Handmade Art Journal
Posted: March 9, 2023 Filed under: gel press, Handmade book | Tags: Fabriano Watercolour Paper, gel press, gel printing, Handmade book 10 Comments
A couple of weeks ago I posted photos and description of the handmade book with Coptic binding which I made as a participant in the November 5-Day challenge from the Handmade Book Club. I really like the construction and binding of this particular book so I made another one, this time with cold pressed watercolour pages and a gel printed cover.
The pages in this book are seven inches square so the covers are a little larger. When I went through my very large stash of gel prints I didn’t have two pieces large enough and matchy-matchy enough for my liking. Hard to believe I know, because my gel print collection now inhabits two large boxes. Knowing that I needed at least 9″ x 9″ prints I made a couple on rice paper especially for this journal. The pretty circle/tile pattern in the print is from a piece of embossed cardstock I have been holding onto for a very long time ‘just in case I needed it!’
I make my covers from the thick cardstock backs of watercolour paper pads. You can buy bookboard, but my stash of thick cardstock pieces is large and easily sturdy enough. I printed the cover patterns on rice paper which folds beautifully over the thick cardboard.
As you might have noticed from recent art journal posts, I’ve been creating in a 6″ x 6″ journal for my classes and at home. This one is just that little big bigger so I’m excited to get started in it.
Stay tuned to see what I put in this journal. I think it is safe to say some of the prints from those two big boxes will end up in here! Hope your day includes a book, in some shape or form.
Heather Telford 
Beautiful and very skillfully put together Heather and the cover looks fabulous. Looking forward to seeing what gorgeous art you put within it. x
Beautiful watercolor journal. Congratulations on creating such a beautiful book!
What a beautiful journal. Watching you complete this will be a joy. Can’t wait.
Tish
Love the colours of the covers!
WOW! That binding is impressive and so eye catching. The wire work had to hurt your fingers. Love the brilliant blues on this! How I’d love to learn to do this! This is fabulous!
Hi Nancy,
thanks for your enthusiastic encouragement. The binding is linen thread and done with a needle so no wire to hurt my fingers and not hard once you get into a rhythm.
Thanks for the information. SO glad you didn’t have to deal with wire.
nicely done. love the color. fun to try out new bindings with the club. thanks as always for sharing and all the inspiration.
LOVE.. I love making books too.. doing a series of different types of bindings. No 37 is on it’s way 🙂
ooooh! What a beautiful book! On my list of “one day I shall…”. Thank you for sharing this treasure.