Notebook covers

[MY63]

I have completed the dying process

The dragonfly is now oxblood

IMG_8266 by my0771, on Flickr

My wife had simplified the design for me as it was very complex even then it was still difficult to carve The final decision is not mine if Tiffany likes it then it is ok with me.


The other carved cover is the elephant which is going to be all black

IMG_8264 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[tiffanyhenschel]

I like it

[MY63]

Here are my latest completed notebook covers

IMG_8320_1 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8317_1 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8370_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

I have not made a notebook cover for a little while and have been thinking about this since I started learning to carve leather.

The original picture
White tipped Sea Eagle by my0771, on Flickr

The carving my plan was to use my own picture by tracing the outline which I may still do but I managed to find a free image online which is fine for practice

IMG_9009_1 by my0771, on Flickr

opinions welcome

Michael

[Kukuzovac]

This looks amazing. Keep up the good work!!

[Crazyorange]

It's great...one recommendation. Have the feather a little bit over the top of the eye....I think it might give depth to the feather layering.

[MY63]

Here is the link to the image I can't post the actual image as it is on my desktop machine and I am on the iPad and I don't know how to do it if I sort it later I can delete this

http://www.clker.com/cliparts/2/d/6/...gle%20Head.svg

My lovely daughter started to convert my picture to an outline for carving but when I found this image I ask her to stop because she is a busy girl, I will ask her very nicely to continue.
Crazyorange I think I understand like in the picture above do you mean move that funny shaped star like thingy (look no autocorrect for thingy) thanks for the input I appreciate it.

[MY63]

I plan at some point on making a notebook with this carving on the front this is my second attempt I must have thrown the first one away as I cant find it.

IMG_9214 by my0771, on Flickr

I find this very challenging although holding the carving tool is easier than holding a pen.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

It is some time since I made a notebook cover so I re read this thread to get re acquainted with the idea.

As ever I have a clear idea of what I want to make I wanted to use kip leather but it was too thin the alternative was to use a thicker leather but that does not have the same texture.

My solution is to laminate two pieces of kip together so here is the starting point

DSC_1664[1] by my0771, on Flickr

I am going to dye it .................................... maybe I will tell you next time.

Thanks for looking

[MY63]

I cut the piece of leather shown above in half and then glued the pieces together before starting to apply the dye I squared up the edges but larger that the desired size.

I have started applying the dye for some reason I had two half bottles which I mixed and applied to the cover.

DSC_1666[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[Crazyorange]

Love the color

[MY63]

Love the color

That is handy as it is yours If at any point you want me to stop adding dye just say stop

[Crazyorange]

Love the color

That is handy as it is yours If at any point you want me to stop adding dye just say stop

Keep going. I trust your eyes.

[MY63]

To Achieve the desired colour takes time and many coats of dye. I actually stopped counting at 20 coats I think the final number must have been closer to 30 now that it has dried thoroughly I can start to restore the soft feel of the leather by adding wax.

This colour will continue to darken over time

DSC_1752[1] by my0771, on Flickr

The inside is next

[MY63]

The inside took a little time to figure out.
The inside of the front is going to be for card storage while the inside of the rear is to be for paper storage.
I started with the front.
This is the background leather

DSC_1823[1] by my0771, on Flickr

I cut some card to give an idea of the size of the card pockets.

DSC_1826[1] by my0771, on Flickr

This is the top piece and the first pocket. the top piece provides the back of the first pocket and the first for the second all of the way down.
The end "Ts" are folded over to secure each one. In order for the ends to be folded under they have to be skived (thinned down).

DSC_1850[1] by my0771, on Flickr

This knife is old but it is very sharp and I have the scars to prove it the leather is 0.7 mm thick so removing half of the thickness is very difficult.

DSC_1851[1] by my0771, on Flickr

This yellow is very bright I have sewn down the right hand edge the top bottom and left edges will all be sewn when the front and back pieces are brought together.

DSC_1862[1] by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[Crazyorange]

Love it

[MY63]

A custom notebook requires a custom pen holder this is where I started I had dyed this piece of leather at the same time as the rest of the notebook.

23766118760_9c1b7e7602_z.jpgDSC_1855[1] by my0771, on Flick

I attached the elastic to this piece, rather than just leaving the elastic visible I made a sleeve from the yellow leather which I attached via the same stitching as the leather this allows different sized pens to be carried.

DSC_1869 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

The blue and yellow note book cover is coming along I have been thinking about remaking the card slots however I have not been able to come up with a better solution so I will put it together tomorrow.

I have accepted a commission to make a Hobonichi planner and a pen wrap the planner cover is going to have a carving of a bird on the front.

Here is my first practice piece.

DSC_1880[1] by my0771, on Flickr.

The leather is soaked in cold water and placed in a plastic sheet overnight before it is ready for carving which is done with a swivel knife.

[MY63]

Almost there. Today I have joined the inner and outer pieces together using latex adhesive and linen thread

DSC_1887[1] by my0771, on Flickr

I still need to tidy up the edges the card holder and the back section are not fixed at the inside so documents and even smaller note books may be stored behind.

DSC_1888[1] by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[Crazyorange]