My Well-Travelled Padfolio

Written by guest blogger, Sheila Barnes at Idaho Beauty ...  These are all pictures I sent to Sheila after returning from our trip in May.   Sheila originally posted here.

Autumn Trees padfolio checking out the old city gate in Marvejols, France

Remember the padfolio I made earlier this year for an exchange with Michele in Wisconsin? Michele had mentioned that she planned to take it with her on a trip to France and Scotland, which in itself pleased me. But imagine my surprise and delight when pictures of my traveling padfolio showed up in my e-mail!

Autumn Trees padfolio enjoying the view of the harbor at Portree, Isle of Skye, Scottland

Years ago, back when I was entering my quilts in shows all over the country, I had that realization that they were better traveled than I. Now the padfolio is even more so as it has become an international traveler! Michele noted that it was very handy for jotting down lists and information and the pocket for storing receipts on the go.

Autumn Trees padfolio contemplating stone walls, sheep & the tip of Skye

I've given away quite a few of these padfolios in various designs but wouldn't you know, I've never made one for myself. However, Michele's journal that I got as part of the exchange HAS been put to good use - I've nearly filled it with life lessons and musings. My padfolio will have to wait - I've gotten an offer of a painting in exchange for a similar version of Autumn Trees. It's next on the to-do list.

Michele braving the windy & cold tip of Skye

Thank you, Michele, for thinking to do this. It's really fun to see that padfolio and you having such a great time!

Notebook Covers

The smaller one is a la Gill K. from Conversations in Cloth. 5-1/2 x 8 in pad. She gave everyone a little kit to make one at our Christmas Party a few weeks ago. This one flips up.
*************************************************************



This one is the Padfolio pattern from Sue Bleiweiss at Fibre & Stitch. It covers an 8-1/2 x 11 inch legal pad. I didn't do any thread-painting or embellishing as I was testing the basic pattern.

I needed a new notebook system for drafts of my blog post articles. The notebooks go with me everywhere, and I can write a draft when an idea presents itself. It's harder to schedule computer time at my house between a computer programmer husband and a gaming boy, so the notebooks house my ideas until I can get them posted.

I bought a few notebooks last summer when all the school supplies were on sale. But these notebooks seem to be so poorly constructed that they fall apart with minimal use. I can't imagine any of the students are putting up with this. I don't want a spiral notebook because I rip out the pages and recycle them after the post has been published. I don't like all the little bits of confetti that fall when pages are torn out of spiral-bound notebooks.

This solution provides a cloth cover for a plain old sturdy legal pad (or smaller). I can rip out pages and not worry about it falling apart. The design is tried and true.

I'm working on a similar design that would not require the satin stitching. This method uses a lot of thread. Stay tuned ....