I never imagined I’d create a beach-themed journal, but a trip to the coast earlier this year with my husband and our Rough Collie, Kai, changed that.
I’ve always thought of beaches soaked in sunshine with children making sandcastles and seagulls flying overhead. But on this particular day, the weather was far from summery. It was windy and overcast and the beach was practically deserted.
Not only did this trip inspire the journal you’re about to see, but it also led me to design some digital papers that I’m really proud of. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how my Driftwood Dreams project came to be, plus some info on how you can make a journal or notebook just like mine.
The Details
- The cover: This journal is entirely made from envelopes with a window pocket in the front and a mini flip-out at the back. The idea for this project is that the journal is like a weathered beach hut with an ocean view, so when you open the journal, you’re exploring inside the beach hut and exiting through the back of it.
- Number of signatures: 1
- Number of pages: 24 (counting front and back)
- Binding: 3-hole pamphlet stitch with wax thread
- Difficulty level: Easy to medium. There aren’t too many fancy techniques here, but the flip-out and window pocket add a dose of complexity.
The Making Of
As I mentioned, this project came to life after a windswept visit to the beach. Usually, I see beaches as warm, bright places, but this trip was completely different.
There were pieces of driftwood scattered across the shore, shells buried in the sand and waves crashing against the rocks. The sky was moody and dramatic with clouds racing above us. It wasn’t the beach I was used to, but it was just as beautiful – and in a different way.
This experience made me want to capture the raw, natural elements of the coast in a creative project. So I started by designing a digital kit, which would reflect the distressed wood and cool tones of that particular day at the beach:
From there, I began thinking about how I could use my papers to make a journal. The idea of a distressed beach hut popped into my head with a weathered window looking out towards the ocean. Naturally, I thought of using a window envelope to depict this and the project quickly came to life from there.
To add extra interest to the journal (and because I love adding interactive elements), I decided to include a flip-out at the back of the journal – just like a door opening out and onto the beach. I also tore the pages of the journal in such a way as to mimic waves lapping against the sand.
Driftwood Dreams Virtual Craft Retreat & Course
After creating my Driftwood Dreams journal, I hosted a Virtual Craft Retreat over the summer where this project was the centrepiece.
The feedback I got from the retreat was amazing and the ladies who joined loved the rustic beach theme. Because of that, I’ve decided to turn the retreat into an online course or self-study workshop that anyone can take at any time.
The course includes:
✨ Lifetime access to the tutorials and digital papers
✨ Bite-sized tutorial videos and written instructions to guide you through every step of the process
✨ A free copy of my Driftwood Dreams digital kit to help you make the journal (usually sold separately)
✨ A ticket to my summer Virtual Craft Retreat where you can chat with me and the other students via live video calls
✨ Plus… you can also grab an optional craft kit, which includes all the main supplies you’ll need (saving you time from having to gather or buy them yourself)
If you’d like to learn how to make this journal, you can find all the details here. Alternatively, you can grab my Driftwood Dreams digital papers on their own from my Etsy shop if you’d rather use them to make a beach-themed journal of your own design.
The Verdict
At this point, I have two questions for myself:
- Would I make a beach-themed journal again?
- Would I host another Virtual Craft Retreat?
First, I would make another beach journal or notebook. That windy day at the beach, this project and my digital papers have opened my eyes to the more rustic, natural side of the coast. Perhaps it’s a theme I’ll revisit every summer? Each time capturing a new side of the coast or seaside.
As for my Virtual Craft Retreats, I’m already planning the next one! The ladies from the August retreat have been asking when it will be, so in 2025, I’d like to host at least one retreat each quarter. As with everything I do here at House of Mahalo, these retreats will be influenced by the seasons and the natural landscapes, flora and fauna found here in the UK.
Also, just like my Driftwood Dreams retreat, I’ll be turning each retreat into online courses or workshops so everyone can join in at their own pace – even if they can’t attend live.
If you’d like to join the waitlist for future retreats, you can do so here. And if you’re excited to check out my Driftwood Dreams course or digital kit, you’ll find everything you need here.
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