... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

Tks to the hardworking and efficient Admin, it looks like my old username is now usable except for some quirks which can't be fixed , becos of my ISP 's 'filter' - beyond anyone's control.

 

I guess its better than nothing.

Edited February 21, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #41 "Milk"

 

I found a ribbon page marker that I thot would be better suited for my A6 size journals.

Unlike other ribbons commonly available (9mm or 10mm), this one is unusually narrow at 4mm only.

Its cloth with a threadstitch down the middle for accent.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4317.jpg

 

I decided to incorporate it into my cased-in journals, and here is a fresh hardback design of the 'white series' of journals carrying my sketches.

 

The bookblock done as usual with the Brilliant White CONQUEROR Laid paper 100gsm.

The ribbon was glued onto the spine after the spine was glued.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4318.jpg

 

The headband was then glued over the ribbon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4319.jpg

 

and finally the mull added

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4320.jpg

 

 

Some details

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4332.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4333.jpg

 

The french groove. I think its not good enough, it can afford to be sharper edged. I will probably look for something rectangular to press it in future.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4334.jpg

 

The corners

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6018_1.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6019_1.jpg

 

The pocket is incorporated into the last page. This is a better method as its flatter.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6020_1.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6014_1.jpg

 

The Flyleaves were photocopied with the same sketch

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4330.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4331.jpg

 

The ink testpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4335.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4336.jpg

 

The Colophon (with (oops!) handwritten error)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4337.jpg

 

 

 

The finished product

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6010_1.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF4329.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6016_1.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2041%20Milk/DSCF6017_1.jpg

 

 

 

Book block is 6 signatures , 4 folios each , 96 pages total

Coptic stitched with ORAL-B dental floss waxed.

Paper and pocket is CONQUEROR laid 100gsm brilliant White

Flyleaves are NATURALIS A/white 160gsm cardstock

Covers in 1.1mm greyboards covered with EFALIN New Linen white 120gsm photocopied with my sketch from of old.

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

Dear Folks,

I made an announcement for my 2nd batch of journals for sale here

 

Tks for looking ...

 

Rgds

TMLee

Edited February 21, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

2nd batch of journals offered for sale here

[TMLee]

I found a solution to the elastic band issue.

 

It was a simple case of gluing it down properly.

 

Here , I tried it out on Journal #21A "Dizzy" - the first variant, ordered by an FPNer here.

 

As usual the covers prepared. The band already glued into position.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4352.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4353.jpg

 

Next, using the current method of incorporating the pocket into the flyleaf, I prepared the pocket in such a way that it could be glued onto the rear board, yet allowing the band and pocket to be pressed.

I finally found a simple solution - EVA foam ! The same ones' kids use for their arts and crafts.

The foam levels out all unevenness and allows the pressing to reach all nooks and crannies.

 

Here you see the black foam between the pressing board and the pocket to be pressed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4354.jpg

 

I learnt the hard way that the pressing cannot be done AFTER the pocket is finished bcos that will imprint onto the pocket all the unevenness underneath it. It has to done before the pocket is finished.

So here you see the clamping applied. And the pocket still in a stage of incompleteness. The accordian hinges and botom edge are glued onto the rear greyboard.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4355.jpg

 

The pressing completed and removed.

Here you see all details of the band underneath. Pretty unsightly. But the gluing worked well. All nooks and crannies are reached with the glue.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4361.jpg

 

As mentioned earlier, the pocket is half done so that after this pressing, the unsightly bulges are hidden inside the pocket , out of view. Here the pocket is completed with all the bulges hidden from view...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4389.jpg

 

The elastic band

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4392.jpg

 

The band on the outside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4390.jpg

 

The gluing is successful. The paper hugs the band very well even tho its thick.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4425.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4427.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4428.jpg

 

The book is clamped (these are very very strong car battery clamps) and the spine carefully glued, leaving the stitches completely unstained by the glue.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4396.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4397.jpg

 

The flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4405.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4406.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4429.jpg

 

The inktest page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4401.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4402.jpg

 

The Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4431.jpg

 

The stitches

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4416.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4417.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4418.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4419.jpg

 

cont'd/- ...

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

#40A Dizzy cont'd/- ....

 

 

The finished product

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4422.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4423.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4414.jpg

 

With and without the band

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4408.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4407.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2040A%20Dizzy/DSCF4410.jpg

Edited February 25, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #42 to be given away .

 

The covers - acid and lignin free paper

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4468.jpg

 

Employing my recent method of doing the pocket, here its shown already glued to the rear cover, but not formed into the pocket yet.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4471.jpg

 

The final gluing of the pocket requires some patience and dexterity in inserting the accordian hinges into position. To make it easier , I discovered that chamfering one corner of the hinges helps a bit.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4472.jpg

 

The pocket completed . Red elastic band added. (I know, its a bit overpowering) This band is flatter than normal, but not as elastic.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4480.jpg

 

The flyleaves front and rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4482.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4480.jpg

 

The Stitches

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4484.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4485.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4486.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4487.jpg

 

I have recently increased the length at this part of the stitches to 1.5cm (from 1cm) from the spine edge.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4488.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4489.jpg

 

The ink testpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4490.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4491.jpg

 

The Colophon

Becos the pocket is differently made, it allows me to vary my Colophon page. This is the first attempt where the flyleaf forms the 'inlay' of the Colophon.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4492.jpg

 

The completed journal , with and without the band deployed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4474.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4473.jpg

 

Rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4475.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4483.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042%20Shiou%20Lin/DSCF4478.jpg

 

Bookblock is 6 signatures , 4 folios each, 96 pages total.

Paper is CONQUEROR Laid paper 100gsm. Cream coloured.

Coptic Stitch , double needle sewing with waxed cord, Natural colour.

Covers are DALER ROWNEY mounting boards covered with printed card paper.

Edited February 28, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #34B "Black Tie" as ordered by an FPNer . This is the 2nd variant of #34 and the last one in A6 size.

 

The pocket , employing the recent method, glued onto the rear cover, waiting to be formed into a pocket.

I tried some variations in colours on the hinges of the pocket.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4432.jpg

 

The pocket formed. The front cover of the pocket is unblemished bcos it was intentionally left out of the gluing and pressing stage.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4467.jpg

 

Flyleaves, front and rear. I used 145gsm heavy paper which worked wonderfully.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4461.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4466.jpg

 

The stitches.

Using waxed cord 1mm wide. The cord is flat - tape-like in profile. Natural colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4456.jpg

 

This is the first time I am using grey paper (light grey). I was ready to try out coloured paper and by coincidence the buyer actually liked grey paper. This is 124gsm paper and it worked perfect with FP ink.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4459.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4460.jpg

 

The Colophon. Here you see the light grey pages contrasted against a white paper underneath.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4457.jpg

 

The Stitches

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4445.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4446.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4447.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4448.jpg

 

As usual, the edges of the spine are notched to receive the cords. You can just see here how the cords wrap around the spine edge without protruding excessively. Its a small detail , but effective as it will see a lot of abrasion as it gets retrieved and stashed away during its lifespan.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4451.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4449.jpg

 

The pics above show the spine already clamped and glued. I have learnt that this step is effective, here you see the flatness and symmetry of the book. The band here is also excellent. Its not the usual lycra band. There's rubberband woven into the band lengthwise. The difference is that its a lot more stretchable than the lycra ones. My guess, (I haven't verified) is that it will spring back into its unstretched state and not become loose as in normal lycra ones after a period of time.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4453.jpg

 

The finished product

The front with and without the band deployed. Here you see the black and grey band matching perfectly with the colours of the black and grey graphics of the cover. (I had hoped for red stitches or yellow stitches as accent, but alas, I am still waiting to get my hands on such threads.)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4436.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4439.jpg

 

The rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4440.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4443.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4465.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034B%20Black%20Tie/DSCF4464.jpg

 

Bookblock is 6 signatures , 4 folios each. 96 pages.

Paper is NACHI Light Grey 124gsm, smooth

Coptic stitched , double-needle sewing. Waxed cord 1mm wide, Natural colour.

Flyleaves are MALMERO 145gsm. Orange.

Covers are 1.1mm greyboards covered with acid and lignin free card.

Edited February 28, 2009 by TMLee

[liapuyat]

TMLee, #42 is lovely! The cover is pretty, and the stitching on the spine is very good. I really enjoy following the evolution of your skills and designs.

 

Do you plan to come out with a cover that's full of your excellent handwriting? All words?

[TMLee]

TMLee, #42 is lovely! The cover is pretty, and the stitching on the spine is very good. I really enjoy following the evolution of your skills and designs.

 

Do you plan to come out with a cover that's full of your excellent handwriting? All words?

 

 

 

Thanks liapuyat ....

Yes, I actually enjoy the challenge of 'perfecting' the little details. I find them crucial becos it is these details that contribute to the resultant aesthetics of the completed journal.

I am actually studying my earlier posts of completed journals to see what ought to be improved and so on.

I intend to remake leather journals but now with experiences learnt. (wish me good luck)

I know I will learn alot faster if I were to attend a hands-on bookbinding course. There's none here where I live, so what I do is pretty much trial and error plus what the kind folks in FPN here offer in terms of guidance and instruction.

There's no substitute to learning the hands-on way. It saves a lot of time and alot of heartaches.

I have to rely very heavily on imagining and walking thru the process in my mind, just to reduce abortive work. Sometimes sketching out these processes. And these are invaluable ! The seemingly simplest procedures can be dead wrong !

 

A cover of my handwriting ? Ha ha .. I don't think so. I'll leave that to the experts ....

Edited February 28, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #43 "Briar" - an experiment of sorts ...

 

This was the time when I was trying to resolve the elastic band problem before reaching a solution.

 

Here you see the pocket suffering the imprint of the band underneath. the pocket was completed THEN pressed and this created unsightly bumps and imprints.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4498.jpg

 

The pressing with EVA foam is effective. Here you see the band and paper snugly wrapping round each other.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4507.jpg

 

This is also the 1st time I tried out a two-tone thread scheme.

Still employing the double-needle sewing, I tied 2 cords of similar size but different colour to form one sewing thread. I used brown and yellow cotton cords. I ran the yellow unwaxed cord several times thru a beeswax puck, and it helped stay the frayed fibres but not much. Well, at least it was better than nothing.

 

The stitching proceeded as usual. Yellow on the outside for each pair of sewing stations. This means that other creative variations are possible.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4499.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4508.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4509.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4510.jpg

 

 

 

A yellow station vs a brown station. With the yellow and brown contrast, you can now see and appreciate the beauty of the stitch pattern of this kind of Coptic stitch. So if the station is yellow, you will see 4 yellow 'false kettles' vs 3 brown 'false kettles' , and vice versa. With the macro shot, the frayed fibres don't permit the stitch pattern to be displayed in its full glory.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4513.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4514.jpg

 

I chose the yellow and brown cords to match the beautiful print of the fabric. Its more alluring in real life.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4520.jpg

 

The ink testpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4495.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4496.jpg

 

the Colophon with the flyleaf as the 'inlay'

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4497.jpg

 

 

The finished product

 

Front , with and without the band deployed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4504.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4503.jpg

 

Rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4505.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4519.jpg

 

The stitch allows the journal to open 360deg. I glued the spine to cover the gaps between signatures which some folks may not like. Gluing the spine also helps reduce 'wobble'.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4523.jpg

 

A simple check for symmetry and alignment

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2043%20Briar/DSCF4522.jpg

 

Bookblock is 7 signatures instead of the usual 6. This is needed in order for the cord to arrive back at the same corresponding station. Even numbers of signatures will result in the cord ending at the 'wrong' station.

4 folios each. 112 pages total. So you see here that the journal is slightly thicker - just a tad on the less than ideal thickness. I still prefer the 6 signature thickness - its just right.

Paper is NATURALIS 120gsm, Vanilla White Matt . A very slight texture compared against the 135gsm smooth. Also the ink gets absorbed into the paper faster.

The ink stays longer on the smooth 135gsm.

I would recommend 120gsm matte for additional sketches with light washes. I think the texture receives pencil wonderfully. Both 120gsm and 135gsm take ink perfect. No worries in this dept.

Edited February 28, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is (insane !) Journal #42A - A7 size

 

Didn't want to waste the cover sheet, so I proceeded to use the leftover papers to make a mini book.

(there were some enquiries as to whether I have journals in mini sizes, well ... here it is .... )

 

A bit crazy in terms of effort , but it worked ...

 

A7 size is half of the usual A6 size.

Here its shown next to "Briar"

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4548.jpg

 

Shown with a larger A5 journal included.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4589.jpg

 

A view of the spines in these 3 different sized journals.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4590.jpg

 

Shown with an Etruria for scale

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4617.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4623.jpg

 

With the band deployed.

I managed to find the similar band but at a reduced size of 4mm width.

This worked perfectly with the miniaturised journal in terms of proportion. I am very pleased with it.

Compare the widths of the bands.

Unfortunately , the smaller journal nearer to the camera makes its white band the same size as the black band. An optical distortion.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4620.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4621.jpg

 

The mini-book has its pocket too , done in the same tedious method.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4624.jpg

 

The small size needed only 2 sewing stations

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4625.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4627.jpg

 

I found out that 4 signatures were more suitable. 6 signatures was too thick.

The spine is also glued.

Almost no wobble.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2042A%20A7%20size/DSCF4629.jpg

 

In almost all ways , its like a reduced replica of my usual A6 journals.

A very handy miniaturised book to slip in your (shirt) pocket.

The pocket can store your name cards comfortably. (I don't have a pic)

Not sure how others will use it, but i guess for quick reference to important lists.

Example , the brief info on each FP you have bought ?

 

Perhaps those who requested such a size would care to comment ?

 

I also completed a #34C "Black Tie - A7 size" - same tiny size. ... and a #34D awaiting stitching. Will post pics later.

Edited March 17, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

As mentioned , this is Journal #34C "Black Tie - A7 size"

 

Pictured with "Briar" for scale.

And pictured next to #42A as well.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4633.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4640.jpg

 

With and without the band.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4634.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4635.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4636.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4639.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4637.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2034C%20Black%20Tie%20A7%20size/DSCF4638.jpg

 

The "Black Tie" design is in high demand by FPNers.

The difficulty is coming up with a symmetrical graphics on the front and rear cover . Almost impossible without wastage, but I have managed to achieve this symmetry in #34D - not pictured yet.

 

I have good news in that I have recently restocked this cover design and have enough to make four A6 sized journals or only two A5 sizes (yet to try out) .

So those who still want this design can PM me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Velma]

La la la la la... I'm not looking. I'm not.

 

 

I just got eight journals from ArPharazon. I'm moving. I need to give away journals, not even think about buying new ones. Not even the briar one.

 

Nope.

[goodbee]

#41 "Milk" just arrived in the mail. Even though all the journals look gorgeous on line they are much better "in person". Bonus feature: four beautiful stamps from Singapore.

[TMLee]

La la la la la... I'm not looking. I'm not.

 

 

I just got eight journals from ArPharazon. I'm moving. I need to give away journals, not even think about buying new ones. Not even the briar one.

 

Nope.

 

 

Ha Ha ...

 

But we all do know that resistance is futile .... right ? !

 

 

 

[TMLee]

#41 "Milk" just arrived in the mail. Even though all the journals look gorgeous on line they are much better "in person". Bonus feature: four beautiful stamps from Singapore.

 

 

Tks Gwen ....

 

You are lucky, most others didn't get stamps, only sticker type machine printed labels ....

(they ran out of saliva)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

This is Journal #44 "Green Sea" A5 size.

 

This is my first A5 journal after the prototype.

 

Some adjustments were needed due to the enlarged size.

 

For a start, the greyboards had to be thicker. These were at least 3mm thick. And becos of its thickness, I decided to cut the notches at each sewing station to seat the stitching cords.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4546.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4547.jpg

 

The covering fabric was a very nice graduated green to pale ochre. It had wavy lines as well. (unfortunately not visible) The fat quarter sized fabric was alloted such a way that it yielded 1 A5 , 3 A6 and 1 A6 landscaped journal covers. There was no wastage. The A6 journals formed a matching set.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4563.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4569.jpg

 

 

 

I decided to try 6 sewing stations. (I think its one too many. Probably in future I will do 4 sewing stations instead.) Here you see the stitching more than halfway thru the book. The Coptic stitch method , as usual , was the double-needle sewing method. So here you see a total of 6 needles being stitched at one go.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4576.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4578.jpg

 

 

The stitching completed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4580.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4582.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4583.jpg

 

 

The cords sat inside the notches beautifully.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4588.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4593.jpg

 

 

Here compared with the A6 and A7 sized journals.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4590.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4589.jpg

 

Becos of the many number of stations, the book is extremely flat and holds it shape very very well.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4602.jpg

 

There is no wobble at all.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4595.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4596.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4594.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4597.jpg

 

The finished product

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4584.jpg

 

I used a nice light brown for the flyleaves.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4599.jpg

 

Some details

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4600.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2044%20Green%20Sea/DSCF4601.jpg

 

 

I haven't signed on this journal yet,

I also haven't solved the 'pocket' part.

Edited April 2, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #45 "Forks"

 

Continuing from my white series of hardbacks using a sketch done a long time ago (ca 2000) .

 

The front and back

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4932.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4946.jpg

 

The full cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4941.jpg

 

Added a pagemarker. Its made of embroidered cloth, 4mm wide which suits just fine as the usual 6mm or 8mm is a little too wide in terms of proportion.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4933.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4935.jpg

 

The french groove

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4936.jpg

 

The flyleaves front and rear using 154gsm brilliant white paper.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4942.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4943.jpg

 

Some detail. The overhang.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4934.jpg

 

The ink testpage , courtesy of the Etruria 0.9mm stub and Pelikan Brilliant Brown.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4939.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4940.jpg

 

The Colophon and pocket. The pocket does not interfere with the rear flyleaf.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2045%20Forks/DSCF4944.jpg

 

The Bookblock is 6 signatures. 4 Folios each. 96 pages.

Coptic stitched with Oral-B dental floss waxed.

Paper is NATURALIS Soft White (Smooth) 120gsm

Covers are 1.1mm greyboards covered with EFALIN New Linen White 120gsm photocopied with my sketches.

The corners of this journal are not rounded !

Edited April 1, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Found something that could help me determine whether the papers I have used so far are acid free.

 

Its called a pH Tester Pen by "American Crafts"

 

It looks just like any ordinary marker.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pH%20Tester%20Pen/DSCF5005.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pH%20Tester%20Pen/DSCF5006.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pH%20Tester%20Pen/DSCF5008.jpg

 

Its filled with some special formula that will react with overly acidic paper.

If the paper is not acidic, the lavender or blue will remain visible.

If the paper is acidic, the ink will turn yellow or colourless.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pH%20Tester%20Pen/DSCF5001.jpg

 

This is what it looks like when tested onto my journals. (This is Journal #47 "Brown Batik".) The paper shown here is CONQUEROR Cream Laid 100gsm. The handwriting is in Sailor Red Brown Ink with a Pilot Custom 742 FA nib.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pH%20Tester%20Pen/DSCF5009_1.jpg

 

In all my excitement (and anxiety) , I quickly carried out a test on all my papers used so far in my (sold) journals, and I am happy to report that the papers in all of them are not acidic. :)

I daren't say its 'acid-free' bcos the pen instructions don't say so.

It just has good , ie, low levels of acidity.

 

The handrawn symbol I used represents the international symbol for acid-free paper.

 

So for all of you who have purchased my journals, you'd be happy to know the writing papers used in them are low in acidity, if not acid-free.

 

From now on, my journals will carry this symbol so you will know the acidity of the papers used, if that is an important consideration for you.

Edited April 2, 2009 by TMLee