I took a trip to the art store today and bought a few full (22" x 30") sheets of Fabriano Artistico paper in 140 lb. weights and a variety of finishes - hot press, cold press, and rough. Inspired by Cathy Johnson's no see folded journal video on YouTube and Esther K. Smith's Making Books book- I folded and cut the full sheet into two new sketchbooks. 

I've been enjoying using a square format for my sketchbooks lately, so I cut down the full sheet into a 22 x 22" square and then folded it in half several times until I had a 5.5" x 5.5" sketchbook. 

With the remaining paper, I made a little 3.5" x 4.5" accordion sketchbook. 

To inaugurate my new sketchbook, I painted my dogs from some photos I took a little while ago.  

I can't wait to show you the completed sketchbook! Stay tuned.