the classics collection

These books were a real find. Hidden in the back of a charity shop, a box full of classics, most which had succumbed to damp and mould, and weren’t looking too hot. But these six books, while the pages were in bad condition, still had perfect covers. Which is just what I like to see!

The hardback covers of these books have been reused to create unique journals. Each journal is filled with 128 pages (256 sides) of 80gm white paper, divided into 8 signatures. Each signature has a piece of decorative paper wrapping the spine, which compliments the design of the cover, and gives the journal a real finished look. The original spine of the book also serves as a bookmark. The book has been stitiched together using a coptic stitch, with white linen thread.

In this collection, I have:

- ‘Wuthering Heights’, by Emily Bronte

- ‘The Hall of the House of Usher, and other stories’, by Edgar Allan Poe

- ‘Great Expectations’, by Charles Dickens

- ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’, by Thomas Hardy

- ‘The Mill on the Floss’, by George Eliot

- ‘Moby-Dick’, by Herman Melville

I’m always on the lookout for old books with interesting covers, which are damaged and unusable, but still able to be repurposed as journals. It’s rare to come across books like this with the covers still in such great condition – they make fantastically unique journals!

 

 

 

 

leather stamp

This was a commissioned book – a 70th birthday present for a man who plans to write his memoirs. The best way to get started on that? A large leather-bound book, heavy 130gm paper, and maybe a fountain pen. That’s what I’d do, anyway.

The personalising of this book makes it really unique – the name has been stamped into the leather, and the front page includes a message from family. I also included decorative end papers, just to finish it off nicely. The book has 160 pages (320 sides) divided into ten signatures, which have been stitched directly to the leather using a longstitch. The white linen thread stands out really well on the dyed leather, and becomes a real feature of the book. The book measures 20cmx20cm, and its square shape will make it perfect for capturing memories across the page.

 

 

I regularly take orders for books of different sizes, shapes, designs, personalisation, etc. If you’d like to order a book for a gift – for someone else or yourself – drop me an email at theworkshop360@live.co.uk.

expandable mark II

These are getting better! This journal is similar to the last ones I posted – but with much more detail, and with the creases ironed out. The journal is hardback, and the covers are designed using postage stamps from across the world, postmarked between the 1950s-1970s. The inside covers are made from sections of maps from a 1970s world atlas.

The journal consists of 6 sections of 160gsm paper – 72 pages (144 sides) in total. Each section is wrapped with a map page for added detail. In addition, between each section of paper is stitched folded pockets, made from index pages from the same atlas – these are perfect for filling up with tickets, cards, mementos, etc. There are 5 of these index page folders – 20 pockets in total.

The best feature of this journal is the expandable spine. This is securely closed and fastened with brown cord and two buttons on the front cover – this can be loosened to allow the spine to open up, expanding the journal to hold all the additional bits and pieces you pick up while travelling. The book is kept closed with a cord and button fastener. The images here show the book both in its original state, and fully expanded – click on the images to enlarge. I’m really pleased with this journal – it’s unique and quirky, and perfect for summer travels.

I’ll be selling this journal and many more at St George’s Market this Saturday, and Victoria Square on Sunday. I regularly make journals to order – if you’d like to order an expandable travel journal, or anything else you’ve seen on the blog, drop me an email at theworkshop360@live.co.uk.

 

expandable travel journals… and a nod to the irish

Summer is fast approaching – and so is the travel itch! I’ve made quite a number of travel-related journals over recent months, but while I’ve been pleased with them, they’ve been lacking something. I think these two new journals go some way to fixing the problem.

For most people, a travel journal is something they can use to keep a record of a particular trip – and this isn’t just in written word. You might want to keep tickets, leaflets and info you’ve picked up along the way, cards and reminders of places you have visited and events that have meant something. Both of these journals are expandable, and this allows you to fill it up with all kinds of bits and pieces along the way.

Both journals are approx 16cm x 11 cm in size. The covers have been made from recycled hardboard from an old road atlas, which has been covered with pages from a 1970s world atlas. The first journal has an expandable spine, which will allow the journal to double its size, allowing you to add all your travel memorabilia. It also has a number of small envelopes stitched into its folds, allowing you to keep track of small bits and pieces – ticket stubs, receipts, etc. There are 80 pages in this journal made from heavy 120gsm acid-free paper, which will handle most inks, and is also sturdy enough for you to attach photos, etc. The book is securely closed with a cord at the side. In addition, the spine of the book is kept tight by two additional cords, which can be let out as the journal expands in size as you travel.

The second journal is similar in size and design, except that it can open from either side. It is made like a traditional accordion book, and will expand as much as is needed. Each side is securely closed with a cord – one side of the book can be opened for use while the other remains closed. This book contains 140 pages of 80gsm paper – the pages are in a variety of colours, and include some graph pages.

 

With a little nod to the Irish… people have been telling me I should be appealing to the many tourists that visit these fine shores! I’m slightly reluctant, and will be steering away from anything Titanic related. But I did have a go at creating an Irish-themed book, and I’m surprisingly pleased with the result. It’s hardback, slightly smaller than A5, with 96 pages of heavy acid-free paper, all hand-stitched with a little extra detail on the spine. The covers are made from a collage of images relating to N.Ireland. On the whole, not as bad as I’d anticipated.