Mydori

[my63]

I posted on fp geeks about my adventures in notebooks and I was asked if I could emboss something like a dragon on a notebook cover,

Embossing complex shapes is very difficult so I thought I would try carving the shape into the leather instead I found a simple shape on the internet I inverted it and printed it out.

 

IMG_7335_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The wet leather soaked the paper and it started to tear so I followed the ink marks and then guessed the rest

 

IMG_7337 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I had not planned on using this but I quite like it and may decide to make a cover out of it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Pelikan Vera]

Hello Michael.

this looks an interesting approach it will be cool to see it develop. Are you planning to colour this in to give it some contrast? I like this project too.

Vera

PS the pen pouch is doing well.

[my63]

Hi Vera

It is great to hear your case is doing well.

I do plan on colouring this cover but I am not sure what colour I have ordered some shading tools but it may have dried out before they arrive.

I did buy an air brush last month but I have not had it out of the box yet.

It is not a welsh dragon but it might look good in red I need to find a notebook 180 mm x 160 mm or slightly smaller I bought one of a new range in tesco but I can't find it, it is on my desk somewhere but I have not seen the top of my desk for some time now.

If you have any ideas please let me know.

Thanks

Michael

[pegasong]

This notebook and cover had to be ready for this morning so here it is

 

IMG_7264_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_7265_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As this leather is perforated I had some problems with the glue coming up through the holes this caused me to damage the first piece.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

This is absolutely gorgeous! The patterning on the leather is luscious.

 

I made my first fauxdori last week using the back panel of a green synthetic leather purse. It's not quite as lovely as yours by any means but boy, it makes me smile when I pull it out of my bag. I made mew inserts for it as well, as I decided what I previously made just didn't match it.

[pegasong]

I posted on fp geeks about my adventures in notebooks and I was asked if I could emboss something like a dragon on a notebook cover,

Embossing complex shapes is very difficult so I thought I would try carving the shape into the leather instead I found a simple shape on the internet I inverted it and printed it out.

 

IMG_7335_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The wet leather soaked the paper and it started to tear so I followed the ink marks and then guessed the rest

 

IMG_7337 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I had not planned on using this but I quite like it and may decide to make a cover out of it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

That's a beautiful dragon! How large would the mydori be when finished?

[my63]

Hi Pegasong

I would love to see pictures of your cover.

I have messed around with the swivel knife before but this is my first attempt at carving something so I used a piece of leather that was just big enough for the image.

The dilemma is do I try to find a notebook to fit 180 mm x 160 mm (7 in x 61/4 inches) ideally slightly smaller or star again on a larger piece of leather.

Unfortunately I don't have another piece of leather at the moment.

[pegasong]

Hi Pegasong

I would love to see pictures of your cover.

I have messed around with the swivel knife before but this is my first attempt at carving something so I used a piece of leather that was just big enough for the image.

The dilemma is do I try to find a notebook to fit 180 mm x 160 mm (7 in x 61/4 inches) ideally slightly smaller or star again on a larger piece of leather.

Unfortunately I don't have another piece of leather at the mom

 

Hi Pegasong

I would love to see pictures of your cover.

I have messed around with the swivel knife before but this is my first attempt at carving something so I used a piece of leather that was just big enough for the image.

The dilemma is do I try to find a notebook to fit 180 mm x 160 mm (7 in x 61/4 inches) ideally slightly smaller or star again on a larger piece of leather.

Unfortunately I don't have another piece of leather at the moment.

There are several people on Etsy who make custom inserts for 'doris. Modified 8.5 x 14 paper would make a big enough insert. A possibility to keep the insert a bit smaller, would be to sadly, clip your dragon's wing side, or do a wrap around, creating a pocket to the inside.

 

As for my 'dori, the cover is a piece of green synthetic leather from the back panel of a purse. The inserts are made with various papers and covered with a nice cardstock that has fibers running through it. Size of inserts is 4.25 x 5.5. Figured I'd go with something small for my first attempt.

[pegasong]

Keep looking at your dragon and cover and thinking I need to spread my creative wings a bit more.

[my63]

Pegasong please have a go if I can help you in any way please ask.

Michael

[my63]

here is dragon idea number two rather than a carving it will be embossed in leather or suede maybe in a contrasting colour

 

IMG_7357_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[pegasong]

Pegasong please have a go if I can help you in any way please ask.

Michael

Thank you! I ordered a 10" x 14" piece of 7-8 oz tooling leather this morning. That's enough for 2 'doris. I think I will try to color match my green one.

[my63]

Here is the link to Le Prevo my supplier they are very helpful I have found it best to thin the dye with reducer by 50% and apply with a dauber alternating up and down left and right and then round in circles to ensure even coverage.

 

http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/dye-chart.htm

 

Sorry I forgot where you are however Fiebings are based in the USA so the chart will be useful.

 

I always allow extra width on the midori sizes to allow multiple notebooks to fit inside.

If you need any help please ask

 

Michael

[pegasong]

Thank you! That Kelly Green is about the color I'm looking for. The little 'doris I'm making are for 4.25" wide inserts. Right now, mine are 4.25 x 5.5. But if I go make them 1/2 size of the leather, I'll be able to add some height to my inserts. I can't believe how thrilled I am with how the first one turned out. Can't believe it took so long to find the Midori traveler's notebook style.

 

Have you decided what to do with your dragon yet?

[my63]

Hi Pegasong

I decided to cover the dragon head in suede my plan is to add a front cover of thin leather with a window cut into it.

 

IMG_7398 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am not so happy with the way it has turned out the edges are not very well defined so I may start again.

This is a smaller passport size head that I made yesterday.

I would still like to see more of your projects

 

Michael

Edited May 17, 2014 by my63

[my63]

I have cut a piece of leather for the front of the embossed dragon cover and dyed it black

 

IMG_7408_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I made another carved dragon cover this morning it is also field notes type size oh and I dyed that black as well

 

IMG_7406_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is my second attempt at carving a picture and the first time I have made a notebook cover.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here are the the outer cover and the inner cover before they are joined together.

 

IMG_7416 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I may add a little polish first

Thanks

 

Michael

[my63]

I have had this fine piece of English bridle leather on my desk for some time now and have finally decided what to do with it.

Here you can see where I have marked out some vertical lines and a custom closure tab which happens to be on the wrong end it needs to be on the right I will just rotate the cover until it is in the right place.

 

IMG_7423 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Those of you who are taking notice will have worked out that this is not a Midori style cover it is for a rhodia note pad like this

 

IMG_7427 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I still need to check that the suede is strong enough to hold the notebook in place if anyone has any thoughts I would like to hear them

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The outer cover is almost complete although it does require an inner lining to hold which ever notebook it is required to hold

 

IMG_7438 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have continued the same style as the ten pen case as it is intended to follow it to Japan.

[my63]

I am having some issues posting pictures so please forgive the extra posts. If you click on a picture it will take you to my flickr account where you can see all of my projects.

 

Today was a gluing up day this morning I had two projects that required gluing together bridle leather note book cover and the small midori style cover with the embossed dragon.

I wanted a third project so I cut a piece of leather and a piece of this pierced and embossed red leather

 

IMG_7453 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Project number two is the bridle leather cover

 

IMG_7461 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have added some elastic as a document holder at the request of the owner I had some difficulty getting the rear cover to slide in and out so I lined the pocket with suede

 

part 2 to follow

[my63]

Part 2

 

I made this little embossed dragon head for the field notes type notebooks I used a small roller to apply the latex glue mixed with 1 3rd water to help it soak into the leather

 

IMG_7454 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After applying a coat to the top piece as well, A this is a contact adhesive I covered the bottom with a piece of card matching two edges and the corner then I laid the top piece on to the card.

When I was happy with the position I removed the card with my fingers crossed a little pressure and "presto" job done.

 

IMG_7455 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_7457 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

The edges still need to be trimmed

 

 

Thanks

 

Michael

Edited May 22, 2014 by my63