Grace L, the crafter behind Sharky’s Leather, made Tandy’s Travel Notebook Kit with a marble dye technique and interior accents. Follow her step-by-step process to create a small personal journal perfect for wherever your next adventure takes you!

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Instructions:

Marble Dyeing Leather & Interior Design

Step 1: Cover your work surface with aluminum foil, roughly twice the size of your journal cover.

Step 2: Spread a layer of shaving cream over the foil, slightly larger than your cover so the whole piece can touch it.

Step 3: Dip a dauber or brush end into the dye and drop it across the shaving cream in scattered spots.

Pro Tip: Spread the dye around rather than leaving it in one spot allowing for easier movement and designs!

Step 4: Drag a brush through the dye and cream, creating swirls, lines, waves, marbling. Don't overthink this part! Experiment until you like the pattern.

Step 5: Gently lay the leather cover grain (smooth) side down onto the cream so the whole surface makes contact. Don't slide this around, or you'll smear the pattern!

Step 6: Let the dye set for 15–20 minutes. The longer this sits, the darker it gets.

Step 7: Remove the leather cover gently and rinse with water until the shaving cream is gone. Don't wipe this with a paper towel as that can streak your design.

Step 8: Let the cover dry completely for 24 to 48 hours. Don't rush this part!

Step 9: Once dry, apply Fiebing's Resolene to the dyed side with a dauber, spreading evenly. Wipe off the excess with a paper towel.

Step 10: Let the finish dry 1–2 hours before continuing.

Assembly & Finishing

Step 1: Pick out a design you'd like to cut into the interior portion of the journal with a swivel knife.

Step 2: Dampen the flesh (rough) side of the journal and place the design over it to trave with a pen.

Step 3: Using a swivel knife cut out the design you created.

Step 4: Using your complementary colors from the dyed front cover, set out your paints and brushes of choice before starting.

Step 5: Using thin coats, start painting, staying inside your cut lines. Use multiple coats to get the full color and clean up any missed spots!

Step 6: Let the paint dry for several hours or overnight before finishing.

Step 7: Apply the finish using a dauber or brush to apply Fiebing's Resolene over the painted, inside surface with 2–3 thin coats, letting each dry before the next.

Step 8: After you've allowed this to dry overnight use the buffing cloth to buff the leather for a nice shine.

Step 9: Apply a small amount of Tokonole along the edges, then burnish it with a wooden burnisher until the edges feel smooth. This presses the leather fibers together for a clean, finished look. Continue burnishing until you're happy with the look and feel.

Step 10: Follow the instructions with your kit to complete the assembly of the Travel Notebook!

Sharky's Leather

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