Birthday card/junk journal

My friend had a birthday in early March and I had this vintage birthday card picked out to alter and give to her, but thought I'd try something a little more interesting. So, I took some book pages, some vintage, some not and made a small junk journal for her.
I used some marbled paper from a class I took at the local art center for the cover. I couldn't bear covering it up, so I left it alone:

 I had wanted to sew the pages together, but wasn't exactly sure how. I ended up taking some pages from a larger book, folding them in half and sewing them together and then attaching the other book pages with double stick tape. I really wanted to use those pages and not the larger ones for the backgrounds.
Here's the first spread:

You can see the front of the vintage birthday card on the second page. The off-white parts are flocked.

 I added a scrap of decorative paper on the first page:

 Here's the second layout:

 I put the rest of the birthday card on the third page, with a few memo sheets on the fourth page.

The third layout:

 I put some to-do lists on the fifth page.
Here's the fifth page without the lists:

 I added a quote paper underneath the lists.
I made a couple pockets on the sixth page, they held the scraps of the marbled paper and some tags.

 The fourth layout:

 I put some sticky notes on the seventh page with a coloring postcard and a strip of washi on the eighth page.
The fifth layout:

 I added some epoxy stickers on the ninth page and a pocket made from the corner of an envelope on the tenth page. I filled the pocket with some printed acetate.

 This is the front of a card on the ninth page.
And here's the back cover of the marbled paper:

 Here's all the stuff I included:

The other three pages of the card, scraps of marbled paper, vintagey looking tags, memo sheets, to do lists, sticky notes and printed acetate.
My friend was very pleased to get it.

Mail journal

February 25:

I had received a decorative paper swap:

 A Send Me something Unique:

 And a green card:

None of them really had any interesting envelopes or exciting notes, so I just took the notes and put them on one page along with some washi from one of the envelopes.

 February 27, I received a this and that swap:

 I used some of the washi sent, a post it note, some of the decorative paper.

 Also, on February 27th, I received a favorites tag:

 I used some of the washi, the note and some of the stickers.

 February 28th, I received a flat happy mail tag:

I cut apart the envelope, used elements from that, the note and some stickers:

 March 1st, I received another this and that swap:

 I used some of the washi, some of the bag toppers, and attached the envelope the note came in and just tucked it in the envelope.

 I also received a craft swap:

I used the note, and some punchouts from the paper pad.

 March 2nd, I received a Grant a wish tag of something minion:

 And a RAK:

There wasn't much from the two of them, so I combined them for the day. I took of the tags of the minions, used some of the washi from the RAK, attached the envelope with the note tucked in it:

Use What you Get

I signed up for this swap where we send our partner a die cut and they make a card from what we sent.
Here's the die cut I sent:

 And here's what I received:

 It was so cute, I didn't want to make a card with it, but I did:

I used one of the embossed papers as a background, added some egg washi to the side, some pink bling to the bottom and a 'Happy Easter' sticker to the corner. I also attached her with foam tape.

St Patrick's Day Loaded Envelope

I'm not sure why, but I signed up for a St. Patrick's Day Loaded envelope. I'm not very good at loaded envelopes and I don't have a lot of St. Patrick's Day stuff (especially since I got rid of a bunch of it). Anywho, here's what I came up with:

 The background is from an all seasons paper pad, unfortunately after wrapping the envelope, I was a hair too short. I covered up the gap with a strip of thin washi. The leprechaun is from a loaded bag swap I did last year. I added some clover jewels to give him a bouquet to hold and a jeweled clover to his hat.
The back:

 The large piece is also from that same swap last year. I made a pocket with some more paper from the all occasions paper pad.
Here's what I put in it:

I made a wand with a sparkly clover that I had added some sparkly heart stickers to for dimension. It's on a gold striped straw with ribbons wrapped around it. I also made a cluster of clovers with some pipe cleaners and jewel clovers. The next thing is a bag of stickers. I made a shaker tag with green sequins, and more of the jewel clovers, I used a glue gun and some plastic packaging. There's a tiny ziploc bag of some green sour airhead candies. I made another tag with a doily, some jeweled clovers, and some green and gold gems. I also altered a felt clover sticker by adding a foam hat to it. I made another tag with a pot of gold sticker. I included some washi samples of mainly gold washi. I added a paperclip made from a foam sparkly green bow I got in a swap. I included some St. Patrick's Day ribbon, some tea, a bag of clover punchouts and a bag of the jeweled clovers and green sequins. There's also a paperclip made with foam hat cut outs and another tag made with a foam clover sticker and some washi.
I think I did pretty good for not having much in the way of St. Patrick's stuff. I had planned to go to Dollar Tree, but the weather stopped those plans. I had picked up the gem clovers, the hat stickers and the clover stickers at Hobby Lobby and found the pipe cleaners at Walmart.
Here's what I received, first glance:

 Not a great picture, I know, I was at work, and I just wanted to look at it.

 I passed these on to a co-worker, I don't like sour things.
The envelope, front:

 I love how she made an extra large one of these envelopes. I might have to take it apart and make one myself sometime.
The back:

 And the goodies:

I love all of it.
I really wanted to include more store bought stuff in mine, but I just couldn't get to the stores with weather, I hope my partner appreciated what I sent. I thought I did the best with what I had.

Happy mail

Monday, Feb 18th: was Columbus Day, so no mail.

Tuesday, Feb 19th: Flip book tag:

 I used her note, part of the envelope it was mailed in and some goodies she included in the flip book.
Personal swap:

 I used the front of the card she sent, the back (her note) and basically everything that was on the envelope. The washi from the bottom and some stickers.
Valentine ATC:

 I basically cut open the envelope and used that, and some extra washi tape she sent.
Wednesday, Feb 20th: Happy mail tag:

 I cut apart this envelope too, and used the left side where her return address was, her pretty writing of my name and a bunch of stickers that she included in the tag.
Thursday, Feb 21: Valentine's Day tag and Favorites tag:

 The background is from the packaging. I used one of the envelopes she included in the package, her return address and some stickers that were included.
Friday, Feb 22: Bookmark tag

 I used her note and a bunch of stickers she had used to decorate the envelope.
Wish:

 I used her note and the washi she used to attach the tea that I wished for, as well as her cute return address label.
Saturday, Feb 23: green pocket letter

I used her note and a couple die cuts she included as well as some washi that was included.
I also received an envelope full of sunshine (a bunch of die cuts), but there wasn't a note and all that was in the envelope was the die cuts, there was no decoration on the envelope, either. It didn't work for my journaling book.

This and That

One of my artsy groups had a swap called this and that, basically we picked 10 things from a list to send to our partner. Here's the list:
3 altered clothespins, 3 mini tags, 1 A2 get well card, 2 embellished paper clips, 2 lace ribbon samples of 18" or longer, 4 different colored seam binding samples 18" or longer, 1 mini 3x3 flipbook, 2 coin envelopes, 1 altered mini composition book, 1 flat pen, 4 mini 3x3 thank you cards with envelopes, 3 rolls of washi, 1 A2 missing you card, 18 buttons, 1 package of sequins, 6 6x6 sheets of paper, 1 decorated hat pin, 12 beads, 3 samples of bakers twine 36" or longer, 3 inchies or 2 A2 birthday cards.
I chose to send:
2 embellished paper clips,
2 samples of lace ribbon
1 3x3 flipbook
3 rolls of washi
18 buttons,
1 package of sequins
6 sheets of 6x6 paper,
12 beads
3 inchies
2 A2 birthday cards.

 The inchies:

 First one: flower punch on some pink patterned paper with a jewel and 'smile' sticker. Second: some sunglasses, flip flops and shell stickers on a cloud background. Third: I glued down strips of paper for the background and added a cup and 'enjoy' sticker.
A2 birthday card:

 I took a card blank added the blue paper and the spotty journaling card, some layered flower stickers and some letters to spell out 'happy birthday'. I had two made (thinking I just needed one for each partner) and then realized I was supposed to have two for each partner, so I found another for each swap in cards people had made and sent me.
3x3 flipbook:

 This is the front, I used a 3x4 journaling card that I cut down. I added the washi on the sides cause I liked the look and added a little bling to the top and bottom.
First flip:

 The sunflower backgrounds are recycled from some packaging. I added a 'take the path least taken', tricycle and some button stickers. The right page has a little pocket with some planner stickers.
Second flip:

 I added a mini 2x2 journaling card to the left page. The right page has a 'the best is yet to come' sticker.
Flipped up:

 The journaling card flips up and I added some butterfly stickers.
Back:

 I added some washi samples and paper clips.
To make the flip book, I basically cut a 3" strip from a 12x12 paper and just folded it every 3", so it folded back onto itself.
Last flip:

Another journaling card on the left. The right just has more stickers.
What I received in return:

It looks like she chose: 6x6 papers, 3x3 flip book, altered mini composition book, inchies, twine, get well card, mini tags, buttons and sequins. And apparently she substituted washi samples for rolls
I don't understand why it's so hard for people to follow directions, or even put notes into packages. I have a lot of mail groups, I keep detailed records, but it's frustrating that you can't include a simple note saying what group and what swap it's for, and even who it's from.
And for my second partner, I sent the same things.

 inchies:

 left: food and 'eat' stickers on pink patterned background. middle: strips of paper with a butterfly button. Right: starfish charm with a 'relax' sticker on a cloud background.
Birthday card:

 This is a horrible picture, because I forgot to take one of just the card. Basically it's the same as the one above. A card blank with blue paper and journaling card and some layered flower stickers. I also added letters that spelled out 'happy birthday'
3x3 flip book. Front:

 The background paper on this one is this blue patterned paper. I added a 2x2 journaling card and some bling.
First flip:

 Also used the sunflower paper. Added bird, butterfly, flower and birdhouse stickers. Right side is tiny pocket with planner stickers.
Second flip:

 another 2x2 journaling card, the right side has a 'everyday is a fresh start sticker'
flipped:

 added butterfly stickers under the journaling card.
back:

 some washi samples and paper clips.
Last flip:

banner and 'i believe good things are coming' stickers. Right side has more stickers.
What I received:

 One partner sent 6x6 paper, mini tags, get well card, mini thank you cards, sequins, buttons, miss you card, beads, lace and washi. Love her packaging as well.
A few extras she included:

And from my second partner:

she chose 6x6 paper, mini flipbook, altered notebook, inchies, baker's twine, get well card, mini tags, washi, buttons and sequins.
There was a miscommunication on what to send from my second partner, so I was sent a few replacements:

mini tags and some washi.
These are one of my favorite swaps. I like that we combine stuff that we've made and stuff that is already purchased.