... homemade journal ...

[Newjelan]

The black journal is stunning but A6 is too small for this left-hander.

[fountainpagan]

Newjelan, Lee makes the journals on the size you choose - A6, or A5

[TMLee]

The black journal is stunning but A6 is too small for this left-hander.

 

I see

[TMLee]

A quintet ...

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/034_zpsa6bc2629.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/036_zps986a5212.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a set of 5 journals from one piece of fabric known as Tenugui in Japan.

 

Journal 203 Tenugui

 

A6 size

 

The fabric is about 2ft long by 1.5ft wide

 

I intend to gift them away to a family who bought this fabric gift for me on their return from a holiday.

 

There are many uses for Tenugui as explained and illustrated below.

 

Front

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/001_zpszg40s9o5.jpg

 

 

Rear

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/003_zpsdhzphqkf.jpg

 

 

Band deployed

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/004_zpso1c5ywm5.jpg

 

 

 

There are 5 shades of accent colour variations.

All intended to go with the maroon base colour of the fabric.

 

 

 

This one is green.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/005_zpsp984l5f1.jpg

 

This is not TR paper but I decided on a six-station design as I felt it looked better.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/006_zpssz23xdos.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/028_zpsocqth4at.jpg

 

 

Matching green ribbon pagemarker

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/007_zps3nclute9.jpg

 

 

Matching flyleaves

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/009_zpsfzfh5he2.jpg

 

 

Incorporated in the front page , an explanation of what Tenugui is , it came with the fabric.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/011_zpsimrz9b7w.jpg

 

Reverse page

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/012_zpswmecwhos.jpg

 

 

I also incorporated into the middle centrespread

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/016_zpsnmmcagf7.jpg

 

And the reverse pages of the centrespread

This one is made ina certain prefecture

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/015_zpsr5aqbs2n.jpg

 

 

Full spread

Theres an optical illusion : if you stare at one spot on the cover for 30secs? , you will start to see black dots appear at each junction of the white grid

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/022_zpso3cmiqir.jpg

 

With flyleaves in view

I think the Urushi Red of the pen is so matching.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/023_zps4blyacds.jpg

 

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/025_zpsofn9xjyu.jpg

 

The corner accents are flushed same level as the covers.

Its GEMATEX bookcloth Sap Green

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/030_zpsgkxdkpon.jpg

 

 

Writing paper is NATURALIS Brillianr White, 100g

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each,

Total 112 pages

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2015/203%20Tenugui/019_zpsygzzjtmn.jpg

 

Trying hard to complete the rest

[Newjelan]

Newjelan, Lee makes the journals on the size you choose - A6, or A5

Yes, I was looking at the black one he'd had available for a while. I will order an A5 one but I need to use at least a little of my stock first.

[TMLee]

I took out my old leathers to check and clean them.

 

And one thing led to another.

 

Took this out ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/001_1.jpg

 

 

Many years ago , I tried a small portion to craft into journals.

 

Its still on my workbench, waiting to be stitched into a journal.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/?view=findpost&p=2599838

 

Yesterday I gathered enough courage to try out again, this time on nicer areas of the hide.

Its so beautiful, this piece of Ostrich Leather.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/005_1.jpg

 

 

I was indulgent at one point in time and paid two bombs for it.

 

This one is Grade 4 or 5 - very good quality. (few blemishes, larger areas of unblemished hide)

 

 

After studying the hide for a long time, I decided to use a part of it for journal covers.

I decided to pick parts of it to give me symmetry of design on them covers.

Here you see a plastic sheet template that allowed me to see exactly how to cut the leather to achieve the design intent.

I chose the opposite sides of the bird to get overall better symmetry.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/002.jpg

 

 

 

 

Here you see two sizes, to maximise usage and minimize wastage.

The larger one is A5 , and the smaller one A6.

The black lines are the exact size of the covers.

The entire sheet size of the plastic show the exact amount of leather needed to execute the foldovers.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/005.jpg

 

 

Here you see the leather is not enough for the A6 size.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/004.jpg

 

 

 

So I decided to make that journal smaller.

I fell back to my SLIMLINE size of journals - slightly narrower at 9cm but same height.

Here shown already cut out to size.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/013.jpg

 

Beautiful leather - Cognac in colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/012.jpg

 

 

 

Some very thick portions needed to be skived down.

This is the part that I dread the most.

Its tedious , yet high risk , becos it can ruin the entire piece of leather if blade cuts through the leather.

( Thats also the same reason why there exists such a thing as 'book leather' - hides that are skived down thin enough for bookbinding applications. Design.Y journals use premium goatskin - beautiful !!! )

Paring down leather cant be rushed - I learnt too many times this painful lesson.

You cant do a good job with dull blades.

You need extremely sharp , fresh , cutting blades.

Yet this sharpness is at the same time a big risk to the leather you are working on.

I havent learnt this well enough yet.

and i doubt if I have the right tools too.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/009.jpg

 

 

 

 

Glued the boards ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/014.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/015.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/017.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Couldnt wait to do the foldovers so that I can finally see the completed covers in its entirety.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/022.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/023.jpg

 

 

I decided on larger rounded corners for practical reasons.

This hide is thick and I foresaw that folding over the corners would be challenging.

Larger radius of the corner allowed more room for the corners to be turned in nicely.

 

Folding over the corners takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it.

I have finally learnt how to do it nicely after several failed attempts.

 

Leather corners need that little more patience.

 

Here the corners are freshly turned in.

This is where old - sticky glue - is indispensable.

You're fighting to keep the pleats down and in position.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/020.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/025.jpg

 

 

Right angled corners

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/018.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/026.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/028.jpg

 

 

Rounded corners

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/019.jpg

 

Larger corners are more forgiving

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/029.jpg

 

 

 

At this point, they dont look one bit appealing at all.

 

But patience.

 

 

BTW, 'WOBentley' - if you are reading this, "resistance is futile" ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

I took out my old leathers to check and clean them.

 

And one thing led to another.

 

Took this out ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/001_1.jpg

 

 

Many years ago , I tried a small portion to craft into journals.

 

Its still on my workbench, waiting to be stitched into a journal.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/?view=findpost&p=2599838

 

Yesterday I gathered enough courage to try out again, this time on nicer areas of the hide.

Its so beautiful, this piece of Ostrich Leather.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/005_1.jpg

 

 

I was indulgent at one point in time and paid two bombs for it.

 

This one is Grade 4 or 5 - very good quality. (few blemishes, larger areas of unblemished hide)

 

 

After studying the hide for a long time, I decided to use a part of it for journal covers.

I decided to pick parts of it to give me symmetry of design on them covers.

Here you see a plastic sheet template that allowed me to see exactly how to cut the leather to achieve the design intent.

I chose the opposite sides of the bird to get overall better symmetry.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/002.jpg

 

 

 

 

Here you see two sizes, to maximise usage and minimize wastage.

The larger one is A5 , and the smaller one A6.

The black lines are the exact size of the covers.

The entire sheet size of the plastic show the exact amount of leather needed to execute the foldovers.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/005.jpg

 

 

Here you see the leather is not enough for the A6 size.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/004.jpg

 

 

 

So I decided to make that journal smaller.

I fell back to my SLIMLINE size of journals - slightly narrower at 9cm but same height.

Here shown already cut out to size.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/013.jpg

 

Beautiful leather - Cognac in colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/012.jpg

 

 

 

Some very thick portions needed to be skived down.

This is the part that I dread the most.

Its tedious , yet high risk , becos it can ruin the entire piece of leather if blade cuts through the leather.

( Thats also the same reason why there exists such a thing as 'book leather' - hides that are skived down thin enough for bookbinding applications. Design.Y journals use premium goatskin - beautiful !!! )

Paring down leather cant be rushed - I learnt too many times this painful lesson.

You cant do a good job with dull blades.

You need extremely sharp , fresh , cutting blades.

Yet this sharpness is at the same time a big risk to the leather you are working on.

I havent learnt this well enough yet.

and i doubt if I have the right tools too.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/009.jpg

 

 

 

 

Glued the boards ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/014.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/015.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/017.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Couldnt wait to do the foldovers so that I can finally see the completed covers in its entirety.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/022.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/023.jpg

 

 

I decided on larger rounded corners for practical reasons.

This hide is thick and I foresaw that folding over the corners would be challenging.

Larger radius of the corner allowed more room for the corners to be turned in nicely.

 

Folding over the corners takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it.

I have finally learnt how to do it nicely after several failed attempts.

 

Leather corners need that little more patience.

 

Here the corners are freshly turned in.

This is where old - sticky glue - is indispensable.

You're fighting to keep the pleats down and in position.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/020.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/025.jpg

 

 

Right angled corners

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/018.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/026.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/028.jpg

 

 

Rounded corners

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/019.jpg

 

Larger corners are more forgiving

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/029.jpg

 

 

 

At this point, they dont look one bit appealing at all.

 

But patience.

 

 

BTW, 'WOBentley' - if you are reading this, "resistance is futile" ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is needed now is to clamp down the corner fold-ins to flatten them.

These are very strong clips.

I use hard , strong plastic flat pieces - or anything you can find - that isnt affected by water contact.

 

Using a small paintbrush,

wet the pleats / folds of the leather fold-ins.

( I use the water that I put my glue brushes in for washing - Its water that is actually glue but heavily diluted.

The reason for doing this is twofold :

1) you need water to wet the leather thoroughly so they become pliable.

2) you need some glue to make the pleats stay in position as they are clamped to set in this permanent position. )

 

 

Tip :

If you have leather bound bibles ( or bonded leather) with unsightly 'bumps' at these corner fold-ins, you can apply this same technique to get a perfectly formed corner.

Peel back the flyleaf, wet the leather pleats, clamp them.

Remove when dry and flat,

Glue back the flyleaf .

 

 

Position the plastic pieces carefully over the corners to be clamped.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/030.jpg

 

Position the jaws carefully to clamp only the corners.

Place the jaws directly centred over the pleats and no where else , otherwise you will see clamping marks all over the place.

 

To multiply the force applied by the clamps, increase the thickness of the entire setup.

I used 3 pieces of MDF boards to do this.

At this thickness, the amount of clamping force is tremendous.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/032.jpg

 

 

Becos the force is so great, you need to keep a watch on how long you keep it under clamping.

The longer the duration, the more effects of the clamping force you will get.

Meaning, avoid over-clamping - which is when you start to see clamping marks over places where its not supposed to be clamped.

 

In this example, I released the clamps after 4 to 5 hrs.

 

A quick check on the dryness of that corner - and the flatness will decide whether there is enough clamping.

 

Right-angled corners after clamping.

Perfectly flat and smooth results !

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/003_1.jpg

 

Before clamping

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/028.jpg

 

 

 

Rounded corners after clamping

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/006.jpg

 

Before clamping

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/029.jpg

 

 

Compared to an iPhone 6

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/009_1.jpg

 

 

 

Compared with a Design.Y 288 journal

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/011_1.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20166%20Ostrich%20Leather/166A%20Ostrich%20Leather/008_1.jpg

Edited August 8, 2015 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Previous posts on the development of this journal

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-86?do=findComment&comment=3420476

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-86?do=findComment&comment=3420972

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-86?do=findComment&comment=3421758

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-86?do=findComment&comment=3421900

 

 

 

Completed this commission , finally

 

My 9th A5 TR journal

46th TR journal

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/004_zps6da0lfww.jpg

 

 

 

 

JOURNAL 192A BUCKRAM - Oxblood - Gangurru

 

Front

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/001_zpsza4v9saa.jpg

 

 

I shorten the stitches slightly - in order not to compete with the picture.

This is at 12mm instead of the usual 15mm.

A very slight difference but the effect is noticeable.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/002_zpsobrr5clc.jpg

 

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/003_zpsrcipmy7y.jpg

 

 

 

Rear

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/004_zps96jmzzeg.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/005_zps6boybkhx.jpg

 

 

We decided on orange accents to blend with the printout of the artwork

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/006_zpsfnlith8r.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/007_zpsi3fdhvyx.jpg

 

 

Matching orange ribbon pagemarker

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/009_zpsoamzec4q.jpg

 

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/026_zpslqhwjom4.jpg

 

 

Bands deployed

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/010_zpscy5oyg3n.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/011_zpswh4qhxra.jpg

 

 

Full spread

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/014_zpsrxawejrl.jpg

 

 

With the matching flyleaves in view

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/024_zpsu1s3o43z.jpg

 

 

The river of dots

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/020_zpsqq3pzkx3.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/035_zps7mo5yi0u.jpg

 

 

Orange flyleaves

These are heavier paper at 170g. They are also textured.

The benefits of using heavier paper for the flyleaves , is that they do a better job at masking the characteristic 'bumps' at the inside corners - where the foldovers are located.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/027_zpss6nnrihz.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/028_zpsjgbvb3vj.jpg

 

 

 

The Colophon

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/001_zpstfk6ov8y.jpg

 

Writing paper is TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream

7 Signatures , 10 Folios each ,

Total 280 writing pages

 

 

This is a nice one

 

 

As i understand it, the hand on the top-right is the signature trademark of the artist.

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/029_zpsj7egndls.jpg

 

The printout is spray coated with KRYLON UV-Resistant Acrylic Coating - Matte

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/BUCKRAM/192%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood/192A%20A5%20Buckram%20-%20Oxblood%20-%20Gangurru/032_zpsdxzahaxk.jpg

Edited August 10, 2015 by TMLee

[elderberry]

Hi there,

 

I just wanted to tell you that your work inspired me to try bookbinding myself. I admire your journals and I'll probably never achieve the degree of precision and perfection I see in your work. Amazing!

[pen2paper]

"This is a nice one :D"

 

Understatement! ++++ >

 

It's beautiful. Also an understatement.

 

IDK, I think the pen companies ought to be formally commissioning you to make journals to perfectly compliment their pens. As you have been all along.

[mhguda]

Great idea. Let's hope at least one will pick up on that... although come to think of it, he might then be so swamped in work orders that we would not be able to buy any more of them directly...

[TMLee]

Hi there,

 

I just wanted to tell you that your work inspired me to try bookbinding myself. I admire your journals and I'll probably never achieve the degree of precision and perfection I see in your work. Amazing!

 

 

Thank you

 

I visited your blog, and you have made some nice journals there

 

Its a craft that improves over practice.

Just keep at it and enjoy it.

[TMLee]

"This is a nice one :D"

 

Understatement! ++++ >

 

It's beautiful. Also an understatement.

 

IDK, I think the pen companies ought to be formally commissioning you to make journals to perfectly compliment their pens. As you have been all along.

 

 

Great idea. Let's hope at least one will pick up on that... although come to think of it, he might then be so swamped in work orders that we would not be able to buy any more of them directly...

 

 

Haha ..

 

That would be great altho I suspect the 'formal business' way has a tendency to dampen? the free-spiritedness way of doing things , so necessary in the creative process.

 

[pen2paper]

Exactly.

 

what We enjoy is your creative process, your generous willing to share, and what most may not know, though they may see this in you cooperative workings with the person's project, is behind the scenes the thoughtful gentleman that always goes the extra mile to ensure these treasures scoot around the globe flawlessly.

 

Just wanted to point out your delightful ability to pair perfect pen to art journal.

Glad you're enjoying the process.

Don't listen to my tendency to toss out imaginative suggestions. Just playful tinkering.

[mhguda]

Amen to that.

[DrCodfish]

Exactly.

 

what We enjoy is your creative process, your generous willing to share, and what most may not know, though they may see this in you cooperative workings with the person's project, is behind the scenes the thoughtful gentleman that always goes the extra mile to ensure these treasures scoot around the globe flawlessly.

 

Just wanted to point out your delightful ability to pair perfect pen to art journal.

Glad you're enjoying the process.

Don't listen to my tendency to toss out imaginative suggestions. Just playful tinkering.

 

My two cents, or amen chorus:

 

I have purchased or I should say between my wife and I, we have purchased 4 ( maybe 5) TM Lee journals. It may be a stretch to say so, but in that process I believe I have developed a friendship with Mr. Lee that goes beyond the typical vendor/purchaser standard. He's willing, even interested in creating a product (piece of artwork?) which is satisfying both to the client and himself.

 

When I initially approached him about the 'Glacier project' we began with the emboss/deboss concepts. I sent him some sketches and I also sent him some photos. This triggered in him the recognition that a mounted photo would personalize this project in a way not otherwise possible and he immediately began sending images me mock ups of how the project might progress. His craftsmanship is exceeded only by his creative vision, and this is the secret ingredient which sets folks of his cut apart. I feel privileged to have worked with Mr. Lee and also feel pressure to write faster so that can fill up the TM Lee journals I have so that I can dream up more projects to conspire with him on.

 

By the way, I had a call from the journeyman glaciologist this evening. This week he will climb high on Mt. Rainier (above 11,000') in the role of porter. He is one of the stronger climbers on this scientific team so he and several others will be carrying camp gear and scientific equipment to a camp site where next week the full team will convene to study the ice caves which eliminate from inside the caldera and below the surface of the mountain.

 

This is dangerous work, because it is high on the mountain and this is a time of year when crevasses which normally never expose themselves begin to show, and the air within these ice caves which are caused not by the rays of the sun but by the heat which emanates from the slumbering volcano is often a toxic mix of sulpherous fumes that can sicken or even be deadly.

 

I worry for him but trust that he has the skill to be where he is and the judgment to know when the risks outweigh the rewards.

[migo984]

My two cents, or amen chorus:

 

I have purchased or I should say between my wife and I, we have purchased 4 ( maybe 5) TM Lee journals. It may be a stretch to say so, but in that process I believe I have developed a friendship with Mr. Lee that goes beyond the typical vendor/purchaser standard. He's willing, even interested in creating a product (piece of artwork?) which is satisfying both to the client and himself.

 

When I initially approached him about the 'Glacier project' we began with the emboss/deboss concepts. I sent him some sketches and I also sent him some photos. This triggered in him the recognition that a mounted photo would personalize this project in a way not otherwise possible and he immediately began sending images me mock ups of how the project might progress. His craftsmanship is exceeded only by his creative vision, and this is the secret ingredient which sets folks of his cut apart. I feel privileged to have worked with Mr. Lee and also feel pressure to write faster so that can fill up the TM Lee journals I have so that I can dream up more projects to conspire with him on.

 

By the way, I had a call from the journeyman glaciologist this evening. This week he will climb high on Mt. Rainier (above 11,000') in the role of porter. He is one of the stronger climbers on this scientific team so he and several others will be carrying camp gear and scientific equipment to a camp site where next week the full team will convene to study the ice caves which eliminate from inside the caldera and below the surface of the mountain.

 

This is dangerous work, because it is high on the mountain and this is a time of year when crevasses which normally never expose themselves begin to show, and the air within these ice caves which are caused not by the rays of the sun but by the heat which emanates from the slumbering volcano is often a toxic mix of sulpherous fumes that can sicken or even be deadly.

 

I worry for him but trust that he has the skill to be where he is and the judgment to know when the risks outweigh the rewards.

 

Dr Codfish - as you know, I am the lucky owner of the gangurru journal that TMLee has just completed. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with the finished result & I cannot wait to use it to write up my Australian sojourn "memoirs". The journal journey was exactly as you describe - a cooperative creative process, steered gently & artistically by TMLee, with his imaginative, sympathetic ideas & wonderful talent. I started with a single aboriginal image which became the foundation for this amazing piece. The whole experience was just brilliant.

 

We will be ordering another journal very soon.

 

And with regards to your glaciologist, I am sure he will stay safe. I empathise with your feelings of anxiety; my niece is currently doing charity work in Kenya. With all the troubles there currently, I am feeling very ill at ease. But you have to trust in young people and to let them spread their wings. Their idea of "risk" may differ from us oldies, but I'd rather they have these experiences than to regret not taking such opportunities, later in life.

Edited August 11, 2015 by migo984

[pen2paper]

Yes! the glacier project was especially memorable. Thanks for sharing updates DrCodfish.

 

From the very beginning this was such a pleasant unfolding development of artistic craftsmanship.

 

After noticing a brief hiatus, to observe this happy thread again is pleasant refreshment.

Sometimes it's important to step out of quiet observation, and express appreciation.

[dcpritch]

TM,

 

Sorry about your iPhone being cracked.

Beautiful ostrich leather on your newest journal project. I'm intrigued enough to inquire.

Love the most recent embossed project with aboriginal art - very nicely done.

[TMLee]

Thanks all for your kind words.

 

It is also true that without the warmth and friendliness of this community, this thread (and I ) wouldn't have come so far.