Guest Books with Blank Pages

Blank Pages in Guest Books = Creative Guests!

Here at HSS we're big fans of guest books with blank pages. Lines are confining, and usually result in guests signing only their name and address. (Bo-ring!) We find that when guests are faced with a blank page, they often rise to the occasion, writing heartfelt notes and even drawing pictures. Here's a peek inside a full wedding guest book with blank pages:

Warm wishes, funny greetings, and kid drawings. What could be better?

Take a look at other custom guest books here.

Frank Grady Book

Grady Britton Employees Show Frank Some Love

We were thrilled when our downstairs neighbors Grady Britton asked us to bind a book for Frank Grady's "moving on to other things" celebration. The founder of Grady Britton, Frank is known as a great person in advertising and a great human being. The book is filled with kind words, memories, and photos from many people who know Frank.

The rockstars at Grady Britton thought of every detail in the book's construction -- from custom-designed endsheets to letterpress printed plaques. We are so proud of the results.

Designer: Mike Proctor

Creative Director: Andy Askren

Production Manager: Marcia Schoelen

Letterpress Printing: Studio Olivine

Bookbinding: Hinged Strung Stitched

handmade book of love

a love affair in a book

Valentine's Day is HSS's favorite holiday. To celebrate, all posts this month will have to do with love and appreciation.

To kick things off, we bring you a project years in the making. This book is the final of three that a client made for the object of his affection. Their romance spanned years and long distances, and the books that we made for him contained texts, emails and messages that the two sent back and forth.

This, the final book, includes the correspondence leading up to them finally being together. And the back contains a secret window for an engagement ring (!)

(We got the scoop, she said yes!)

Other places to find love: A Wonderful Wedding Album, Mom + Daughter QT, Love at Studio Olivine

Handmade Portfolios

Portfolios for designers, architects, and photographers

Our online store is currently centered around photo albums, but a lot of our work involves making hand-bound portfolios. We love any opportunity to make books and boxes with content. Here are photos of a few recent portfolio projects:

An grad school applicant had us make these portfolios for him to send to top-choice architecture schools. They will definitely make his work stand out. Good luck, Josiah!

A clamshell box for oversize prints works great for the amazing work of Toni Greaves:

Graphic designer Kortni Bottini uses these leave-behind mini portfolios when she meets with agencies interested in her freelance work:

Call on Hinged Strung Stitched if you need a custom portfolio of your own -- you can see more in our gallery of handmade books and boxes.

(Maybe you want to see DVD or CD Folios? Or maybe you just want to see cute pictures of pets?)

Wedding Album with Photo Prints

Photographs Shine in a Handmade Wedding Album

We often make blank books here at Hinged Strung Stitched, and leave it up to the client to add their own content. However, we also offer photo mounting services for our handmade albums. Mounted photos give the book a satisfying heft, and look simply beautiful. This album and slipcase for photographer and new friend Christina Richards are the latest to leave the studio:

A photo of the couple is mounted into a recessed window on the slipcase:

The hues of the bookcloths work nicely with the tones in Christina's photos:

All photos in the album are copyright Christina Richards.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.