Bookbinding Cover Materials

by Linda | Sep 19, 2012 | my creative journal

I’ve blogged about my bookbinding tools and materials, but thought it would be helpful to start a series of posts that goes through my thought process of creating a brand new handmade journal from scratch. Inspiration can certainly come from many different sources. Sometimes an embellishment might seem really cool to add to a journal cover and that’s where it all begins. Or perhaps a new binding stitch discovered tempts me to try it out. Or even coming across some special drawing paper that I want to test.

But most often I’m inspired by cover materials… what will my journal look like outside at first glance? What will protect my precious journal entries from the elements? What look, feel, style will set the theme for the whole journal? Since we see the covers of our journals pretty much every single time we use them, I would say it’s a pretty important aspect. It’s also just fun to experiment with all kinds of different materials.

Let me say that you can literally use any material for your journal. Yes, any material, I said. Even when something seems flimsy or difficult to work with, remember that you can always mount it on another base material and protect it with a layer of varnish or gloss. Get creative! I’ve used cardboard, scrapbook papers, packaging materials, cloth, felt, handmade papers, wallpaper, paper-mache, fused plastic bags… the list goes on. Do you have a funky material used story to share? 

 Of course, by far the most popular material for me to use is leather. This is simply because I have access to beautiful leathers (thank you hubby). However, I also sometimes back it onto cardboard or hardboard to give it more structure. Other times I also line the inside with felt or fabric to give it a lining. Here are some points to go through when considering a material for your journal cover…

• Does the material have the desired structure/weight/flexibility?
• Will you need to back it with a supporting material?
• Are you able to cut it to size and work with it to construct your cover?
• Will you need a lining material for the inside?
• How will the material stand up to the elements? Water? Fire? Tossed around in your purse?
• Will you need to consider protecting the material with varnish, medium, transparent cover material?

Hope that my tips will help you to find lovely cover materials for your own handmade journal. BTW, iHanna recently blogged about deciding on cover papers for her handmade journals as well. There are certainly so many possibilities, it might seem like too much choice. But the freedom to use what you want and use what you have, makes bookbinding fun and approachable for all. When you make your own journal that’s the first step of your creative self-expression… so try it out!

Are there other materials you have used for journal covers? Please share below your tips and suggestions.

Good to Know Zine by Pikaland

by Linda | Sep 18, 2012 | my creative journal

Have you seen the latest issue of Good to Know zine by Pikaland? It’s a little zine made up of real responses by artists on business, art and life. Each issue tackles a question and you get a peek into what artists really think. I also share my thoughts on fear in the latest issue and excited to dive in as I receive my copy in the mail today. I think it’s very enlightening for all creative folks to hear each other opinions. Check out all the Pikaland books!

Illustration Friday: Burst & A Lovely Announcement

by Linda | Sep 17, 2012 | my creative journal

Although the immediate image of a bubble bursting came to mind, my thoughts then wandered to the emotional interpretation of bursting with joy. So this Illustration Friday is particularly special, because I suppose it’s as good a time as ever to share a lovely announcement with all my bloggie friends. We’re expecting!

That there would be my illustrated interpretation of me with something special inside… I’m bursting with joy, emotions and probably hormones as well – LOL! Not to mention feeling like I’ve eaten too much way to often and that I might physically burst as well. These past months have been very interesting given that it’s a brand new experience for me. I’m totally anxious, a bit afraid, but totally excited at the same time. Since I’m feeling much more “normal” now in the 2nd trimester, I hope to be sharing more on the blog… illustrations, thoughts and all my creative musings!

Mindy Gledhill Music Inspiration

by Linda | Sep 14, 2012 | my creative journal

In another installment of sharing my music inspiration, I simply must give props to Mindy Gledhill. She’s an indie folk singer that has been around for awhile and you might have heard many of her songs on sitcoms or commercials. I actually discovered her from other blogs who featured her inspirational song Whole Wide World.

It’s one of those super motivating, make you a bit teary eyed kind of songs. Maybe it’s the little girl perspective, all those hopes and dreams to be realized, just totally gets to me. Not to mention photographer Sue Bryce used the song for a promo video and it again shows how kick ass it can make you feel about yourself and life…

Watch above and read below.

I’m gonna walk a hundred miles,
I’m gonna whistle all the while,
If that’s what it takes to make me smile,
I’m gonna walk a hundred miles.

I’m gonna rend right up this hill,
Summer sky or winter chill,
If I gotta take a break I will,
But I wanna rend right up this hill.

I wanna hold the whole wide world
Right here in my open hands,
And maybe I’m just a little girl,
A little girl with great big plans.

I’m gonna go and take a chance,
I’m gonna learn to ballet dance,
Learn a little something about romance,
I’m gonna go and take a chance.

I’m gonna live a crazy dream,
Impossible as it may seem,
Doesn’t matter what the future brings,
I’m gonna live a crazy dream.

I wanna hold the whole wide world,
Right here in my open hands,
And maybe I’m just a little girl,
A little girl with great big plans.

I wanna hold the whole wide world,
Right here in my open hands,
And maybe I’m just a little girl,
A little girl with great big plans.

You tell me, don’t try it,
I’m warning you that I won’t buy it.
All the failure is fleeting,
I trust it always has its meaning.

I wanna hold the whole wide world,
Right here in my open hands,
And maybe I’m just a little girl,
A little girl with great big plans.

I wanna hold the whole wide world,
Right here in my open hands,
And maybe I’m just a little girl,
A little girl with great big plans.

However, Mindy has lots of other great songs and I found out that she was actually quite popular in Korea as well! Just cool, huh?

You can listen to clips of her latest album Anchor via

Meaghan Smith Music Inspiration

by Linda | Sep 7, 2012 | my creative journal

Meaghan Smith is a Canadian singer-songwriter that I discovered through the film (500) Days of Summer. Her cover of the Pixies song, Here Comes Your Man changed to Here Comes My Man totally rocks. I like her old timey vocals, so decided to dig a bit deeper and just love how creative she is… have you seen her animated biography?! Instant creative girly girl inspiration crush!

I just had to doodle away while listening to her music. I suppose I do have a thing for female singers in general and perhaps it’s because I can easily imagine myself in their singing shoes. The music I’m drawn to is usually of the cute nature, happy and boppy… that’s just what inspires me and puts me in a smiley mood.

I really love the song A Little Love – listen and watch above, read the lyrics below. I think we can draw inspiration from the visual, auditory and text… as if you are reading poetry.

Here I go again
Smiling too sweet
Can’t seem to hold it in
Every time that we meet
I get this rosy glow
And weak in the knees
I hope you don’t know how fast
you make my heart beat

I’m in a little love
And I’m in a little deep
Though I’ll never say a word
It’s a secret my heart can’t keep

Keep my feet upon the ground
Whenever you are near
But my head is in the clouds
While the rest of me is….

Here I go again
Smiling too sweet
It seems that my heart
Has finally gone and told on me

Her debut album, The Cricket’s Orchestra is completely adorable with smooth vocals, cuteness, happy boppy songs and sentimental sweet songs… a combo that I can never resist. Take a listen and get inspired!

You can find The Cricket’s Orchestra through my affiliate links to