Group Craft Idea: Scrap Leather Journals!

During our planning meeting for our church's ladies retreat we talked about doing a group craft/project. At that point all heads turned my direction (I have no idea why) and of course I said "sure!" because that's the only word in my vocabulary when someone asks me to do something. :o)

Think of a craft that is simple enough for non-crafters, cool enough to impress the hardcore crafters, elegant enough to not be thrown out immediately and cheap enough for me to buy supplies for 23 people? ...Sure! 

Sure...

But! A couple of days before the retreat I found these little leather journals at Walmart. They came in a three pack for just under $5, and I had a bunch of leather scraps at home already, so it was pretty inexpensive! Especially when Mom saves the day by finding some in another town and sending them over. You're never too old to need Mom. :O)

It turned out to be a really good group craft! Everyone can choose the color of leather/vinyl they'd like. Or mix and match all of them!

To cut out simple designs...

 And use a strong hold glue...

 To attach them to the front of the journals!

 Super quick and easy. And a little classier than foam stickers. ;O)

Then you just have to think of something profound to write inside.

We all wrote an encouraging note in each person's journal about why we loved them. So we can keep them and take them out once in a while to be encouraged by the messages. 

Confession: while the idea was right on, I actually craft-failed this one by bringing the wrong kind of glue. I decided to try Super Glue on a whim and believed the "fast-drying" claim on the package, which is a dirty rotten lie made to taint the reputation of otherwise apparently competent crafters. Whatever. :O) Humbling moment accepted. But I tried it again when I got home with E6000 glue and it worked brilliantly!

They had the journals in colors, too, and if you have leather scraps from a colored handbag or something that would be all kinds of cute. I wish I had some to demonstrate, but I'm sure you can imagine it!

I have gotten emails before requesting ideas for group crafts, so maybe this idea will help someone out a little! It certainly is challenging to make something with lots of people. But nothing beats crafting with friends!

Have a great day!

Love,

Disney