... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

One last thing whilst I'm thinking about it.

 

Am I right in thinking that to make an A5 sized book you would need to source paper in A3 size so it could be folded down the same and leave the grain the right way, or would A4 work?

 

Cheers

Chris.

 

 

Yes I suppose so.

Assuming that the grain of the paper runs along its length for the A3 size.

Rgds

Edited April 8, 2008 by TMLee

[TMLee]

 

 

One reason I know of for it not opening fully is down to the stitching method, this isn't coptic on this one, the ones I am working on at the moment are and lay a lot flatter, but still no where near flat. I think maybe I am using too much glue on the spines.

 

Glue to be laid on the spine has to laid just right and evenly, good enough to do the job. See my earlier pics showing the clamping boards and naked spine ready for gluing.

The glue shld flow into the valleys between signatures but not penetrate further into the bookblock. Its OK to lay glue over the threads as PVA is pretty flexible.

 

 

 

I am trying to discover how you go about curving the spine, as I think that may look nice and also allow the book to lie flatter.

 

Books on bookbinding teach you how to curve the spine board. I reckon such a curved spineboard shld be thin as can be without losing its form and shape.

 

 

When you say that the gap between the coverboard and the spine board needs a little attention, in what way do you mean?

 

see my earlier journal...

Look at the gap between the cover board and the spineboard. Nothing to do with bookblock.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...st&p=308600

 

 

Thanks for giving me this feedback, as I said I am sure that with a little guidance I should be able to create some lovely pieces of work in the future.

 

Most definitely you will arrive at some wonderful creations.

 

 

 

 

 

[ash13brook]

I have picked out a paper to use.

 

Now, do you make up all of your signatures first or are they sewn to gether as you make them?

 

Also TMLee, I'd. be interested to find out the method you used to sew the covers on those journals that had the thread twisted together on the outside of the spine as in your pictures.

 

thanks,

[TMLee]

Now, do you make up all of your signatures first or are they sewn to gether as you make them?

 

http://www.trumpetvine.com/sketchblog/moleskine-reloaded/

 

 

Also TMLee, I'd. be interested to find out the method you used to sew the covers on those journals that had the thread twisted together on the outside of the spine as in your pictures.

 

see my Journal #10... and or #8, its quite clearly explained.

 

 

Rgds

Edited April 8, 2008 by TMLee

[Deserter]

Ah I am now understanding what you were referring to with the cover/spine boards, they were set to exactly 1/8th of an inch, which I again read somewhere, looking at yours however they look slightly further apart, maybe I should try spacing a little further.

 

My leather arrived today so I should be able to have a go at another tonight, the book block is already sewn, this time using full coptic, and I've added a mull to the spine. So fingers crossed we may get a little better result. Having said that the bookblock itself doesn't lie totally flat without the cover added so I think that may require some further attention in the future.

[TMLee]

Ah I am now understanding what you were referring to with the cover/spine boards, they were set to exactly 1/8th of an inch, which I again read somewhere, looking at yours however they look slightly further apart, maybe I should try spacing a little further.

 

 

The size of this gap you should provide depends on how thick yr covers are.

My guess is that yr 2mm boards plus denim makes it really thick, thats why the resistance to opening easily.

For this same reason, and I am guessing, a curved spine should have no effect on how easily the book opens.

 

The 1/8th inch gap spacing was for certain board thicknesses as specified in your sample you were using as a guide. A good source is to look at Keith Smiths books on bookbinding. Look them up in the library. He offers very detailed explanations and illustrations.

Edited April 9, 2008 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Its been quite a while since I made journals.

 

Well, here's the latest Journal #19 - Olivia.

Its to be given away as well to cheer someone up. At this moment its being shipped across the globe to someone whom I haven't met at all, at least in person. I hope it'll cheer her up.

 

I chanced upon a shop selling all kinds of fabric and prints for quilting. It was interesting as there were hundreds , if not thousands of themed prints. As I browsed thru the tremendous variety, I found this one - a quarter fat ? of a print which I understood from the salesperson , featured the famous "Olivia the Piglet".

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/258ed34c.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/e4f5538f.jpg

 

The bookblock remains much the same 120gsm laid paper by "Naturalis" in Vanilla White. Its been proven to be FP ink friendly so 'if it aint broke, don't fix it'.... Coptic stitch with Oral-B dental floss , waxed. A pretty good alternative to threads being waxed and easy to work with, especially pulling thru. Perhaps its greatest asset is its being flatish in cross-section , enabling the bookblock to be real flat without the added thickness from using other thicker cords. 6 signatures with 4 folios per signature to reduce the 'fishtail' effect. Total 96 pages.

 

Shown here clamped and the mull glued over the spine.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/ae996935.jpg

 

A kind friend gave me a roll of book endbands (is that what you call it ?). I am not sure if these bands shld go over or under the mull. Anyone can clarify ?

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/b9ce555f.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/a3c44c50.jpg

 

The cover being formed. It was tough deciding which part of the fat quarter to use to feature Olivia as best as possible.

It ended up occupying the central part , rendering the remainder unusable . for now at least.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/568af0c0.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/0e148d26.jpg

 

After ironing out the creases, I proceeded to glue the fabric to the 1mm thk kraft board which I now regret, cos the glue marks could be seen.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/339a3ab2.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/63f7b89f.jpg

 

Added a pocket , as I do in all my journals.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/13b885c1.jpg

 

and the Colophon ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/3da9f2e8.jpg

 

The finished product

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/fe61867b.jpg

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/cd8529c6.jpg

 

and back

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2019%20Olivia/b5e6255e.jpg

 

Can someone help me with the pics? They've shrunk !

I used Photobucket. What setting shld I preset when uploading to ensure the pics end up a comfortable size for viewing on the monitor?

Edited December 15, 2008 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal #20 using Rhodia paper.

 

Rhodia pad No16 Bloc by Paul Smith. 5mm gridded paper, oft used by designers. The paper is really thin but takes FP ink OKay. The ink doesn't bleedthru but can be seen on the reverse side due to the opacity or lack of rather. The roughly A5 size pad sheets were torn piece by piece and folded into half to form the journal size.

 

I notice the size is somewhat more tallish in proportions. Its narrower than A6 size and wd fit a trouser pocket easier.

 

The bookblock being clamped as close to the spine as possible to flatten it, and to then give a really good glue- over- the- spine job. By doing so, the glue cannot penetrate deeper between the signatures, resulting in a very neat valley when fully open.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/87e35802.jpg

 

Again, I used Oral-B dental floss (waxed) to stitch (Coptic stitch) the bookblock.

I was very impressed with the paper cos it folded extremely neatly and flatly due to its thinness. Also becos of the thinness of the paper, each signature could then afford to receive more folios without suffering from the fishtail effect. Here each of the 8 signatures contained 5 folios each, resulting in a total of 160pages. As always, the limit is to ensure the journal is no thicker than 1cm for handwriting comfort.

 

The Cover

I have been paring down a piece of leather for a longtime due to a lack of proper skiving knife. It was completed a long time ago but my thots were jumbled up and unsettled on the design of the journal. A few ideas but not fully resolved , hence the delay.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/d258c7fc.jpg

 

I finally decided on an open spine journal but this time different in that the leather wd now be thin enuf to wrap round the grey card hardcover properly. I learnt that leather on the spine resists the journal from staying flat open. Any leather round the spine wd have to be minimal. hence the following configuration.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/cf105709.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/6df51941.jpg

 

The pared down leather now being glued round the 1mm thk card.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/253a9bda.jpg

 

The completed cover with only 2 'bridges' spanning round the spine to hold the cover to the bookblock more firmly. The 2 'bridges' are so located in order to hide the knot of the coptic stitch at the head of the book. I dropped the idea of a third 'bridge' in the centre of the spine, thinking that the book wd stay flat open better without it.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/13d53647.jpg

 

I had wanted to make a journal with a cover adorned with a pattern akin to window leadlights ( in honor of FLW :embarrassed_smile: , the geometry of his designs are simply perfect)

And so I bought a pyrography toolkit hoping to try it out. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/f43a6722.jpg

 

I skived somemore leather in a hurry and tried out some assorted tips

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/4d64acc3.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/19df22ab.jpg

 

I dropped the idea as I was unconvinced of the overall aesthetics on the cover. besides this was the first time at pyrography and wasn't sure I was doing it right.

 

The flyleaves glued onto teh bookblock

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/8714ce23.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/3b236e92.jpg

 

Assembly

The cover loosely fitted to the bookblock

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/83570013.jpg

 

I pierced some more holes on the signatures in order to stitch the leather to the spine.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/d1d52581.jpg

 

I decided on yellow 100% linen thread (by Gutermann) for the accent. and started stitching . 2 needles 1 thread.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/8dde4002.jpg

 

Yellow stitching completed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/56213c48.jpg

 

And red linen thread (by Gutermann also 100% linen) for the knot , jus for a dash of colour. This time I used double thread to have more noticeable red.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/e67d541e.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/10d96966.jpg

 

Trimmed neatly and a dab of glue to make the knot stay in position.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/9f887852.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/c5c4cbeb.jpg

 

Finished spine

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/1dc3fc8b.jpg

 

Using the woodburning kit, I planted 3 motifs on the back , jus for a simple indication of which is front and which is back.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/97d388a3.jpg

 

The front with the Stipula Etruria Alter Ego for scale

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/124d19d6.jpg

 

The overall view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/b35c1707.jpg

 

The inktest page done with the Etruria 0.9mm stub

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/617825dc.jpg

 

The Colophon and the pocket added

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2020%20Rhodia/9ca3a241.jpg

 

I hope to familarise myself with woodburning first before it starts to decorate my subsequent journals. Its mulling around in my head, not all resolved yet.

 

I may also do more woodburning on this journal , especially on the back, when I am confident of how to do it.

Anyone here willing to share their experience or skills regarding pyrography on leather ?

Edited December 17, 2008 by TMLee

[yingko]

That is indeed very nice. Good job.

 

Sitting here jealous, a little...

[Sailor Kenshin]

Wow! That's beautiful---right down to the ink test.

 

Those end papers are really something.

[TMLee]

 

tks 'yingko' ,

tks 'Sailor Kenshin'

rgds

 

 

 

[TMLee]

Can someone translate this ?

Its another piece of fabric.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/96dff262.jpg

 

TIA

 

[TMLee]

This is Journal #21 - "The Joys of Christmas"

 

I am using the fabric shown above. I only wish that someone could translate what those words mean.

 

This time , I decided to make the covers wrapped in that fabric cloth (100%cotton). Will still use a leather spine but this time pared down real thin.

 

The grey board cut to size. The cloth ironed out and cut to size ready for gluing.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/54f4b955.jpg

 

The corner splayed to enable neat folded corners after gluing.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/b13343b9.jpg

 

One cover completed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/5dfd974d.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/4facf947.jpg

 

This is that small piece of leather for the spine now pared down real thin using a razor scraper (not the right tool) hence the uneven skiving marks as you can see. Its now paper thin. Getting the hang of it.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/0b05074c.jpg

 

The bookblock is the same NATURALIS 120gsm Vanilla White paper that I have been using. 6 Signatures. 4 folios per signature. A6 size.

Coptic stitch with Dental floss Oral-B.

I chose a nice Olive Drab flyleave that will go with the deep green coloured wordings of the fabric. Its a very good paper to use with PVA glue I found out. Now I know why they use such paper to commonly make their desktop, wire bound flip calendars. Here's a closeup of that paper..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/2733c4c9.jpg

 

The flyleaves glued to the bookblock

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/6a211e39.jpg

 

The leather now glued to the spine.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/1c898681.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/baa60133.jpg

 

The bookblock will then receive the covers which will go on top this time. I decided this variation would enable the journal to stay flat open better. This is different from my earlier journals where 1mm thk leather spines wraps around (outside) the cover. This one here will be underneath.

 

Will post the other pics when completed..

Edited December 22, 2008 by TMLee

[TMLee]

The covers being glued and clamped. Its important to insert the plastic sheet to prevent the moisture of the glue from seeping thru and onto other dry pages.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/6f922382.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/0996b236.jpg

 

The detail of the folded corner

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/06a7aeb6.jpg

 

I decided to trim the flyleaves so they sit more aesthetically pleasing on the inside front and back covers.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/68801066.jpg

 

A closeup detail

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/bc6bd7f8.jpg

 

True to my expectations, the journal stays flat open much better, despite a strong spine. The leather is not glued to the spine however.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/6f0d9b4b.jpg

 

Front view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/e227b3c6.jpg

 

Rear view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/37128587.jpg

 

Overall view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/8b80ab7c.jpg

 

another overall view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/d47747db.jpg

 

The ink testpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/3fe3d8a4.jpg

 

and the colophon and pocket on the rear page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/a732b10a.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[escribo]

Very nice!

It has not occurred to me to place the spine first.

I'll have to try that.

-jon

[Blades]

The covers being glued and clamped. Its important to insert the plastic sheet to prevent the moisture of the glue from seeping thru and onto other dry pages.

 

 

 

 

Overall view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/8b80ab7c.jpg

 

another overall view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/d47747db.jpg

 

The ink testpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/3fe3d8a4.jpg

 

and the colophon and pocket on the rear page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2021%20Joys%20of%20Xmas/a732b10a.jpg

 

 

Looks good. Very nice.

[TMLee]

This is Journal #22 Yellow Marbled

 

After successfully paring down some pieces of leather, I decided to put it to good use since it took so much of my effort.

 

This is one of a pair of Journals to be given away too.

 

I brought out the genuine italian handmade marbled papers and proceeded to make a half (or is it quarter ? I forgot) leather bound journal.

 

Here is that very luxurious piece of mustard yellow leather just waiting (for a long time) to be used.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/8c6f5712.jpg

 

Here with the spine board glued onto it

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/d6b5fb96.jpg

 

The front & back covers glued

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/207b4401.jpg

 

The nice italian marbled paper by Giulio Gianni & Piglio

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/3fc596de.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/f26002d5.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/bfb1f39c.jpg

 

I decided to glue the paper over the leather instead of vice versa.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/ef4b002a.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/02fe5f98.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/169979b9.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/9948e5f1.jpg

 

Leave some clearance to achieve neatly folded corners

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/d6af33dd.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/0feaa794.jpg

 

The completed cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/6d7c1d03.jpg

 

For the bookblock, I used ZETA Hammer Embossed Natural white paper, watermarked. Its 100gsm. Very white . Very smooth. Its takes ink very well.

Here already stitched- Coptic stitched using ORAL-B Dental floss - waxed.

The mull glued into position

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/007604e1.jpg

 

The bookband added ... yay ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/dfe31b31.jpg

 

I glued only the edge of the spineboard to the thin leather to achieve a crisp edge on the spine.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/54944e2a.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/ad2a5c6a.jpg

 

I chose a nice yellow flyleaf to match the marbled paper on the cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/715efd69.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/bb7eef23.jpg

Edited December 25, 2008 by TMLee

[TMLee]

The bookblock glued onto it

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/0d4e9640.jpg

 

The crisp spine

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/c52d05ab.jpg

 

The completed journal with the Sailor 1911 Large Profit - Summer Yellow for scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/414c0f68.jpg

 

It stays flat open

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/a24be069.jpg

 

The ink testpage. No bleedthru , No feathering. Really smooth paper. Tested with Etruria Alter Ego 0.9mm stub nib, Pelikan Brilliant Brown ink. A very wet writer.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/91ca4a76.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/79a5656f.jpg

 

The colophon and pocket added

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2022%20Yellow%20Marbled/e2103eb8.jpg

Edited December 25, 2008 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Looks good. Very nice.

 

 

Thanks Blades ...

 

 

 

[TMLee]

This is #23 - Brown Marbled, the other of the pair of journals bearing the Italian Marbled papers. They were being rushed to be given away as Christmas presents.

 

The brown spine leather pared down as thin as I dared to . Wished it could be thinner, but I avoided tempting fate.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/9323e1e2.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/7c7fcdec.jpg

 

I decided to use the reverse side as it seemed nicer.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/bd144a36.jpg

 

The genuine handmade Italian Brown Marbled paper by the same company. The tinge of orange was really nice. The pics don't do justice.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/9c206ebb.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/16d30cb3.jpg

 

Glued carefully to the boards

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/5cc8ce82.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/41bedc6f.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/a40a1c3d.jpg

 

I chose a nice orange flyleaf that matched the orange accents on the marbled paper.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/22612845.jpg

 

A closeup of the headband , and how the leather wrapped over the paper instead of vice versa on Journal #22.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/59df08bd.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/b3fa0161.jpg

 

Stays flat open

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/3f711354.jpg

 

The finished product with the Etruria Alter Ego for scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/5c2edd4a.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/471ad330.jpg

 

I swapped the position of the part with more orange onto the front cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/2488b839.jpg

 

For the bookblock, this time round, I bought new paper and I am very pleased with it.

Its NATURALIS Vanilla White Smooth 135gsm. Yes, 135gsm but its thickness is as thin, if not thinner than the 120gsm I usually use !

7 signatures, 4 folios each. Coptic stitched with ORAL-B dental floss waxed.

It takes FP ink beautifully, plus the added smoothness of the paper really makes the writing sensation fantastic. I was pretty impressed.

The ink testpage with the very wet Etruria Alter Ego with Pelikan Brilliant Brown.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/3d83fdaf.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/ea423336.jpg

 

As usual , the colophon and pocket added

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2023%20Brown%20Marbled/68d4d45e.jpg

Edited December 28, 2008 by TMLee