A5 Distressed Forest Green Leather Journal - hand made paper

Rustic A5 (22 x 16cms), genuine leather hand-bound journal/notebook. Can be used for an Inspiration Diary, Dream Recording, Travel Journal.

Made with a beautiful forest green, distressed look, genuine leather hide. Bound with black waxed linen thread and is made with my own hand made paper, 8 signatures in total, each consisting of 6 folded pages, giving you 192 write-able pages. A feature of this journal is the inclusion of my own Tree of Life original art print in the first signature flanked by a sheet of gold & silver metallic premium papers. German Hahnemuhle 290gsm Bamboo fine art paper is used for the print.

I really wanted to add yet another dimension to my journals so I have been creating hand made paper using my recyclables at home. Of course as with the journals themselves, I am saying my handmade paper is quite rustic, but definitely very beautiful. It is quite a lengthy process and I can usually get around 12-15 sheets from one batch of pulp I make up. I do love to make the paper as fine as I can when the pulp batch is almost finished. So the paper you find in your journal will be differing thicknesses and some may have little holes or imperfections. But I haven't included anything I wouldn't want to see myself in a journal if I was purchasing it.

This particular journal is really special as it is made entirely with my hand made paper (apart from the print & 2 specialty metallic sheets). The recycling papers I have on hand and shred determine the colouring for the papers. This journal consists of 3 different batches of soft duck egg blue papers, very beautiful. The first sheet of each signature has my cyclamen and orchid flowers I saved from last winter added to the paper pulp. They have created quite a dreamy water colour effect through the paper. I also did a pen test on pages that weren't quite up to scratch, and the paper can be written on with a biro or the fine felt tip pens that are everywhere these days (I like using the Artline 200).

All of my leather hides are sourced from an Australian Tannery located in Victoria. Their philosophy is to source the best Australian hides and finishes to create the perfect product. I am extremely happy with the quality of all the leathers I have sourced from them. Where possible I like to work with the natural edging of the hide to give the journal added character. Each hide is different with many lovely quirks - holes, differing colour gradients and natural blemishes. Attached wrap around lacing closes the journal. This is a sturdy 1.8-2mm leather and is quite firm. Of course being natural leather, will be strong and durable. I have also sewn a small titanium coated stone where the lacing comes through, it flickers with rainbow colours when caught in the light, just a little extra touch to add to the uniqueness of this journal.

I have included a couple of process images as well this time, so you have an idea of what goes into the creation of these journals. One features a journal as it is being sewn and the other is a collage layout of the paper being made in my lounge. I do have a wonderful work space but with so many different things on the go at once, I tend to spread myself out into the living area as well. The big glass windows mean such beautiful light and sunshine streaming in.

This very unique and special journal can be used for the recording of all your precious words or dreams. The journal arrives to you wrapped and packaged in a gift box made of recycled materials.