... homemade journal ...

[UncleJoe420]

Sorry to somewhat hijack this thread, but thought I'd post a pic of my monster book, "Babel" -

 

 

Enjoy! Lol

[TMLee]

Sorry to somewhat hijack this thread, but thought I'd post a pic of my monster book, "Babel" -

 

 

Enjoy! Lol

 

 

[TMLee]

Cat lovers rejoice !

 

Found this nice fabric print of cats in various poses ...

 

These are A6 covers ....

Which I hurriedly finished in order to be fully convinced that it'll turn out according to my expectations.

To my relief, the sketches are not oversized for the A6 size covers.

The A5 version (large) looks to me pretty good in terms of the size to the sketch proportions....

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/034.jpg

 

These are A6 but in landscape format

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/035.jpg

 

and these are A5 covers ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/036.jpg

 

Let me know if you interested to buy one.

 

I only have material for The following size journals.

2 x A6 portrait

1 x A6 landscape, and

1 x A5 portrait

 

I plan to use light grey paper to suit the fabric which is not white but bluish white.

The light grey paper I have matches perfectly.

Of course, you may request other kinds of paper in my offerings.

Conversely, you can leave it entirely to me to decide.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

 

And I am a cat too, born in the year of the Tiger...

Edited November 10, 2012 by TMLee

[LittleHouse]

Cat lovers rejoice !

 

Found this nice fabric print of cats in various poses ...

 

These are A6 covers ....

Which I hurriedly finished in order to be fully convinced that it'll turn out according to my expectations.

To my relief, the sketches are not oversized for the A6 size covers.

The A5 version (large) looks to me pretty good in terms of the size to the sketch proportions....

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/034.jpg

 

These are A6 but in landscape format

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/035.jpg

 

and these are A5 covers ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/036.jpg

 

Let me know if you interested to buy one.

 

I only have material for The following size journals.

2 x A6 portrait

1 x A6 landscape, and

1 x A5 portrait

 

I plan to use light grey paper to suit the fabric which is not white but bluish white.

The light grey paper I have matches perfectly.

Of course, you may request other kinds of paper in my offerings.

Conversely, you can leave it entirely to me to decide.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

 

And I am a cat too, born in the year of the Tiger...

 

TMLee,

I've been subscribed to this thread for a month or so. Your postings have been part of my inspiration to start making own bound journals. You do beautiful work!

 

Mind if I ask how you prepare e.g. the cat fabric to be suitable for use as a book cloth? Do you apply a backing that prevents bleed-through of glue?

Thanks,

Mitch

[TMLee]

 

TMLee,

I've been subscribed to this thread for a month or so. Your postings have been part of my inspiration to start making own bound journals. You do beautiful work!

 

Mind if I ask how you prepare e.g. the cat fabric to be suitable for use as a book cloth? Do you apply a backing that prevents bleed-through of glue?

Thanks,

Mitch

 

 

Hi Mitch,

Thank you for your kind words

 

Most of my fabric-covered journals are glued directly on, without any backing.

What I do is to glue my covers very dry.

I adopt this technique to avoid the problem of glue penetrating thru the fabric.

I have explained this in one of my posts somewhere in here. sorry you have to search thru this haystack.

 

It's preferred to make your own bookcloth. But it's costly. (at least to me)

I attempted once and Here is my threadpost on making your own bookcloth ... Using this product called 'heat n bond'...

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page__view__findpost__p__2322576

 

White coloured fabrics , I can expect, need more care and attention to avoid this problem of glue Bleedthru.

The Cat journal covers above was a fortunately a success without such backing.

Having a backing , however, makes the covers feel 'padded' .

The touch and feel is slightly different . It feels better.

I crafted one journal with such a DIY bookcloth cover

Featured here ... Journal #92F ....

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=28367&view=findpost&p=2377894

 

You can just almost see the 'padded' effect in these pics.

 

Applying the right amount of glue takes practice.

A safe approach is always to avoid overloading your glue brush when you apply glue.

Overly wet glueing causes all sorts of problems in your subsequent stages of journal making.

 

What to do when you have deposited too much glue...

1) continue brushing, picking up the access glue, or spreading it as much as possible everywhere else

2) let it dry out a bit till it becomes tacky to the touch. (very wet glue will not be tacky, they are just plain wet)

I mentioned this somewhere in my earlier post too .. Look at the freshly glued surface - look at how it reflects light , ie, look at it at a glancing angle. If it looks shiny and glossy, it's still wet. When it starts to look a little dull and less shiny, it's tacky. This is the moment to glue to the other surface. Another half a minute or so, it will become dry and useless.

This is what I mean when I say I glue my surfaces very dry.

In effect, you are catching the glue when it's almost drying out already. There's not enough wet glue to penetrate the fabric.

 

After glueing, I turn over the cover and very lightly, apply the brayer.

Very light pressure - to press the fabric (or whatever material) onto the greyboard cover. The purpose of this stage is to ensure full contact between the surfaces being glued.

If you press too hard, you will also cause the glue , if too wet, to penetrate the fabric.

(Place a clean sheet of waste paper between your brayer and the finished surface when you do this, becos any glue picked up by your brayer will be transferred to the other unblemished parts of your cover !!!)

 

Hope this helps.

Edited November 13, 2012 by TMLee

[LittleHouse]

Thank you TMLee, that's excellent info!

 

I'd heard of Heat-n-Bond (haven't tried it) but not your "just in time" gluing technique. I'll have to try experimenting. Thanks again.

 

The nice thing about using straight cotton fabric is there are many more choices, and it's generally less expensive.

 

Mitch

 

PS: I confess I haven't read the entire thread...lots of it but not all...yet.

[TMLee]

This is Journal #164 "Cats"

 

A6 size

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/001.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/004.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/005.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/007.jpg

 

I chose red as accent colour ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/015.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/016.jpg

 

With a matching red ribbon pagemarker

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/006.jpg

 

Red flyleaves too

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/014.jpg

 

Inktestpage

by

STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

PELIKAN Brilliant Brown

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/010.jpg

 

Colophon

by

PELIKAN M620 Chicago <B> DIY Stub

DIAMINE Monaco Red

and

ROSETTA North Star <M> CI by pb2

NOODLERS X-Feather

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/011.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/002.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20164%20Cats/003.jpg

 

Meow ....

[TMLee]

This is Journal #165 "Plain Red Cotton" A6 size

 

 

This was the result of a request for a totally red journal ...

I don't know why such a unique request ... and I am still curious.

I guess I have to be patient and wait for that day (if) when its revealed ...

 

From my experience, the most plain covers look deceptively simple to craft.Plain covers actually need a little more care and attention during the crafting ...

Becos its so plain, the tiniest of blemishes, if any, get noticed very , very easily, ...

Well, Murphy's Law came true ... and the first set of covers had to be laid away in 'that' shoebox of mine ...

 

This is the second attempt at the covers ...

 

Much to my relief, it turned out fine...

And a further delight, it is visually striking ...

I would like to think that it is striking because of its simplicity ...

 

This one is done bare fabric - no DIY bookcloth technique employed here ...

 

(for some reason, the camera has difficulty representing the red properly, it seems to struggle to render solid shades of red properly - it looks over saturated , hence all the detail is lost)

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/019.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/020.jpg

 

Everything had to be red ...

Red stitches - this one is polyester cord (gauge 150D/16 - someone explain to me how to read such thread measurements, I dont have the foggiest idea) which is 0.8mm.

This thread is flat in profile, something I like and appreciate because it doesn't bulk up the thickness of the spine.

I decided on a darker shade of flyleaves - not a lighter shade than the cover fabric. So that on the spine, the composition looks right. Here you see the two very thin red lines of the flyleaves. I doubt it will look good if it had been a lighter shade of red.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/022.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/024.jpg

 

 

The ribbon too, had to be a darker red to match the flyleaves.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/023.jpg

 

Full spread ...

(ahem .. unblemished...)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/025.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/026.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/028.jpg

 

The flyleaves were red as well ...

I chose that shade of red that could best complement the various shades of red (at least 4) in this journal ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/029.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/031.jpg

 

However,

a red band would be too much I suppose ....

and so the black band instead ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/035.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/036.jpg

 

The inktestpage

written with a

STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

filled with Pelikan Brilliant Brown ink ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/032.jpg

 

The Colophon

written with

PELIKAN M620 Chicago <B> DIY Stub filled with

DIAMINE Monaco Red ink , (red again... haha ...)

and

ROSETTA North Star <M> CI by 'pb2' filled with

NOODLER'S X-Feather

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/033.jpg

 

Writing paper is

NATURALIS Vanilla White , 120gsm, Matte

7 Signatures, 4 Folios, 112 pages total ...

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20165%20Plain%20Red%20Cotton/021.jpg

[TMLee]

This is Journal #154A "Orange Leather Imprint - Glossy Black Spine"

 

This is a variant of Journal #154B which had a matte black spine accent. Matte because it was the 'wrong' side.

This variant here instead now uses the 'right' side up. Its a glossy black.

Same material as the orange but different in colour.

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/076.jpg

 

Nice black band

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/064.jpg

 

Closeup of the leather imprint

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/063.jpg

 

I decided on orange stitches .

These are waxed linen thread #18 gauge , 4-ply

Its a nice matching orange to the covers

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/069.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/070.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/068.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/066.jpg

 

I employed my usual technique of having this spine accent completely flushed level.

There is no bump even as one overlaps the other

Completely flat as can be...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/DSCF8383.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/081.jpg

 

 

Of late , I have taken to trying out diferent kinds of paper within one journal.

Here I used two shades of grey paper.

A darker one and a lighter one.

Here you see the Light Grey occupying the middle signature.

Paper is

NACHI Grey , 124g, Smooth

NACHI Light Grey , 124g, Smooth

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/003.jpg

 

Grey paper is useful because it eliminates 'shadow' or 'showthrough'.

I like grey paper.

7 signatures, 4 folios each, 112 pages total.

 

The flyleaves are black to match the spine accent...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/072.jpg

 

The inktestpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/073.jpg

 

And the Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/074.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154A%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Glossy%20Spine/060.jpg

[TMLee]

This is Journal #163 "Pond" A6 size

 

Japanese prints , as always , very pleasant , very nice ...

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/004.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/006.jpg

 

I chose red stitches , to complement the reds on the prints ..

This is waxed polyester cord 150D/16 and is about 0.8mm wide, Bright Red ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/008.jpg

 

 

Red ribbon pagemarker too ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/009.jpg

 

Fullspread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/011.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/013.jpg

 

Blood Red flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/015.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/007.jpg

 

Inktestpage

written with

STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

filled with PELIKAN Brilliant Brown ink

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/016.jpg

 

The Colophon written with

PELIKAN M620 Chicago <B> DIY Stub

filled with DIAMINE Monaco Red ink

and

ROSETTA North Star <M> CI by "pb2"

filled with NOODLER'S X-Feather ink

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20163%20Pond/018.jpg

[TMLee]

This is Journal 161A "Music III" A6 size ,

 

a variant of #161 ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/Journal%20161A%20Music%20III/010.jpg

 

I tried a red scheme on this one , to match the bits of red on the cover fabric ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/Journal%20161A%20Music%20III/018.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/Journal%20161A%20Music%20III/016.jpg

Edited December 17, 2012 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is part of an order for a few journals covered in leather...

 

The request was for a chocolate leather cover journal...

 

barely had enough left over ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/001.jpg

 

what compounded the shortage was a slight blemish on one part...

some stubborn creases that refused to go away, even after ironing !

I stopped ironing for fear of permanent, greater damage.

 

after some thought, i came up with a solution - i decided to consider using the reverse ( 'wrong' ) side of the leather ...

It was do-able ...

The charm about this reverse side , is that it very very velvety to the touch.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/008.jpg

 

To further reduce the obvious blemish, I decided to cut away the distracting part.

In place, introduce corner accents that I occasionally do.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/013.jpg

 

There were some options on the corner accents.

I could use the same leather - the finished 'right' side.

Or I could use a totally different colour of leather.

The only constraint was ensuring that these corner accents were of the same thickness of leather.

 

I decided on this cognac coloured leather.

 

All the four corners had to be skived down to make it thin , so that by the time the corners were folded in, they wont create an ugly bump.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/015.jpg

 

This time round, I decided to skive down the leather AFTER gluing it in place instead of skiving it BEFORE.

I wanted the same leather thickness that folded over the edges. (I was thinking that I may not get the same straight edge becos of differing thicknesses of leather around the edges.)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/018.jpg

 

After folding in the corners,

they were brushed wet ,

then clamped overnight to make them really flat ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/002-2.jpg

 

Coverboard sizes ...

In leather covers, consideration must be given to the thickness of the leather which folds over the edges.

For these kinds of journals that I craft, I have to reduce the size of the greyboard covers by 1mm in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions.

By the time the leather wraps around the covers, there remains a little overhang , but not too much.

Edited December 18, 2012 by TMLee

[TMLee]

The corners after clamping overnight

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/007-1.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/008-1.jpg

 

The leather is about 0.8mm thin.

So there needs to be prepared a filler board to make the inside covers flushed level.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/001-4.jpg

 

The sides had to be made straight,

all holes and gaps filled up as much as possible.

The leather edges were also trimmed and cut away leaving straight edges...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/003-4.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/004-4.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/005-4.jpg

 

The filler board glued into position

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/005-2.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/003-2.jpg

 

A check for alignment and symetry

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/020-1-1.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/022-1.jpg

 

Covers done

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/001-3.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/002-3.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/012-1.jpg

 

Now to select the flyleaves and stitches next ...

Edited December 18, 2012 by TMLee

[dcpritch]

I have to use caution when viewing this thread because it always makes me want another of TM's fabulous journals. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is without parallel.

[TMLee]

I have to use caution when viewing this thread because it always makes me want another of TM's fabulous journals. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is without parallel.

 

[TMLee]

trying out the various colour combinations for the flyleaves...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/023-1.jpg

 

I wanted something bright to contrast the dark covers ...

I lean more towards the fresh greens

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/024-1.jpg

 

I preferred this shade ... more natural ....

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/025-1.jpg

 

The flyleaves installed ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/003-3.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/004-3.jpg

 

Fortunately, The brown rubber bands I have match perfectly ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/005-3.jpg

 

Here is a closeup of the flyleaves glued onto the covers.

Whatever is underneath , can still show up even though the flyleaf is thickish . This flyleaf is 137gsm.

Thats why the earlier post showed the preparation stage of filling up all the gaps before receiving the filler board.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/001-5.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/003-5.jpg

 

 

The bumps in corners can afford to be a little flatter...

:hmm1: ... room for improvement ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/002-5.jpg

 

 

Next comes the selection of the stitches ..

Edited December 18, 2012 by TMLee

[jesse.bo]

Lots of good stuff here. Thanks!

I'll be contributing a write up of my process soon enough.

[TMLee]

Lots of good stuff here. Thanks!

I'll be contributing a write up of my process soon enough.

 

Awesome creations you have on your etsy page :clap1:

 

I like the curved backs on your hardbacks.

I almost attempted one myself many moons ago.

Bought the flat face hammer...

Alas, I don't have a vise to clamp the two boards to round the spine.

My enthusiasm kinda fizzled out...

 

I also like the Secret Belgian binding examples you have too. Very nice.

 

[TMLee]

Completed ....

 

I decided to go with the lighter more golden shade of stitches on the left.

More like chestnut.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/019-1.jpg

 

This is Journal #75C "Chocolate Lambskin" A6 size

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/001-6.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/013-2.jpg

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/009-2.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/010-2.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/007-4.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/006-3.jpg

 

These are waxed polyester heavy cords, about 1mm or 1.2mm wide, Chestnut Brown.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/008-3.jpg

 

 

The lime green flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/012-2.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/014-2.jpg

 

I like the velvety reverse side of the leather ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/017-2.jpg

 

Of late , I have taken to include different kinds of writing paper within the bookblock.

Here you see a Grey signature in the middle.

Its a warm grey , darker than the usual light grey I use.

With such a warm grey , there is ZERO showthrough of any ink.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/016-2.jpg

 

Inktestpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/001-7.jpg

 

Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2075%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/Journal%2075C%20Chocolate%20Lambskin/002-7.jpg

 

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each, 112 writing pages total

Writing paper is

NATURALIS Vanilla White, 135gsm, Smooth

NACHI , Grey , 124gsm, Smooth

Unlined.

Edited December 21, 2012 by TMLee

[jesse.bo]

Lots of good stuff here. Thanks!

I'll be contributing a write up of my process soon enough.

 

Awesome creations you have on your etsy page :clap1:

 

I like the curved backs on your hardbacks.

I almost attempted one myself many moons ago.

Bought the flat face hammer...

Alas, I don't have a vise to clamp the two boards to round the spine.

My enthusiasm kinda fizzled out...

 

I also like the Secret Belgian binding examples you have too. Very nice.

 

 

I've been meaning to write up a tutorial on making my backing press. I'll work on that.