It’s getting a bit more crowded in my studio/library. Look at what my wonderful husband got me for Christmas – a bookbinding press! I’ve been wanting one of these forever and kept putting it off but I guess my husband probably got tired of me using his heavy art books to press my books. haha.
I haven’t had the chance to use it yet as I am taking a little break from bookbinding but I have some projects in mind so I’ll use it soon.
I also didn’t tell you but over the holidays another present I got was the Flow Book for Paper Lovers. There are some gorgeous cards, tags and of course papers in this book. I almost don’t want to use them but oh I will. And, I also bought the latest issue of Pages Magazine. There’s a great little tutorial on long and link stitching and some cool art jouranling techniques to try.
This year I want to make a new journal style to add to my shop. One thing that is important for me is that a book lie flat so it’s easy to use but I’m curious what type of journals do you like? A lot of people have asked me about lined pages but I don’t make lined journals because I can’t find lined paper that is not already a sewn or glued text block. I love the sewing part of bookbinding so I can’t give that up.
Anyway, what kind of journals do you like? Heavy papers, mixed papers, big, small? What about colors? Leather or cloth? Let me know. I’d love to find hear your thoughts and find inspiration for a new journal.
That is so cool–can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Wow, that bookbinding press looks beautiful! What a great thoughtful present from your husband! I don’t think I have ever used one of those. I need to check out the Flow book for Paper Lovers – it looks very interesting.
That’s a lovely gift you’ve got from your husband! Hope you’ll share some pics with us of the projects you do with it. 🙂
What a great gift! Enjoy!
I wouldn’t get any use out of a bookbinding press, but it would make a pretty decoration in my house! I love it. I hope you get lots of good use out of it.
I am tempted to say my favorite types of journals are the ones you make. 🙂 And that’s true to a great extent. I love the attention to detail and that they are homemade. It adds to their value. I think my ideal journal is probably medium sized. Not too small and not too big.
I’ve only taken a few book-binding classes, but I was crazy about each one. For you to have that press is so wonderful! One does need the necessary supplies, including beautiful paper. Perhaps this will be the year that I use the journal I have from you, with such gorgeous stitching and beads in the binding. Usually leather bound journals are my favorite, but the stitching you are able to do on the outside edge is breathtaking.
Tiffany – Me too! 🙂
Athira – I hope you check out Flow. It’s so amazing! One time I saw a copy at B&N so you may be able to find it here without having to order it.
Melody – I promise I’ll share pics!
Kailana – I need to get back to bookbinding for sure 🙂
Literary Feline – I would love to have an antique one, not to use but for decoration! haha… Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I have started making some medium sized journals and have an idea for another type. It’s just so hard to find the time to do the fun stuff, right?
Bellezza – Oh I hope you use your journal. It’s so much fun to open up the pages to a new one. I think we probably all get a bit of the “oh no it’s a white page” but just go for it. And, yes, aren’t leather journals gorgeous? There are some Etsy sellers who make beautiful leather journals. I need to treat myself to one, one of these days!
Wow! It’s beautiful! What a nice gift from your husband.
As for journals, I prefer unlined pages but lines are ok as long as they aren’t too wide or too narrow. I write with fountain pens so the paper needs to be fairly smooth though a laid paper if it isn’t too rough is nice. The paper has to be thick enough my ink doesn’t bleed through the pages. I like a journal that lays open to make writing easier. Since I am vegan I never use anything made from leather no matter how pretty it is. But I’m probably in the minority on that! Size, I like the size of the Moleskine or the Leuchtrum 1917 very much. So not sketchbook big but not little either. Have fun with all your new plans! 🙂