Template #3 for the 9×12×48 mm cover was completed with improved squareness, consistent ruler-edge alignment, and refined spacing logic. Punch and awl behavior on chipboard was tested to evaluate material limits, and the template’s suitability for advancing to hardened substrates was assessed through practical trials. Date : Monday November 17, 2025 Ordinal : Week 11 | Day 71 Designation : Craft Made : 9"x 12"x 48mm (Binding Width) Cover Template Designation: Template #3 Rel

Revised the 9×12 template after identifying spacing limits in the initial layout and confirming that 2 mm remains the correct parameter for Prototype 2. Completed a full station map, validated the constraints of the 16 mm spine, and prepared the final layout work planned for Monday, including template refinement and leather preparation steps. Date : Friday November 14, 2025 Classification : Week 6 Day 7 | Craft Day Made : 9×12 Binding Template (16 mm Spine) After considerable

Rocky Mountain order delay shifts the 9×6 prototype schedule and pauses material testing. Priority evaluations include updated hole-punch sizing, archival-grade waxed linen thread, and graphite-tone goat leather to confirm structural requirements. Weekend focus shifts to website construction while awaiting Monday’s delivery to continue work. Date: Friday November 7, 2025 Classification: Week 5 Day 7 | Admin Day Last week's order from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply has been del

Prepared the 9×6 cover template and completed a two-sheet, four-page, twelve-signature set while waiting for remaining materials required for the next prototype stage. Confirmed the handling characteristics of the black paper stock and documented incremental progress during this supply-delay window to maintain development continuity. Date : Wednesday November 5, 2025 Classification : Week 5 Day 5 | Craft Day While I wait for supplies to arrive, I started making the cover temp

Timeline recalibrated to Week 5 to align all records, and new standards for leather thickness, thread specification, and tooling were established following multiple shipper-related disruptions. Sourcing reviews, regulatory changes, and material validation shaped the updated framework guiding the next prototype stage. Date : Saturday November 1, 2025 Classification : Week 5 Day 1 | Admin Day The goal for this week was to lock in the right combination of archival-grade leather,

Reviewed Classic and Alran goatskin samples received on October 30, assessing thickness, temper, and suitability for future prototypes. Initial evaluation showed the hides were thinner than preferred and likely to require backing, placing them in the category of practice materials rather than viable structural candidates. Date:  Friday October 31, 2025 Classification:  Week 5 Day 5 | Admin Day Analyzing Leather Order Received Date: 10-30-2025 From: Rocky Mountain Leather Supp

Evaluated thread weights and punch sizes after two shipper-canceled orders halted progress, focusing on durability requirements for the upcoming 192-page prototype. Compared 18/3, 12/3, and 0.6–0.8 mm linen against 1 mm and 2 mm hole sizes to determine viable combinations for long-term strength in Coptic binding. Date:  Friday October 31, 2025 Classification:  Week 5 Day 5 | Craft Day 2 Orders Cancelled by Shipper. Why? No product. No timeline. Frustrating, yes. Today we'll c

Tested the 1 mm punch on 2/2.5 oz leather, evaluated punchboard indentation, and assessed 18/3 linen thread behavior across stations. Findings included uniform hole quality, minor substrate compression, and the need for periodic rewaxing to maintain thread integrity during stitching for upcoming prototype work. Date:  Wednesday October 29, 2025 Classification:  Week 4 Day 10 | Craft Day Piece : 7 of ∞ The 1 mm punch from Amazon performed well. Holes were uniform and sharp whe

Completed the second version of the watercolor booklet using heavier cover board, 18/3 linen thread, and initial Coptic-stitch trials with curved needles. Documented station-tension issues, thread performance, and over-punch observations while tracking delayed thread delivery and ongoing supplier variability affecting upcoming template work. Date:  Monday October 27, 2025 Classification:  Week 4 Day 8 | Craft Day Made : In-House Commission | Watercolor booklet Ver 2.0 Piece :

The RotaTrim Pro 20 arrived, adding a precision cutting tool required for producing consistent templates and clean, repeatable edges. Its introduction marks a key improvement in material preparation for upcoming prototypes, providing the accuracy needed for standardized cuts across cover stock and signature paper. Date:  Wednesday October 22, 2025 Classification:  Week 4 Day 3 | Admin Day RotaTrim Pro 20  has arrived!

Documented October 21 orders from Amazon and Talas, including precision measuring tools, chipboard for standardized templates, millimeter grid paper, mallet and punch for controlled impact testing, and 18/3 linen thread with needles and awls. These materials form the next required set for template development and stitching trials. Date:  Tuesday October 21, 2025 Classification:  Week 4 Day 2 | Admin Day Amazon Orders Shinwa Sokutei 10653 Silver Curb Scale Masterpiece (50 cm /

Documented the sourcing methodology guiding all tool and material decisions, establishing accuracy, longevity, affordability, and availability as the core evaluation filter. Outlined a local-to-national-to-international search sequence and emphasized thorough documentation of suppliers to maintain transparency and repeatable research standards. Date:  Tuesday October 21, 2025 Classification:  Week 4 Day 2 | Admin Day 33.33–45 percent of my time is spent purely researching , j

Tested 2/2.5 oz soft leather with five signatures, identifying limits of the 1 mm punch, thread-tension failure on the fifth signature, and the need for heavier template material to maintain uniformity. Findings emphasized the importance of proper station layout and highlighted tooling gaps to address before the next prototype phase. Date:  Monday October 20, 2025 Classification:  Week 4 Day 1 | Craft Day Made : 5 signatures with Staples stock to practice with soft/limp leath

Purchased a 2/2.5 oz leather swatch for practice and confirmed it as the minimum workable thickness for future cover testing. Assessed local tool availability and noted gaps in thread, needle, and awl sizing, establishing the need to source appropriate materials from primary suppliers before proceeding with prototype development. Date:  Saturday October 18, 2025 Classification:  Week 3 Day 6 | Admin Day Our practice leather has been acquired! Not the color I want for the fini

Received the Classic Crest Smooth 80T (118 gsm) Epic Black sheets in the 12×18 format selected for prototype work. This stock meets archival, grain-direction, and print-compatibility requirements and resolves the earlier sourcing gap that delayed template development for the 9×6 and travel-sized journal layouts. Classic Crest Smooth 80T (118gsm) Epic Black 12 X 18

Focused efforts on sourcing 12×18 black text paper, correcting grain-direction mismatches, and evaluating alternatives after widespread stock shortages. Reviewed commercial notebooks to validate size and usability expectations, while assessing options for viable cover-material suppliers as prototype requirements became clearer. Date : Wednesday October 8 – Friday October 9, 2025 Classification : Week 2 Day 3–4 | Admin Day As I’m sat down to write this on the 14th last week’s

Created a small-form watercolor booklet for first in-house commission. Used pewter sample stock for cover and single-page signatures to increase flexibility. Sewing method showed loosening over time, unsuitable for long-term use. Planned improvements include switching to thicker 18/3 linen thread, adopting a Coptic binding style, and using reinforced cover material for greater rigidity and stability. Date : Monday October 6, 2025 Classification : Week 1 Day 4 | Craft Day Made

Completed first five-signature notebook. Adjusted thread length after miscalculation from previous attempt; established correct formula for measurement. Improved wax application reduced fray and improved threading. Identified uneven tension caused by inconsistent tightening at head and tail. Achieved proper alignment and closing through use of punching cradle. Results established baseline for thread length, spacing, and stitch consistency. Date : Friday October 3, 2025 Classi

Received Neenah sample stock and began the first five-signature notebook. Large cover sheets required cutting adjustments for accuracy. Pewter cover stock proved durable but slow to handle. Template-based punching improved alignment; one signature was remade due to punch offset. Sample cover stock paired with Staples text paper; threading postponed for precision under better focus.

Constructed three 16-page pamphlets to test cutting, punching, and threading accuracy. Initial freehand methods caused misalignment; use of a punching cradle resolved spacing and threading issues. Established consistent hole placement, improved thread tension, and confirmed cradle use as essential for uniform stitching.