... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

Nice Aristarco ...

 

I agree , your pockets are neater in design.

I have thot about it before , but it uses (and wastes) more paper. Hence I stuck to my design.

 

The band is also an issue. I have also thot about doing a groove to receive the band, but it weakens the greyboard, especially with constant use.

An alternative , as described in my earlier post, is to do 2 boards instead, ie one becomes the filler piece. But again, its not practical cos the covers will end up too thick.

The other thing I dislike about M*skine bands is that they can't be hidden out of the way.

 

Your bead headband is interesting.

As an alternative, you may wish to try my method described in earlier posts when I also had to make my own headband bcos I couldn't find any.

Its a nice ribbon wrapped round a thick hemp cord. Its quite presentable.

 

Your bookblock is very neat.

 

Cheers !

 

 

 

 

 

[Wael El-Dasher]

Any news on the A5 size? Want to get me a couple....black tie and Jade look fantastic! Amazing work

 

cheers

 

Wael

[Aristarco]

TMLee:

 

True, there's more paper waste with those pockets. Maybe that's why I run out of paper faster than before the pockets.

About sandwiching the band between boards, yes, it makes the covers as fat as a pastrami subway. However...

...I have some cardboard that is strong and thin (about 1/5 to 1/8 of the grayboard) and can be put between the band and the end leaf.

Unfortunately I don't know how it is called in english (brit, USA or Oz), but here in México it is called Caple or Kaple, depending on the store you buy it from. Although it's commonly refered to as "paper", I find it to be strong enough to be called "card". I've seen this cardboard used in other countries in boxes. Common boxes, like shoe boxes or cheap jewelry boxes. Even cheap stapled notebook covers. The card is white and semi-glossy in one side and Kraft paper brown in the other. Another option is using Kraft Cena (again this name I've only heard it here) that is slightly thinner than Caple and almost as strong.

 

If I get a pic of this card, I'll post it to make myself clearer. I'll try it because, as you say, that way it's easier to hide the band than in a Salsaskine (I mean Mole*****. [Mole is a chocolate sauce here]).

 

Oh, and if by neat bookblock you mean the borders are trimmed, it is because I use a very advanced, futuristic ploughing system that reconfigures adaptively everytime I make a book, adjusting parameters like plough speed, blade angle, stroke force and path quadrature by means of a knowledge base stored in a solid-state drive...

 

Yup, you guessed: I put a carpenter's square and cut the paper by hand using an Olfa wide blade utility knife and my experience. :roflmho:

 

As you said, when there are no materials or tools, the best way is to make the most out of what's available.

[TMLee]

Any news on the A5 size? Want to get me a couple....black tie and Jade look fantastic! Amazing work

 

cheers

 

Wael

 

 

Hi Wael,

I am afraid I am a little behind regarding A5 journals. :embarrassed_smile:

Your Black Tie A5 however is in the pipeline.

This time round, however, this Black Tie series will be even better bcos the graphics on the covers will be symetrical - front and back, not much different from the results achieved in the last "Black Tie" #34D A7 mini-book.

 

I seek your patience. :embarrassed_smile:

 

"Jade" is A7 size - a mini-book.

Like the other A7 sizes its a very cute and handy size to carry round in your pocket.

How it will be used, ... well we will have to wait for feedback from those who have received it.

Edited April 17, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

...I have some cardboard that is strong and thin (about 1/5 to 1/8 of the grayboard) and can be put between the band and the end leaf.

Unfortunately I don't know how it is called in english (brit, USA or Oz), but here in México it is called Caple or Kaple, depending on the store you buy it from. Although it's commonly refered to as "paper", I find it to be strong enough to be called "card". I've seen this cardboard used in other countries in boxes. Common boxes, like shoe boxes or cheap jewelry boxes. Even cheap stapled notebook covers. The card is white and semi-glossy in one side and Kraft paper brown in the other. Another option is using Kraft Cena (again this name I've only heard it here) that is slightly thinner than Caple and almost as strong.

 

If I get a pic of this card, I'll post it to make myself clearer. I'll try it because, as you say, that way it's easier to hide the band than in a Salsaskine (I mean Mole*****. [Mole is a chocolate sauce here]).

 

Sounds interesting. Any pics would be helpful.

Hahaha .. "Salsaskine" .. thats a good one.... :roflmho:

 

 

 

Oh, and if by neat bookblock you mean the borders are trimmed, it is because I use a very advanced, futuristic ploughing system that reconfigures adaptively everytime I make a book, adjusting parameters like plough speed, blade angle, stroke force and path quadrature by means of a knowledge base stored in a solid-state drive...

 

Yup, you guessed: I put a carpenter's square and cut the paper by hand using an Olfa wide blade utility knife and my experience. :roflmho:

 

As you said, when there are no materials or tools, the best way is to make the most out of what's available.

 

Hahahaha ...

Its very well cut - by hand.

Looks like machine cut. Are you a cyborg ?

 

Yes, a try-square has become a necessity in my toolbox. This I learnt the hard way.

I just found a book on bookbinding from the local library and saw that it devoted much space to explaining the importance of a setup (what-do-you-call-it?) that helps one achieve perfectly square greyboards.

If only I had learnt of this important aspect earlier ....

I don't think I can find this contraption here. It has to be made. And it looks like i have to live without it and use primitive and tedious ways.

I find this quite trying. (no pun intended)

I can only achieve about 8 to 9 perfectly sized and square covers out of every 10 created.

 

I wonder if those ready-cut to size greyboards on sale in bookbinderies are perfectly square ?

Would those of you here with such experience care to feedback ?

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

These are a set of 4 + 4 journals made on commission for an FPNer here, and recently completed.

All in A6 size. One in landscape format.

 

As mentioned earlier , this first set of 4 journals is of the "Green Sea" series.

These are for the guys.

The fabric is unique. Graduated in its colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5113.jpg

 

 

One of them is in landscape format.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5117.jpg

 

Front and back

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5118.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5119.jpg

 

The family of 4 minus the A5 posted earlier

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5136.jpg

 

A charming set of journals. Useful for a specific theme for prolific journalers.

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

This is the 2nd set of that commission.

For the ladies.

 

Its the series of Chrysanthenums.

The red one was featured earlier but in a hardback version.

The #53 Blue/Gold Chrysanthenums bear the same motif as the Red one , and only differ in hue.

 

They are all exposed-spined design.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5107.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5110.jpg

 

Both the red and blue fabric are stunning.

The pics here don't do justice.

The flowers are outlined in gold, matching the natural coloured waxed cords.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5098.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5093.jpg

 

Each of the journals are covered with the fabric that is cut from one piece, ie the front and rear covers are cut out from one piece, interrupted only by the spine. The fabric motif can be seen here to be not repeated.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5041.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5042.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5043.jpg

 

I decided to use the narrower white elastic band, as it brought out the beauty of the fabric.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5109.jpg

 

The trio

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5098.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5102.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/ChicagoBen%20order/DSCF5106.jpg

 

Assorted papers and flyleaves.

Edited April 17, 2009 by TMLee

[chicagoben]

Just gorgeous!

[Spitzner]

I just received 2 journals made by Mr. Lee, and they are absolutely beautiful. I couldn't be more pleased!

 

Pam

[TMLee]

Thanks Ben and Pam.

[TMLee]

This is Journal #54 , #54A ; and #54B " Partridges "

 

 

This is a set of 3 journals recently completed on commission (sort of ) by an FPNer.

 

The front. A5 , A6 and A7 size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5221.jpg

 

With the band deployed. I used white bands. It looked better.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5222.jpg

 

The rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5223.jpg

 

The #54 A5 sized. 7 Signatures. 4 Folios each 112 pages.

The covers are thick 3mm greyboards.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5230.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5231.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5232.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5233.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5234.jpg

 

The covers full spread. I was pleasantly surprised at this result. I used 2 separate sheets of the paper. Each sheet was used in a manner that would try to achieve symmetry in the graphics.

It turned out excellent bcos somehow the branches are mirrored along the spine.

The end result is that the branches look as if they are branching out from a tree trunk somewhere.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5235.jpg

 

The spine

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5240.jpg

 

The colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5227.jpg

 

The #54A A6 sized 6 Signatures , 4 folios each. 96 pages.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5253.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5246.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5247.jpg

 

The colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5244.jpg

 

The #54B A7 sized . 4 signatures, 4 folios each. 64 pages.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5252.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5251.jpg

 

The colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5255.jpg

 

All journals were provided with NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth 135gsm.

 

The trio again

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5267.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2054%20Partridges/DSCF5263.jpg

 

[Aristarco]

Ooooohhh.... Nice notebooks those you made!

Now I introduce you...

 

 

 

The SALSASKINE!! First prototype just to see if I could do round corners. I do, so maybe I'll start making more of these. This one was a prototype. Not intended for sale. I never thought anyone could be interested in this. But after 5 minutes out of the backpack (to show it to my workmates), one of the guys at the office paid and ran away with it. Weird! Then returned and asked "how do you call this moleskine bootleg?" and I answered "the Salsaskine pocket. The notebook used by..." he interrupted me: "Chatwin? Picasso?". "No, no," I continued. "The legendary notebook used by the lady of the grocery store, the low-budget student and the hobo of my neighborhood."

 

Sold in 5 minutes! That's a first for me!

 

PS: TMLee, this is the Kaple or Caple card I talked about. The white/brown card I used to make the Salsaskine cover, as you can see in this pic. I'm sure you already knew it, just by other name.

 

[TMLee]

Hahah "SALSAKINE" .... ,

 

They are very neat.

What are the covers wrapped in ? Nice material.

The red one seems bigger. What size papers did you use for both?

How do they open ? Does the spineboard give undue resistance to opening ?

Have you considered making one without the spineboard?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Aristarco]

Hahah "SALSAKINE" .... ,

 

They are very neat.

What are the covers wrapped in ? Nice material.

The red one seems bigger. What size papers did you use for both?

How do they open ? Does the spineboard give undue resistance to opening ?

Have you considered making one without the spineboard?

 

The covers are wrapped in Keratol. It's the common bookcloth here in México, along with percaline. It's basically a cloth impregnated with plastic and hotpressed to give it texture. I had a black piece that looked like leather, and I have a piece exactly like the one used for this salsaskine, but navy blue. The stationery stores used to sell it by the meter when I was a kid (and started making notebooks, about 20 years ago), but today you can't find it nowhere. At least here in the Xalapa area. Maybe in México City. Printhouses never tell where they buy it, and keep the secret as if it was a deadly one. A stationery store has a bit in the warehouse and sold a couple meters to me thinking it was a tablecloth thing. I find it expensive (about $10US a meter) but I like it so very much. I had a vivid red piece that I depleted a decade ago. It was exactly like the moleskine oilcloth. Oh well. And here you can't find bookcloth, buckram, etc. Not the ones they have in the US, Europe and Australia.

 

The red one is a Moleskine Pocket I bought in christmas. It's 3.5" x 5.5", used only for comparision. My Salsaskine is 3" x 5". I made it that size to be compatible with index card storage cases and after reading the Black Cover web page. They all complain of the .5" too big moleskine pocket.

 

It opens completely flat. The spine gives no resistance since it is not glued to the bookblock. It's a hollow (unsupported) spine. And of course I considered making one without spine. Here you have it:

 

 

 

It also opens flat, although I glued the bookblock to the cover, i.e. non-hollow (supported) spine. Gives almost no resistance. Almost. You can open it completely flat and it won't close back. It's covered in dyed Amate paper. I've ran out of space for pics, so if you want to see more of this and the bordeaux one, check the pics here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7304...mp;l=15d3283fdc

 

Last but not least, here is a pic of my hyper-advanced ploughing system. Maybe I'm a borg. "Spine resistance is futile." :roflmho:

 

Greetings!

 

 

[TMLee]

Dear Aristarco,

How i wish I have 'keratol' , or 'percaline' .... do they feel like "M***skines' ?

rgds

TMLee

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

This is Journal #57 "Bare Bones" Dos-a-Dos A6 size

 

I have been wanting to try out this dos-a-dos design for a long time but just can't solve the problem of wrapping the middle board in a manner that would make the journal like 2 different journal covers. I don't know how to describe it , but i want the look of 2 journals with 2 different covers. Each when used at their respective sides , look as one journal.

 

So without the solution, I proceeded with a "Bare Bones" design, using naked greyboards and vellum paper so I can see what the potential problems that needed to be addressed.

 

Two different kinds of writing papers were used to create a distinction for easy use. Such a journal is useful when you want to keep 2 related subject matters but at an easy referencing system.

 

The first issue was deciding how many signatures , bcos continuing with the usual 6 signatures would eventually result in an uncomfortably thick journal which affects the writing experience.

 

The thinnest I could go was 4 signatures per journal.

 

Here you see the completed journal.

3 boards. 2 spines.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5314.jpg

 

The middle board in view.

The middle board is a rear cover to BOTH journals.

(this is the board cover which I don't know how to wrap when using 2 different cover materials)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5312.jpg

 

The pockets cannot be mounted on the middle cover bcos it will interfere with the exposed stitches.

Hence the pockets are mounted on the front covers of both journals instead.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5310-2.jpg

 

I added the elastic band at each pocket.

 

Here is the front of the white papered journal. The elastic band is deployed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5317.jpg

 

This is the front of the grey papered journal. The elastic band is also deployed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5318.jpg

 

This is the spine of the white journal.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5316.jpg

 

This is the spine of the grey journal.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5315.jpg

 

This is the front of the journal, whichever side.

The band when closed , goes over the spine stitches.

Not exactly elegant. Could be improved upon I suppose.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2057%20Bare%20Bones%20Dos-a-Dos/DSCF5320.jpg

Edited May 18, 2009 by TMLee

[Deserter]

That looks really good, and interesting. How about covering the middle board with a diaganol split so the top half would always be the right one for the book which was open, that way it would hopefully blend the 2 covers together also.

[TMLee]

That looks really good, and interesting. How about covering the middle board with a diaganol split so the top half would always be the right one for the book which was open, that way it would hopefully blend the 2 covers together also.

 

Yes the diagonal split is a good idea .

I have thot about a longitudinal split too .

 

I think that using an exposed stitch design makes it a little more challenging.

After covering the middle board with say fabric, on BOTH surfaces , how do I mount the flyleaves without covering over the exposed stitches ?

 

A hardback design , I think, is easier to solve.

 

 

 

[TMLee]

IMPROVEMENTS TO A JOURNAL POCKET

- how to stop items from falling out of your journal pocket

 

For those of you who have purchased my handmade journals , (or any journals with pockets) a common experience encountered is the tendency for items in the pocket to slide out towards the spine, and if not careful, fall out.

 

I have been mulling for quite a while on how to address this problem and after a few ideas , concluded this is the easiest and simplest solution which you can do yourself on your own journal within a few minutes.

 

In designing a solution , a few criteria were needed ;

1) It had to be failsafe ; (no chance for items falling out)

2) It must not cover the exposed stitches on the spine;

3) It must be so designed that items larger than the pocket can still be accommodated.

 

This is a sample pocket common in my handmade journals.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/How%20to%20use%20pocket/DSCF5302-1.jpg

 

Cut out a piece of paper about A5 size.

Fold it into half.

Trim it down to match the size of the pocket.

(rounded corners make it easy to slide it into position)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/How%20to%20use%20pocket/DSCF5303.jpg

 

Slide it into position.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/How%20to%20use%20pocket/DSCF5304.jpg

 

Fully inserted into the pocket and closed.

Nothing can fall out. Guaranteed !

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/How%20to%20use%20pocket/DSCF5305.jpg

 

Flap opened.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/How%20to%20use%20pocket/DSCF5306.jpg

 

This 'sleeve' is not glued into position.

Reason :

1) There is no need to , it will stay there ;

2) You can slide it out partways (or up to the spine) to accomodate items larger than the pocket like so ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/How%20to%20use%20pocket/DSCF5309.jpg

 

If you really need to use glue, then use those tape glue like those that come in a dispenser like correction tape. The tape glue leaves a trail of glue dots. This kind of glue is often removable, allowing you to reposition the glued surfaces.

 

Using such glue will allow you to reposition the 'sleeve' as and when needed.

 

What paper to use for this sleeve ?

To have a stiff flap, use paper that is heavier than writing paper up to but not cardstock.

Cardstock (definition : 160gsm) is too thick and will add bulk to your journal, besides being overkill.

Thin paper is not recommended becos it will be too flimsy and may not close where its supposed to , when the journal is being closed.

Something like 130gsm paper would do fine.

 

Now that you've made your first sleeve, you can start modifying. For example, you can cut the flap into a vee-shape like an envelope cover flap.

 

Remember to keep the sleeve as large as the mouth of your pocket. This is to ensure that your sleeve doesn't move around loosely for that would defeat the purpose of keeping things from falling out of the pocket.

 

A simple but effective solution .

Edited May 18, 2009 by TMLee

[Wael El-Dasher]

Very very cool! I want 2 of those! You need to patent this design.

 

cheers

 

Wael