I found myself meeting some incredible craftspeople during the course of the “31 Days of Yule” giveaway that finally ended last week. One of those people was lovely Cheri Ucci from Paper Fetish Designs , who offered to make me a personalized journal. She asked me what I’d like – I told her I’d love somewhere to put ‘my writings’, and that I loved her hand-ripped pages and the triple-moon design she’d used for one of the pocket-journal sets she’d offered us to be used in the giveaway. Beyond that, I wanted her to do what she did, and take artistic control. Although I tend to micromanage, I wished for something that was her artistic vision, not mine.

Matt got home very late from work last night, and sure enough, there was a box from Cheri. I was floored by its contents. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Not only do I have an original by Paper Fetish, I seem to have obtained a bit of a paper fetish myself…

Front Cover

This quilted fabric journal has been hand pieced from quality cotton fabric in shades of teal, purple and green. Cheri has sewn the pieces together with a variety of stitches in purple, with edging to match. A triple-moon design in silver is hand-sewn against a frame of purple and black.

Back Cover

The back cover holds a purple button which serves as a closure. A black cord which extends from the edge of the front cover wraps around the button, securing it. A silver flowered bead is used as a ornate weight to keep the cord straight and neat when the book is closed, and adds to the aesthetics of the appearance as a whole.

Pages Hand-sewn Into Spine

The hand-ripped pages have been sewn into the reinforced spine with a heavy waxed silver thread.

Hand-Torn Pages

Cheri hand ripped pages of high-quality paper, which are sectioned and sewn into the spine. Lining the inside cover on front and back are pockets, thoughtfully included to hold notes or anything I’d like that won’t be written onto or attached to the pages.

Attached bookmark

An attached bookmark will hold my place in between entries, and is finished with beads colored to complement the cover design. A large pewter bead adorned with a serene face weighs the thin cord down, ensuring I won’t lose my place.

Inside front cover

The book opens to a front page complementing the cover, with a triple-moon on a background of purple with cursive writing. You can also see a better view of the pockets that are sewn into the inside cover of the journal.

Bookplate

Cheri created a peel-n-stick bookplate, personalized for me which sits on the second page. From there are pages upon pages of thick, creamy-white paper, all ready to fill with my musings.

What an incredible piece of artwork. It’s obvious that hours upon hours of work when into this journal, and the craftsmanship and eye for detail is remarkable. It is obvious that Cheri not only takes pride in her work, but also puts thought and copious amounts of care into everything she creates.

Those of you fortunate enough to have won the pocket journals she made for our giveaway are fortunate indeed. Those of you interested in obtaining a piece of your own should visit Paper Fetish Designs. Along with her fabric and leather journals, Cheri also designs Annotated Note-n-Quote Bookmark Journals, business card wallets, coptic bound journals, matchbook notepads and destash supplies. If you can’t make up your mind, Cheri offers gift certificates to aid gift-giving, so the recipient might be as fortunate as I to obtain a personalized piece.