This will be my second year participating in Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend. I wasn’t going to participate this year because I wasn’t sure how much time I would have to dedicate to it, but it was so enjoyable last time, I couldn’t resist. One of the opening sessions was to create your own traveler’s notebooks using an old book cover. I have to say that I am pretty obsessed with this idea! Since starting to make my own art journals last summer, I can’t get enough of making books! I remember watching a video during the last Sketchbook Revival about how to sew and bind your own art journal. I remember watching with interest, and thinking I would try it at some point, but that it just looked like too much fuss and work. But I am so happy that I eventually tried it. I can imagine filling a whole bookshelf with handmade art journals and books.

The sessions for the Revival start on March 20, and I am very much looking forward to it, and to filling this new notebook. Hopefully I will get it finished on time. I still need to cut to size all of the mixed media paper signatures to fill it with, then sew them together and put them inside. I can see myself making many more of these traveler’s notebooks.

On the cover of this book I painted the flower on with gesso, then painted it with acrylic paint and then sealed it with mod podge (because I didn’t feel like waiting for the smell of my kamar varnish to dissipate). For the bands to hold the signatures, I got some colored stretch cord in the children’s section of Michaels. The edges of the book spine were pretty frayed and I was a bit nervous about the cords pulling through, so I reinforced them with a bit of lace and embroidery thread.

Are you signed up for Sketchbook Revival? If so, I’d love to see your sketchbook in the comments!