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... Homemade Journal ... 2016


RMN

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Completed ...

 

This is "JOURNAL 249B GOATSKIN LIGHT TAN - CRINKLED "

 

5" X 7" MIDSIZE

 

my 91st TR Journal

 

Front

fpn_1544060813__dscf8247.jpg

 

 

Back

fpn_1544060858__dscf8249.jpg

 

 

I used brown bands to match the leather

fpn_1544060949__dscf8253.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544060913__dscf8255.jpg

 

 

Purple was the favourite colour of the recipient ...

fpn_1544060996__dscf8256.jpg

 

fpn_1544061112__dscf8259.jpg

 

fpn_1544061381__dscf8261.jpg

 

fpn_1544061609__dscf8277.jpg

 

 

Purple flyleaves

Purple ribbon

fpn_1544061211__dscf8262.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544061327__dscf8270.jpg

 

 

Here you see the edges of the covers , not so dark with the neatsfoot oil anymore.

It has faded much.

fpn_1544061265__dscf8260.jpg

 

 

Inktestpage

fpn_1544061430__dscf8271.jpg

 

Colophon

fpn_1544061476__dscf8274.jpg

 

 

Writing paper is

TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream

7 Signatures, 10 Folios each,

Total 280 writing pages :yikes:

 

fpn_1544061684__dscf8268.jpg

 

I like this midsize, somehow it feels very comfy in the hands ...

fpn_1544061728__dscf8250.jpg

 

fpn_1544061874__dscf8248.jpg

 

fpn_1544062000__dscf8266.jpg

 

 

 

fpn_1544062092__dscf8276.jpg

 

 

 

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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This one's made to order ...

 

JOURNAL #257 "Home Sweet Home"

 

A6 size

 

The request was for a journal that can be used in the normal way and then reverse it and write from back to front .

The other requirement was as many colours as possible.

 

The way to distinguish which was front and which was the rear is to emplace a picture at the front flyleaf and the at the back flyleaf

 

Preliminary study of the size and placement of the picture ...

fpn_1544414150__dscf7934.jpg

 

 

Execution in colour and actual flyleaf ...

Here you see both front and rear flyleaves

Daytime pic is going onto the front

and the night scene goes to the rear

fpn_1544414262__dscf7936.jpg

 

Closer view of nice pic

fpn_1544414400__dscf7938.jpg

 

fpn_1544414429__dscf7939.jpg

 

 

Front

fpn_1544413929__dscf8170.jpg

 

Rear

fpn_1544414489__dscf8172.jpg

 

 

I used cobalt blue bookcloth for the spine accent

fpn_1544414521__dscf8173.jpg

 

 

 

And the corner accents

As per normal, my accents overlap one another.

They don't abut .

This is an attempt to try to prevent the accent from getting snagged and over time, pulled away and debonded and even tearing apart.

fpn_1544414791__dscf8192.jpg

 

fpn_1544415042__dscf8194.jpg

 

 

I almost forgot I had multi-coloured thread ...

fpn_1544414608__dscf8174.jpg

 

 

a delightful surprise to the owner ...

fpn_1544414664__dscf8177.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544415186__dscf8180.jpg

 

 

This journal doesn't have any ribbon pagemarker becos of the way it will be used.

A simple loose blotter sheet and black masking sheet in there would suffice.

fpn_1544414729__dscf8178.jpg

 

 

Full spread ...

fpn_1544415271__dscf8179.jpg

 

fpn_1544415296__dscf8181.jpg

 

Front flyleaves

fpn_1544415341__dscf8182.jpg

 

 

 

Rear flyleaves

Reversed now ...

fpn_1544415376__dscf8184.jpg

 

 

Inktestpage on the front

fpn_1544415456__dscf8186.jpg

 

fpn_1544415506__dscf8187.jpg

 

 

The Colophon

fpn_1544415691__dscf8191.jpg

 

 

 

Writing paper is

FABRIANO ECOQUA BIOPRIMA , 85g , dot gridded 3.5mm

7 Signatures, 6 Folios each

Total 168 writing pages

Its not bad actually ...

its not supersmooth , it has a little tooth

but no bleedthru, no feathering

fpn_1544415765__dscf8188.jpg

 

 

 

This is a unique journal ...

fpn_1544416287__dscf8171.jpg

 

 

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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PIERCING TEMPLATE - HOW TO MARK ONE THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR COVER EXACTLY

 

For the covers that I am making, some of them have that spine accent with a deboss/emboss pattern.

The stitches have to be seated in an exact position on the debossed (recessed) part.

There's a practical challenge to achieving this.

The difficult way is to measure accurately and transfer the dimensions onto the base piercing template.

 

Transferring dimensions , as some of you may have experienced, is not always foolproof.

 

There are times when the stitches don't line up with the stations on the covers.

Slightly off the mark.

The reason is because of the variance in accuracy throughout several stages :

- the measuring

- the cutting

- the size

- the position of the emboss/deboss card underlays.

just these few separate processes can contribute to a slight variance off the exact position desired.

Sometimes its less than a millimetre, sometimes more.

 

So here is another way.

 

First , Make your base piercing template.

Find a good quality card - like you would find on quality magazine covers.

I reckon its about 250g card.

Cut to size.

Crisp precise fold in the middle (by cutting a slit where the fold is wanted)

Here is the front - valley side

fpn_1544499989__dscf8299.jpg

 

This is the back - the ridge side

(Slit on the ridge side for a crisp fold - not on the valley side.)

fpn_1544500111__dscf8302.jpg

 

 

Form up your bookblock with covers in its final position

and clamp them in position

fpn_1544500144__dscf8305.jpg

 

 

 

Insert the template in between one of the Signatures such that the ridge side is facing you.

making sure that the alignment flap on the right is snug - abutting the head of the bookblock

Here , you see that I inserted it between Signature 6 and 7 (to make space for the flap )

This template has to emplaced exactly becos you will be doing the marking of the piercing stations here in this stage.

fpn_1544500285__dscf8300.jpg

 

 

I make a template out of mounting board for my piercing stations.

I do this to ensure my stations are always equidistant.

Example here is 25mm width in a 2-hole pair.

I use that little spacer 25mm wide - which is 'L' - shaped - to align with the cover and align over the spines of the signature and the piercing template.

With this contraption, mark on the piercing template the positions of each hole on either side of the spacer .

fpn_1544500656__dscf8301.jpg

 

 

 

Use a small awl to make a tiny hole exactly along the ridge where you have marked.

fpn_1544500848__dscf8303.jpg

 

 

Turn it over and check if that hole is visible.

fpn_1544500913__dscf8304.jpg

 

The smaller the hole , the more accurate it will be.

 

Now its ready for use , to pierce each Signature at one go.

 

As mentioned earlier , pierce the hole as small as your thread would need.

The smaller the hole, the less 'play' or 'wobble' your journal will have.

The larger the hole, there will be more room for your Signatures to move around.

Applying glue on the spine, on the exposed Signatures, helps to stop this significantly.

Snug holes are the best which you can observe in machine stitched journals.

 

You can't have perfection in handmade journals.

There will always be some imperfections here and there.

But not too jarring till it becomes obvious that its poorly put together.

The challenge is to minimize the inaccuracies that accumulate along each stage.

Its something like its so well handmade till you have to examine it closely to find clues that its hand assembled.

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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Once in a while, I get requests / suggestions from you good folks here at FPN. :)

 

Here is one of them ...

 

The spine accent that I feature in many of my journals .. specifically, the width of that accent ...

 

So I reduced the width of the original ...

The new narrower size is white on the left,

against the original size in black

fpn_1544578807__dscf8281.jpg

 

 

On coverboards for comparision ...

fpn_1544578900__dscf8282.jpg

 

 

The idea is to devote more space to that which is not covered by the spine bookcloth

To show more of the cover ...

 

 

Here you see the original width in green (top)

and the new narrower in deep purple (bottom) ...

fpn_1544579008__dscf8306.jpg

 

 

What is noticeable is the amount of the cover design on display.

It works particularly well on this one cos of the beautiful design that is more intricate , more different motifs to look at ...

another side by side comparison ...

fpn_1544579242__dscf8307.jpg

 

 

Its about visual proportion and aesthetics ...

 

 

 

I decided to make another size - in-between ...

Original on left,

narrow on right.

New in-between size in the middle ...

fpn_1544579416__dscf8309.jpg

 

Now I have 3 widths to choose from, depending on the cover design

 

 

 

the widths differ from each by 5mm

The original is bottom-most

fpn_1544579581__dscf8310.jpg

 

 

Haven't tried out the in-between size yet ...

 

but soon ... :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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This one's made to order ...

 

JOURNAL #257 "Home Sweet Home"

fpn_1544414262__dscf7936.jpg

 

 

 

I LOVE this journal. It's MINE, MINE I tell you, ALL MINE.

heh, heh, heh

Edited by WolvertonMountain
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Acquired another piece of goatskin.

This time its Wine Red.

fpn_1514120094__dscf7294.jpg

 

 

I wondered if emboss / deboss could be effectively executed with leather

and so I 'quickly' skived down the leather

and wrapped the coverboards ...

 

To my delight, it was a success ...

 

A6 size

fpn_1514120281__dscf7303.jpg

 

fpn_1514120394__dscf7314.jpg

 

used the sharp edge of the bone folder on the edges of the emboss to make it more prominent...

fpn_1514120483__dscf7315.jpg

 

 

This time , I tried turning in the 90deg corners using the teflon bone folder

fpn_1514120771__dscf7299.jpg

 

Teflon works wonders !!!

fpn_1514120871__dscf7300.jpg

 

works perfect

 

I am satisfied .

 

:)

 

 

Finally Completed ....

 

JOURNAL 250 "Goatskin - Wine Red"

 

A6 size

 

My 92nd TR journal.

 

I like this one.

Its a deep red wine colour ...

 

Front

fpn_1544760849__dscf8313.jpg

 

 

Rear

fpn_1544760902__dscf8315.jpg

 

 

Matching deep magenta bookbands

fpn_1544760952__dscf8316.jpg

 

 

 

Chose a mango accent

Mango stitches,

mango ribbon pagemarker

mango flyleaves

fpn_1544760993__dscf8318.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544761052__dscf8317.jpg

 

fpn_1544761081__dscf8336.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544761115__dscf8321.jpg

 

 

Full spread

fpn_1544761149__dscf8319.jpg

 

Mango flyleaves

fpn_1544761182__dscf8320.jpg

 

 

Rear Flyleaves with built-in pocket and namecard slot...

fpn_1544761209__dscf8323.jpg

 

 

 

Tried a sketch (when I am in the mood -_- ) for the inktestpage instead.

Poison dart frogs are amazing, they come in a riot of colours . :yikes:

Hard to understand these colour combos are all Mother nature creations ...

They look as if someone caught them and took their time painting them before releasing them back into the wild. :D

fpn_1544761282__dscf8324.jpg

 

 

PELIKAN Edelstein Garnet

PILOT Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku

AURORA Blue

NOODLER'S Black (Bulletproof)

fpn_1544761427__dscf8326.jpg

 

 

Colophon

fpn_1544761540__dscf8330.jpg

 

 

Writing paper is

TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream :thumbup:

7 Signatures , 10 Folios each

Total 280 writing pages :yikes:

 

Nice texture and shade ...

fpn_1544761680__dscf8334.jpg

 

fpn_1544761708__dscf8335.jpg

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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That looks wonderful.

I'm not a fan of leather covers, but you could make me want one, after all.

a fountain pen is physics in action... Proud member of the SuperPinks

fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pi

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That looks wonderful.

I'm not a fan of leather covers, but you could make me want one, after all.

The red is stunning, including other details & paired with pen.

 

Quite sure this you could enjoy this journey in similar non-leather presentation.

From concept discussions to marveling at every subtle detail once it's in your hands, you'll be delighted.

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Oh yes, I know that, having ordered several of his products through the years... including one that he's working on now. No, I meant, he can make me like even this leather one, and normally I do not care for leather covers... Also, you're 100% right about the process, it's always wonderful.

a fountain pen is physics in action... Proud member of the SuperPinks

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That looks wonderful.

I'm not a fan of leather covers, but you could make me want one, after all.

 

Thanks 'mhguda' ,

Just let me know ...

:D

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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The red is stunning, including other details & paired with pen.

 

Quite sure this you could enjoy this journey in similar non-leather presentation.

From concept discussions to marveling at every subtle detail once it's in your hands, you'll be delighted.

 

 

Oh yes, I know that, having ordered several of his products through the years... including one that he's working on now. No, I meant, he can make me like even this leather one, and normally I do not care for leather covers... Also, you're 100% right about the process, it's always wonderful.

 

Thanks ...

Yes, indeed, my better works are those that are really unrushed, and I have to confess, sometimes I take like forever , and I must apologize to you folks here (You know who you are ...) who have to put up with my terrible slowness at times. :(

 

But its the challenges and the ideas from the requests from many of you here that push me along from keeping stagnant. :D

At times, I must confess, some requirements seem impossible or unsuitable at my initial reaction. :blush:

But its the working at it, trying to meet the requirements that many times have yielded great results.

This is the part that is painstaking and not known to public.

 

I guess its all a necessary part of the design process. :)

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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Remember this ... ?

 

fpn_1544954034__dscf8338.jpg

 

 

Bought it in 2015 ....

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-90?do=findComment&comment=3518582

 

 

I am unable to figure out how to use this to cover the greyboard covers ...

For the longest time been thinking about how ... but no solution ...

 

Anyway, I decided to stop thinking and start doing something ....

Cut out a piece ...

Beautiful ...

fpn_1544954108__dscf8337.jpg

 

Prepared the covers...

I was envisioning a journal cover with the stitches seated in the deboss parts ...

 

 

 

The embossed flowers (Pawlonia ) cannot withstand folding over.

So whereever it is folded, I scraped out the flowers carefully.

fpn_1544954367__dscf8342.jpg

 

 

 

Folded over the sides of the coverboard.

Here you see the debossed parts, its been scraped clean of the embossed flowers.

I am thinking of filling this debossed part with a bookcloth

Its difficult but not impossible...

fpn_1544954496__dscf8343.jpg

 

In daylight ...

fpn_1544954642__dscf8345.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544954675__dscf8346.jpg

 

 

Wonder if it will look weird ...

Hmmm ...

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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To be very honest... I think this material would work better if you gave up the spine emboss/deboss for it. Such a pity to scrape any part off!

And then the angled stitches (in white?) would provide the interest. Sometimes, to me, less is better...

For this one, would the embossed flowers push up the bookcloth if you cover that part?

a fountain pen is physics in action... Proud member of the SuperPinks

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To be very honest... I think this material would work better if you gave up the spine emboss/deboss for it. Such a pity to scrape any part off!

And then the angled stitches (in white?) would provide the interest. Sometimes, to me, less is better...

For this one, would the embossed flowers push up the bookcloth if you cover that part?

 

Yeah ...

I did consider that - i.e. leaving the cover plain ...

But somehow, it doesnt look right.

The beige paper kinda looks 'unfinished' .

It needs some accent ...

 

I decided to scrape off the flowers becos they were too intricate, and my emboss over it won't work.

The gaps in-between are too narrow ...

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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I decided against my original plan ,

scrapped the idea ...

 

removed the part at the spine ...

had to do this surgically .... :crybaby:

 

fpn_1544966105__dscf8349.jpg

 

 

Beautiful ...

fpn_1544966145__dscf8351.jpg

 

What you notice also is that the flowers are not regularly spaced apart.

They seem to be hand positioned...

Adds to the overall aesthetic.

 

amazing ...

 

 

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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I can somewhat understand - not having the plain cover in front of me, of course. It's a pity. What would be the effect of just a narrow strip of dark material, no emboss/deboss, at the spine? to counter the "unfinished" impression of the paper only. Do you think it's because of the color? Too bad you cannot "wash" it with a different color... like an ink or watercolor wash...

a fountain pen is physics in action... Proud member of the SuperPinks

fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pi

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Studying some options ...

 

Colourful scheme

Orange / vermillion base ...

fpn_1544966362__dscf8353.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544966431__dscf8354.jpg

 

 

Olive drab ...

This one holds promise ...

fpn_1544966463__dscf8355.jpg

 

 

Light Blue

fpn_1544966516__dscf8356.jpg

 

 

 

Kind of blood red ...

This I am also attracted to ...

Floral imprint ...

fpn_1544966550__dscf8358.jpg

 

 

Rust Orange ..

fpn_1544966624__dscf8359.jpg

 

 

Bluish Green ...

fpn_1544966662__dscf8360.jpg

 

 

Hmmm ...

wonder what works .. .?

 

I feel like going for red , something not totally plain ...

 

 

 

 

 

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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The blood red and bluish green look interesting to me.

Edited by mhguda

a fountain pen is physics in action... Proud member of the SuperPinks

fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pi

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Studying some options ...

 

Colourful scheme

Orange / vermillion base ...

fpn_1544966362__dscf8353.jpg

 

 

fpn_1544966431__dscf8354.jpg

 

 

Olive drab ...

This one holds promise ...

fpn_1544966463__dscf8355.jpg

 

 

Light Blue

fpn_1544966516__dscf8356.jpg

 

 

 

Kind of blood red ...

This I am also attracted to ...

Floral imprint ...

fpn_1544966550__dscf8358.jpg

 

 

Rust Orange ..

fpn_1544966624__dscf8359.jpg

 

 

Bluish Green ...

fpn_1544966662__dscf8360.jpg

 

 

Hmmm ...

wonder what works .. .?

 

I feel like going for red , something not totally plain ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this red karakami paper might work ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2016/KARAKAMI%20238%20-%20241/239%20KARAKAMI%20-%20Red%20Stiks/DSCF5744_zpsqsoljing.jpg

 

 

Its handmade paper too ...

and handprinted ....

cost me two $bombs !!!

:wacko:

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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