One day I decided that since I like to write that I wanted to write in books with my own creativity. This is my very first book, made with my very own hands.

I decided I was going to make a journal that I could write my ideas, thoughts, goals or whatever came to mind. So, now it was time to go shop for this journal of mine.

I started buying the pages I would write on, so I picked up a bundle of neutral colored paper at Target. A week later after doing a little research on how to bind books, I decided it was time to take the plunge and go shopping again.

I found myself at Michaels and knew I wanted an Oriental theme. I really wanted something with bamboo on it. I started looking at cloth because I wanted to put cloth on the spine of the book. I could pick my cover paper after I found the cloth. There it was looking at me, red cloth with fortune cookies on it. Since, I couldn’t find the green bamboo cloth I decided the cover paper would be green. The hardest thing to find was the board to make the cover and spine. Now, I had all the materials to make my first journal.

The first step is putting the pages in the book and folding them to the shape and size of the book. I chose to make it small for ease. I also decided that since a journal is for thoughts that can come out all messy, it was only right to keep the pages rough by not trimming them.

Then I had to sew the pages together. Next I had to glue the spine of the pages to mesh (which you can see in the center of the pages). I didn’t sew tight enough so you can see into the heart of my book. I had to redo this whole part once since the gap was too big the first time.

Next was cutting the board for the covers and spine. I made a small math error here and forgot to add an extra ¼ inch to top and bottom. I forgot that I would need that extra space on the top and bottom of the cover. Then I had to sand the board to make the edges smooth.

Then it was time to glue the pages to the spine board. Next, I cut the green paper (which I loved because it has texture that makes it look alive and not perfect) to cover the whole outside of the board covers. I had to make room for the spine that I glued the pages to. Then I had to glue the green paper to the boards and spine. Next I had to make the hinge points between the cover boards and spine so the book would open.

It was starting to look like a real book. Now I got to do my favorite part which was to glue the cloth to the spine and covers to give it that special touch. Next, I had to put the paper on the inside of the covers. This was tricky because I had to make it the same height as the pages and put enough of a bend in it so it would not rip away when you opened the book.

My first book was done! But, as I sat there and looked at it the more I realized that this red and green book had to go to Tom.

Knowing that Tom is going through a life changing moment, I thought it would be great for him. Then I decided it must be filled with quotes that would make him think, yet could be inspiring at the same time.

Tom this book is for you! This book can be picked up and read at anytime knowing that I put my heart and soul into it.

We love and miss you! Happy 63rd Birthday!