I’m playing in another round of What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday, where I’m joining 100+ other folks in snapping the current landscape of their workspace.
This week you can see I’m doing a bit of journal construction. And because I kind of like having a few things going at once, I’ve got three projects here.
I’ve made most progress on the top large journal – I’ve got the signatures sewn in. The cover is a recycled book cover, quite large like a child’s picture book. To be honest, I’m not really a fan of deconstructing perfectly good books, but if, as in this case, the book was damaged beyond repair, recycling it into a new life feels fun. I’ve kept the signature pages deliberately smaller than the cover because I’m wanting to sew in fold up and down pages onto some of the signatures pages. We’ll see how that works. I’m also trying out some colors here – blue or green – as I want to change the end papers I originally chose. The cover has been painted with a background coat of orange that will do for now, as I haven’t decided if I want to paint or collage something on it.
Underneath the journal are papers I’m folding for signatures for another journal. I’ve got a variety of papers and I’m deciding how I want to divvy them up in the signatures. So I’ve got them laying out where I can see and touch them as I decide. This one is going to bound in such a way that the pages can actually slip out and aren’t permanently attached. I can get that all done before I decide on what paper I want to use for the cover.
And finally, there’s a hardcover book, Growing Wings, that I’ll be turning into a journal. This was a seriously damaged book but many of the pages are salvageable and I certainly couldn’t resist the title. I’m going to leave the cover as is, but I’m currently cutting out a number of pages. Because I tend to work “thick” – always including fold outs and envelopes and secret little bits, it’s very helpful to have the extra room available that results from removing adjoining pages. Even if I do this my journals are always very very fat. Once I have as many pages cut out as I feel like, I’ll go back and gesso the majority of remaining pages so I have something I can draw and paint on.
I always keep multiple, and I mean MULTIPLE journals going at once. Sometimes it feels like too much and I’d like to be the kind of person who uses only one journal for everything. So I try that for a brief time, but it just doesn’t feel right and I go back to my myriad. What about you – are you an everything-in-one-place journaler or a dedicated diversifier? Do you have a favorite brand of journal you purchase? Or, and this is a question I ask every journaler I know – do you know where I can find my perfect all-time favorite purchased journal? It was 10×7 and had a jumbo spiral binding with the loops measuring 2.5 inches in diameter. Ah, heaven, that kind of journal can expand to accommodate a treasure keeper like me! Have anything journal-related to share? Please leave a comment – you know I love to hear.
Oh goodness, aren’t you busy – it looks like you are going to have some fab journals when you are finished. I keep sketchbooks and like you I usually keep them for themes of work rather than everything in one book. I love the idea of making my own – perhaps one day!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, happy WOYWW and I hope you have a great week.
Thanks Diana. Have a great creative week, and thanks for stopping by.
wow what a busy person you are I am not a journal person so I find it hard to know what you would put in so many different journals. I like the idea that you make your own journals
Sending hugs and hoping you have a great day
Ria #74
Thanks for stopping by Ria and happy WOYWW. We’re all into such different things it’s a real treat to do some blog hop peeking.
I tend to have notebooks rather than journals for a variety of things. But I have found that I love having a Reminder Journal. Each page has only one sentence or one quote on it. It is a reminder of something that is very meaningful to me. I have totally enjoyed this journal. Ginny #98
That’s a really lovely practice Ginny.
Hi Deborah.
I know what you mean about taking apart old books. I picked some up in library sales and now see it as giving something unwanted a new lease of life. I don’t even hesitate nowadays as I tear out pages, paint over them 🙂 Isn’t it just recycling?
Have fun filling the pages with loveliness.
Tracy #76
Yes, it’s nice to create new treasures from old. Thanks for stopping by Tracy – I appreciate it.
You have lots of space to work – can’t wait to see what you do with that white page.
April #131
Nothing like the lure of a blank page. Thanks for stopping by April.
Oh I can’t wait to see that finished journal… what kind of paper do you use? …folding up and down pages sewn in – Yes! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Jana #108
I really love Fabriano watercolor papers Jana and that’s what I’ve used for the sewn-in signatures. I’ll use something lighter for the folded pages. I confess to be a paper junkie and I’m always experimenting.
Cant wait to see the finished journal, always good to have a few going so as not to get bored
Bridget #11
Thanks Bridget. I agree and also think having blank journals ready to go is a great creative incentive.
Sorry, I’m not a journal crafter at all, but I do love your idea on recycling damaged books! OK, I am asking my WOYWW folks to rally behind me and I truly need your support. I am in a contest and the voting ends today so it’s now or never. PLEASE go vote for me, yes, I am begging, lol http://www.genuinelyjanestudios.com/genuinelyblog/gjs-design-a-book-contest-top-three-finalists-announced/
waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥
Congratulations Sandee – how fun to be a finalist! Looks like you’re in the lead – good luck.
i’m a multiple journaller too – depends what mood i’m in… 🙂
sorry it’s taken so long to reply – the days have just evaporated!
happy belated WOYWW x
I appreciate you stopping by Claire, and I totally agree with you about time evaporating!