Monday, March 31, 2008

The Perfect Travel Journal

If you've been a reader for a while you will know of my search for the perfect journal and how I solved the ongoing dilemma by making my own.
'As For Italy' by Jean Francois Revel (copyright 1959) is one of the journals I made prior to my own trip to Italy at the end of 2006.  I took it with me all the way, and brought it home again, empty, untouched.  I had made too many journals to possibly fill on my trip, and this one was the last one, left blank.
I love this book!  I removed the original book block from it's cover, reinforced the spine, created a new book block out of the best quality artists watercolour and drawing papers, included a couple of the original pages (including the title page) and sewed it up using a technique that allows the book to open flat, but is strong and has no gaps at the spine.
I added a ribbon page marker, an elastic closer, a vellum pocket inside the back cover and some foldout maps I printed on my inkjet printer.  

I have no idea when, if ever, I will get to visit Italy again.  I think I'm finally ready to part with this perfect little gem, so I've actually listed it for sale in my Etsy shop.  It is very special and will be every bit as special to it's new owner, I'm sure!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your books are gorgeous, I love looking at them I am sure the new owner will love it as much as you have :D

Anonymous said...

Hello Jan
Great, that you spend some of your time online to share valuable information via your blog.

Keep it up!

Best regards

Kathy
www.tivamo.com

Mim said...

I just treated myself to a present...this book! Thanks

Jan Allsopp said...

Thanks Nix and Kathy, and THANKS Mim! I know you will enjoy filling it's pages!

quirkyartist said...

These are wonderful. I haven't tried using old covers for a new book. I'm not sure I have the skills or the equipemtn, but I'll have to have a try.