... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

This is all very interesting and impressive! I bought a Paperblanks today but I think I will have a go at this myself. Owning a unique journal with paper of choice should be a great experience.

 

(....and is very convenient when your spouse has limited your fountain pen acquisitions.)

 

 

Yes , handbinding yr own journal is very satisfying... You must try it ... Come to think of it, I think there are handbookbinder courses available there in your country. You shld have a better chance of joining a bookbinding course over there than me over here where its unheard of.

 

If I can do it at home and self taught - thanks to internet - I am sure you can do it too ....

 

My exprience now so far has convinced me that 120gsm paper is ideal . It takes the blackest of black inks, and the wettest of wet writers , yet it won't bleed thru the other side.

 

The 110gsm or 105gsm will work too , but due to the thinness of the paper, you can see the dark ink (if you use dark inks) on the reverse page. No bleed thru but you can see the image of the dark ink.

 

"BookBinders" is from Netherlands I believe.

 

Oh ... you can make a nice journal for your wife and win her over.... ! She might review yr FP budget allowance ...

 

 

 

[TMLee]

I'll show you mine...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/takematsu/SewingCradle01.jpg

 

And some re-inforcement on the underside, since I was going through some pretty hefty signatures when I made this:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/takematsu/SewingCradle02.jpg

 

All made of cheap cheap foam-board and the aforementioned PVA white glue. Made about two dozen books last christmas with it and it's still utterly functional. MUCH better than a piercing saddle as some guide-books suggest.

 

Hi Ernst ...

 

made my cradle out of old desktop calendar and some 2-ply corugated cardboard.

 

A6 size

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

[TMLee]

This was done sometime back but I forgot to post.

This is handmade Journal #11. To be given away too.

 

6 signatures. 5 folios per signature. 100gsm paper.

100% linen thread by Gutterman thread. Coptic stitch.

 

This is the Colophon. Pocket on the inside rear page.

A6 size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/colophon.jpg

 

This time round, a friend bought me REAL marbled paper from her trip to Italy. (it was expensive)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/realmarbledpaper.jpg

 

Another view showing the flyleaves. I added a red elastic band.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/marbledflyleaves.jpg

 

This is the view of the journal closed and fastened with the red band.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/frontview-closed.jpg

 

The red band can be flipped onto the inside flyleave

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/backview-closed.jpg

 

A close-up view of the name cut-out on the rear cover. By the way , its brown leather. Calf I think.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/monogram.jpg

 

A view of the spine. I added addtl thread to decorate the spine and to keep it firmly close to the bookblock. 100% Brown linen thread, very thick and rough as if handmade. As you can see, the threads are twined. 2 needle thread method.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2011/spine.jpg

Edited October 20, 2007 by TMLee

[Lloyd]

This was done sometime back but I forgot to post.

This is handmade Journal #11. To be given away too.2011/spine.jpg[/img]

Can I be your friend?

[nimrod]

Wow, these are all extremely impressive!

[TMLee]

This was done sometime back but I forgot to post.

This is handmade Journal #11. To be given away too.2011/spine.jpg[/img]

Can I be your friend?

 

Ha ha ...

Of course we are all friends aren't we?

 

I am now designing the next journal. This time the recipient is specifying certain features ... and boy are they challenging .... !

Wish me luck....

 

concept design so far ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/conceptdesign.jpg

 

 

I haven't made a journal for myself yet , wonder what it shld look like ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

Well , after finalizing the concept design sketches, I carried out the execution ...

 

BookBlock

 

The paper this time round was 120gsm by "NATURALIS" in Vanilla White / Matte . Bought it in sheets at a local paper merchant.

Becos the paper is thicker, I decided to reduce the number of folios per Signature so as to avoid the excessive 'fishtail' effect. You will see this more clearly in the other later pics here.

So this time there are only 4 Folios to each of the 6 Signatures. Totalling up to 96 pages only.

 

The bookblock already sewn

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/bookblock.jpg

 

As before , the bookblock is sewn in the Coptic Stitch, allowing the book to stay open neatly. The thread was 100% Polyester filament at gauge 20 and Ivory colour. The size of the thread gives good form to the stitch.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/copticstitchcloseup.jpg

 

This is when its opened between Signatures

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/openedbetwsignatures.jpg

 

This is when its opened in the centre of one Signature

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/openedcentreofsignature.jpg

 

The Bookblock was then glued along its spine, with a mull added over.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/gluingthemull.jpg

 

A lace ribbon page marker was added

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/lacepagemarker.jpg

 

The bookblock is now much neater I realize, compared to my earlier endeavors. The result of being more patient when piercing , ensuring the holes line up as accurately as possible. The DIY piercing cradle was used.

 

 

Name Strap

 

The recipient wanted her name to be done in this style and then done in such a way as to be part of a magnetic clasp.

I had to draw out to test for size and fit on my older journal #7 featured earlier. As before masking tape on a scrap of brown leather 1mm thick.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/tryingoutonoldjournal.jpg

 

The name had to be cut out carefully. It was tedious, needing much patience. I think it took me 2 hours at a an unhurried pace.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/lettercutouts.jpg

 

With the masking tape removed. I used the backside of the leather - not the finished side.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/maskingtaperemoved.jpg

 

The name strap was then pasted onto the Japanese flower motif paper as was specified by the recipient. The paper is very unique as described in my earlier post on Journal #7. You shld be able to see its texture in greater detail in the later closeup pics.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/pastedontopaper.jpg

 

Excess edges trimmed off. (I think its a little too busy and distracting.)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/nameexcessedgestrimmed.jpg

 

The strap is designed to be embedded onto the cover. The cover is made of 2 pieces of card , each 1mm thick.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/testfitontorearcover.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/magnetssegmented.jpg

 

The strap now glued onto the rear cover. I cut small segments of sheet magnet to allow flexing. These were then glued onto the reverse side of the namestrap.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/strapgluedontorearcover.jpg

 

I decided to create a pull tab after realizing the namestrap was quite delicate after all the cut-outs.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/pulltab.jpg

 

Test fitting the name strap

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/roughpositioning.jpg

 

Not bad , the magnets worked well, keeping the entire name real flat and snug up againts the receiving cover(more on this later) My guess is that this is a thicker magnet at 1.2mm instead of the usual easy to get 0.8mm you commonly see on fridge magnets.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/namestrapstaysflat.jpg

 

This part of the strap needs to be adjusted to allow flex.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/strapcurvedpart.jpg

 

continued on next post ....

Edited October 24, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Covers

 

Preparing the spine with the khaki bookcloth and card

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/bookclothspine.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/khakibookcloth.jpg

 

The front cover had a cut-out to receive the sheet magnet that will align with the namestrap

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/magnetembedded.jpg

 

The front and rear covers being attached carefully with the spine

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/bothcoverstobookcloth.jpg

 

Finished view on the inside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/insideviewcovers.jpg

 

Naked covers , unclasped position

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/magnetsinalignment.jpg

 

Same but now clasped

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/namestraptestfit.jpg

 

 

Wrapping the Covers

 

the recipient had already selected the Japanese flower motif. I was hesitant bcos it clashed with the namestrap already contaning the flower motif.

So I tried out other cover finishes.

 

This one is with a very nice Japanese red dragonfly print. 100% cotton cloth. High quality print. These were scraps of cloth sold 3 pc to a pack. Each scrap was tiny - only about A4 size. I am not sure what this kind of cloth is used for.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/reddragonfly.jpg

 

I like this same one but in blue. Amazing coincidence, the khaki bookcloth matched the khaki dragonflies. And the brown leather matched the khaki bookcloth.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/bluedragonfly.jpg

 

But the client is king, and this was what she wanted. I reluctantly went ahead with this,

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/desiredjappaper.jpg

 

The covers being glued with the pink flower motif

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/gluingjappaper.jpg

 

How the skin wrapped around the namestrap was most challenging. I spent a long time figuring out, eventually succeeding. I also later added some radial cuts to allow the leather strap to flex real easy and naturally bcos the paper glued to it was causing it to behave differently - more stiffer.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/radialcuts.jpg

 

I managed to wrap the skin UNDER the strap, resulting in a neater finish

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/closeupofstrapinsertionpoint.jpg

 

The flyleaves were then glued on , giving a proper covering to the inside surfaces.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/insideflyleaves.jpg

 

The corner folds, I believe, are crucial to the overall presentation of the journal. Here you can see the unique texture of the paper. The white outlines of each flower are raised.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/cornerfolddetail.jpg

 

... continued on next post ...

Edited October 24, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

The Finished Product

 

A closeup of the spine bottom. Here its opened bewtten signatures showing that the glue quantity was just right - not too little nor too much. Also the glue was spread very evenly thruout the height of the pages allowing the pages to open properly.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/closeupbetwsignatures.jpg

 

The corner of the journal showing the signatures at its "limit" before the fishtail effect becomes unsightly.

(propped up by the equally gaudy CS Razorshell Swisher Exclusive)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/fishtaileffect.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/fishtaileffect2.jpg

 

Standing up

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/overallviewfinalpdt.jpg

 

Face down

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/completedbookcover.jpg

 

Rear with DT Densho RE ED for size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/finalpdtrear.jpg

 

Front with CS Razorshell Swisher Exclusive for size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/finalpdtfront.jpg

 

The Colophon at the last page. With a pocket added.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/colophon.jpg

 

Ink testpage. (courtesy of a very wet M620 <B> stubbed Noodlers TianAnMen)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/testpage-1.jpg

 

Test page closeup. No feathering.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/testpagecloseup.jpg

 

Reverse side. You can just barely see the image. But its not bleedthru. Its just dark ink against light coloured paper.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2012/testpagebackside.jpg

 

 

 

There are some flaws.

The bookcloth margin is not wide enough. Proportion not right.

I think the blue dragonfly combo works better.

She said she didn't like the lace ribbon marker - it didn't match.

Its missing a bookband. Where can I find book bands?

Edited October 24, 2007 by TMLee

[nimrod]

Awesome! It's great that you're uploading pictures of the books that you're making. I'm starting to get inspired.

[wednesday_mac]

Its missing a bookband. Where can I find book bands?

 

 

For all your bookbinding needs...

 

hollanders.com

paper-source.com

talasonline.com

 

Talas is a professional source and a bit more expensive. I've used all three for bookbinding supplies, so I know they're reliable. As far as bookbands, you can buy them ready made in whatever color you want, or you can buy book cord and "roll" your own. (It's created and glued on at the same time you glue on the mull.) The pre-made is obviously easier to use, but it's more decorative than protective.

 

What I can't find is 5.5-6.5 oz. leather suitable for a medieval-style journal that's non-adhesive and sewn only per some of Kevin Smith's instructions. Everything I can locate is limp-binding (western chaps) thin. I think I need saddle leather, so it's off to Tandy Leather I go this weekend to see if I can even afford such a thing. But I have lots of chap and suede leather. Grr.

 

You do beautiful work. If you made a book for me, I'd cry and write my dreams in it.

Edited October 25, 2007 by wednesday_mac

[TMLee]

Its missing a bookband. Where can I find book bands?

 

 

For all your bookbinding needs...

 

hollanders.com

paper-source.com

talasonline.com

 

Talas is a professional source and a bit more expensive. I've used all three for bookbinding supplies, so I know they're reliable. As far as bookbands, you can buy them ready made in whatever color you want, or you can buy book cord and "roll" your own. (It's created and glued on at the same time you glue on the mull.) The pre-made is obviously easier to use, but it's more decorative than protective.

 

What I can't find is 5.5-6.5 oz. leather suitable for a medieval-style journal that's non-adhesive and sewn only per some of Kevin Smith's instructions. Everything I can locate is limp-binding (western chaps) thin. I think I need saddle leather, so it's off to Tandy Leather I go this weekend to see if I can even afford such a thing. But I have lots of chap and suede leather. Grr.

 

You do beautiful work. If you made a book for me, I'd cry and write my dreams in it.

 

Thanks Kim for the encouragement .....

 

Those shops are too far away from me....

 

What is book cord? Do you have any pics to show how to DIY my own bookband? So far my search here has been fruitless, might as well make my own.

 

Leather - its ironic, all I have is NOT thin leather ... ! I can't find thin leather here for wrapping bookcovers. What they have here is at least 1mm thick and above.

 

And I have just decided to do a adhesive free binding a la Keith Smith for my next journal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

Awesome! It's great that you're uploading pictures of the books that you're making. I'm starting to get inspired.

 

 

Yes , you shld give it a try ...

Edited October 26, 2007 by TMLee

[nimrod]

Yes , you shld give it a try ...

 

Especially with hollanders.com in the same town that I'm in.

[TMLee]

This is Handmade Journal #13....

 

This was inspired after looking at some of the examples in Keith Smith's books.

 

A6 size blank journal.

 

The bookblock and cover being prepared.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/Bookblockleathercover.jpg

 

The bookblock sewn with red 100% linen thread. 6 Signatures. 4 Folios per signature

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/bookblockstitchedinred.jpg

 

Test fitting.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/testfittingthecover.jpg

 

With one end stitched into the cover. The cover was slit carefully to recive the longstitch.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/oneendsewnslitcover.jpg

 

A closer view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/closeuponeend2.jpg

 

Both ends done

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/bothendsdone.jpg

 

Flyleaves being cut and prepared to be glued. Jade motif by "Basic Grey"

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/flyleavescut.jpg

 

Flyleaves now glued

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/flyleavesglued.jpg

 

The finished product standing upright. Cognac calf leather.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/upright3.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/uprightview2.jpg

 

Front view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/frontview.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/frontviewpropped.jpg

 

Closeup of spine

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/spineview.jpg

 

The Colophon and matching pocket

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2013/colophon.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

This is handmade Journal #14.

 

For a long time I have been wanting to do a nice leather journal. So this became my first attempt at trying to do a nice one - to me at least I think. Its quite ambitious for a first time. Made even more difficult with the fact that I don't have pared down leather sheets. I only have leather that is 1mm thick. I chose the softer one - I think its calf leather.

 

Mush of this journal is the cover. It took me quite an effort. Keth Smith's Volume I book on bookbinding was most helpful.

 

I used 1mm cardboards since the leather was 1mm thick. The cover eventually will be 3-ply of such cardboards as you will see later. Here U see the second card laid in position.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/bindercards.jpg

 

Here is the topmost card cut to size and shape.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/overallcornercuts3.jpg

 

The corners have to be carefully cut to accommodate the leather.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/cornercuts2.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/cornercuts.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/closeupcorner.jpg

 

I realized i couldn't lay the cloth OVER the leather bcos the closth would fray eventually. So I decided to lay the cloth underneath the leather. The leather would have to abut the cloth very neatly.

Here U see a perfectly nice hankerchief being sacrificed. It was 100% cotton with a striking motif. Rotary cutters are a must.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/hankycut.jpg

 

The hanky was then glued onto the topmost card. The chamfered corners will be receiving the leather which I intend to cover the corners - accountant's ledger style ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/hankyglued.jpg

 

I had to carefully measure and cut ut the required size of leather to cover the corners. It was then pasted onto the middle card. It abuts the green hanky.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathergluedontocorner.jpg

 

The reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornerreverse.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornercloseup.jpg

 

These pieces of leather to be folded over must have it edge cut at a bevel - 45deg. I found this to be most challenging. A normal cutter won't do. Eventually I achieved it with the rotary cutter and a straightedge.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/45degcutleather.jpg

 

The leather was folded and glued on the reverse side. The bevel edges allowed the leather to abut against each other tightly - gapless and more importantly eliminate the problems from an otherwise uncut and thick leather. Notice the pointed tip as a result. The leather therefore has to be thin to have this effect.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornercloseup2.jpg

 

Frontside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornerfrontside.jpg

 

The sharp pointed tip was then pushed in with a dab of glue. It now look smuch better.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/cornerpushedin.jpg

 

Frontside before and after pics

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornerfrontside.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornerfrontsideoushedin.jpg

 

The leather is completely flush with the hanky covered card.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercornerflush.jpg

 

On the inside the 3rd card was added. Its the filler board.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/leathercorneroverallview.jpg

 

The overall end product of one cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/hankyfoldedfront.jpg

 

Both covers done

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/coversfrontandback.jpg

 

..... continued on next post ...

 

[TMLee]

..... continued from previous post ...

 

The bookblock ready to be installed. Its stitched with dental floss. Oral B waxed. 6 signatures and 4 folios per signature. 120gsm paper by NATURALIS Vanilla White.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/bookblock.jpg

 

Flyleaves prepared. Edges trimmed bcos I made a strategic error in th esize of the covers - they were same size as the A6 paper missing that overhang

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/flyleaves.jpg

 

The quarter leather for the spine now being cut to size and glued. I wish I had thin leather but this wasn't. Its 1mm thick. But its soft. The leather had to be cut really straight at its edge so it can abut the cloth covered card neatly

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spineleatheroneside.jpg

 

The other cover glued

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spienleatherbothcoversreverse.jpg

 

The edges of the spine being glued and folded inwards

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spineleatherawaitingfoldin.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spineleatherfolded.jpg

 

The leather too is perfectly flush with the cloth covered card

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spineleatherclothoverallview.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spineleatherflush.jpg

 

The completed cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spinecoverdone.jpg

 

The bookblock was then glued in place. Here's the inside front cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/insidefront.jpg

 

The book recommended doing a indentation at the leather where it is 2 leathers thick. It becomes part of the decoration for the spine.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/spineindent.jpg

 

A closeup view of the corner tips and flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/completedfrontcorner.jpg

 

I like the corners in leather. Its a very nice touch to the whole journal.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/completedfronttcorner2.jpg

 

The spine which could be better if I had a headband or tailband. I will make one in the future since I can't find one to buy here ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/completedspine.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/completedspine2.jpg

 

The finished green journal

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/greenjournal.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/greenjournalfront.jpg

 

An M620 for comparison

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/greenjournalwithM620.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/greenjournalrear.jpg

 

The colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2014/colophon14.jpg

 

 

 

[TMLee]

After the initial experience of working with leather, I decided to continue ...

 

This one's Handmade Journal #15.

 

Its covered mainly in leather using all those leather scraps I have been keeping just for an occasion just as this...

 

I couldn't find headbands and tailbands for sale , so I decided to make my own.

A hemp cord was glued and wrapped with ribbon.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/endbandsmaking.jpg

 

The finished product

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/endbanddone.jpg

 

The endbands being glued to the bookblock

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/bookblockclamped.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/endbandtobookblock.jpg

 

The cover being dressed up with assorted leather scraps. The base was a 1mm thick card.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coverbeingdressed.jpg

 

On the inside covers

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coverinside.jpg

 

The cover completed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coverdone.jpg

 

The flyleaves glued

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/flyleafpasted.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/flyleafstand.jpg

 

The completed journal

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coverstanding2.jpg

 

The front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coverfrontstand.jpg

 

The rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coverrearstand.jpg

 

A closeup of the edges

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/coveredgescloseup.jpg

 

and the scrap pieces

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/covercloseup.jpg

 

With a Conway Stewart Razorshell Swisher Exclusive for scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/completedjournalwithCS.jpg

 

The Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2015/colophon.jpg

 

Bookblock 6 Signatures. 5 Folios per Signature. Stitched with 100% yellow linen thread by Guttermann. Coptic stitch. 100gsm Laid paper by CALGO, Ivory. Assorted Leather scraps on 1mm card. Pocket made of 100gsm Hammer embossed paper by ZETA, Natural White.

Edited November 8, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #16 , to be given away as well ...

 

The cover being prepared

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120002.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120003.jpg

 

The cover done

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120004.jpg

 

The homemade headband and tailbands being glued to the bookblock.

100gsm Hammer embossed paper by ZETA in Natural White.

Yellow 100% linen thread by Guttermann. Coptic stitch.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120005.jpg

 

Glued to cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120008.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120014.jpg

 

The completed journal.

100% cotton Japanese cloth dragonfly print.

Khaki Bookcloth. 1mm thick card.

FPN exclusive Bexley Blue Ice for size.

This journal is smaller than A6 size. Leftover paper from my next Journal which is tall in proportion. Yet to be done.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120018.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120011.jpg

 

The colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2016/2007_11120015.jpg

Edited November 13, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is "Rata" Journal #17.

 

Made to be given to someone who is a great cook.

 

The 'hero' I saw on a flyer set me thinking about how I can use it for my next journal

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140019.jpg

 

Being traced and transferred onto the leather cover.

This time I decided to try another full leather cover.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140020.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140021.jpg

 

Transferred onto the leather and cut out

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140022.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140023.jpg

 

A testfit

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140024.jpg

 

The edges I decided to burn to seal the frayed edges but it went awry - the leather sheet warped badly.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140025.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140026.jpg

 

so I decided to wet the leather thoroughly to restore it back to its original shape and it worked

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140027.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140029.jpg

 

Added a page marker and made my own headbands and tailbands

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140031.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140032.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2017/2007_11140036.jpg

 

... continued on next page ...