... homemade journal ...

[kathleen]

I'm an Estie fan. REALLY love your journals. Think the model bound in green cloth would look terrific with black and the Black Estie, what a pair!

[TMLee]

I'm an Estie fan. REALLY love your journals. Think the model bound in green cloth would look terrific with black and the Black Estie, what a pair!

 

 

Thanks Kathleen,

Then Sap Green bookcloth it shall be !

 

The other 2 remaining colours are completed - the Raw Umber and the Dark Purple in A5 size.

 

Incidentally, I think I may have enuf material to craft the A7 mini sized versions.

I didn't plan for the A7 versions bcos the graphics of the Esterbrook nameplate and the ink bottles were too strong a graphic to ignore. They could only fit into an A5 size, leaving the rest of the remaining paper quite hard to use as journal covers.

But anyway at this moment, I think the Indian Red and the Sap Green looks most handsome.

So likely, if any A7 is to be crafted , they will be in these 2 colours.

 

The Raw Umber which is a Dark matt brown is stately in terms of aesthetics.

 

This Indian Red and Sap Green versions above have this dash of an accent hue that is refreshing.

 

After quite a hunt, I am actually very pleased to find the ribbon pagemarkers that are very closely matching to the bookcloth hues. Phew !

[TMLee]

This is Journal #127 Esterbrook - GEMATEX Dark Purple

 

The 3rd one in the quartet ...

A5 in size.

Front. Pictured with a M620 Chicago for scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3732.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3736.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3739.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3740.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3737.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3743.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3748.jpg

 

This is the one with the bookcloth spine overlapping the coverpaper.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3735.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3745.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20127%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Dark%20Purple/DSCF3747.jpg

 

 

Paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White , Smooth , 135gsm

Edited November 18, 2010 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #130 Esterbrook - GEMATEX Raw Umber

 

Pictured with an OMAS MoMA in silver trim

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3750.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3755.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3756.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3753.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3761.jpg

 

I managed to find a way of improving the look of the pierced stations.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3763.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3764.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3757.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20130%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Raw%20Umber/DSCF3760.jpg

 

Paper is also NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth , 135gsm

[TMLee]

The Esterbrook GEMATEX quartet ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3783.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3780.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3784.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3787.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3788.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3782.jpg

[TMLee]

The #128 & 128A Esterbrook GEMATEX Indian Red pair ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3789.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3790.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3791.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3793.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Esterbrook%20Quartet/DSCF3794.jpg

[KCat]

The #128 & 128A Esterbrook GEMATEX Indian Red pair ...

 

ooooh aaaaah

[TMLee]

Found this postcard theme of a print.

 

Postcards rendered in blue ...

There is a maroon version and this means there will be a pair created.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF3647.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF3650.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF3648.jpg

 

This one's in A5 size

Edited November 21, 2010 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #129A Esterbrook - GEMATEX Sap Green

 

This is the A6 sized version of the #129 above in A5 size.

Front

 

Pictured with an Esterbrook J in Black with a pendleton nib.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3969.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3972.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3975.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3987.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3967.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3978.jpg

 

Kept to the theme of minimal colours.

Here with green flyleaves. And the namecard slot

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3986.jpg

 

The inktestpage and Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3983.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3984.jpg

 

This journal uses the 'flushed' technique of the bookcloth/cover seam

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3980-1.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3982.jpg

[TMLee]

This is the #129 and #129A Esterbrook - GEMATEX Sap Green together ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3961.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3962.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3965.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20129%20Esterbrook%20-%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/Journal%20129A%20Esterbrook%20GEMATEX%20Sap%20Green/DSCF3966.jpg

[TMLee]

This is Journal #131 "Postage Blue" in A5 size

 

Front with and without the band closure.

Pictured with a DaniTrio Cumlaude Blue Grey for scale.

I chose to use the Indian Red bookcloth for the spine and corner accents - ledger style.

This Indian Red also matches the same tinge of red on the graphics.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4188.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4194.jpg

 

 

Decided to use blue stitchcords to match the blue covers.

Waxed linen thread #18 gauge and 4-ply, Williamsburg Blue

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4196.jpg

 

 

The smaller sized threads allow the signatures to be more compacted after clamping.

The overall result is a less prominent 'wedge' effect.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4192.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4197.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4198.jpg

 

Inktestpage and Colophon.

Paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth , 135gsm

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4199.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4200.jpg

 

Flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4203.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4204.jpg

 

 

Decided to use CLOVER white elastic bands instead of black.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/Journal%20131%20Postage%20Blue/DSCF4195.jpg

[TMLee]

Trying out again an emboss with bookcloth ...

somehow , just can't get it right without marring the bookcloth...

 

monogrammed journals are highly personalised.

some pple don't like them at all ...

anyway , some initial tryouts ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20123%20GEMATEX%20-%20Esterbrook%20Burnt%20Ochre%20kk%20em/DSCF4228.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20123%20GEMATEX%20-%20Esterbrook%20Burnt%20Ochre%20kk%20em/DSCF4229.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20123%20GEMATEX%20-%20Esterbrook%20Burnt%20Ochre%20kk%20em/DSCF4231.jpg

 

settled on this

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20123%20GEMATEX%20-%20Esterbrook%20Burnt%20Ochre%20kk%20em/DSCF4238.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20123%20GEMATEX%20-%20Esterbrook%20Burnt%20Ochre%20kk%20em/DSCF4247.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20123%20GEMATEX%20-%20Esterbrook%20Burnt%20Ochre%20kk%20em/DSCF4248.jpg

 

I think I know what to do next to protect the bookcloth whilst burnishing round the embossed edges ....

[eli]

Instead of using a burnishing tool, try using an elbow. This is a method of embossing prints I learned in school, supposedly Japanese, and it works quite well at forcing heavy, damp paper into woodblocks, so it may be useful for your purposes here.

 

Eli

 

PS; are you backing/lining your cloth with paper?

Edited December 7, 2010 by eli

[TMLee]

Instead of using a burnishing tool, try using an elbow. This is a method of embossing prints I learned in school, supposedly Japanese, and it works quite well at forcing heavy, damp paper into woodblocks, so it may be useful for your purposes here.

 

Eli

 

PS; are you backing/lining your cloth with paper?

 

Thanks Eli,

Elbow? Wow. I didn't know about this. Any weblinks to illustrate?

The edges round the embossed alphabets are pretty hard to get to if using an elbow - I am imagining, haven't tried it.

 

And yes, my bookcloth comes with paper backing which is supposedly thicker than the usual tissue type.

[eli]

Here is a quick mention of elbow embossing. http://books.google....sing%3F&f=false

 

I've used elbow method to emboss small, sharp angled and rounded geometric shapes into Arches 88 without difficulty and the results were sharp, well defined images, at possible twice the depth as your design. The advantage of the elbow is pressure and being able to wiggle your elbow about a bit, getting into the small corners/spaces.

 

I would also mention that you might want to try buying a pair of white, kids pantyhose, to cut a pair of long, protective 'socks' to go over your arm/elbow. This will give some protection against leaving oil on your book-cloth.

 

 

Eli

[TMLee]

Here is a quick mention of elbow embossing. http://books.google....sing%3F&f=false

 

I've used elbow method to emboss small, sharp angled and rounded geometric shapes into Arches 88 without difficulty and the results were sharp, well defined images, at possible twice the depth as your design. The advantage of the elbow is pressure and being able to wiggle your elbow about a bit, getting into the small corners/spaces.

 

I would also mention that you might want to try buying a pair of white, kids pantyhose, to cut a pair of long, protective 'socks' to go over your arm/elbow. This will give some protection against leaving oil on your book-cloth.

 

 

Eli

 

Thanks Eli for the link.

For some reason I can't scroll to see the preceding pages. It jumps to pages containing the highlighted word 'emboss' in yellow.

Anyway for that partial article I read, I do agree that Japanese paper is simply fantabulous - I haven't tried embossing with Japanese paper, but I am very sure it will mould tightly over the embossed surfaces beautifully. Yes the paper is thin but the fibers holding them together makes it very strong. I have very good experience using them in some of my earlier crafted journals.

 

This may explain the less than perfect experience using bookcloth. It's thicker and perhaps needs a different technique maybe? I am not sure.

I was thinking of covering the embossed part whilst I use the burnisher, that way preventing the bookcloth surface from getting marred.

 

How do commercial bookbinders do embossing? I am curious.

 

For yourself, what material did you use when you were embossing? Japanese paper?

[brettttt]

Hi,

 

Can you tell me how many sheets are in each journal?

 

I've been admiring these in this thread for a long time, and I figured I would eventually figure out the answer to my very basic question, but I haven't had any luck. I know I'm probably just overlooking that info. in an obvious place--sorry.

 

Best regards,

Brett

[TMLee]

Hi,

 

Can you tell me how many sheets are in each journal?

 

I've been admiring these in this thread for a long time, and I figured I would eventually figure out the answer to my very basic question, but I haven't had any luck. I know I'm probably just overlooking that info. in an obvious place--sorry.

 

Best regards,

Brett

 

 

Hi brett,

No problem

All the journals , whether A6 or A5 size are stitched with 7 signatures.

Each signature contains 4 folios.

One folio is a sheet of paper folded into half. This means that there are 4 writing pages.

So total writing pages is 7 x 4 x 4 = 112writing pages.

 

The mini sized journals in A7 size come with 5 signatures only.

So total writing pages is 5 x 4 x 4 = 80 writing pages.

 

Rgds

TMLee

[eli]

Lee, I used well damped Arches 88, 140# weight and Arches Cover, 92# weight, papers for my embossing.

[Daisy]

I was thinking of covering the embossed part whilst I use the burnisher, that way preventing the bookcloth surface from getting marred.

 

That's a very good idea and should work well for you. There is a similar problem with ironing synthetic fabrics, where the motion and heat of the iron work together to shine the synthetic material in unwanted ways, and the cure is the same: a pressing cloth, usually dampened a bit. The trick is to have something between that doesn't move but stays exactly where you put it until you pick it up and move it. That way only the pressure transfers to the fabric and any marring happens to the pressing cloth (or in your case, embossing cloth).

 

So for your purposes, any cheap fabric with a bit of thickness -- even a kitchen towel or a washcloth -- should work as long as it doesn't move but stays in exactly the same place on the cloth while you burnish (even if you're using an elbow ). It doesn't have to be as thick as terrycloth or a Turkish towel (though that wouldn't be bad) but it has to have some weight to it: a woven fabric you'd make a summer shirt from, for example, might not work as well, and a paper towel might just shred.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

 

 

 

 

(Edited for clarity)

Edited December 11, 2010 by Daisy