... homemade journal ...

[Aristarco]

dear aristarco,

bravo ! Very nice.

I like.

How did you print the planner pages?

Rgds

 

Pages were laid out in Adobe InDesign CS4, then exported the document to PDF and made the imposition with a plug-in in Acrobat 9 Professional Extended, so a letter-sized sheet would result in two planners. I printed them in two-sided mode in a Xerox Phaser 6360 on "Cultural Bond", Ivory, 90gsm. The process of laying out, imposing, printing, trimming, folding and perforating is really 10% or less of the total effort needed to get the results I got, but I find it quite pleasing and half the fun. I made a rig so I perforated the signatures in a single stroke. I bought a very cheap, chinese-made paper trimmer that can cut 400 sheets in a single stroke so no more square and knife to trim the edges. Only sent the blocks to a print shop to get the corners rounded. Hope that changes in the future. These planners have been well-received and the "limited edition" of 50 is almost sold-out.

 

Next project includes a "reporter-style" notebook and a watercolour paper notebook. Hope to have pics soon.

 

Greetings!!

[steveh6883]

Hi TM Lee

 

Your handmade journals are very inspiring!

 

They have inspired me to make some too, so far have done 3x A5 journals as Christmas gifts with Christmas themed fabric

 

Quick question: what thickness thread are you using for your exposed spine journals? & do you have any links to guides to do this type of stitch?

 

Thanks

[TMLee]

Pages were laid out in Adobe InDesign CS4, then exported the document to PDF and made the imposition with a plug-in in Acrobat 9 Professional Extended, so a letter-sized sheet would result in two planners. I printed them in two-sided mode in a Xerox Phaser 6360 on "Cultural Bond", Ivory, 90gsm. The process of laying out, imposing, printing, trimming, folding and perforating is really 10% or less of the total effort needed to get the results I got, but I find it quite pleasing and half the fun. I made a rig so I perforated the signatures in a single stroke. I bought a very cheap, chinese-made paper trimmer that can cut 400 sheets in a single stroke so no more square and knife to trim the edges. Only sent the blocks to a print shop to get the corners rounded. Hope that changes in the future. These planners have been well-received and the "limited edition" of 50 is almost sold-out.

 

Next project includes a "reporter-style" notebook and a watercolour paper notebook. Hope to have pics soon.

 

Dear Aristarco,

I envy you...

 

what cutting machine is that? great help in efficiency.

 

multi-piercing rig ? wow ! Good idea.

I am imagining what it looks like.

 

But the coptic stitch(i presume) is done book by book ?

 

The planner pages look well done. (and i can't seem to post emoticons ...)

 

Best wishes on your next project...

[TMLee]

Hi TM Lee

 

Your handmade journals are very inspiring!

 

They have inspired me to make some too, so far have done 3x A5 journals as Christmas gifts with Christmas themed fabric

 

Quick question: what thickness thread are you using for your exposed spine journals? & do you have any links to guides to do this type of stitch?

 

Thanks

 

 

Thanks steveh6883,

 

My cords are 1mm wide.

I think 0.8mm would be ideal.

I generally like my stitches to be heavy and thick to accentuate the beautiful stitch patterns bcos they are exposed.

Its a feature in my journals.

 

I learnt this stitch from one of keith Smith's books. ( I forgot which volume now . I answered this in one of my earlier replies in this thread.)

Its one of 4 variations of the Coptic stitch. This one is known as the Coptic stitch double-needle method.

 

I don't have any links, and I haven't tried doing a search on the internet yet. Sorry.

You might want to try.

[TMLee]

Well ... I have completed Journal #78 "Gaudi-Pedrera" mentioned above.

Crafted to complement the Stipula Etruria Gaudi - Pedrera - a beautifully crafted FP.

 

Pictured here with the FP, of course ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6712.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6713.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6715.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6714.jpg

Edited September 26, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

... Journal #78 "Gaudi - Pedrera" cont'd / ...

 

They say the most magical part of the bldg - Casa Mila ( more popularly known as 'La Pedrera' ) are the chimneys on the rooftop...

and undoubtedly so ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6737.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6738.jpg

 

It seems the trimming on the clip top is modelled after this chimney ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6739.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6733.jpg

[TMLee]

... Journal #78 "Gaudi - Pedrera" cont'd / ...

 

The actual bldg is situated on a street corner. So it has 3 facades. One of which is chamfered.

The developed elevation is printed onto 120gsm paper which formed the covering for the covers.

The covers are missing a few bays of windows - where the spine is , bcos I decided on a large as possible graphic on the covers.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6723.jpg

 

I decided to insert plans and section dwgs of the bldg on the flyleaves ... To provide basic info on the unique bldg.

Here the front flyleaf incorporates the plan ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6728.jpg

 

and the rear flyleaf incorporating the section of the bldg, with anti drop-out flap, and namecard slot ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6729.jpg

 

This is the centre of the middle signature, with a page describing the iconic bldg...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6726.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6727.jpg

Edited September 26, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

... Journal #78 "Gaudi - Pedrera" cont'd / ...

 

Gaudi's attention to the design of the balcony railings are amazing ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6730.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6716.jpg

 

I think they are replicated on the trimmings near the cap rim ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6719.jpg

 

But still, I have yet to locate on the actual bldg, the 'face' and the 'spider' motifs. Anyone know where it is on the real bldg ?

[TMLee]

... Journal #78 "Gaudi - Pedrera" cont'd / ...

 

The ink testpage. and Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6734.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6735.jpg

 

Gaudi's signature, I presume ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6740.jpg

 

Stitches are white, so are the ribbon pagemarker , the elastic band closure

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each, total 112 pages

Writing paper is NATURALIS , Soft White Smooth, 120gsm.

[TMLee]

This is Journal #50 "Spoons" , lest it gets forgotten ....

 

From the continuing white series incorporating my handsketches / doodles from of old ...

Hardback.

120gsm Soft white smooth paper.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2050%20Spoons/DSCF6158.jpg

 

The original artwork is A5 size done with a Pilot G-TEC pen.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2050%20Spoons/DSCF6160.jpg

 

The new features of the namecard slot and anti drop-out flap was incorporated

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2050%20Spoons/DSCF6162.jpg

 

The inktestpage + Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2050%20Spoons/DSCF6165.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2050%20Spoons/DSCF6163.jpg

[TMLee]

At long last ... !

 

Waxed LINEN cords !!!!!

 

Yay !

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/waxedlinencords.jpg

[Highbinder]

The ink testpage. and Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6734.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2078%20Gaudi%20Pedrera/DSCF6735.jpg

 

 

Lovely journal, even lovelier pen, but I have to ask; what ink is that?

[TMLee]

Hi,

that's Sailor Red Brown ink written on white paper with both the Stipula Etruria Alter Ego 0.9 stub and the Pilot Custom 742 Falcon nib.

[TMLee]

Trying out the waxed linen cords.

All are gauge #18/4ply. Its about 0.7 to 0.85mm in diameter.

 

... and so I tried on past designs .....

 

Green lettering on the fabric, green flyleaves, green ('Sage') stitches, green ribbon ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021D%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/DSCF6803.jpg

 

'Sage' colour linen cords with matching green ribbon ...

The green stitches matched the antique green on the fabric. The black flyleaves matched the black lines of the Greek Key pattern.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2037A%20Bronze%20Greek%20Key/DSCF6807.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2037A%20Bronze%20Greek%20Key/DSCF6808.jpg

 

 

'Orange Crush' linen cords with orange ribbon and orange flyleaves ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2047B%20Brown%20Batik/DSCF6804.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2047B%20Brown%20Batik/DSCF6811.jpg

 

 

The stitches are smaller in diameter, less body, compared to my usual synthetic (polyester I think) cords.

The coloured stitches look promising, bcos the different hues allows added aesthetic interest.

I am planning a 'plain black' series of journals - much like the 'white series' of journals, using these coloured cords.

Edited October 17, 2009 by TMLee

[TMLee]

A new design, using waxed linen cords, 'Country Red', red flyleaves, red ribbon ...

 

This is Journal #79A "Red Flowers II"

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2079A%20Red%20Flowers%20II/DSCF6806.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2079A%20Red%20Flowers%20II/DSCF6810.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2079A%20Red%20Flowers%20II/DSCF6847.jpg

Edited October 17, 2009 by TMLee

[Wael El-Dasher]

Teck,

 

Your work is always amazing. Just when I think I've seen the peak of development, you come back with more. Awesome stuff.

 

cheers

 

Wael

 

PS. I want 2 more of those A5 Gaudi journals...no rush.

Edited October 17, 2009 by Wael El-Dasher

[TMLee]

This is Journal #63C "Tracks" Batik

 

The covers are incorporated with a leather edging along the spine edge.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2063C%20Tracks%20Batik/DSCF6830.jpg

 

 

 

I chose a brown stitch and brown flyleaves to match the graphics on the covers.

The namecard slot is now a standard feature.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2063C%20Tracks%20Batik/DSCF6835.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2063C%20Tracks%20Batik/DSCF6834.jpg

 

 

 

Brown ribbon pagemarker as well

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2063C%20Tracks%20Batik/DSCF6837.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2063C%20Tracks%20Batik/DSCF6833.jpg

[escribo]

At long last ... !

 

Waxed LINEN cords !!!!!

 

Yay !

YAY! No more dental floss, eh?

I always really enjoy looking at your work.

Haven't made any myself for a while (all who spoke for one have theirs, and I have mine), but at any rate, mine are plain, not lovely like yours.

I'm a technician; you are an artist.

BR,

-esc

.

edit for typo

 

P.S. I like the idea of the 4-ply instead of the 3-ply I am able to buy locally.

Edited October 19, 2009 by escribo

[TMLee]

Teck,

 

Your work is always amazing. Just when I think I've seen the peak of development, you come back with more. Awesome stuff.

 

cheers

 

Wael

 

PS. I want 2 more of those A5 Gaudi journals...no rush.

 

 

Thanks Wael ...

[TMLee]

YAY! No more dental floss, eh?

I always really enjoy looking at your work.

Haven't made any myself for a while (all who spoke for one have theirs, and I have mine), but at any rate, mine are plain, not lovely like yours.

I'm a technician; you are an artist.

BR,

-esc

.

edit for typo

 

P.S. I like the idea of the 4-ply instead of the 3-ply I am able to buy locally.

 

 

Thanks escribo ...

 

Well ... dental floss still gets used - but only in the hard caseback designs which are rarer these days bcos they require more 'precision' in crafting them.

 

BTW, is there linen cords thicker than #18 ?

I just feel they could be thicker for what I am doing.

 

rgds