Daisy Journal with Hand-painted Lasercut Covers

I have been having so much fun with my new Glowforge laser cutter (long awaited) – one of my favorite things is that it can cut through book board! It can cut the sewing holes and everything! Watch this (with the sound off though, it sounds like a freaking jet engine):




AMAZING!!!! 

After I engraved this beautiful daisy illustration, I hand painted it with metallic watercolors – they are really fun to play with because they shimmer in the light! Kind of hard to capture it with a photo. Below you can see some photos for how I developed color depth using multiple layers of metallic watercolor paint. I used a blowdryer in between each layer to make it dry faster! Otherwise it’s about as much fun as watching paint dry! haha.

hand painted daisy journal from book artist Ruth Bleakley - metallic watercolor painthand painted daisy journal from book artist Ruth Bleakley - metallic watercolors
coptic bookbinding handpainted daisy journal by Ruth BleakleyFinally I hand-sewed the book with 4 ply waxed irish linen thread – a MUST if you are doing coptic bookbinding, otherwise your finished book will end up all floppy. The journal contains 160 pages of 100% recycled 32lb writing paper and the book lies flat when opened for easy writing.

Hand Painted Daisy Coptic Journal By Bookbinder Ruth Bleakley

I have a few other beautiful books lined up using this cool technique of painting directly onto cardboard – I also ordered some thicker bookboard from Dick Blick so I’ll have more to experiment with. I already sold this journal but if you’re interested in seeing what else I have in the shop with lasercut covers you can take a look here: Laser Engraved Journals by Ruth Bleakley

hand painted daisy journal from book artist Ruth Bleakley - 7

(Interested in buying a Glowforge? Use this referral link and we can both get $100 off – I’ll get a coupon for their supply store and you’ll get a $100 Glowforge discount)

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About the Author

Ruth

8 Comments

Lorraine

Your books are beautiful. I signed up for your newsletter but got an error message saying that something went wrong.

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Peggy

Ruth your books are amazing. I looked on your Etsy page for the daisy design, but it appears this one isn’t available yet. Can I be notified when it is? Also, is it possible to get a different size, like landscape? I joined a bookbinding small group that meets once a month. Coptic stitching is this month. I’m a total newby to the group and with my minimal knowledge of the art of bookbinding, I have a real appreciation of it. I am always searching for the journal with the best watercolor paper. The problem is I would rather be painting than book making!
I am an administrator for Urban Sketchers Kansas City chapter, and I have a feeling this type of sketch book would be a hit.
Thank you.
Peggy

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