But to help with my disappointment, while on our way to the Farmacia St. Maria Novella, Robyn took me to a wonderful little shop where they sold hand tooled leather books and other lovely things. She warned me that we were just going to look because everything was way too expensive. But I fell in love with this beautiful leather sketchbook/journal which had the book seperate from the leather cover. The clerk told me I could always order more inserts. So I dished out many euros for it and have loved it ever since!
I am almost done with the insert which has paper that is not very good for sketching. So today I made a new handbound sketchbook with nice Fabriano Artistico 90lb hot pressed paper, covered it with Canson pastel paper in bright orange-yellow and decorated it with an ATC on the cover. I added a ribbon as a place holder and it's now ready for next month's adventure to a far away land..............
Leather Bookcover Sketchbook/Journal insert
Insert easily removed from bookcover
My new handbound sketchbook/journal
What a wonderful book! You will be able to enjoy it for many years as you make lots of inserts.
or "Art, not Fear"
I hope to make a foldable watercolor accordion tomorrow or the next day.
This is so cool Marta. Could you please show us the basics of book binding sometime? Thanks.
Thanks everyone! Yes Shirley, I can see my selves lines with colorful (completed) sketchbooks!
Knitting Painter Woman: my full wc sheet is out also and ready to be folded for a gift for a dear friend. Those are fun to do also.
Ai; Go to Martha's TrumpetVines Travels where she has great bookbinding instructions. I also have books that I refer too. Maybe one day I'll do a youtube video of the whole process!
Fantastic! Which bookbinding method did you use! Just have to know!
Sherrie Roberts
((( Circle of Travel Hugs)))
Hey! Check out those store dates..
Hi Sherrie, I used a coptic binding so my pages will lay flat when open.
Thank-you! Marta. Love the La Senorita Pastel de Roja! I hope that is not to bad for my Highschool Spanish memory.
((( Circle of Hugs)))
Sherrie Roberts
I know what you mean about the attraction of handmade leather books. I live just south of Florence and the local town (citta di castello) had a medieval festival. All the residents dress up and make local food and drinks etc. Well I came upon a stall selling handmade books and just couldn't resist buying one. Now I need to fill it up.
Neal
Simply fabulous, inside and out! Can't wait to see what happens on the pages.
Dear Marta, Since I have been such a Bad Blogger recently I missed this lovely memory of our day together in Florence. I never return to Florence without 'seeing' you as I turn a familiar corner.
Glad you still love that little book and very impressed with your refills. xoxo