Medieval - Modern Journals

I recently dipped into my treasure chest of vintage buttons and made a couple more medieval-modern style leather journal / sketchbooks for my Etsy shop:

The one above is make with black elk hide, and has an jazzy olive green Art Deco button from the 1920s-1930s on the front cover.

This one is made with sea foam green deerskin, and has an elegant button from the 1940s-1950s on the front cover. I was watching The Big Sleep the other night, and could just picture Lauren Bacall writing down her dark family secrets in this book. :D

Noodling around on a holiday weekend

In an earler post, I talked a little bit about a new project I'm working on, which is evolving into a series of small books with wooden covers. I really just want to explore the possibilities for making wooden books without worrying whether the result will be wonderful or horrible. I have a set of qualities that I have in mind as I work:

simplicity
tranquility
naturalness
impermanence
roughness

form that comes from the physical qualities of the materials used



I was thinking about these things today as I wandered around my yard taking photos.

Impermanence seems like an especially appropriate concept.....

as this lovely holiday weekend comes to an end.....

....and the first maple leaf falls to the ground. This time of year always makes me feel a bit melancholy, but in a good way.