Baseball Journal

While waiting for my book covers to dry in the press (see previous post), I finished my second baseball-themed journal / notebook. This one is called "Pop Fly":

Its covers are made from a well-worn, vintage Carlton Fisk catcher's mitt, and a bit of reclaimed bison leather. On the first page is a reproduction of an 1888 baseball card with a photo of Monte Ward of the New York Giants.  I loved this little photo! In it, Monte Ward is clearly in a photography studio, manfully reenacting a slide into home base. 

This journal is residing on the shelves of my Etsy store.

(Sold)

On one of my recent foraging expeditions, I found this wonderful little creature. It's a vintage (early- to-mid 20th century, I'm thinking ) Moroccan leather wallet, very unassuming on the outside, but on the inside...

...turns out it's a place to keep neat your rail tickets, ship landing card, baggage checks, foreign money, etc.

 The kind of thing you would clutch in one hand as you stand on the deck of Mauritania, waving your hankie to friends on the dock. The air is full of excitement and the scent of hair pomade -- can't you just smell it? From there, on to Europe, and the Orient Express and further adventures. So thrilling!

Anyway, for the last few days, I've been working my magic on this little guy, giving it a new life and hopefully further exotic escapades by transforming it into a travel journal. Stay tuned for pictures...

A Bit of Inspiration

Whilst I was doing my outing and abouting at some of the local antique stores and thrift shops, I added a few more things to my horde of book-building materials. The thrift shop owners must think I'm completely mad at times. Whereas a normal customer would pick up a leather purse and check to see if the zipper works, there am I, muttering to myself, myopically squinting at every inch of the thing, mentally transforming it into a book or two. But I did come away with some very nice things.

Including this wonderful patchwork piece. An apron  made up of little bits of leftover material, all of it looking to be early 20th century vintage.  So now this apron, made up of recycled things, will have its pieces become part of my books. And so it goes.