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Thursday, June 4, 2015

beginning a new hand-bound journal


With my previous post, my journal was filled and I have begun a new one. For this one, I cut sample sheets of Bockingford tinted papers in half, then bound them into an antique book cover. The end sheets are made from a sheet of Saunders Waterford --- I often skip using separate paper for end papers, choosing to use watercolor paper here as well since it is usually drawn on.


Inside the front cover, I glued the front illustration from the original book. The old book block was bug-chewed and crumbling but I wanted to save this bit. As usual, a palette on the first page: this one, a pocket palette made from a business card case filled with earthy, granulating paints. I will fill in personal contact info after posting this, in case the book is lost.

7 comments:

  1. this is so beautiful...i wonder if there is an easy way to put/bind them in a book..i have never done it and it always looks tough. :( any suggestions?

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    1. The first journals I ever made were made the same way this was: pages sewn with a Coptic stitch, then glued into an existing cover. I learned from this site: http://www.trumpetvine.com/moleskine-reloaded/

      There are many YouTube demos out there on binding journals, and some good books on various techniques, from easy to complex. I mostly learn through trial and error.

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  2. Replies
    1. I didn't come up with the idea but it sure is an easier way to cover my handmade journals!

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    2. Wishing I had more old books that would fit the text blocks I have waiting! SOOO much trouble to make covers...

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    3. It was totally unplanned and unexpected to find that my two current book blocks just happened to fit the two old book covers I had in my stash. Serendipitous!

      If I had not already had these covers, I would have made them open-spine Coptic. Much easier than dealing with fitting covers.

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