here we have it then, a look at my bavarian travel journal!
I had a scrap of leather and used it to make a simple wrap around cover. when i return from germany i’ll sew the back flap of my accordion to the center. in the meantime it will be easier to write and draw in if i have more freedom to manipulate the panels.
i inserted vintage german postcards into the existing slots of this century-old accordion book i brought back from france many moons ago. knew i’d get around to using it one day! i can leave the postcards as they are, or remove them and add bits i find along the way, or i may collage or write on top of the postcards as they are. i will probably add some photos that i’ve taken once i return home.
on the backs of the “pages” with the postcards, i glued little sewn panels made from various german treasure i’ve been collecting. this enables me to still remove the postcards on the reverse. i like having that option.
the watercolor paper were scraps i had lying around in my drawers. most are 150 lb. fabriano hot press. i made a few flaps by just folding over longer scraps.
when closed my accordion book is 4 x 6, when open flat it’s well over 6 feet long.
i have no idea if this will be too much, too little, or just enough room to write & draw. I suspect it will be in the goldilocks range. we shall see!
i may divide the white pages up into daily sections and pre-date them. i do that sometimes and it’s helpful to spread things out a bit and ensure you aren’t left with a lot of blank pages towards the end. of course gluing photos over blank pages works too!
i can’t remember EVER finishing my travel journal for a trip 6 weeks in advance.
now i’m off to find some really gorgeous bavarian looking lettering to draw/copy into my book or on a fold out page.
i think the dip pens used to write many of these postcards is exquisite. dontcha think?!
auf wiedersehen!
Gorgeous! Six weeks in advantage – stunning 🙂
Ich wünsche dir einen wunderschönen Urlaub!
Mary Ann,
Love it!!!! I know you are super excited for your summer break!!! I hope your trip is amazing…
Susan
Ah…the wondrous travel journal machinations as Ms. Moss works her alchemy!
Brilliant. Love the leather cover, the postcards and the tip about spreading dates to avoid lots of blanks at the end. It’s something that will give you tons of pleasure over the years!
This journal is absolutely divine, Mary Ann! I love it and am excited for you! I know you two will have a FAB time!😄💕
That’s a wonderful journal! I remember the Garmisch/Oberammergau/Mittenwald area fondly. I saw violins hanging on a clothesline so the varnish could dry, in Mittenwald. I ate poppyseed cake at every cafe I passed, and sketched the churches and the Zugspitze. I hope the weather is clear and the food delicious, and that all the Germans in Bayern are above average.
It’s a beauty! Clever girl. You’re going to have big fun with all that gorgeousness.
Wow! You’ve really outdone yourself this time. Accordian books are great for many ideas but you have taken this to a new level of both originality and function.
I’m thrilled to see how you did your accordion book, Mary Ann! That album was a great find. For my current trip (cruising on the Lofoten down the fjords of Norway right now!), I’ve made an accordion book for the first time. I covered the 12 sides of the chipboard covers with calendar pages designed by Lotta Jansdotter or Polish papers (going to Poland after the cruise). I have created signatures to sew in later between the sections of the covers. If it gets too thick to close, I can slice between the covers and then cover the hinges. This journal is a complete experiment.
OMG! This is FABULOUS!!! I can’t even…
Yes, the old timey writing with dip pens just makes me swoon. I especially love the colored postcard of a town scene with the writing on top. You have outdone yourself, MAM. What will you do for your sweet sis? Can’t wait to see! Thank you for letting us see your handiwork. You are generous like that!
Right before I got on here I saw three brand new mallard babies with their momma at the pond. First new animal life of spring! So so sweet.
So creative and SO you!!
– Tina
oh my … I am literally salivating over this …it already feels full of wonder and adventure and you haven’t even left yet. What a keepsake this will be. I too am going to Germany (Bodensee region) and Switzerland (alps) the last two weeks in June…Ill be taking a blank sketchbook with me…but Ill be thinking of yours!
Sister! you have outdone yourself. And just think, you have a full 6 weeks to finish mine!!!
I love everything about this ~ great job!!
Amazing!!
This is wonderful Mary Ann, just perfect!
Wowza! <3
this is one of your best ever, I think! I love the postcards, and the way you set up the accordion pages is wonderful. It also gives me an idea for a book I am planning to make next year for the centenary of my mother’s birth. You must be really, really excited for this trip!