Eco Friendly Friday (Well…Monday!)

Ok, so I was away visiting family this weekend so Eco Friendly Friday has to be done today

I decided to focus on one seller each Friday to really get to know them and promote their art….I think it’s more “Etsy” than just picking different items from several sellers. After all, Etsy is about person behind the items as much as the item itself (ideally!) and it’s always more fun to have a story to tell about your purchase!

I have found a great seller to feature, I am just waiting to chat with them some more and then I will post about it!

Remember to check out my handmade journals and notebooks in my etsy shop here – http://prenya.etsy.com

Tartan Journal

So I thought I would do a twist on the usual thing people think of when they think Scotland-Tartan. This isn’t one yer Granny wore!

You can find out more about this journal or purchase it here.

This journal is covered in a pretty, pastel coloured, modern tartan pattern with shimmering green end papers.

The book measures 4 3/4″ x 6 1/4″ (UK size A6), and with 320 hand torn pages (both sides) it is perfect for using as a daily journal. The paper is an off-white colour and suitable for any dry media.

The spine is exposed and the journal is coptic bound with long stitch in the middle done in a criss-cross pattern. A light pink/brown yarn is used, complimenting the subtle pinks in the book covers.

If you like what you see and would like a journal custom made for you or as a gift please contact me or visit my etsy shop here- http://prenya.etsy.com

Scented Purple Butterfly Journal

This journal is quite different from others that I make as it is hand painted with a lightly scented oil. I actually came up with this by accident when I went to put on my oil burner and must have got a little on my hands because when I came back to finish making the cover I got an oily mark on the book- oops!

Bright Purple and Pink with butterflies on the inside.

I always like to learn from my mistakes and try my best to make something original from the result- so here it is! I mixed up the essential oils with some carrier oil so the smell wasn’t overpowering, then I finger ‘painted’ the covers of the book. The result smells delicious!

This book has fantastic bold colours – purple and pink. I have lined the first and last signatures with butterfly printed paper which adds a little bit of a delicate side to this striking journal.

The spine is exposed and a bright pink yarn has been used for the coptic binding. The book measures 4 3/4″ x 6 1/4″, and with 320 pages (both sides) it is perfect for using as a daily journal.

Bright Purple and Pink with butterflies on the inside.

You can find more about this journal or purchase it here as well as all my other journals and notebooks!

Next I’ll be making a mini journal using some modern tartan-style paper. I’m looking forward to it already

Rain Clouds and Hikes!

Well today was an interesting day. Usually every Sunday me and my husband go for a hike up Arthurs seat in Edinburgh. Yesterday we were too lazy so we decided to go today instead. Well…today it was rainy rainy rainy! We still hiked up to the top (of the Salisbury Crags)…the top was actually in the clouds, and it was like our own little silent word up there, looking down at the city through the raincloud like we were floating in there. Here are some photos of today…

And to complement our trip to the clouds…look at this cute raincloud pendant I found on Etsy!

Raincloud Pendant by Imogen

Remember to visit my shop www.prenya.etsy.com to see my latest journals and notebooks!

Roses Tiny Journal

This is such an adorable journal! It measures 2 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ and has a lovely print of a cream/pink rose on the covers. When the book is opened up the two covers meet to show the full image of a rose.

Find this journal online here.

I have my own tiny journal like this that I keep in my bag and use for all my bookmaking ideas as soon as they come to me. It would make a great present for anyone who is on the go or as a “Secret Diary” for a young girl!

There are aprox 64 pages (128 both sides) of off-white paper suitable for any dry media with a section of little pockets in the back.

The book has an exposed spine and is coptic bound allowing the book to lay flat when open.

The ribbon is attached to each cover and can be used to tie the book closed or tie into a bow at the sides. There is also a bookmark with a small peach coloured gem.

You can find this journal and many more at my shop www.Prenya.Etsy.com

Eco Friendly Friday!

So today is now officially Eco Friendly Friday on Prenya.WordPress.com!

Each week I will scour Etsy to find my favourite products made using reused or recycled materials. I love to reuse different materials to make my books. Sometimes I’ll use things found in charity shops, second hand stores, or my own cupboard of junk. It gives me a challenge and makes me feel great too!

My first favourite is this funky mini coin purse by CaraTaylor.

Recycled Shopping Bags!

She uses old grocery bags to make all kinds of cool items. The best thing is that if you collect 50 bags for Cara she will give you one of these for FREE! Get collecting

Next is this beautiful drum made from reused maple flooring by SlapHappyDrums.

Made from maple flooring!

From the sellers profile “The majority of our wood is scavenged or obtained before it can head to the dump. We use a lot of hardwood flooring, but make softwood drums as well. There is a difference in sound as far as the wood goes. But the subtle differences from drum to drum are what make me the happiest. We never know exactly how it will sound until that final tuning before we play it.”

Now I wish I had $175 to buy it!

If you want to beat me to it you can find this “djun djun” here.

And last for today is CraftWerker who has made these lovely little clothes peg bags out of her niece’s old clothes. They are so cute!

A Clothes Peg Bag!

You can find this item here.

Ok, that’s all for this weeks Eco Friendly Friday. Hope you enjoyed my picks!

For my own Etsy shop please visit me at http://Prenya.Etsy.com

Floral Watercolour Mini Journal

This mini journal is made using the print I found on a birthday card in a charity shop. I loved the warm, antique colours and it inspired me to make this journal.

One of my favourite things about this journal is that when you open it up the book covers come together to show the entire image of flowers in a vase. The inside of the covers are lined with a gorgeous and delicate flower print.

It measures 3 3/8″ x 4 1/2″ so it is small enough to fit in your bag or even pocket, but because it lies flat it is possible to comfortably write/draw on the whole page.

There are aprox 130 pages (260 both sides) of off-white paper suitable for any dry media.

The book has an exposed spine with gold paper covering each signature as seen in the third photo. It is coptic bound with a dark brown yarn.

The ribbon is printed with gold text that reads “Health Wealth Happiness Long Life Fertility” and can be used to tie the book closed or tie into a bow at the sides. There is an earthy brass coloured chain that can be used as a bookmark.

This is a lovely little journal and would be perfect for filling with romantic poems, childhood memories, sketches…anything creative!

Each journal I make is unique, please comment me if there is anything you would like custom made! I would be delighted to help

You can buy this journal or any of my other items from my shop http://Prenya.Etsy.com

Words Of Gold Notebook

This notebook is bursting with warm red, orange and gold. It has a kind of Asian feel to it, it would be perfect as a travel journal to record all the new sights, sounds and smells in it.

The outer fabric is made from this gorgeous skirt I found in a charity shop in Edinburgh one day. I don’t know what it is made of but the bright colours and silky smooth feel to it made it irresistible, I had to buy it and use it for my next book.

The pages of the book are made of an off-white paper which is suitable for any dry media, and the signatures of the book are lined with rice paper. The book is coptic bound with black yarn, and lies flat when open. The book has aprox 90 pages (180 both sides).

I have used golden/brown beads and coloured gemstones for the bookmark and the book can be fastened closed with a wooden fastener and black beads.

You can buy this book from my shop here.

Daisy Print Mini Journal

This is one of my favourite journals I have made. It so small and neat and the daisy print goes perfectly with it’s size

It measures 3 3/8″ x 4 1/2″ so it is small enough to fit in your bag or even pocket, but because it lies flat it is possible to comfortably write/draw on the whole page.

There are aprox 150 pages (300 both sides) of off-white paper suitable for any dry media with some green rice paper pages throughout.

The book has an exposed spine with green rice paper used to create a green/cream pattern on the spine. It is coptic bound with long stitch in the middle through which a ribbon is woven.

The ribbon is printed with gold text that reads “Health Wealth Happiness Long Life Fertility” and can be used to tie the book closed or tie into a bow at the spine as seen in the photo. There is also a ribbon to use as a bookmark.

You can purchase this book in my etsy shop here.

If you have any ideas for a custom made book please leave a comment or contact me and I’ll happily make one for you!