Post Modern Expression in Journaling

Or at least that's what Bob calls 'em~  This one is stitched differently.  Rather than have the long exposed stitches in the center of the spine, here there are two sets of stitches visible near each end of the spine.  It's not more secure, but purely for effect.

Due to the nature of this material, I reinforced stress points on all three of the books that I made.  The red felt triangle gives strength where the tie (or wrap) is attached.  Inside, the spine has a second layer of the foiled foam.

Red felt, stitching, bookmark and strap make it fun and fabulous! 

Oops!  Dixie told me it sold on the first day! 

Size - 5.5 x 4.25 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.  

Red Leather Journal - reclaimed

Red Leather.  So vibrant and pretty - plus you can find it in your backpack soooooo much easier! *chuckle*

This leather is reclaimed from a garment that I painstakingly took apart - stitch by stitch.  It was headed to the landfill - can you believe it?  Not anymore.  Now it'll be enjoyed in a whole new way for years to come.

There are more coming for you to see out of this leather!

Size - 5.5 x 4.25 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.  

Fused Plastic Journal, Tan with Brghtly Colored Stitching

This fused plastic journal uses four shopping bags from two different stores.  The printing on the bags can be seen through all the layers.  Looks like shadows and things -- I think it looks cool.  The closure and the spine are reinforced with the scrap from the fused plastic process.  Nothing wasted!

The bags had orange and green printing on them so who was I to argue with the color scheme?  heh  In reality, Joey and I couldn't decide which color would look best, so I used both.  heh.  The perk is that it has two bookmarks now, one in each color.

Here's a shot with the tie or wrap removed so you can see the stitches better.  Definately a book to feel good about using!

Size - 5.5 x 4.25 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.  

Embossed Leather Journal with a "fluffy" cord

I love this embossed leather!  I was making this book with it when Morgan asked why I didn't have one with a thick "fluffy" cord.  (I make these cords for handles on bags and things and she just loves 'em) So of course, this one had to have a fluffy cord to close it~

Size - 7 x 5 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.  

Sapphire Blue Leather Journal

Here it is!  The same delicious leather that I told you about on my sketchbook.  This book has black cord stitching and black suede lacing as a tie.  There's a silver bead on the bookmark and the tie that holds the book closed.

I used the natural edge of the leather - cause I just love doing that - on the flap.  THIS is the book that I almost kept for myself!

Size - 5.5 x 4 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.  

Bright and Shiny Journal

How fun is this?  Bob calls it a "Post Modern Expression in Journaling"!  LOL  Whatever you call it, it's darn cool.  I made three of 'em so far - Joey nabbed one, Dixie got one and this one it going on Etsy.  What?  Yes, of course!  They are all different~

Red felt, stitching, bookmark and strap make it fun and fabulous! 

Oops!  Dixie told me hers sold on the first day! Don't miss out --- not sure I can get more of this material.

Size - 5.5" (14 cm) x 4.25" (10.8 cm) and 1.18" (3 cm) thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

White Fused Plastic Journal - Recycle Reuse

Another book in my journey to make something beautiful from the bin (waste bin that is).  Vibrant and tactile, this journal is a keeper.  Fused plastic takes time and patience but knowing that I'm keeping these pieces from the landfill, or worse, destroying our already suffering marine wildlife makes the work so fulfilling!

I've designed a unique closure for this book and made the tie or wrap out of the handles of the bags.  Again, nothing wasted!  Maybe that'll be my new moto. *wnk* 

It just begged for brightly colored stitching, so out came Joey's favorite - Lime Green - cord.  Matching bookmark.

The process creates unique pieces.  Even with the same materials, this book can NEVER be duplicated exactly.

OHHH!  This journal was featured in the Etsy Treasury Color me Joyful!  Sweet!

Size - 7" (17.8 cm) x 5" (12.7 cm) and 1.18" (3 cm) thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

Tan Leather Journal - Felt Lined with Original Art

This piece of leather is so soft that I decided to line it with black felt to give it more body.  It's machine stitched at 1/4 " from the edge.

The design on the front is a freehand doodle.  I used a strip of this leather for the bookmark.  This image makes it appear that there's a flaw in the leather, but it's only a place where the nap is laying down.  You can brush your hand across this leather and see the marks.  Great for finger doodling!
 

I stitched the signatures to the cover with a bright blue cord and wanted something special for the closure. It just begged for silver beads and a metal star button.  Don't you think?

Inside, I used the last of some 24 lb acid free resume paper that I had.  It has a smooth surface and is marbled in gray.  Each signature has a piece of blue marbled paper around it.  They are so inviting that I think I'm going to do something to the pages of some of the future books as well.  hmm? Yes, I do mean inviting.  You just want to start writing your story as soon as you open this book!

Size - 5.5" (14 cm) x 4" (10.2 cm) and 1.18" (3 cm) thick
Paper - 192 pages (both sides) of 24 lb resume paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketching - Yes
• Washes- very light
• Stamping -Yes

Sapphire Blue Leather Sketchbook

Oh yeah!  Can I just say how rich and wonderful this leather is?  How it's a treat to the eyes and the hands?  How it's soft and supple and such an awesomely cool color that I can't even describe it to you?  Would it be ok to say that about this leather?  Even if I told you this book is claimed already? *wink*

I was making a book for Dixie out of this leather and almost didn't send it to her cause I just fell in love.  Luckily there was enough left for me to make this sketchbook for myself, so I was good and sent the book out to go in Dixie's store. 

My book has 320 pages of 50 lb canson sketch paper and I LOVE drawing in it.

Tribble Trouble -- errrrr Rabbit Fur Journal

How's that for unique?  You can have your very own rabbit journal and you can pet it and brush it.  Go ahead, just try to not stroke the fur! *wink*

The book closes with a button that goes through a hole that was already in the skin.

With a lay flat binding and a cord bookmark, this is one journal that you won't see everyday -- unless you are the one that takes it home that is!

Size - 5.5 x 4 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.  

A puffin shall lead them - Hiking Stick

Hiking Staff in this case, it's 6' 4" tall. This is an example of what some of our hiking sticks are like.  Bob made this one for me in 2001.  He finished the cleaning and smoothing stage and went to work.  I loved holding it and kept looking at it.  The little stem that he's left near the top just looked like a bird to me --- so I grabbed my wood burning stuff and started to play.  An hour or so later, I had this design and was attaching fibers and tassels.  What?  You don't have tassels on your hiking staff? huh?  Really?

There have been several feathers, shells and bits attached to the fibers over the years.  This staff never, ever, fails to get comments when we are out on the trail --- so it was the start of Bob and I doing hiking sticks.

All coloration of the beak is natural!  When I finished the thing, I was worried about Bob being upset that I'd taken over his project.  Silly me: he wasn't!

Bob is working on getting some finished to sell.  Stay tuned!

Fused Plastic Journal

Ok, have I told you that I hate to throw things away?  Well I do!  We, as a society, get so much stuff!  All that stuff we buy comes in packaging and is nicely put into bags for us.  Packaging and bags are a real problem for the environment --- so here's how I'm repurposing the plastic bags that I (and my friends and neighbors) get while shopping.

This book is made from three shopping bags.  It's completely unique.  Even if I use the same bags again, the finished result will be different!  Isn't that awesome!

Ok, the outer cover is a deep purple with the tan webbing over it. There are copper bands that wrap around the piece.  The tie is also from the fused plastic and secured with a button. The stitching and bookmark are a luscious purple thread.  Yummo!

The inside of the cover is a rich copper and features a flysheet (decorative and protective page) made from a booklet that Teavana dropped into the bag. Nothing wasted!

The pages are hand torn and they lay flat so it's really easy to write, sketch or stamp in this type of book! 

Size - 7 x 5 inches and is 1.18 inches thick
Paper - 240 pages (both sides) of 24 lb recycled writing paper

Recommended Uses

• Writing - Yes
• Sketch - Yes
• Washes- light
• Stamping -Yes

This journal is available at Whistlin Dixie - Dillsboro, NC.