for the first camping trip of the season, i made a new large handbound journal for my traveling studio.

i often adventure with my extra-large handbound journal. this summer i wanted something a bit more transportable that still had big space to work on. this journal is exactly half the size of the extra large book, the full spread measures 9.5 x 12.5.” so far it is the perfect size for these outdoor days. i carry it in tandem with my daily practice journal. 



i like the way of marking the time of year with a different size of journal. if i’m not in my studio or at my house (where i always have my extra-large journal), then the new large journal is within reach. this is how my mind works: i can remember when i was using a certain book and the chronology unfolds... my connection to the moments is captured. it is a bonus that this smaller book is expansive enough for all of my ideas and sketches but it also lightens the load. or does that just mean more room for books? (scroll to the bottom to see what made the cut this trip.)



i made a small batch of the large handbound journals for my shop. each book contains 116 pages, measures 6.25 x 9.5,” and is covered with organic hemp linen fabric that was plant-dyed in small batches in my dye studio with plants from my dye garden and dyes from botanical colors. half of the journals feature a patchwork design (plain on the back side), half are plain. all journals have contrasting hinge reinforcement fabric strips in the spine.



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when i was working in the greenhouse with my large handbound journal i tucked my freshly sharpened pencils into one of my wool felt scissor slips and realized that it is the perfect way to protect the tips!



find the scissor slip project along with many more ways to create your own traveling studio in my collection of over 50 free sewing tutorials. these projects are perfect for using up your own fabric stash. you can also find an assortment of plant-dyed fabrics in different sizes, weights, and textures in my shop. happy stitching!



the 4x4” plant-dyed felt squares are perfect for many of the projects in my collection of free sewing tutorials. this felt was dyed with the flowers from last season’s dye garden along with dyes from botanical colors. as i nurture a new round of seedlings this spring, i am giddy with excitement about the dye baths to come.

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choosing books for an extended camping trip is a serious process for me. space is limited so i have to choose very carefully. two weeks prior to departure i go through my library and make a stack of candidates. i revisit it frequently in that two week period editing and adding. the night before departure, i select from my stack. this is what came on my latest adventure to the desert:

Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wayland Barber
ART of Still Life Drawing by David Sanmiguel
Embroidery and Colour by Constance Howard
Flower Color Guide by Taylor and Michael Putman
The Art of Repair by Molly Martin
Envelope Poems by Emily Dickinson


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PS: myra was hopeful that maybe this box was coming camping with me, so she made herself very comfortable in it.