... homemade journal ...

[migo984]

 

Deleted - posted in error

Edited August 11, 2015 by migo984

[TMLee]

Working on the A5 version.

 

Visualizing the covers.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/006.jpg

 

 

 

Mounted on the coverboards

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/006_1.jpg

 

 

Beautiful !

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/007_1.jpg

 

 

Pictured with the Slimline size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/011.jpg

 

 

The Ostrich hide was not as supple as I wished it..

so i decided to glue all round the 4 edges, and leave the right-angled corners to a later stage.

Here you see the corners are left unglued , whilst the rest of the 4 edges are glued in place.

The rounded corners are manageable, so they were glued in the same operation,

one edge at a time , in a clockwise direction.

Starting with the spine edge first.

(There's a practical reason for doing the spine edge first , I learnt, but its so tedious to explain in words )

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/012.jpg

 

 

The right angled corners are left to a later operation , to allow the 4 edges to be worked on at an unhurried pace.

( If you attempt to do a difficult corner along with the routine straight edges, you will be pressured to ensure that BOTH corners and edges are properly done - at the same time - and it often doesnt work out well. Your attention is divided. The corners will take away your concentration on the other parts like the edges.

and then when the glue dries and everything sets, you discover to your shock that a flaw , defect has occurred in that part that you didnt had time to pay attention to.)

 

So one workaround, is to separate the operation into phases - to turn the operation into two stages or more.

 

 

Here is a closer view of the unglued corner.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/013.jpg

 

 

AFTER you have ensured that the other straight edges are properly done and set in place,

go back to do the corners.

Open up the corners to give yourself working space - for your small glue brush to reach the tight corners.

Since the sides have been properly glued down and already fixed in place, you need not fear that working on the corners will affect or move the straight edges out of position.

 

If needed, peel back already glued portions to achieve working space.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/014.jpg

 

 

At this stage, apply sticky glue - as sticky as possible (close to drying)

becos the leather will resist staying put in that folded position.

Then fold over.

Ensure that the corners remain right angled and not becoming rounded.

 

After doing one corner, you can clamp it lightly to make the folds stay put while you work on the other right angled corner.

Sorry forgot to take a pic.

 

When both right angled corners are done,

move on to 'serious' clamping on all the 4 corners.

3 ply of MDF boards , each 5mm thick.

Very great clamping force, so watch very carefully where exactly the jaws are positioned over the corners.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/015.jpg

 

This time round , i clamped overnight

The morning after ..

Superflat !

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/026.jpg

 

The edges of the corners are not exactly straight and crisp becos the leather was not pared down evenly in that area under the coverboard.

( confession : I was lazy )

One solution is to wet the leather and press on a flat surface to correct this.

But I dont want to take the risk.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/027.jpg

 

 

Beautiful

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/017.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/018.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/019.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/024.jpg

 

The SLIMLINE covers are the chest (below throat) part of the bird, hence you see coarser quill dots and coarser texture.

The larger A5 size is the under belly part - fine feathers, so you see finer quill dots and finer texture.

Tonality is also slightly different - exposed to sun - darker.

Hidden from sun - lighter tone.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/025.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166B%20A5%20Ostrich%20Leather/023.jpg

 

 

[TMLee]

Its that time of the year again ...

 

exploring some ideas ...

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/002_zpss96irnkj.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/003_zpsytrgukzb.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/004_zpsb4lkwac7.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/005_zpsfswzcae6.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/006_zps0xs2u9fl.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/007_zpsm2br8azz.jpg

 

 

went back to this ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/008_zps7zdqz0lx.jpg

 

 

Kinda like a pen scribbling out the "2015" ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/009_zpsbrsoxryl.jpg

 

BTW, a kind friend actually concocted this ink out of Blue Pea flowers.

It started with making a tea out of it.

Then I enquired if it ever was possible to make an ink out of it.

Voila !

She said never again ! Took her a LOT of flowers to make a just a small quantity concentrated enough solution that was passable as ink.

I am grateful.

The above was painted on.

Not bad, a pastel blue.

 

I haven't settled on any idea yet.

Emboss ?

Deboss ?

Sketch ?

Black & White ?

Still making studies....

 

 

 

 

 

[migo984]

I love this part of the design process.

The Roman numerals are my favourite (second sketch from the bottom) - very different to previous Fountain Pen Day journals. If you used Roman numerals you could theme the colours e.g. Tyrian (Royal) purple, white and gold - the colours of the Roman Senate.

 

Si hortum in bibliotheca habes, nihil deerit.

 

Cicero

[mhguda]

I too like the second from bottom design - the way the V flows out of the slit of the nib, perfectly parallel...

I think if you go for that one, it will have to be a sketch - no way the emboss or deboss process is going to bring out all the subtlety of the design... but then, having just got two of your fab journals I'm going to give others a chance to get this...

[TMLee]

I think the logo should stay.

 

But not sure how if any other elements added will become a distraction.

 

Its a very powerful logo design .

 

 

Front and back covers

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/006_zpse1m5btvm.jpg

 

 

Front and back covers

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/007_zpsmvdwya4h.jpg

 

 

Doodling on my white series of journal idea ...

Back cover...

unfinished sketch ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/008_zpsah4u7agk.jpg

 

 

I am thinking of a limited number of journals, say , one dozen.

May be something very simple , with only a few variations , in keeping with the clean and uncluttered logo design.

simple emboss and deboss variants .

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Earthdawn]

Its that time of the year again ...

 

exploring some ideas ...

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/002_zpss96irnkj.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/003_zpsytrgukzb.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/004_zpsb4lkwac7.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/005_zpsfswzcae6.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/006_zps0xs2u9fl.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/007_zpsm2br8azz.jpg

 

 

went back to this ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/008_zps7zdqz0lx.jpg

 

 

Kinda like a pen scribbling out the "2015" ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/009_zpsbrsoxryl.jpg

 

BTW, a kind friend actually concocted this ink out of Blue Pea flowers.

It started with making a tea out of it.

Then I enquired if it ever was possible to make an ink out of it.

Voila !

She said never again ! Took her a LOT of flowers to make a just a small quantity concentrated enough solution that was passable as ink.

I am grateful.

The above was painted on.

Not bad, a pastel blue.

 

I haven't settled on any idea yet.

Emboss ?

Deboss ?

Sketch ?

Black & White ?

Still making studies....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like the 2nd & 3rd in this pics.

[TMLee]

white journal concept ...

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/001_zpsrw2nh1vl.jpg

 

 

how to do the emboss of the fine letters ?

 

 

[TMLee]

The stitches overlapping the logo didnt look neat,

so i decided to separate the two elements.

This way,

it opens up opportunities to use the (coloured) stitches to contribute to the overall design.

 

 

the logo is deboss

 

the letters are embossed

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/001_zpsckcqts0i.jpg

Edited October 18, 2015 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Here is the logo in a deboss

 

the letters embossed

 

GEMATEX bookcloth Orange

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/204A%20FPD2015%20GEMATEX%20Orange/012_zpskfnb76ix.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/204A%20FPD2015%20GEMATEX%20Orange/018_zpsf78lrmyr.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/204A%20FPD2015%20GEMATEX%20Orange/011_zpswozbuchb.jpg

 

 

Will try out an all emboss version ...

 

 

[TMLee]

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/004_zpseecob2bm.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/005_zpshakaiwiw.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/006_zpsjhqmr4tw.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/010_zpsnavl9uap.jpg

 

Tedious

[TMLee]

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/204B%20FPD2015%20BUCKRAM%20Green/023_zpsnyrjprrr.jpg

 

I am relieved the Buckram could do the emboss round the fine letters

 

Some in the pipeline for FPD2015 ...

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/009_zpsmeab6dvt.jpg

 

 

 

[TMLee]

Completed ..

 

For FPD2015 this year, I have decided to make a limited number of journals commemorating FPD2015.

 

All come in A6 size only

 

Six Bookcloth variants ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/4cf57655-a7cb-4007-9e01-a4d3d5b2aee3_zpspnbscuoo.jpg

 

 

 

and

Six Buckram variants ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/d3ee15a1-ff77-4684-9b66-1060c394a873_zpsdbgruoew.jpg

 

 

Except otherwise stated, all these pictured above are available for sale.

 

Just PM me

Edited October 23, 2015 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Planning the flyleaves ...

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/016_zpscrtzkcm5.jpg

 

 

 

 

My new favourite ....

 

Brown !!!! :thumbup:

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/015_zpsetwlfbz2.jpg

 

[Lennart Wennberg]

This is how I make my homemade journals:

 

Type: Codex

Technique: Coptic stitch binding, one long thread, one needle

Cover board: Two layers of cardboard from old archival boxes, glued together. (I have a huge pile of never used boxes. From one box I get the four cardboard pieces for one book.)

Number of signatures: 8

Pages:128

Signature paper: Clairefontaine Pollen Ivory, 120 gm/m2, 16 sheets.

Cloth: Canapetta 1421

Paper inside cover: Remondini rombi, from Grafiche Tassotti, Italy.

Glue: Coccoina, Italian made glue from potato-starch

Thread: Irish linen, waxed with beeswax

Comment: I think that the size of this codex is optimal for this technique, (A6).

Edited October 24, 2015 by Lennart Wennberg

[TMLee]

This is how I make my homemade journals:

 

Type: Codex

Technique: Coptic stitch binding, one long thread, one needle

Cover board: Two layers of cardboard from old archival boxes, glued together. (I have a huge pile of never used boxes. From one box I get the four cardboard pieces for one book.)

Number of signatures: 8

Pages:128

Signature paper: Clairefontaine Pollen Ivory, 120 gm/m2, 16 sheets.

Cloth: Canapetta 1421

Paper inside cover: Remondini rombi, from Grafiche Tassotti, Italy.

Glue: Coccoina, Italian made glue from potato-starch

Thread: Irish linen, waxed with beeswax

Comment: I think that the size of this codex is optimal for this technique, (A6).

 

 

 

Thanks for posting .

 

Nice !

 

I like the flyleaves

[Lennart Wennberg]

 

 

 

Thanks for posting .

 

Nice !

 

I like the flyleaves

 

Thank you,

You do a lot of nice journals yourself.

 

There is a story with the endpaper. When I ordered the cloth some of the beautiful paper was wrapped around the roll. I immediately got the colormatch between the cloth and the paper.

The color of the stems on the endpaper is almost identical to the color of the cloth. Now I have some sheets of the endpaper at home, but I have run out of cloth...

 

Best Regards

 

Lennart

Edited October 25, 2015 by Lennart Wennberg

[TMLee]

Struggling with the white variant ...

 

I cant do it.

 

This is so difficult, I cant find a way to accomplish this without suffering from the defects that come from glueing twice the cover material.

 

Been thinking very hard but cant find a way out !

 

This white variant is a lot more complicated.

 

The logo is printed on the cover material.

 

But its designed to eventually become a deboss.

In other words, the black logo will be in a deboss - to protect the black print from abrasion and losing its black print.

 

A bit hard to describe ..

Here is the reverse side of the front cover material (paper)

with the embossing card laid into position.

 

Theres no way to do this without a light table.

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/001_zps0odhfjtf.jpg

 

 

Top side over a mini light table

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/002_zpszfht0m9c.jpg

 

 

Glueing the emboss part of the cutouts , onto the wrong side of the cover material.

 

the letters are also done in the same manner- on the reverse ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/004_zps0uj4vfxh.jpg

 

 

This is the hairy part ...

Glueing the rest of the card underlay

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/005_zpsw1so8twp.jpg

 

I cant solve this part,

trimming to exact size , THEN glueing the unglued parts around the 4 edges.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/007_zpsnjaipckn.jpg

 

 

Finished ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/008_zpshcohubhf.jpg

 

The black logo is in a deboss

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/010_zpsplqafkl6.jpg

 

Very visually stunning (which is what I wanted)

but I cant do it - free of noticeable 'flaws'

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/011_zpseiafwnrn.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/204%20FPD2015/009_zpsmnlqpwl0.jpg

 

 

 

almost there

 

wish me luck ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Earthdawn]

I think they look amazing so far.

 

Your really honing your skills on this project.

[TMLee]

Thanks Earthdawn