the Visitors book

St. John's Anglican Church in Creswick is a lovely church; 

a modest, sturdy building deserving of a dignified place to record visitors.

 

 

..I'm afraid this isn't it.

but after a dang good clean up and some binder's magic,

in the form of a dropspine flatback hard case,

cloth hinged, 5 hole single section binding,

supported at the spine with linen, inset between split boards

(totally removable by slicing the string, just in case you want to refill it)

cloaked in classic Black Arbelave Buckram

and smooth walnut Bazzill endpapers...

 

 

.. you have a Vistors Book worthy of many years more.

TLC for Little Women

Some of the most personal and personally satisfying repair work I have the privilege to do is for books that have been read many times, loved and passed on, and in need of love to keep them fresh for the reading once more.

With TLC and a binders gentle hand, they can offer joy to even more readers, 

and bring generations together.

This is such a book.

..brought to me in a plastic pocket, to keep all the bits together, this well loved copy of 'Little Women' really did need some help - broken and falling apart.

Rebacking using original boards, from a taped and disintegrating paper cover,

rebuilding lost page pieces and reinserting broken pages,

whilst keeping the character and personal inscriptions of the original book.

The new cover cloth was chosen from those grey cloth types available today, 

after months of searching for matching cloth - even stalking op-shops to try to find a similar era book from which to pillage matching vintage cloth.. but with no luck.

We chose the lovely, tactile Basalt colour of 'Record' bonded linen.

I'm glad to say my lovely customer was thrilled with the result.

To be sure this little gem will stand the test of weather and storage in the modern time, 

a custom archival phasebox was crafted and titled.

Ready to be read, to be loved; to live on.

The 'Nocturne' album, for a quiet afternoon

The newest offering from the Sago bindery is dedicated to my fella.

You can find it at the Design Exchange event this Sunday 17th.

He is hard-working, dedicated to his trade, and devoted to his family. His taste in things is classic, but robust.  He would rather go without and wait to find that special something made well with loving hands. Have less; be picky.

He has learned with age to enjoy more quiet moments, as have I - a sleep on the lawn with the pup, laying in the hammock, gentleness with the kids, sipping a coffee, and a beer or a nip as the sun retreats. He also enjoys playing a bit on the guitar, 

and looking at treasured old photos. 

  

I think his style informs my work even more as we get older.

This album is inspired by him; it is the most handsome and robust design I have, and is made with equally masculine materials.

*Black, leather-grained 200gsm alpha-cellulose from KWDoggett

*Strong black hide from local Greenhalghs Tannery

*Waxed black linen thread, 4 ply, from Ireland

*Polished stainless steel closure studs, from Italy

Black-on-Black.  Nothing extraneous. Nothing prissy.

'Nocturne', for a quiet afternoon.

I have made seven in this set.

Each one is slightly different. Unique. Made by me.

30 pages, drymount, guarded, and ready for your images.

I will have six for sale at the Design Exchange on Sunday 17th.

We will keep one, for my fella.

 

"HELP - MY NEW LEATHER JOURNAL IS TOO NICE TO DRAW IN"

As co-incidence would have it, I have heard or read four people this week remark that they are too scared to draw in their new leather journal. So, I thought it timely to add a few thoughts..

 

 

 

A blank journal is the only waste ;)

Use it.
No erasers.
No hesitation.

... You are what you draw - never make apologies for it. No matter how flawed, lame or incomplete you think your jottings are, your grandchildren and great grandchildren will treasure them as the very fabric of your soul.

How do I know? Because I spend many hours repairing and restoring journals from years past that the author may have dreaded to think might one day be precious.

Break out that leather journal and pour your soul upon it, unashamed and honest - your descendants will be grateful you did..

and remember - no matter how convenient the kindle and the ipad, no-one wants to inherit one. It's leather, paper and ink that make memories. 

xx