Review Time! Cavallini Roma Lussa Journals Black 6 x 8, 416 Softbound Leather Cavallini & Co

The Cavallini Roma Lussa 6 x 8 inch journal is simply amazing! Each aspect of this journal is made by hand in Florance, Italy. The paper is high quality, the leather cover is soft and supple, and the feel of the journal in your hands makes it a pleasure to use. Before I get to my review of this journal, I would like to note that I purchased this journal from Amazon. This is not a review sample.

About The Paper: 
 

Unlike most journals you will find on the market, this journal contains 416 acid-free pages of thick high quality paper. The paper of this journal is thick enough for me to use a fountain pen with out any problems. For this test I used my Lamy extra fine tip fountain pen. I experienced no problems with bleed through at all which I personally find impressive. On the back of the page is some slight ghosting, but not enough to be a problem -this can be seen in the photo below.

 

 Finding a journal that a fountain pen can be used on is hard work so I am very please with this journal. Please note: I do not know if all fountain pens will work on this type of paper, but the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen works very nicely.

The photo above shows the beautiful marble painting that decorates the edges of this journal. Personally I love the marble design and the beautiful pattern. This pattern was created by hand which makes each journal an unique work of art!

Above is another photo of the beautiful marble design from a different angle. Gorgeous!

Another unique feature of this journal is its sewn binding, which is very similar to the book bindings found in high quality Bibles. Sewn book bindings last much longer than glued bindings. With a sewn binding you never have to worry about the pages falling out of the book.

About The Cover:

 The cover of this edition is crafted from genuine leather. The leather is supple and flexible making this journal a pleasure to use. The grain of the leather is well defined and simple beautiful. A leather strap wraps around the journal to help keep it closed - a very old world touch which I personally love. Due to the quality of this journal, you can be sure that it will last for years to come.

About The Company:

Since 1989, Cavallini Co. has been creating gift and stationery products with a commitment to quality and uniqueness. Twenty-three years later, Cavallini remains an old-fashioned company dedicated to excellence, design and integrity. Cavallini believes that when you focus on doing things right, everything else falls into place. They find their inspiration in everything from a hand-colored 18th century engraving, a Parisian city guide from 1921, to a print found in a vintage French encyclopedia. Drawing from rich pieces of ephemera in the Cavallini archives, they strive to retain the integrity and authenticity of the images integrated into their  products.

My Personal Opinion: 
Personally this is the best journal I have ever owned.  For the past few months I have been looking for a good journal for writing down my own personal prayers, poems and spiritual experiences. Its always good to keep a record of your prayer life so that you can look back on your experiences later on. This journal is just perfect for my needs. With this journal I can rest assured that my thoughts and personal prayers will last for generations. As someone who enjoys writing I find this aspect to be wonderful. I also love the old world charm of this journal. The old world look is simply breath taking. If you have a passion for writing this is the perfect journal. I highly recommend Cavallini Roma Lussa Journals.




In Honor of Wiccan Awareness Month: 

Similar to keeping a prayer journal, Wiccans and many Pagans keep a type of spiritual journal called a Book of Shadows (BOS for short). Many people choose to use the longer name Book of Shadows and Light for their BOS, while others use the term Book of Light. Which ever name one chooses is a personal preference and the book still serves the same purposes regardless of its name. Unlike in the movies a Book of Shadows is not a standardized spell book. In fact it is usually created by the individual for personal or family usage. Unlike the prayer journals used by people of many different faiths, a Book of Shadows is created to cover a variety of topics. So whats in a BOS? Anything that is of spiritual importance to the owner - including: statements of faith, information regarding the individual's spiritual life, the individual's research into their faith and beliefs, spiritual events from the person's life, religious rituals, prayers, spells (prayers with props), and any other information regarding one's spiritual practice. Anything that one feels should be recorded for future reference is often included in their Book of Shadows. As with a prayer journal many use their BOS to follow their connection with the Creator and to keep track of their spiritual experiences. It is always good to see the progress one makes with their connection to the Divine and many use their Book of Shadows for this purpose. 

Below is a video by Flora Peterson about her Book of Shadows. Mrs. Peterson is highly regarded within the Pagan community. She is an Eclectic Spiritualist who offers Eclectic Spiritual Earth Based Programs for spiritual education and empowerment. For more information about Mrs. Peterson check out her website at http://www.mflorapeterson.com/

The Least You Need to Know

➤Wiccans and Pagans both use a Book of Shadows to record their spiritual business. This is not simply a place where they keep spells, chants, and rituals. A Book of Shadows is used to write down one's personal musings, the results of one's prayer life, and whatever else someone feels should be included in their Book of Shadows for later reference. 

Rustico Hand-Crafted Quote Book Journal

The Quote Book Journal is Rustico's smallest leather bound journal, designed for keeping your thoughts, quotes, or poetry on the go. This Journal is hand crafted in the USA from quality materials and is unique. Unlike manufactured journals, Rustico journals are made when ordered. The Rustic cowhide cover and hand torn pages give this journal an old world appearance, reminiscent of the journals used in the late 1800's- early 1900's.

About The Cover and Binding:
The cover of this journal is made from smooth top grain cowhide leather, made when cowhide is split from the top layer and refinished to the desired texture. Top Grain leather is the second highest grade of leather, and is as strong and durable as full grain leather. All leather used in Rustico journals are hand antiqued and crafted, giving each journal an unique appearance. The binding is hand sown to the cover making this journal sturdy and durable, made to last for many years.

Whats Inside:
In the Quote Book journal there are 96 hand torn blank pages for writing your thoughts, ideas, special memories or poetry. The paper is a thick weight recycled paper that is acid free. Rustico is an environmentally conscious company which prides in using only recycled paper or a cotton/paper blend in their journals. The unique texture and torn page edges gives this journal an old world appearance, reminiscent of the hand made journals used in the late 1800's- early 1900's. Paper Size: 3.25” x 3.5”

What Makes Acrid Free Paper Unique?
Unlike regular paper which disintegrates after a few decades, Acid free paper is designed to last for at least 100 years with out disintegrating. Acid free paper is especially useful for scrapbooking because it will not discolor, or damage photos. I recommend using an acid free or archival quality ink in this journal, this type of ink will not fade or discolor over time like regular ink. (If you decide to add small wallet size photos to your journal, you will not have to worry about the ink damaging them over time)


Information About Rustico And Artist Bio:
Isaac Childs -"Rustico began when I started making leather bound journals about 10 years ago because I like to write. My shelves were filled with tattered notebooks and folders stuffed with random thoughts and experiences along with great quotes I may have come upon or overheard that caught my attention. The trouble was that I had these sweet experiences and wonderful thoughts, quotes and ideas and no place that I could keep them. I wanted a book that would have a unique personality and classic look about it to hold my ideas and thoughts. I wanted my journal to be made to last for a lifetime and become more refined with each use. I wanted to have a book that I could carry with me everywhere, whether I was at work, on vacation, in the mountains, or even downtown. So I started making journals."

"Since then we have grown and have had to find ways to keep up with the demand for our books, still maintaining the personalized touch used from the beginning. I have brought on several friends to help keep up with all of these requests, yet personally oversee the production to ensure that only the highest quality of workmanship is put into each book."

"They represent only the highest quality of work. The pages in most of our sketchbooks, journals and photo albums are hand torn and folded to specific sizes. The paper we use is acid free and still has the unique texture of old fashioned paper presses. Our leather covers are cut from top grain hides and bound by hand to the paper using a style of binding that has been used for centuries. Throughout the process, we put the same amount of personality into each book. My hope is that our journals, sketch books and photo albums will be used to savor those precious memories that will bring sweet remembrance for years to come. I personally guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with your journals, sketchbooks, and photo-albums, if not I will gladly replace your book for another, enjoy!"

~ Isaac Childs
Designer/General Manager, Rustico L.L.C.

My Personal Opinion:
The size of this journal makes it ideal for traveling, easily fitting in a pocket or purse. The quality is impressive, featuring handcrafted leather and rustic appearance. The leather is soft, flexible and has a nice feel, which is something I look for and value in leather bindings. Thick weight paper makes this journal a good choice for writing, drawing or mounting small photos. The thick leather cover and quality binding protect the pages when the journal is carried. I recommend this journal to those looking for a small high quality journal or scrapbooking project.

The Journal featured in this review can be found at
http://www.rusticoleather.com/quotebookjournal.aspx

Refillable Leather Composition Journal: LeatherKeepsake.Com

Leather Keepsakes refillable composition journal is designed to give writers a convenient notepad for jotting down ideas, thoughts and other information. It's small size measuring 5. 1/8” x 3. 9/16” makes this journal the perfect sized pocket notepad for traveling and daily use. Skillfully hand crafted in the US from genuine steer hide leather, this notepad journal is sturdy and durable made to last for many years. Engraving is a nice feature for personalizing this journal, it not only adds to the journal's appearance but serves as a quick identification.

About The Cover and Binding:
This journal is crafted from smooth top grain steer hide leather. The leather is a good heavy thickness that will with stand the riggers of daily use. Steer hide leather comes from the hide of neutered bulls, it is somewhat stronger and more durable than cowhide. Top Grain leather is leather split from the top layer of the hide and refinished to the desired texture. As the second highest grade of leather, Top Grain leather is as strong and durable as full grain leather. Leather Keepsakes exclusively hand-crafts their products from American leather, each journal possesses it's own characteristics making each one unique. The thread used in the stitching of this journal is a high quality upholstery grade thread, which adds to the durability and appearance of this journal. Size 3 ½” x 5”

Whats Inside:
Refillable journals come in handy for taking notes, writing down ideas, or anything you may need to write down. This Journal can be refilled with any standard size 3.25” x 4.5” composition journal. Paper Size: 3.25” x 4.5”

Engraving: The engraving on this journal was done using laser technology, each letter is uniform in texture, color and detail. Because of the level of detail possible with laser technology a wide rage of engraving options are available initials, a name, or a saying, they can also engrave a companies logo for business, or corporate gifts

Information About Leather Keepsakes And Artist Bio: Leather Keepsakes is based in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Utah. They strive to ensure that all of their products are of the best quality and craftsmanship available. They offer a large line of hand made leather journals and photo albums. All of their leather products are handmade in the US, to ensure quality and craftsmanship.

My Personal Opinion:
Growing up in an upholstery shop I learned to recognize and appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of materials that go into hand crafted products. I am impressed with the quality of this notepad and it's craftsmanship. Lately I have been using this journal a lot, it's great for jotting down ideas, phone numbers, and making grocery lists. It easily fits in my purse or back pocket allowing me to write down any ideas that come to mind. This journal is especially useful to write down ideas, or thoughts while on the go. I recommend this journal to those looking for a durable notepad for daily use.

The Journal featured in this review can be found at

http://www.leatherkeepsakes.com/Small-Refillable-Composition-Journal-Saddle-p/01-bk011-saddle.htm

Rustico Hand-Crafted Epiphany Leather Journal

The Epiphany Leather Journal is a unique pocket size journal, especially design for carrying with you to write down ideas, thoughts, quotes, etc. This Journal is hand crafted in the USA, each is unique and made to order. (Unlike manufactured journals, Rustic journals are made when ordered.) The Rustic cowhide cover and hand torn pages give this journal an old world appearance, reminiscent of the journals used in the late 1800's- early 1900's.

About The Cover and Binding:
The cover of this journal is made from smooth top grain leather, made when cowhide is split from the top layer and refinished to the desired texture. Top Grain leather is the second highest grade of leather, and is as strong and durable as full grain leather. All leather used in Rustico journals are hand antiqued and crafted, giving each journal an unique appearance. The binding is hand sown to the cover with high quality materials, making this journal sturdy and durable, made to last for many years.

Whats Inside:
In the Epiphany Leather Journal are 96 hand torn blank pages for writing your thoughts, ideas, and special memories. The paper is a thick weight recycled paper that is acid free. Rustico is an environmentally conscious company which prides in using only recycled paper or a cotton/paper blend in their journals. The unique texture and torn page edges gives this journal an old world appearance, reminiscent of the hand made journals used in the late 1800's- early 1900's.
Paper Size: 3 ½” x 5”

What Makes Acrid Free Paper Unique?
Many people do not realize the benefits of acid free paper. Unlike regular paper which will disintegrate after a few decades, Acid free paper is designed to preserve your writings for at least 100 years with out disintegrating. Acid free paper is especially useful for scrap booking because it will not discolor, or damage photos. I recommend using an acid free or archival quality ink in this journal, this type of ink will not fade or discolor over time like regular ink. (If you decide to add small wallet size photos to your journal, you will not have to worry about the ink damaging them over time)


Information About Rustico And Artist Bio:
Isaac Childs -"Rustico began when I started making leather bound journals about 10 years ago because I like to write. My shelves were filled with tattered notebooks and folders stuffed with random thoughts and experiences along with great quotes I may have come upon or overheard that caught my attention. The trouble was that I had these sweet experiences and wonderful thoughts, quotes and ideas and no place that I could keep them. I wanted a book that would have a unique personality and classic look about it to hold my ideas and thoughts. I wanted my journal to be made to last for a lifetime and become more refined with each use. I wanted to have a book that I could carry with me everywhere, whether I was at work, on vacation, in the mountains, or even downtown. So I started making journals."

"Since then we have grown and have had to find ways to keep up with the demand for our books, still maintaining the personalized touch used from the beginning. I have brought on several friends to help keep up with all of these requests, yet personally oversee the production to ensure that only the highest quality of workmanship is put into each book."

"They represent only the highest quality of work. The pages in most of our sketchbooks, journals and photo albums are hand torn and folded to specific sizes. The paper we use is acid free and still has the unique texture of old fashioned paper presses. Our leather covers are cut from top grain hides and bound by hand to the paper using a style of binding that has been used for centuries. Throughout the process, we put the same amount of personality into each book. My hope is that our journals, sketch books and photo albums will be used to savor those precious memories that will bring sweet remembrance for years to come. I personally guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with your journals, sketchbooks, and photo-albums, if not I will gladly replace your book for another, enjoy!"

~ Isaac Childs
Designer/General Manager, Rustico L.L.C.

My Personal Opinion:
I am impressed with the quality of this journal. The leather is soft, flexible and has a nice feel, this is something I always appreciate and look for in leather books. Thick weight paper makes this journal a good choice for writing, drawing and mounting small photos. The pages are protected from damage when the journal is carried, because of the thick leather cover and the quality binding.

The size of this journal makes it a perfect pocket journal, and miniature photo album for wallet size photos. I recommend this journal to those looking for a small high quality journal.

The Journal featured in this review can be found at
http://www.rusticoleather.com/epiphanyleatherjournal.aspx