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NewsletterExperimenting with Bookbinding
I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to save more complicated bookbinding for an art journal because I prefer to use something that opens out flat – easier to paint and draw on as well as leave to dry. I learned that coptic stitch binding creates that effect and is supposedly pretty easy to do as well. To keep my art journaling goals more approachable from an almost daily perspective, I decided to create a smaller journal size.
I should also mention that I’ve never learned bookbinding from a teacher, because complicated means more than stapling a booklet! A friend of mine took a bookbinding class, so I’ve been exposed to some of the techniques and tips. I watched this Coptic Stitch binding tutorial on Youtube and was able to follow along and complete my fat, but smaller sized art journal that lays out flat very nicely!
I actually created the cover back in 2003 from some Italian patterned paper I bought in Florence glued over some hardboard – just recycled the bottom board of an used notepad. I tend to make little pieces of projects and they sit around for occasions like this. I cut, folded and punched some heavy ivory paper, enough for a year of journaling and sewed it all together with my metal-twine. It was actually pretty weird, because the metal in the twine causing a lot of unnecessary twisting and you can see some parts of the metal sticking out already as the twine part wears down. I made some mistakes and tightened the covers too much, but it’s holding together nicely regardless.
I think it’s pretty cute for a homemade journal and I encourage everyone to make a small and approachable-sized journal. I got the idea back during Art Every Day Month in 2009, where Jennifer Lee from Life Unfolds blogged about her tiny art journal that made it convenient for quick and daily spurts of creativity. Fabulous idea, grazie!
Posted on January 14, 2010 at 11:18 am | bookbinding, work in progress
Hello fellow explorers and creative minds! My name is Linda, aka tortagialla - a nickname my adorable husband dubbed me meaning "yellow cake" in Italian. I'm your not-so-typical Californian girl who took the plunge and moved to the Tuscan hills of Italy. Now I'm living my dream designing, illustrating and crafting full-time. You can contact me via email linda [!at] tortagialla [!dot] com
I was amazed after looking at the first photo that it opens and lays flat so well! Nice! I think it turned out wonderful!
Hi Gretchen! Thanks so much…yeah coptic stitching…it’s great for art/craft type of journal!
This is totally beautiful and utterly amazing!! What a piece of art!! Thanks so much for sharing this bit of beauty. Thanks for stopping by too.
Hi Vanessa *blush* I would say the journal is a piece of art entirely…ahha…but thank you! You are so kind!
WOW. Totally and completely impressive and beautiful.
Hi Lori – thanks a bunch…I’m proud to have finished the journal so I can start doing random experiments within.
isn’t book making fun?! I make small, flat sketchbooks, filled with a variety of papers that I can just toss in my purse and take with me when I’m wandering cities or museums.
totally fun! it’s nice to be able to choose your paper, size and decorate as you want it to be. of course, i get carried away and create a lot more than i really need – eek!