Moleskine Covers

Today the Moleskine cover I made last year was featured on Notebook Stories, and that finally motivated me to figure out how to take some photos to put the other ones I've had hanging around on Etsy. I still don't have most of my stuff, or at any rate, any big white sheets of paper, so I improvised a background with the new shelf and brick wall of my condo. I hope it's neutral enough for some good shots. At any rate, they're good enough for now and I can always redo them when I get a good setup.

I have two covers for the large notebooks:

This one is marbled paper and recycled leather. Available in my shop.

This is linen and recycled leather. I really like the contrast on this one. Available in the shop.

And one small notebook cover:

I think this one is really lovely, and a neat way of using little bits of paper I'd normally throw away. Justification for hoarding? See it in the shop.

I've actually written blog posts about all of these, if you want to check them out, but this is the first time I've had them in my Etsy shop.

Lovely Linen - Molskine Cover

I have a bad habit of falling madly in love with things that can never love me back: Batman, Clive Owen, expensive watches, Payne's Grey, and linen. Just to start. But linen is the one that really drives me crazy. I mean, it feels great looks so nice. Until you breath on it and it instantly wrinkles and there's nothing you can ever do to make it look neat again after that.

I made this cover out of it anyway. Actually, you can't see the wrinkles. I think it's the dark colour. Thank God. And it's glued now, it can't go all wonky!

I liked how the visible stitching turned out on the last large Moleskine cover, so I did it on purpose on this one. I choose the leather and inside paper to match the thread and really pop against the navy. I like it! I really like the feel of using material instead of paper. If only I can figure out what colour leather to go with some salvaged grey cloth I nabbed from work I would make another.

This one is already at the Hotel Sask. I dropped a whole bunch of stuff off yesterday, so here's hoping it'll go well! At very least I'll be able to get some feedback about what people are saying and asking for, and that will help me decide what to make in the future.

Polka Dots! Moleskine cover

I love polka dots. I really, really do. I was going to make a book something like this but covered in the little things, but I adapted it for a cover instead. Oh, and wouldn't you know it, this way I get to play with little bits of different paper too. At least I'm consistent.

I made this using my eyelet setter - well, the hole making tool of it, I jsut have no idea what you'd call it. But it works great for making regular holes through leather. Just put some different papers underneath, and here we are!

I also put some heavy paper in between to emboss the straps a little because it didn't look quite right when it was at one level. I'm not sure how well you can see it on the photos.

I was going to put the patterned paper on the cover rather that on the inside, but I thought that might be a little much, kind of like the Spring Green one I just did. Which I like, but you have to admit is a whole lot of different patterns. So I managed to find a blue that exactly matched on used it on the front instead, and then you get a nice shot a colour inside. I like it!

Marbled Paper is Awesome - Moleskine cover

I'm still working on some new/different items to bring to the Hotel Sask next week, so here is another Moleskine cover, this one fits a large notebook. I decided I really needed some items that were a little more masculine, and it's really kind of hard when most craft supplies (or at least the ones I manage to get a hold of) are geared towards women, and as I am one my designs tend to be a little more on the pretty side. I had my husband go through all the paper I had and pickings were sort of slim on the things he would like side of the equation... I guess that means a trip to Paper Umbrella is in order. But while this isn't overtly manly, at least it's more on the neutral side for some variety.

The covers are made with marbled papers from Rhonda, another member of BEST. Check out here blog and paper shop. The inside blue paper I really like, it just picks up the really subtle bits of the marbling.

I originally had more of the large brads holding inside leather straps on, but I underestimated how much room they took up and the notebook wouldn't fit inside, and they popped off as I tried to force it! No good! And by that point the book was done, I couldn't take the whole thing apart and hide something else under the cover paper. (I make these in a somewhat confusing overlapping of layers to keep the underside of the various parts hidden). SO... what to do? I made the new sewing part of the design by making it bright blue (good thing I had some thread that matched) and wrapping it a few times to give it a bit of impact.

I kind of like it and may do it again... only on purpose.

Happy Birthday Moleskine Cover

It's been a busy but pretty terrific last week or so, especially yesterday's Our Lady Peace: Clumsy Set concert (if you ever get the chance, go), and will be capped off by my husband's birthday today. I started out with waffles topped in gobs of cherry pie filling (he loves that stuff) and whipped cream, and ending in a pile of presents.

He loves Moleskine notebooks (traitor!) so I made him a cover for him based on a photo he loved. He wanted one with this type of closure that keeps the book secure and holds a pencil:

Turned out great! I can't believe how well this stays shut. With a few adjustments of the measurements and whatnot (I am NOT sewing the whole thing again. That took forever, hurt my hand, and just didn't turn out as precisely as I like) I think I will have a new product for my Etsy shop.

He loves maps, and I had just enough leftovers to cover this one. I accidentally put the back cover on upside down though. Too late! I'm not going to tell.

Nice and snug. I left the elastic on and usable, though I doubt there's much of a point with the outside closure. The only problem is the envelope in the notebook is covered, or at least held down, by the strap. I will have to find a way to include one in the next book. Possibly the front will have a strap but the back will have a large pocket the Moleskine cover slips underneath. hmmmm.