Hello Creative Friends,
I’ve been seeing all the art made with maps around the web and on Pinterest and I’ve been wanting to do something along that line but I came to realize that maps are expensive just to do a craft with and I haven’t been able to find any old used ones anywhere. I know there’s a few scrapbook papers done in maps but I think those are too expensive as well. I just don’t think I’d do enough with it to justify my purchasing it.
My solution was to find a map/atlas book on the free bookshelf at our library. The book was old and the maps are probably so outdated that I didn’t feel bad tearing out the pages. The book was not in the best of shape.

I’ve been wanting to make myself a new weight loss journal so I started with a Composition Journal (which I normally stock up on after school starts and they mark all the school supplies down. I think I got these for 10 cents last year.)
I covered it with some of the map paper from the atlas book and some scrapbooking paper that I had. Then I embellished it a little bit. I used a Stampin’ Up! stamp set I have called, Sentimental Journey for the “Journey” and compass images.

I do better with my diet when I’m writing down what I eat and how much I exercise. Also I tend to keep track better if I have something pretty to write things down in.
Have a creative day,



















I cannot believe that you tore a page out of a book in the library.
How awful.
I will be unsubscribing from you blog.
They take book donations and the ones that are not needed or that are falling apart and not in good shape, they put on a free shelf outside the library for anyone to take. I don’t feel bad tearing up an outdated map book. If it was a novel or story type, then I probably would feel bad about taking it apart.
She didn’t say she tore out the pages and put it back for someone else. I’m sure she took the whole book with her. I would do the same thing.
Lovely journal. I agree, keeping track of eating and exercise is so much easier when you write it down – and of course, it’s always nicer to be something pretty.
Love your journal idea….and OUR library does that too…some books are for SALE that people brought in and some are left out for the “taking”…..at least you are RECYCLING … Have a Blessed Day…LOVE LOVE LOVE your site!!!
always anxious to see another posting…
Love this map-cover, Julia!
Looks fantastic!
Just “pinned” it!
I would hope that Jera misunderstood that this was a FREE book to take and do what ever one wanted with it. Not the kind on the shelf that you have to check out..
Our library has a section of 25 cent books. I find this idea of using old maps to make something new, a wonderful idea.!♥ Thank-you very much for your inspirational website. I have used it many times to get ideas for our ladies’ ministry.
God bless you!!
(keep the ideas and thoughts coming!♥♥)
I must apologize as I did not read the part about a free book at the library. I do not think our library has any free books. Please forgive me for thinking harshly.
Jeria
Libraries do have old books that are no longer used. They place them aside just for special projects. Just on last Friday we had an arts class using old books. Making vases, journals and photo albums. A group which meets every third Friday and we enjoy arts and crafts. “Maturing Minds”
I Love this idea! My daughter’s school only allows them to use the composition books without the spirals and the decorative ones can get costly. She loves to do crafts and I’m thinking this would be a great project for her to do and be proud of her notebook she designed. The only question I have is…. What did you use to stick the paper to the book? Sorry if it tells you and I missed it. Thank you
Tonja, I just use glue sticks to adhere the paper for comp books anymore. Have tried to go down the road of Modge Podge and other things but it’s a lot of work and mess so I’ve found glue sticks work just as well. Sometimes I take my tape runner and run it close around the edges, then use the glue stick all around the rest. I know some of the girls on my craft sites I visit use only Spray Adhesive on them but I don’t think it’s worth the $ or effort to use it on comp books.