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Thursday, July 5, 2012

new handbound sketchbooks

new sketchbooks by vickylw
new sketchbooks, a photo by vickylw on Flickr.
Well they are together at least . . . I made so many mistakes while adding covers to these Coptic-bound book blocks! I had originally planned on different colors of book-cloth for contrast spines. But I'm still dealing with some vertigo/dizziness, so I kept it as simple as possible. I may add some small bit of embellishment to the front of each as I use them --- that helps to easily tell the front from the back. I may shorten those ribbon bookmarks a bit as well.

The first two covers were glued on before I remembered end papers . . . they seem to work fine with just the first and last pages of the book block used as end papers. Another one has a major folded ripple in one end paper . . . pure carelessness. One book's spine board was too wide. Oh, well . . . .

Most of my previous sketchbooks are the size reached when simply folding/tearing down from the original full-size paper -- ending with 5.5 x 7.5" book blocks. These are a bit bigger this time, about 7 x 9". Three are Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold-press watercolor paper from Cheap Joe's, one is Fabriano Artistico 140 # hot-press, and the last one is a combination of Fabriano Artistico 90 lb. soft-press and Mi Tientes toned papers. Oh . . . and making my own bookcloth worked great! Cotton fabric and white tissue paper put together with Heat & Bond iron-on adhesive.

17 comments:

  1. These looks great Vicky, even though you had a bit of a journey to get there..lol. I've started making some sketchbooks myself, but only bound with ribbon at the moment, I've got a Zutter Bind It All machine on order, can't wait to get my hands on it.

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    1. I haven't heard of the Zutter machine . . . sounds intriguing. ANY binding works if it works for you personally, giving you the paper you deserve.

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  2. Brava, girl! They're beautiful! Sorry you're still dealing with some vertigo, but simpler worked JUST fine here.

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    1. Thanks, Kate. Not sure what kind of front embellishment I'll add, but I'm in no rush . . . I'll wait until inspiration hits.

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  3. These look great. Your mistakes just give them lots of character. Glue an embelishment over the crease IF you can't live with it.

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  4. Then there's LOTS of character in these!

    I may just attach a vellum envelope over the creased end-paper -- they are so handy for storing stuff.

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  5. Your books are wonderful. Thanks for the tips on your book covers. I must try that. I love stitching books together when time allows. I just purchased a Rubicoil machine. I love it and I can use any paper I like, and it lays flat when open.

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  6. Love the books! Great job! Feel better soon.

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  7. Vicky I meant to mention that I had vertigo and finally asked the Doctor for help. I couldn't believe that he gave me a prescription for nose drops. I had NO symptoms of nasal problems but I tried it and it worked. Love my Doctor.!!! You might check that out. Just a thought.

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    1. How odd this sounds -- and how wonderful that it actually worked! I see the specialist on the 20th, though I am feeling fine at present.

      I've learned that as horrible as vertigo is, many seem to have experienced it.

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    2. Well hooray, I'm so glad you feel better! And yes, I have it intermittently, but never for as long as you did. NOT fun. Take care, sweetie!

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    3. It appears that I did the Epley maneuver correctly this time -- not even dizzy anymore. A couple of on-line friends told me about it and led me to a Youtube video showing how.

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  8. Super cool I wish I could make 1 I am new to your blog and already love!

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    1. Emma Grace, look in our sidebar, there is a LOT of info on making your own journals. Of course you can!

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    2. My first journals were so messy looking but the more try, the better they become.

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