Gratitude Journal and Felt Bookmark

Soon to be Earth Day, Crafters!

Did you know Kunin Felt is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles?   We reclaim billons of bottles from the landfills every year.

I have always recycled, my dad taught me since I was young that I needed to do my part to save the earth.   I am excited to share an Earth Day craft that is an upcycle of a piece of thin cardboard to create a cute Gratitude Journal with felt flowers and felt bookmark.  

Time:  30-40 minutes

Skill Level:  Beginner

YOU WILL NEED:

Product:  9″ x 12″ craft cuts Kunin Classicfelt in Red, Orange, Yellow, Pirate Green, Brilliant Blue, Bright Lilac (or any variation of felt that you prefer!)

Optional:   Basic Shapes Sizzix XL die cut and Big Shot Cutting System

FOR THE GRATITUDE JOURNAL:

One piece of thin cardboard that is approximately 6” by 9”, which will fold in half.   For the thin card board:  I used the back of a note pad for this, another suggestion would be to use a cereal or cracker box.

One piece of scrapbook paper, cut to be slightly larger than 6” by 9”

White or ruled paper for inside pages of journal

Stapler

Glue stick, Tacky Glue or Hot Glue

Die cut for felt flowers and flower centers

FOR THE BOOKMARK:

One piece of cardboard that is approximately 2.5” by 6.5”

One piece of scrapbook paper cut to be slightly larger than 2.5” by 6.5”

Glue stick, Tacky Glue or Hot Glue

Die cut for felt flowers and flower centers

Scissors for skinny felt strips

STEP ONE

Let’s begin this project by die cutting and hand cutting your felt pieces.   If you do not have a die cutting system, you can easily hand cut these pieces to make a simple flowers and flower centers.

  • 6 flowers
  • 6 centers
  • 4 skinny strips of felt for bookmark

STEP TWO

For the JOURNAL:

Cut the thin cardboard to approximately 6” by 9” and cut a piece of scrapbook paper to be slightly larger than the cardboard piece.   You will need to firmly fold the card board piece in half.   After you have done that you can add a few white or ruled pieces of paper to the right side of the journal, You can staple the papers at the top or the side.   TIP:  If your journal is smaller, you can more easily staple the pages in the center with a standard stapler.

Next, you can wrap the journal with the scrapbook paper and you will cover over the staple marks that are on the back side of the journal.   You can use a glue stick or tacky glue to adhere the scrapbook paper to the cardboard.   TIP:  Take time to glue the cardboard first and then add the scrapbook paper with care.  

For the BOOKMARK:

You may be able to use any extra cardboard leftover once the journal piece is cut.  Cut the thin cardboard to approximately 2.5” by 6.5” and cut two pieces of scrapbook paper to be slightly larger than the cardboard piece.   Next, you will need to glue the scrapbook pieces onto the front and back of the cardboard.    You can use a glue stick or tacky glue for this part of the project.   Next, you will need to punch a hole in the bookmark and thread through the skinny strips of felt.   Once the felt pieces are all pulled though, then you can tie a simple knot to create your bookmark tassle.

STEP THREE

For the JOURNAL and BOOKMARK:

Once the scrapbook paper is adhered to the cardboard, you can now add the felt flowers and centers.   I used a glue gun and glue sticks for this part of the project.

Now you can start your journal and use your bookmark!   I plan to use my journal for daily gratitude lists which help me to focus on the good things happening in my life.   I hope you have fun making this project and creating your own journals and bookmarks.

Thank you for visiting the Kunin Felt Blog! You can now find an expanded color line of Kunin® Classicfelt and Kunin® Premiumfelt  non-wovens fabrics in cut by the yard at your local Walmart; please inquire as to what is available in your area.  Kunin Felt is also available on Fabric.com.

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Rina Gonzales

Owner of Create Studio Fresno & Founder of Crafty Happy Hour

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/createstudiofresno