The set of finished notebooks
A couple of weekends ago I found enough time and energy to make some little note books that I had been meaning to do for ages. I wanted to get back into some book binding and to use the paper that a friend had brought back from Sennelier Art shop in Paris for me.
Note Book 1 front
The set of finished notebooks
I had brought some of the same paper on an earlier trip to Paris and hadn’t been able to bring myself to use it, although I would bring it out and admire and pat it on occasion. With the extra my friend bought and the possibility to get more I thought it was time to get brave and use them. The idea of using the paper as covers for sketch books seemed a great idea and I was itching to have a go.
Making the Notebooks
These are small (A5) size and I wanted to give them to some friends who would not necessarily use them for sketching but would be writing in them. With that in mind I used some lighter bleed proof paper.
Note Book 2 front
Note Book 2 inside
They have light cardboard covers that I covered with my special paper on the outside and used some photocopies of my drawings on the inside for a pop of colour. The binding is a simple saddle stitch, it really could not be easier to make a book. I gave them all different closures to mix things up.
Note Book 4 front
Note Book 4 inside
So please with my few hours work and happy to have such useful little gifts.
Note Book 3 inside
Karen Bailey Studio 
These are really lovely! Super gifts 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try making an accordion sketchbook one of these days.
Thank you, I was surprised how easy it was to make sketch books and now I am hooked. Karen
They are quite lovely! Thanks for sharing them.
You are so welcome, glad you enjoyed the post. Karen
Karen, these are just soooooo lovely, the only thing would be that it would be sooooo hard to have the courage to make a mark in one! I love the idea of using a colour photocopy as the inside, makes it so pretty and personal too. Sue
Thanks Sue, you don’t want to think about starting a sketch book to much best to jump right in. But I know how hard it is, I still leave the front page blank as I never know what to put on it and what happens if I muck it up? Karen
Nice!
Thanks Nancy
These are lovely and the paper from Paris! But what I really love is your illustration used as the end paper, it’s incredibly stunning! These are so well thought out and beautiful. Incredible gifts!
So glad you like my note books. I got the idea to copy and use my drawings from the mixed media girls and have used them a few times now. It is so much fun to do so and interesting to see your work in another format. Karen
Karen, these are lovely – so professional! Such gorgeous paper, and your endpapers make them into something personal as well as beautiful. Your friends will love these. Did you maybe keep one aside for collaborations?!!!
Anna, I made a different one for the collaboration. Thicker paper and slightly larger, I have given it its own cover. Nearly finished it so will be posting it soon. Karen
Inspiring. The end papers are stunning. Your friends are so lucky to be receiving these!
Thanks Paula, so pleased that a book binder likes them, I appreciate your comments. Karen
Karen – I love these little notebooks. You have made my fingers itch to have a go. I like the idea of using your own paintings for end papers. It really adds that personal touch which means so much when receiving a handmade gift.
You will have to make some notebooks and share them with us on your blog. Photo copying your own work to use in other ways is a great thing to try, I made a few copies onto slightly better drawing paper and have had them there to use on the spur of the moment from books, cards and wrapping paper, loads of uses to make something personal. Karen
these are so beautiful!
So glad you liked them.