my color palette.

And here's another color palette I get to play with.

I'm going to make a joy journal for Judy...and these are the papers she sent me. I'm king of giddy...and it will be fun to see where these papers take me. I'm up for the challenge!

No Surprise

Joy is not a final destination....it's always a work in progress.

It's no surprise that the Kawandi paper quilt ended up being a journal cover. That's what I'm mostly doing these days.

Since it was a long narrow piece...I did a trifold...just like a wallet. That gave me two folds to attach two different signatures. 

It's kind of chunky...and the fabric backing lends itself to the more rounded spine. I just love the way it felt in my hands. 

There were a few larger papers in Roseanne's pile that I didn't work into the altered journal for one reason or another. So I used ALL of those...and EVERY SINGLE scrap of the other papers that were left over in this chunky little joy journal. I smiled all the way through making it!

I glued smaller scraps together to create bigger pages...I collaged on the back the thinner papers for reinforcement and I glued in little snippets. No scrap went unused! 

I folded pages to create pockets to tuck in more scraps and snippets. 

There are still plenty of spaces and places for Roseanne to add quotes and writing...and snippets and art.

This page spread has a pocket on the left...and a belly band on the right. 

I tucked in some of Roseanne's scraps (one I made into a little tag) in the pockets and tucked a few art papers under the belly band.  I added a few words here and there leftover from my tag project.....let's just love one another! That would solve a lot of problems.

Roseanne got her journals today...and she opened the box during a Zoom call. 

We had a good time...and it was fun to visit and talk about the process.

Kawandi Style

As you may know I'm quite taken with Kawandi style of quilting. I've played around a bit with both fabric and paper and have shared almost all of those projects here on the blog.

This was one of my first paper Kawandi style paper quilts...and you can read about it here in this post.

I used this tried and true technique with Roseanne's pre-stitched brown paper and those precious scraps.

My first step was reinforcing the back of the paper with some fused fabric. Stitching on paper creates perforated holes...so it can easily rip. Fabric backing gave the paper strength to hold up to stitching.

I started in one corner with a little scrap...

and kept adding...overlapping and stitching the scraps around the edge.

I stitched a couple rows before I needed to add additional squares and I would tuck them in to fill in the gaps and cover the brown paper. A variety of size and shape gives it interest.

I kept going....and once I get to the middle I was done.

Easy Peasy....and so satisfying. It only took about 10 minutes.

The papers are pretty diverse...but there's a good mix of light and dark they all work so well together and tell a personal story for Roseanne. Tune in tomorrow to see what I made for Roseanne with this Kawandi style paper quilt.