Book binding : The Pink Bloom Art Journal with watercolour papers
I always have at least one art journal going at all times, most of the time in an altered book. But I also enjoy having white pages waiting for me in the form of watercolor papers. It’s almost like an entirely different species of journal although I call both these categories “art journal” because they have a similar purpose for me. I fill them with random art experiments (and sometimes journaling), mostly going in chronological order from the first page to the last, and when one kind is filled I start in a new similar one. Dating the pages and going chronological is also a kind of “journaling” my days even when I am not writing on the actual page.
I have used store bought watercolor notebooks as well, but I also love making my own. The last one I made had an embroidered textile cover and it is now filled with drawings, doodles, watercolor paintings and some collage (flip-through coming soon as promised), so it was high time to create myself a new one.
Ordered watercolor paper, folded pages, sew them together, made the hard cover and picked a pink wallpaper to make it my own:
I used red vaxed thread to bind the signatures together, and I was so happy that I finally tackled this project. I have been kind of delaying finishing the previous one because I did not have the new one waiting for me, and because I did not have any watercolor papers to make it with, I delayed starting on making a new one as well. But oh boy, now I am happy that I started this project and made another journal that I will enjoy filling over the next couple of months or year.
I didn’t want the journal to be too thick, so I created thee signatures and added a few double-sided scrapbook papers from my stash, that wrap around each of the signatures. In my next one I’ll mix it up a bit more I think, but this time I wanted mostly watercolor papers because by now I am longing to paint freely on the page.
The Watercolour Paper
For those that are curious, the papers inside this journal comes from a pad of Canson Montval Watercolour Paper (24×32 cm) that has a natural white, cold pressed watercolour paper that I like to paint on. The thickness is 200 g/m2 (or gsm means grams per square meter and it equals 100 lb) which is perfect for folding and making into a book to me. 300 gsm is just too heavy I think. This paper pad comes with 100 sheets so I still have plenty left, maybe for 3-4 more books similar to this one (depending how thick I make them), or to use in different sized notebooks or painting projects.
The pink wallpaper is from Studio Pip and it called PIP Studio 2020 300160. I only have a small bit of it, so I was rather happy to use it on a handmade notebook that I will see and use a lot.
The end-paper is actually that IKEA wrapping paper that I mentioned recently and on the back edge, as a little flourish, I added a light pink lace edge.
A few more images of this beauty:
For now I am calling this book the Pink Bloom Art Journal – because of the cute, pink cover. Name might change though, as I get more into it or a theme more relevant occurs to me.
This post is part of NaBloPoMo where I write 30 blog posts in November. Thanks for reading and leaving me a comment, it encourages me to keep going. To follow along subscribe to blog posts via email or RSS. I also have a sweet Substack Newsletter about art, craft and creativity that you might want to sign up for so that we can keep in touch in the future. I’d love that. On instagram I’m @ihannas and on YouTube Studio iHanna. Take care and stay creative friends.
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That wallpaper cover is STUNNING. I can imagine the inside of my closet papered in that and *swoon*…
I knoooow, everything that Pip Studio does is pretty if you ask me. Love that style.
Hi, iHanna! Your new painting journal is so pretty, but I about “swooned” myself when you shared about the type of watercolor paper you used. I am a painter too, and Canson Montval was my first love and absolute most favorite paper!!! Our nearest art supply store closed, years ago, and I haven’t found Montval paper since then. I am thrilled that you added a link for it! I’m going to ask (plead, beg) for this for Christmas from my family!!! Thank you for so many wonderful posts in your November challenge. I’m truly enjoying them, and am delighted that you and Tammy are both doing this together!
Cheers! from Lynn in Hallsville, Missouri USA
Yay Lynn, readers and comments like yours makes it all worth it to me. Thank you. I hope Santa brings you a big pad of watercolour paper this year!
Dang, I sooooo want to take crafting lessons with you. Have you ever thought of offering classes online? I love what you did here making your own book, and love the name, Pink Bloom. How cool is that? I haven’t done anything on this scale, but use to make little notebooks as a tween back in the day, to write my stories in.
Haha, I wish I could travel the world and do creative workshops. But I have taught a bit online, mostly in other’s settings with several teachers coming together under one umbrella. On my blog I only have one little (rather old) workshop at the moment, it’s about embroidery though. :-)
Eeeeeek, I really need to study at your feet. I collect cool stuff but am not nearly as good at incorporating it into projects. This looks so lovely and satisfying.
Is your cat named after the book? It was Smilla’s Sense of Snow here, but I think it was Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow in other countries?
Isn’t collecting materials and using them two different hobbies, almost? The trick is to “use your stuff” but I know personally how hard it is. Buying stuff to keep for later is easier (but not as satisfying or fun really, in the long run).
Yes, my cat, who is no longer with us, was called Smilla after the Danish book Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg. I loved that name, and thought it fitted her very well.
Beautiful. I think I tried my hand at bookbinding way back when… you make me want to give it another go!
What an involved art form book binding is, right? I only dabble, but it’s satisfying to make your own notebooks and get a look and feel you enjoy.
Beautiful journal, Hanna! Love the wallpaper. I have several wallpaper books stashed away that I need to start using. Also loved the Where I’m From poem.
Thanks Kelly. I too have way too much wallpaper “stashed away” – let’s start using it!
This is such a cute little art journal.
Did you make it with certain things in mind that you will paint on the pages?
Also how smart to use some of the scrap book paper to go in too.