I have been making journals again … after many, many years away from them.
But I didn’t used to hand bind them, and that, as it turns out, is quite a joyful thing!
I have a few books that teach how to do hand sewn bindings. I read them and about ten from the library. I got the gist of it, but couldn’t quite follow the actual instructions. This is not unusual for me. Written instructions usually don’t make much sense to me.
So, I thought I would give it a shot and see if I took in enough to create a sewn binding that I could actually do, and I did. What I learned along the way was quite fabulous really. I made jigs to hold and punch the paper for the cover and the interior pages, so that everything would line up when put together. I would say that for my first run at it, I did okay. Enough to want to create a bunch of them, which is what I have done.
What I was reminded of, from so long ago when I made journals in a previous life, it is a very serene practice. Even the sewing, which I wasn’t all that keen on really, turned out to be very pleasant.
Taking time to match handmade papers with the mandala that was to adorn the cover, was so quiet and zen like. A real meditation.
And so, here they are … the first few that are left from the mini show I did at the end of November.
Each one is an original, with a hand drawn mandala. They are designed to lay completely flat no matter where you open it … a must for a lefty like myself.
They have a pocket inside the front and back cover, and since pockets shouldn’t be empty, I have included some post cards!
Alas, the writing utencils do not come with the journal, for that you have to have your own!
They are available in my little online shop, if you want to read more about them!
As the season does it’s serious change and the time is thrown off by an hour, there is a bit of an adjustment to be done.
The full moon and eclipse season … a lot of energy and a tough environment to focus, but I keep coming back to my manifesto that I did in the summer … and it seems to bring me back to ground and moving in a nice direction.
I wish the same for you!
~sarah
Hi, Sarah! So happy to read that you too find the exacting process of journal-making a pleasureable challenge!
It’s over a decade since I last made one for a friend. Today, I couldn’t resist your *Magic & Mystery* journal-creation for my own delight.
My plan is to launch its use on or soon after New Year’s Day 2023 — 😊
xxoo — hugs to you and to Mary Ann too
Well my dear Kitty … if I were to pick one of the journals that felt like you … Magic & Mystery would have definitely been it! Thank you so much for your support of my work and for the love of things made by hand. ~s
Wow Sarah these are beautiful. You are so talented in so many ways, I still have one of your earlier journals. These are truly a work of art, Congratulations on finding yet another way to use your creative energy,
Thank you dear Beth … it is a joy to be working on these again, in a new way. I want to make more!!