A Belly Band for our Georgian Journal

Good evening Star7Lily.

I want to double-check measurements. I read in the forum for the Georgia diary/Amberleigh that we should be using a book the size of a ruler. That's not a problem as I have lots of books this size, although much thicker than 12 pages but I don't see that as a problem.

Anywho. If the book pages are approx. 12 inches long...that's how long our rulers are here in the U.S. Should we not aim to make belly bands to be 13.5 inches long...so that the 3/4 of an inch on both sides once folded and glued by the receiver fits a 12 inch book?

Otherwise, perhaps if ladies are all using different size journal books, shall we comment below the length of our book so that our partner can accommodate that size? If we happen to make the bands longer the bands can always be trimmed down.

Or, for now, would you prefer we find books that are 6.5 inches tall as the measurement suggests above?

Sorry to add any more confusion. I just wanted to make sure I...one, acquired the correct size book and...two, make a belly band and that will fit my partner's book.

I eagerly await to read AnnM's information about Amberleigh characters. I need to learn more about this tradition in your society so I can feel knowledgeable enough to join in this swapping fun.

Making items for one another's diary books sounds like a great way to connect and contribute to the past time of keeping a journal and possibly even a place to display and enjoy the group letters we receive. That's why I think I may use a thicker book.

With warm regards, Elenamarie

Elenamarie thank you for your thoughtful comment, I have altered the swap guidelines for everyone to feel more comfortable in choosing the length of their band. The image and measurements are only a guide for understanding the width of the band and the use thereof. As I have stated in the journal Forum page the journal size is up to the owner/maker being long, short etc. I chose a ruler length as it is universal and one can get more items on a page longer, but there are some journal makers who only use Golden Books, I know of 2 at least in our group. We are quite relaxed here, and no hard and fast rules govern, but I like the idea of longer is better that you have suggested.

IF in doubt, please contact the person you are paired with, that will allay any problem measurements.

          I hope that helps sort out the journal page issue. 

This sounds good to me. Thank you for clarifying and offering encouraging feedback, Jane.

Goodmorning, I'm New to the Georgettes and I want to get this right. I don't want to come across as being shortminded. but I'm not sure about these Belly bands. All the ones i've seen wrap around the Journals. What am I missing???

I sent you a message Pyna:)

Also, for those who live in the U.S.(I am not sure if other countries have Hobby lobby in them...Hobby Lobby is having a huge paper craft clearance sale. Also, all of the sketchbooks are 50percent off! The sketchbooks may work well for the journal. I tried experimenting with an old book. It was a big flop for me. Thus, I am probably going to use a sketchbook. I'll still cover it and make it my own. I thought to pass this information along. I picked up two different sized books so now I just have to decide which one...Big decisions indeed.

Welcome pynart2, thank you for your observations, I am open to any suggestions and helpful advice. Needlework is my forte` and painting the art on the page... any helpful advice for names and what would be a clever addition to our journal for storing papers, tags and ephemera is most welcome. Thanking you.

Perhaps your idea of a sketch book may in fact be a wise idea Elenamarie, as we are all learning here, it is thus we are grateful for all your input and feedback. Many thanks indeed,.

Good Morning @Pynart the bellyband @Star7Lily had in mind was one that you adhere to a page in your journal so you can slip a letter or journal card in it. Just the top and bottom are fastened in place to create an opening. I think you may be confusing this with to the band that goes around the outside of the book to keep it closed, also called a bellyband?

Good Morning Anna, I have found a book that has 180 pages,which I will repose for my journal. It is 8" wide & 11" long. Can't wait to get started. Phebe (Barbara)

Excellent news Phebe, I am excited for you too. I also found one the same dimensions in my library sale table this week. An 1980 heavy university info book. Perfect for the size we need. I am going to cover mine in a leather look paper.

Hello fellow Georgettes. I have finalized my journal decision. I'm going with the 8.5 inch by 11 inch sketchbook. It has 80 pages and I'll glue sets of two pages together to make the pages even thicker. It should work well for all mediums then.

I've since covered the front inside and back inside journal covers in a pale warm peachy/cream color with antigue repeating circle floral patterns. It's soft, feminine, and lovely. I added pockets with matching paper and trimmed inside pocket edges with thin and delicate lace.

Within one of the pockets, I inserted two beautiful tea cup postcards that Sarah Coller so generously gave me in our last swap. I will eventually use them as journal space...somewhere within the journal.

I also printed off the regency colors from the link I shared in the forums. I then cut out the colors and their descriptions and glued them on brown craft paper tages, carefully inking all edges with antique distress ink. I put one color on front and a different color on the back of each craft tag. This created five tags, which I can use as reference color swatches and as place markers within the journal. So fun.

I also printed out the map Anna sent me and adhered it to card stock to make it sturdier and will clip it into the journal. I may permanently adhere the map later.

I am still working on my cover but it will be a work in Progress as inspiration leads me. I am leaning towards using emerald greens, coquelicot red/pinks, olive green, and creams. I look forward to all of our journal/diary swaps. In case you you are unaware, I am a tad excited about our journal/diary/letter writing swaps!

To my partner, my journal is 8.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide. Thanks!

Dearest friends, The book (cookbook) I found has a wonderful leather like cover and a gold inset with a picture, which I plan on covering.; but staying within the gold inlaid. I'm using an old page that's been tea dyed as the background and then I plan on drawing or watercolor my cottage as a name plate at it's center. I am still deciding what my cottage will look like. This has been a wonderful challenge, I just love it. As for the rest of my journal it will be all colors Georgian. I pray tell, that all the Georgettes are having as much fun as I am , planning their Journals. Best regards, Phebe

Hello Dearest Partner. My Journal is 8 1/2 X 111/2 with a leather cover with a gold inset, where Ill be painting a watercolor picture of my Cottage. This will be the nameplate of my Journal. The challenge has been wonderful and am looking forward to creating many watercolors in my Journal. The fun of making the Journal and working in many different mediums is a love affair with Art.So my Georgette friends, lets all have some fun

With regards. Hester

My dearest friend, Elenamarie, I must tell you how much I enjoyed your letter describing how you are creating your journal. What anticipation you must have in creating the cover of your precious book.I do look forward to seeing it. Best regards, Phebe

Thank you Phebe.

Currently, I have been busy working on my partners band. It is a shock to me how well it turned out. I have a paper picked out to possibly cover my journal with but I'm waiting on an order, due in the mail any day now. I think I will use a combo. For now, I want to finish this swap and then I will return to working on my cover. I'll try to remember to send you a link to my Flickr account, where I'll up load my cover once it's finished. It might not be till later this month. If any fellow Georgettes want to share links to showcase their journals, I'd love to see the artwork everyone is creating. I'm also curious about these cottage drawings you have mentioned Phene and Pynart. What a lovely idea if one can draw. Perhaps I'll look into finding an old English house to copy or cut out from somewhere. Does anyone have any good links to such a prototype? I must admit I'm a bit lost as to what my house should entail. I'm a visual person, thus pictures or drawings you could point me to would be much appreciated.

Hello my friends! Reading of your wonderful journals has been such a joy! I have settled on a journal design with pages measuring 8 1/2 x 11 inches. I am quite the handy woman though - so if you’ve created something wonderful and not quite the right size - no fear! I can add tip-ins in any size to accommodate your lovely work! I am looking forward to getting to know all of you ❤️

Here is a wonderful tutorial I just came across if anyone needs a little inspiration for their band. I plan on making the length a little longer than my partners page so they have the option of wrapping it over to the back of the page and attaching it. Or cutting it down to fit the page exactly. Have fun! https://lindaisrael.com/art/2019/07/07/scrapy-belly-band-and-junk-journal-page-tutorial/