Some firsts

My tiny 40 GB hard drive was down to 200 MB of free space and it was causing problems! So recently I sorted through a ton of digital photos on my hard drive, moving them to external storage. This hugantanormous collection of digital photos can be divided into two simple categories: photos of my son and photos of my books. I selected a bunch of the early book pictures to share here.

The first hardcover book I ever made is the brown one in the middle, and it is a hardcover pamphlet binding. And if my memory is working for me tonight, it would have been 2002 when I made this. I still have this brown book, but of course I did not sign or date it!


The first weekly planner that I rebound to make a custom planner. This was probably made in 2002 - I think that is a 2003 calendar although I can't tell for sure from this old photo and I do not have the book now. My mother might have been the final owner of this book, so she likely still has it. Edit: Apparently my mother did have a date book made by me at that time, but not this particular one.


I went through a phase of making cases to use as folders and such things and I found photos of a couple examples, both from 2002 or 2003.

This first one, I made for myself and used it quite extensively while working on my Masters degree and it proved very functional and practical. The paper tablet slides into a slot on the back so it could be replaced, and I had a pocket in the center for a pen, and a pocket for loose papers, and it had the attached elastic as well.


Another folder example, smaller overall, but with 3 sections to roll up together. I do not have this anymore and I do not remember where it went. Do you have it? Edit: My mother does have this one!


The first two fully bound, sewn on tapes, backed, and cased books that I made at home. These are blank journals sewn onto linen tapes, library-style binding with split boards, and hand sewn endbands. I did one in this style previously in a class, and these were the first attempt to make similar books at home with no proper equipment. These were likely made in 2003. (Sheesh, I really should keep better records. But I can narrow it down quite well by remembering where I was living and/or working when the books were made...)


The first limp leather longstitch journal that I made, also 2003. It has a short wrap-around flap with two buttons as a closure. I gave this to a friend and I think he is still using it because I saw it somewhere around his place not too long ago!