... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

... #88A "Wedgewood Blue Flowers" cont'd / - ...

 

The completed journal,

The front, with and without the band deployed ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6401.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6404.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6402.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6403.jpg

 

The Rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6405.jpg

 

 

The stitches were white to complement the band (or is it vice-versa ?)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6406.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6407.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6413.jpg

 

 

Full spread , expressing the bloom

(here you can just detect that its a little more squarish than the usual A6 size)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6417.jpg

 

 

The ink testpage and Colophon

wriiten with Sailor Red Brown ink and Etruria 0.9mm stub and Pilot 742 waverly nib.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6414.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088A%20Wedgwood%20Blue%20Flowers/DSCF6415.jpg

 

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each , 112 pages

Writing paper is Crane's Paper , 100% Cotton Fibres, Kid Finish , Azure Blue.

Edited August 27, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is the completed set of #88/A/B "Wedgwood Blue Flowers"

 

Here shown with the inclusion of "#88 (near A5 size) " and the "#88B - mini size"

 

Becos of the Letter size dimensions of the paper, the large journal becomes more tallish in proportion..

 

The same happens for the mini.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088%20trio/DSCF6453.jpg

 

 

 

All bear the same matching white ribbons, white bands, and 'red kurashi' flyleaves.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088%20trio/DSCF6454.jpg

 

 

The Large and small journals have 7 signatures in order to carry the ribbon pagemarker.

The Mini has 5 signatures instead of seven.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088%20trio/DSCF6457.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088%20trio/DSCF6458.jpg

 

 

The stitches are also white

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2088%20trio/DSCF6459.jpg

 

 

As far as possible the front covers contain the flower blooms.

 

 

[TMLee]

This is Journal #76 "Birch"

 

I like the graphics , its like a European forest of Birch.

Looks very calm and quiet.

I've never been to one before though ! :embarrassed_smile:

 

Front with and without the band deployed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6472.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6473.jpg

 

Rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6474.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6484.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6485.jpg

 

I used the natural colour of the cords , I thot it blended with the hues...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6476.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6475.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6480.jpg

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6478.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6479.jpg

 

I chose an earth tone for the flyleaves

(and I forgot to cut the namecard slot ! :bonk: )

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6477.jpg

 

 

The ink testpage and Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6481.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Birch/DSCF6482.jpg

 

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each , total 112 pages

Paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White (Smooth) , 135gsm

 

 

 

[Aristarco]

Hi TMLee!

 

You might want to see my work here: www.amarilloespacio.blogspot.com, under the name "Agenda 2010"

I got nice round corners finally, with almost no bulk thanks to the keratol material. My friends at Amarillo wanted me to sell them so we made the project for these planners. Hope you like it.

 

Greetings.

[TMLee]

Hi TMLee!

 

You might want to see my work here: www.amarilloespacio.blogspot.com, under the name "Agenda 2010"

I got nice round corners finally, with almost no bulk thanks to the keratol material. My friends at Amarillo wanted me to sell them so we made the project for these planners. Hope you like it.

 

Greetings.

 

dear aristarco,

bravo ! Very nice.

I like.

How did you print the planner pages?

Rgds

[TMLee]

This is the completed set of the trio of Journal #76 "Birch"

 

The set contains the earlier featured #76 in A6 size, and now the #76A (A5size) , and the #76B (A7 mini size).

 

The trio ...

As usual, the covers front and back are cut from one piece of cover material so as to achieve a continuous flow of graphics when opened full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Trio/DSCF6632.jpg

 

Here shown with an OMAS 360 Wild for scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Trio/DSCF6635.jpg

 

Spines compared.

The larger A5 size permitted a two-tone stitch which I like bcos it shows off the beautiful stitch climbing patterns.

The natural and brown coloured stitches blended well with the earthtones of the whole journal, including the flyleaves which was intentionally picked for its brown hue.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Trio/DSCF6637.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2076%20Trio/DSCF6640.jpg

 

The new software don't seem to allow me to post more pics to allow more descriptions. So you have to mouse over the clickable links above to see more detailed pics.

Edited September 21, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

I have been working on leather covers now, revisiting the ones I made when I first started crafting journals.

 

This is Journal #75 "Chocolate" Lambskin crafted on commission.

 

 

This series of leather journals are made for the guys. Not too flashy. Sombre?. Muted. Something more 'no-nonsense'.

(pictured with my recently acquired 'grail' pen - the OMAS MoMA... beautifully understated elegance)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6571.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6581.jpg

 

The stitches and elastic bands and ribbon pagemarker were all intentionally matching brown.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6576.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6582.jpg

 

... cont'd ...

[TMLee]

... Journal #75 "Chocolate" Lambskin ... cont'd ...

 

The leather journals feature non-plain flyleaves as an added 'premium' feature.

The weave graphic print is nice and good looking with some portions intentionally made to look weathered and distressed.

Here shown , the front and rear flyleaves.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6580.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6579.jpg

 

The namecard slot is now standard

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6577.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/DSCF6578.jpg

 

 

7 signatures, 4 folios each, 112 pages total.

writing paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth 135gsm

[TMLee]

This is Journal #78 "Gaudi - Pedrera" in the pipeline.

 

Crafted to complement the recently acquired Stipula Etruria Gaudi Pedrera Cracked Ice.

 

As mentioned in that post, the carvings are fantabulous.

Not too long ago I bought some books featuring Gaudi's works. Just like everyone else, I was captivated by Gaudi's works.

Then came along that post featuring the Etruria Pedrera. It was a toss-up between this and the Batlo, but I was attracted to the Pedrera bcos of the trimmings.

I wanted a nice number too and bcos of that, had to wait for about 3 or 4 weeks. Mel of Melpens really outdid herself and got me a real nice serial number .

The wait was well worth it. Hats-off to her.

 

And then I decided I had to make a journal to complement this beauty ....

 

Here the covers completed. I decided to give it a place within the line of the white series of journals.

I think its a nice match.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6678.jpg

 

I would suppose future variations of this journal could see art nouveau flyleaves instead, and/or grey paper, and /or .... but i shall leave that to another inspired day ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6680.jpg

 

The clip top is actually a close replication of the vent(I think) on the roof of the actual building.

Pretty cool - the intent of the craftsman...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6686.jpg

 

The piston knob trimming (its not a piston refill ... :-( )

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6683.jpg

 

I am not sure where the face is on the actual bldg. I have yet to find it .

Anyone know ?

Edited September 22, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #77 "Cognac Calfskin"

 

Using the same piece of leather for the "Rata" Journal, I skived down the edges of the coverpieces before folding over.

The centre part was not skived completely. So this gives the effect that the centre of the cover is gently raised - but ever so slightly perceptible.

It gives a great feel and the leather covers are hardy for long use.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2077%20Cognac%20Calfskin/DSCF6648.jpg

 

Brown stitches with brown ribbon pagemarker

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2077%20Cognac%20Calfskin/DSCF6652.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2077%20Cognac%20Calfskin/DSCF6651.jpg

 

The flyleaves were a non-plain nicer variety ...

Here you can see the namecard slot too ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2077%20Cognac%20Calfskin/DSCF6654.jpg

 

 

I decided to colour the bare unprinted side of the flyleaves ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2077%20Cognac%20Calfskin/DSCF6657.jpg

 

7 signatures, 4 Folios each, 112 pages ...

Writing paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth 135gsm.

Edited September 22, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #73 "White Lambskin" in the series of leather journals ...

 

The lambskins are much thinner .

Even so I had to skive down the corners to almost paper thin.

This ensures that the corners are easily 'crimped' and easily folded over.

That way when clamped overnight, it becomes real flat.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6469.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6470.jpg

 

The stitches were all light coloured as are the elastic bands.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6662.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6663.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6664.jpg

 

... cont'd ...

Edited September 22, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

... Journal #73 "White Lambskin" cont'd ...

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6665.jpg

 

The flyleaves

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6669.jpg

 

 

and rear ...

with the flap and namecard slot...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6668.jpg

 

I decided to colour the bare unprinted side of the flyleaves ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6667.jpg

 

the Colophon ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2073%20White%20Lambskin/DSCF6671.jpg

 

7 signatures, 4 folios each , 112 pages total ...

writing paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White smooth 135gsm...

[Highbinder]

Excuse me if this has already been answered but how do you find the designs for the outer covers? What are they made of? Are they decided between you and whoever the journal is for or do they give you a loose description and let you have free reign?

[TMLee]

Excuse me if this has already been answered but how do you find the designs for the outer covers? What are they made of? Are they decided between you and whoever the journal is for or do they give you a loose description and let you have free reign?

 

Hi Highbinder,

Cover material can be anything that is suitable. So far, its been paper , or leather or bookcloth or fabric , or even wrapping paper, etc .... just as long as it is appropriate for a journal cover.

 

Most of the covers are purchased from stationery or art/crafts shops . The white series of journals are my own sketches photocopied onto heavy paper to wrap the covers.

 

There can be general requests for certain themes, and I will then work with that person to find a mutually acceptable design.

Or there can be a brief description of the recipient who will be receiving the journal, then we work together to arrive at something that we both think will bring a smile to that recipient....

[TMLee]

Quik question,

can you all see the pics in my last few posts WITHOUT signing-in to the Forum ?

( I can only see the pics after I sign-in )

[TMLee]

This is Journal #71A "Showers of Blessings"

 

The glazed fire-engine red leather was proving itself to be harder to use than I expected.

Becos of its bright shade, I started to doubt its appropriateness as a journal cover ...

 

After mulling over it for a long while, I started to notice that perhaps the wrong side had more chances of being used.

I skived the leather down some more. (very laborious and time consuming I find ... ) And this is what it looked like , contrasted against its right side.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6593.jpg

 

Somehow the skived surface became attractive.

It was more of a deep salmon colour. And it felt exactly like suede ...

I remembered the covers of Journal #71 which had the same hue. It was perfect !

 

And so I decided to make a journal using that paper plus this red leather.

This would mean that the Front cover would have a spine edge of leather like so ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6588.jpg

 

The backside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6590.jpg

 

And some closeups.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6592.jpg

 

After gluing, I scored the leather exactly where the paper would eventually be laid in position.

This is to allow the paper edge to be flushed with the surface and not protrude.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6589.jpg

Edited September 24, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

----- Journal #71A "Showers of Blessings" cont'd / ...

 

The front and rear completed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6594.jpg

 

Here you see the leather scored to receive the paper edge

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6595.jpg

 

I decided to add some interest onto the rear cover like so ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6607.jpg

 

The final rendition of the Front and rear covers ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6608.jpg

[TMLee]

----- Journal #71A "Showers of Blessings" cont'd / ...

 

Bcos of the beautiful graphics, I decided not to stitch over it by moving the sewing stations away from it .

Not bad, actually the end result... the spacings of the sewing stations add interest.

I am not sure if this configuration yields less wobble , have to wait and see ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6691.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6688.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6697.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6698.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6699.jpg

[TMLee]

----- Journal #71A "Showers of Blessings" cont'd / ...

 

The completed Journal ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6695.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6700.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6705.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6706.jpg

 

I think the pple queuing up are nicely rendered ..

The girl in the red dress adds that bit of visual interest .....

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6704.jpg

[TMLee]

----- Journal #71A "Showers of Blessings" cont'd / ...

 

The flyleaves are non-plain and I decided to colour the bare unprinted side...

You can just make out the namecard slot ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6708.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6707.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2071A%20Showers%20of%20Blessings/DSCF6709.jpg

 

7 signatures, 4 folios each, 112 pages total

writing paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth 135gsm...

 

Bummer ... I numbered this journal wrongly ...

Edited September 24, 2009 by TMLee