Mini Journal - Coptic and French Link Stitches

This mini journal was made for a friend's birthday. I used the traditional Coptic and French Link binding method instead of SeaLemon's version that I used here and here. Since this journal is small (3" x 4"), I wasn't concerned about the cover and signatures not being structurally stable. 

I'm in a bookbinding/journal making zone lately and I'm loving it!

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Light Blue Journal with Scallop Duct Tape - Coptic and French Link Stitches

This is my second attempt at making a Coptic and French Link stitches art journal using  Sea Lemon's YouTube tutorial. My first journal using this method of binding is here.I'm still working on mastering the correct stitch tension but I'm happy with the outcome. I used a discarded book cover as is since it was in good shape and has a beautiful blue color. The edges where I removed the original spine is covered with pastel scallops duct tape. The finished size of this journal is 5.25 inches x 8.75 inches x 1 inch. 


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Red Flame and Purple Journals - Practice

Last night, I organized my journal making materials and supplies. I found these two fabric covers that I had kept unbound to use as samples for workshops. Instead of letting them sit, I cut up some drawing paper and bound both journals. The red flame journal is bound using the French link stitch and the purple journal uses the gathered long stitch. It was nice to practice binding just for fun. Great way to relax from the day.

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Commission Writing Journal

I recently completed a commission writing journal. Since it's main use is writing, I had to make sure there was enough blank pages. It was a fun challenge to make the journal my esthetic while making it functional for the end user.  

Music: Feeling Fine
URL: https://icons8.com/music/

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Doodle Journal - New Artwork

New doodles created in my Doodle Art Journal. I first posted about my Doodle Journal here.

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Doodle Journal - New Artwork

New doodles from my Doodle Art Journal. I first posted about my Doodle Journal here.

 
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Doodle Journal - New Artwork

I first posted about my Doodle Journal here. I used the 20+ year old gouache that I found in my storage recently for the first 3 new doodles. The last doodle was created on a page that was monoprinted before I sewn it into the journal.

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Doodle Journal New Artwork

I first posted about my Doodle Journal here. Here are the new doodles.

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"Hanging by a Thread" art journals

I'm still creatively inspired by the theme "Hanging by a Thread" so I made another art journal. I first posted about this art journal here. The new art journal is 6"x9.25"x1" using a discharged book as the front and back covers. I was drawn to the face on the front cover, which I thought the expression fit the theme of the art journal. Like the first art journal, I bound this new one using the Coptic stitch so the journal will lay flat when I work in it. There is only one folio per signature and bound a bit looser. I'm hoping that this alteration will allow the journal to close flatter once all the pages are marked.

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Doodle Journal

This is one of the first journals I have using Nik the Booksmith's Hollow Back Binding technique. I stored it away and forgot about it until recently when organizing my handmade journals. I decided to use it for my Doodle Art Journal. Currently, I have been creating in it on Friday night as a way to unwind from my week.

Here are the first doodles.

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"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

Another dark and moody new journal spread that epitomizes the theme of this journal - "Hanging by a Thread".


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My Current Art Journals

This weekend I took inventory of the journals that I'm currently working in. I find it beneficial that each one has a specific use.

Clockwise from the top left:

Mixed Media - 8.5"x9" used children's book made completely out of cardboard and covered with decorative duct tape. Great for mixed media. Right now this art journal is private.

Doodle - 5.5"x8.25" upcycled hard cover book used as substrate and covered with black and white commercial fabric with red ribbon. This journal is bound using hollow back binding method.Currently, using as my Friday Night Doodle art journal.

Hanging by a Thread - 5"x8.5" upcycled hard cover book bound using Coptic stitch. I have been posting artwork from this art journal almost weekly.

Camo - 4" square art journal covered with commercial camouflage fabric and bound using Coptic stitch with scrap paper for signatures. I'm using this little art journal to wipe off excess paint from my brush, test pens/markers and write notes. I haven't shown this journal yet since it's not being used as an art journal quite yet.

Commonplace - 5.5"x8.5" journal made from upcycled hard cover book bound with hollow back binding with black ribbon closure. I have shown parts of this journal. Most of the contents are private since I'm using it to write down thoughts to clear my mind.

Lettering - 6"x7.5" art journal was made using cardboard and collaged magazine images and bound with Coptic stitch. One of the first journals I made using the Coptic stitch. The signatures are 80lb drawing paper. I have been using this art journal to practice lettering. I have shared a few images and will probably show more as time goes on.

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"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

Dark and moody new journal spread that epitomizes the theme of this journal - "Hanging by a Thread". 





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2019 Grey Commonplace Journal update

I have been writing a lot in my 2019 Grey Commonplace Journal. This is the journal that I spoke about here. I have started to decorate the blank and written pages with fabric and thread. I would recommend sewing in the journal before it's bound. Of course, I didn't think of this step beforehand.

Here is how I sewn on the pages using my sewing machine. A bit awkward but it worked.

I used scraps of paper and fabric to make these decorative page accents. All 4 were sewn in using my sewing machine.

   
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"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

 Thanks for checking out my blog!

"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

 
 Thanks for checking out my blog!

"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

I made two short videos for the last two journal spreads. I posted both videos and close up photos on my Instagram page. If you're interested, click here and here.

 

 Thanks for checking out my blog!

"Hanging by a Thread" art journal update

Here are this week's journal spreads from my "Hanging by a Thread" art journal. To learn more about this art journal, click here.

Thanks for checking out my blog!