blue nautical chart handmade guestbook by Ruth Bleakley - closeup of coptic stitch
If this blue nautical chart reminds you of a topographic map, you'd be right! A bathymetric chart is the submerged equivalent of an above-water topographic map, so you can see all of the normally hidden twists and turns, hills and valleys that lie under the ocean! This guest book would be perfect for your beach house or beach wedding. It's one of a kind, since I used original charts (that would otherwise be destined for the recycle bin!)
I stitched this 7"x9" (7"x18" when opened) hardcover guest book together by hand (check out this post on my bookbinding blog to see the process) and it is filled with 36 pages (72 sides, front and back) of creamy 90 lb drawing paper. It has just enough space for guest's names and messages without being HUGE and half empty at the end of your event. The pages are blank so that people can leave a message and not just their names.
The paper might show the tiniest bit of wear from the scientist who used this chart, but that'll just remind you of the life this chart had prior to being made into a book. The hand-set silver grommets really tie everything together. The book is hand-sewn with a coptic stitch, a type of braided binding that I did with blue waxed Irish Linen thread, which is really strong. I take care to use long-lasting acid free and archival materials whenever possible so the book will last a long time.
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