... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

almost went bonkers doing this one....

the fabric didnt stick like others do ...

maybe its the non-cotton content.

 

anyway ...

my first attempt with this ....

decided to incorporate the lower zigzag patterns ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6388.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6389.jpg

 

The upper part is the white with gold crosses.

it forms the main pattern of the fabric...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6390.jpg

 

A closeup of the embroidery ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6392.jpg

 

I like the overall design of the fabric...

somewhat reminiscent of inuit designs ...

clear graphics well put together.

 

I am staring it for sometime now and I think I should have more white at the upper half.

 

will probably attempt a variant.

[TMLee]

Tried again ...

This time on A6 size...

 

This time I tried doing a set of covers with the crosses only - ie the main part of the graphics ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6424.jpg

 

Bcos the fabric didn't keep its shape, I tried using interfacing.

It was ironed on to the back.

It made the fabric thicker.

And it was also difficult to glue. The interfacing material wasn't friendly to glue.

Apart from that, it made the fabric thicker and harder to foldover round the corners.

My corners were not their usual flatness and neatness...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6428.jpg

 

Closeup

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6422.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6425.jpg

 

I am gonna try next another A5 size but with more crosses ...

I think it should look just right ...

 

In comparison with the previous A5 (big) covers ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6408.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6411.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6409.jpg

Edited August 28, 2011 by TMLee

[mcg1355]

Those fabric ones are coming along nicely! It looks like you are figuring out how to work around some of the challenges, hopefully the third time is the charm.

 

I haven't been on for a little bit because I started school and had to get moved in and all that. I already gave away the fake leather covered journal and unfortunately didn't get any finished pictures. I am going to try to keep making journals but my progress will be much slower while at school. I'll update as I work along though.

 

-Nick

[TMLee]

Those fabric ones are coming along nicely! It looks like you are figuring out how to work around some of the challenges, hopefully the third time is the charm.

 

I haven't been on for a little bit because I started school and had to get moved in and all that. I already gave away the fake leather covered journal and unfortunately didn't get any finished pictures. I am going to try to keep making journals but my progress will be much slower while at school. I'll update as I work along though.

 

-Nick

 

Best wishes on school ....

[TMLee]

This is the 3rd attempt ...

 

A5 size.

 

I think now it looks right !!!

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6440.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6438.jpg

 

Decided to add more white at the top part by lowering the fabric

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6418.jpg

 

I prefer this proportion of the graphics here (compared to the previous two) ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6444.jpg

 

The fabric remains challenging to glue, but i managed to work a way round it ...

I dropped the idea of using interfacing...

Here the foldover corners are flat and neat after clamping ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6419.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6420.jpg

 

Compared against the previous (A5) attempt

I think the proportion of white vs gold looks right here ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6402.jpg

 

Side by side the smaller A6 version ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6412.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149B%20A5%20SAMPING%20-%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6445.jpg

[marvinreader]

I was inspired by this thread to make my own journals. Unfortuately, the first three were such huge disasters that I'd rather no one ever see them. So this is my latest attempt....we'll see how it goes....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We'll see how the binding goes, but I just used Elmer's glue sticks to glue the paper to the cardboard...maybe I should use something else?

[TMLee]

Hi marvinreader,

Good effort

I like the print of the fabric. It's nice.

 

White pva glue is what you need

As you would have probably observed by now, there are limitations with the glu-stick.

 

Try to line up the stations on your signatures as accurately as possible.

It will contribute to the end result.

 

That you didn't give up is already a success in it's own making.

Just be patient and don't give up.

[marvinreader]

I went a little crazy and made four journals this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The paper is staples brand and takes ink beautifully, though doesn't love italic nibs. Blue nose bear doesn't even halo on this paper. There was no showthough even on swabs...It is their highest line of paper..

[TheOriginalStevenH]

What pen is this?

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6425.jpg

[TMLee]

Nice marvinreader !

Keep it up.

[TMLee]

What pen is this?

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6425.jpg

 

That's a Pelikan M800 Demo, Etched.

[TheOriginalStevenH]

What pen is this?

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6425.jpg

 

That's a Pelikan M800 Demo, Etched.

 

You are very good at making journals... I once thought of making some but time and money are always a factor. I've spent the whole morning looking at all your journals just amazing how you put them together. the cardboard you use for the book cover where do you get it from and how thick is it?

[TMLee]

You are very good at making journals... I once thought of making some but time and money are always a factor. I've spent the whole morning looking at all your journals just amazing how you put them together. the cardboard you use for the book cover where do you get it from and how thick is it?

 

Thanks ... It's a journey ...

 

Those are what are known as "strawboards" or "greyboards".

Or bookbinding cardboards.

They ought to be readily available in art supply stores.

They come in sheets of 26" x 31" sizes or thereabouts.

 

I use either 3mm thick (A5size journals) or 1.5mm thick(A6size journals).

You can go either thicker or thinner depending on the desired effect.

I chose these bcos they are the minimum thickness to produce the desired rigidity i wanted in the covers.

[TMLee]

Tried again ...

This time on A6 size...

 

This time I tried doing a set of covers with the crosses only - ie the main part of the graphics ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6424.jpg

 

Bcos the fabric didn't keep its shape, I tried using interfacing.

It was ironed on to the back.

It made the fabric thicker.

And it was also difficult to glue. The interfacing material wasn't friendly to glue.

Apart from that, it made the fabric thicker and harder to foldover round the corners.

My corners were not their usual flatness and neatness...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6428.jpg

 

Closeup

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6422.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6425.jpg

 

I am gonna try next another A5 size but with more crosses ...

I think it should look just right ...

 

In comparison with the previous A5 (big) covers ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6408.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6411.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6409.jpg

 

 

I decided to use gold coloured flyleaves.

To keep the theme simple .

I found this champagne gold metallic paper... the gold sheen is not readily noticeable in the pic ...

Pocket with namecard slot and 'anti drop-out flap' as usual.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6500.jpg

 

I also selected the more 'refined' looking white band ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6498.jpg

 

Front and back completed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20149%20A5%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/Journal%20149A%20SAMPING%20%20White-Gold%20Crosses/DSCF6497.jpg

Edited September 14, 2011 by TMLee

[sdcurnow]

You are very good at making journals... I once thought of making some but time and money are always a factor. I've spent the whole morning looking at all your journals just amazing how you put them together. the cardboard you use for the book cover where do you get it from and how thick is it?

 

The cardboard is called either book board of Davey board here in the US. Davey board is more difficult to cut.

 

Steve C

[TMLee]

This is Journal #142A BUCKRAM - Orange SLIMLINE

 

This one is with bendy covers , like most SLIMLINE journals so far.

I am trying out something new here - paper with photocopied dot grids.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6503.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6504.jpg

 

The stitches are much thinner linen threads - #20 gauge , 3-ply. Unwaxed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6507.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6508.jpg

 

Fullspread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6512.jpg

 

Flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6505.jpg

 

rear pocket with namecard slot

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6506.jpg

 

Inktest page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6514.jpg

 

Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6515.jpg

 

The paper here is CANEFIELDS Sugarcane bagasse paper, white, 80gsm

I printed a dot grid (5.56mm) on some pages.

Some pages are intentionally left blank for when the need for such arises.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6518.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6517.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2011%20JOURNALS/Journal%20142%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/Journal%20142A%20BUCKRAM%20-%20Orange/DSCF6519.jpg

[Lukas]

I was just checking your first journals and I'm amazed how much you have improved, perfect example of "practice makes perfect". I'm specially interested in how you archive those perfect rounded corners, you replied earlier in the thread that you use a simple metal punch but your corners look more "defined" now than in earlier examples, have you changed the punch? Would you care to explain your technique?

 

thanks!

[TMLee]

I was just checking your first journals and I'm amazed how much you have improved, perfect example of "practice makes perfect". I'm specially interested in how you archive those perfect rounded corners, you replied earlier in the thread that you use a simple metal punch but your corners look more "defined" now than in earlier examples, have you changed the punch? Would you care to explain your technique?

 

thanks!

 

Thanks Lukas,

and a warm welcome to FPN

 

I have always been using the same corner punch for the corners of each writing page.

Something readily available (in any arts and crafts hobby store) and inexpensive that looks like this :

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=corner+punch&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=998&bih=550&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=LWxlgO9_1clzWM:&imgrefurl=http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/supplies/tp/10-Of-The-Best-Corner-Punches.htm&docid=fK_boTMxd17iYM&w=487&h=480&ei=hJKNTu76JsGzrAe_-bSzAQ&zoom=1

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=corner+punch&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=998&bih=550&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=uDFcm4kH_iaSiM:&imgrefurl=http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com/card-making-supplies/craft-punches/&docid=qnp2CZ77YJUjHM&w=300&h=240&ei=hJKNTu76JsGzrAe_-bSzAQ&zoom=1

[Lukas]

Thanks for your answer and the welcome! (although I've been around since 06

 

I have the same punch and I'm not getting those results, how do you do it? you punch page by page? before or after you have stitched the booklets?

 

best

 

L.

[TMLee]

Thanks for your answer and the welcome! (although I've been around since 06

Oops ...

my bad ... :embarrassed_smile:

 

I have the same punch and I'm not getting those results, how do you do it? you punch page by page? before or after you have stitched the booklets?

 

I punch them folio by folio, BEFORE the book is stitched.

(a folio is one piece of paper folded into itself , yielding 4 writing pages. So each punch cuts 2 sheets of paper at one time)

 

What is the problem that you are experiencing?

(If it doesn't give a clean cut in one punch, then your punch may be defective. When you have that problem, buy another one. Its a QC problem. The cutting edges of the stainless steel are not precise - probably some deformity - even if ever so slight.)

Edited October 6, 2011 by TMLee