... homemade journal ...

[beesbees]

Absolutley stunning work!

[TMLee]

Absolutley stunning work!

 

Thanks 'beesbees'

[TMLee]

This is a wedding guestbook.

Being crafted on commission.

My second wedding guestbook on commission.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20155%20Wedding%20Guestbook/df79016d.jpg

 

Closeups

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20155%20Wedding%20Guestbook/f4a5f70a.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20155%20Wedding%20Guestbook/e1fec6dc.jpg

 

This one is landscape in format.

A5 size.

[TMLee]

This is another A5 (large) on commission.

 

I believe the final product is gonna look stunning !

 

The pic here shows the exact space I catered for the bookblock spine thickness.

This is crucial to achieve a 'seamless' flow of graphics from one cover to the next.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20156%20Red%20Tulips/15284c23.jpg

 

Closeups

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20156%20Red%20Tulips/b74708ed.jpg

 

The flowers are very well delineated.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20156%20Red%20Tulips/bb14aa5d.jpg

 

This is a nice one !

[Gcouch]

Nice work! I think I'll be giving that a shot later this year... Hopefully.

[TMLee]

Nice work! I think I'll be giving that a shot later this year... Hopefully.

 

Thanks 'Gcouch' , best wishes on your endeavor ...

[TMLee]

This is a quintet of variants of #31 Cobalt Blue Bookcloth - FPN Passaporto LE

 

I used white crayon on my specimen.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7432.jpg

 

Really puny - the Passaporto ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7439.jpg

 

Silver flyleaves and silver ribbon pagemarker to match the silver on the pen

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7445.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31E%20-Orange%20Crush-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7516.jpg

 

Decided on a blue dot grid in keeping with the blue theme

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7444.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7452.jpg

 

there were 5 in the set,

each bearing a coloured stitch

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7453.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7460.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7461.jpg

 

 

Only 5 signatures instead of the usual 7 - slimmer and more handy.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/1dcb09c1.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/147417b8.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/31B%20-Sage-%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/DSCF7458.jpg

Edited April 15, 2012 by TMLee

[USMCMom]

The colored thread on the blue journals looks very nice! Are you using a double strand for your coptic work?

[TMLee]

The colored thread on the blue journals looks very nice! Are you using a double strand for your coptic work?

 

Hi,

Those are waxed linen threads #18 gauge, 4-ply.

 

If I understand you correctly,

I didn't use two threads.

If you were asking becos of the threads on the covers, the single thread went through the cover twice.

 

I also think the slimmer spine could have made the stitches look thicker in proportion.

Edited April 16, 2012 by TMLee

[egretsrus]

can you update your link where journals are for sale? when i click on it, it comes up "no results".

also, are you still making leather-covered journals?

many thanks!....

[TMLee]

can you update your link where journals are for sale? when i click on it, it comes up "no results".

also, are you still making leather-covered journals?

many thanks!....

 

 

Oops !

Apologies !

My last batch being offered was expired for too long I think (I am not sure) , so I couldn't renew the items for sale.

They no longer appear in "my classifieds".

All,vanished.

I have to put them up again one by one.

My computer is also broke,

So things are a little out of order at the moment in my little corner of the world.

May take me a week or two to put them up.

In any case, my bad.

And thank you for your interest.

[TMLee]

This is Journal #157 "Blue Waves" A6 size

 

 

The blue is a very striking hue, much like Cobalt Blue...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/35c29df3.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/6d0e2ca5.jpg

 

Black elastic band deployed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/7623f17f.jpg

 

I decided on a contrasting scheme for the stitches.

This is a bright yellow.

To match the equally bright yellow of the flyleaves...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/384823d7.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/498c56de.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/525e552c.jpg

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/6d105f9a.jpg

 

The bright matching yellow flyleaves ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/1fdf63cf.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/f659d7b2.jpg

 

The inktestpage by STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> stub

Pelikan Brilliant Brown ink

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/d6a08b58.jpg

 

The Colophon page

by PILOT Custom 742 <FA> nib

with SAILOR Red Brown ink...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/2a08e60a.jpg

 

7 Signatures

4 Folios each

Total 112 writing pages

Writing paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White, 135gsm, Smooth

 

This is a nice journal ...

 

Up for sale in Classifieds ....

Edited April 24, 2012 by TMLee

[TMLee]

I did it !

My first homemade bookcloth !

 

I was at the local art supplies store recently when i saw they finally brought in "Heat n Bond" for the first time.

I bought it without hesitation,

and tried it out on 100% cotton fabric...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75831024x768.jpg

 

 

This is already ironed on.

and peeled away after letting to cool down.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75841024x768.jpg

 

 

After peeling away,

it was ironed onto tissue paper.

(Again finding the right grammage of thin white tissue paper was no easy task. I ended up buying and experimenting with 4 different kinds of thin tissue paper before deciding what worked best.)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75851024x768.jpg

 

 

some close ups...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75861024x768.jpg

 

 

The finished product...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75881024x768.jpg

 

 

Next I will wrap a set of covers.

I can't wait to see whether the touch will have that nicely padded feel or not.

Edited April 23, 2012 by TMLee

[KrazyIvan]

I really like your work. That Blue Waves journal just looks intense! Ialso like what you did with the Stipula Passaporto and the white crayon. I am going to have to raid my daughters crayon stash tonight!

[TMLee]

I really like your work. That Blue Waves journal just looks intense! Ialso like what you did with the Stipula Passaporto and the white crayon. I am going to have to raid my daughters crayon stash tonight!

 

Thanks 'KrazyIvan'

I wonder if silver crayons exist ? :hmm1:

[KrazyIvan]

I really like your work. That Blue Waves journal just looks intense! Ialso like what you did with the Stipula Passaporto and the white crayon. I am going to have to raid my daughters crayon stash tonight!

 

Thanks 'KrazyIvan'

I wonder if silver crayons exist ? :hmm1:

 

Yes they do and I should have thought of that but I really like how the white turned out.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7108357485_417f357d52_z.jpg

Stipula Passaporto Engraving by IvanRomero, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/7108358957_7edd5f5df3_z.jpg

Stipula Passaporto Engraving by IvanRomero, on Flickr

[TMLee]

Nice !

[TMLee]

I did it !

My first homemade bookcloth !

 

I was at the local art supplies store recently when i saw they finally brought in "Heat n Bond" for the first time.

I bought it without hesitation,

and tried it out on 100% cotton fabric...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75831024x768.jpg

 

 

This is already ironed on.

and peeled away after letting to cool down.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75841024x768.jpg

 

 

After peeling away,

it was ironed onto tissue paper.

(Again finding the right grammage of thin white tissue paper was no easy task. I ended up buying and experimenting with 4 different kinds of thin tissue paper before deciding what worked best.)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75851024x768.jpg

 

 

some close ups...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75861024x768.jpg

 

 

The finished product...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/DSCF75881024x768.jpg

 

 

Next I will wrap a set of covers.

I can't wait to see whether the touch will have that nicely padded feel or not.

 

 

Covers done

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/e7d2f0e5.jpg

 

 

I like the end result

There is that very slight difference compared to bare cloth I usually do.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/77d0c27b.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/96bc7a9e.jpg

 

I suppose the 'padded' effect would be more pronounced with thicker tissue paper used in the backing.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/a120eef7.jpg

 

Overall , I think it's.

[Angry__Panda]

Welp, thanks to some help from TMLee and this wonderful 19 page thread I got my first journal made and ready to go. Now my cover curved a little thanks to the glue I used (and not having a proper book clamp/block (whatever it is called). Also the pages you'll notice are not perfect. This is because for my first journal I took a Rhodia dot pad and grabbed all the pages to make my signatures.

 

So, a little story before the pictures. I was truly inspired by TMLee and some of the other stuff I have seen both on here and all over the Internet. Everyone is amazingly talented. My first step was acquiring the tools and materials I needed to start this project. This was quite difficult in Arizona with my limited knowledge of the area (I haven't lived here very long). But I made it happen and set off to make the journal. The first attempt was a great learning experience (and after talking with TMLee, making mistakes it the best part about it). Basically my covers and my signatures were super loose, to the point where I couldn't use it. So I came home from work, cut out the first attempt and ran around looking for some different thread. The good news is that I found this stuff called Sea Grass. This is a woven, 100% cotton thread. The lovely lady at the stitching store (that my mother volunteers at I might add heh) helped me and explained that the sea grass would be strong enough and great for what I was using it for (she knew about binding books believe it or not heh). Anyways, if I took away one, super important, thing from this first attempt, it would definitely be that mistakes are the best part about this. You learn a lot from them. Anyways thanks to everyone here especially TMLee!

 

Here are some pictures without further ado;

 

Coptic stitch with my Diamond 540 (made out of two pens a smoke and a clear heh).

 

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/153/img0066et.jpg

 

Pardon my stealing the writing test from TMLee, but I wanted to try out my new J. Herbin 1670 ink and it seemed like a good idea .

 

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/892/img0067xj.jpg

 

Inside of the front cover, on this side I just used some black heavy paper to cover the card stock I used for the cover. It turned out better than the back cover which is next.

 

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5140/img0068ipg.jpg

 

Here I tried to use a piece of printed paper and glued it to both the back cover as well as the first page from my first signature. The page was just a Rhodia paper so it was a little too thin and curled due to the glue again. Another learning experience .

 

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/5318/img0069qi.jpg

[TMLee]

Great effort Angry_Panda

 

Keep at it. You will improve.

 

What's the cover material ? Looks good.

 

Yes, the thinner paper will warp and curl becos it's wet with glue.

Be careful not to let these damp sheets come into contact with the other dry pages.

It will transfer the moisture there and you will get more warped pages.

 

I don't know Seagrass but it looks good.

Any cord that is not stretchable is feasible.

Continue looking for the right thickness and color etc that you know will make the end result look from good to great.

 

thank you for sharing too