Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Finally!

It was just about one year ago that I started working with leather for my journals. Ever since I began, I've been trying to figure out how to achieve a "stained antique" look. I've tried a lot of treatments, dyes, colors, and some of them came really close. But I just couldn't get exactly what I wanted. Until yesterday! I've finally found an antique patina that is suitable for leather and really achieves EXACTLY the look and feel I've been searching for.

Finally! Talk about an exciting day at Julie Boyles Books! I hurried up and made some and they are available in my Etsy Shop. The color choices are brown, and black, and they are beautiful!

As if that wasn't enough excitement, I've also started carrying LINED paper for all my journals. I'm only listing a few right now, but the lined paper is available for all the styles of journals I make.
This may not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it has taken quite a while to work out all the details. Lined paper is an often requested feature for journals. Well, it isn't readily available to buy pre lined paper that can be used for handbinding journals. Up until now, I've been taking special orders for them, and printing my own paper. I've recently been in touch with my wonderful printers, D&E Printing of Brownsburg and in the future they will be printing lined paper for me! There will be an extra charge for the lined paper, because it has to be printed, but for those of you (like me) that like some lines on your paper, I have it now!

Coming up later this week, I've got a very special blog post about some recent happenings around here. I've just got to get the photos straightened out and will write about it soon!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

A Whole Bunch of New Journals!

I've been working hard to create some new, fresh journals for my Etsy Shop! Along with these, I have some great gift type things planned for the holidays! Stay tuned for more updates.
Index Card Ring Binders! 3"x5" Just the right size, and I use mine everyday!


Full Notebook size Ring Binders! These are impressive! Free Monogramming is available on all ring binders, index size, and full size.



And finally, a selection of Special Edition journals. There will only be 10 made of each style. These are truly nice journals! Check out my Etsy Shop for lots more!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy Independence Day

233 Years ago today, our nations founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence.
Following is an excerpt from the beginning of this important document...
Some of the phrases that jump off the page for me are:
  • Endowed by their Creator
  • All men are created equal
  • Unalienable Rights
  • Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness
  • Consent of the Governed
On this day, I am very grateful to the men that forged this document, and the countless men, boys, and citizens of the 13 colonies that fought and died for my freedom to be able to celebrate today.

How are you enjoying your freedom today? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you're doing! We're working in the yard ;0) Whatever you're doing, going to a parade, picnic, watching the fireworks tonight, I hope you will enjoy it to the fullest, and remember the courageous convictions and bravery, of all those that have stood for freedom!

Friday, July 03, 2009

Legendary Plants


Earlier this spring I decided that I wanted to grow Castor Bean Plants. (Well, really it was my mom's idea, and I just joined in.) If you're not familiar with these plants, they are very large plants. I mean GIANT! They can grow anywhere from 6-8 ft in one growing season, and they start with a seed about 1/2" long. My daughter would call this a family tradition. All the women in my family have grown these monsters, and it was about time for me to take my place in the lineage of the Castor Bean Planters.

So shortly after Mother's Day my friend K gave me some of his seed pods and we split them up with Mom. The kids and I got them planted sometime around the middle of May. As of this morning here's our progress...

At this point I'm getting a little nervous. Keep in mind these are supposed to grow as tall as the house, and as of now they don't even reach my boy's knees. I was just at Mom's house earlier this week and hers are a little taller than this.

But here's the kicker. My great grandmother (Granny) grew these plants and they were the stuff Legends were made of. (Actually Mom's were too, but I don't have any photos of hers) Granny would plant these Castor Bean Plants in the same spot every year. Just take a look, and you'll see I'm not kidding...
That's me and my little brother c. 1970.

Oh man, I've got some work to do! I'm off to give my little Castor Bean babies some food...