I'm pleased to report that I just replaced my first logbook - not because the box went missing (done that a few times), but because it was full!

Thought about posting on the Look At Me! board, but in the interest of sharing what I learned, I picked this board instead.

It was one of my earlier boxes http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=12511 and an urban/altoid box, so small...but hey it did fill up after over 18 months! So w/o any such plan when I placed it, it turned out I was able to use the same cover and just put new pages in. The book is a business card sized one with a hole punched in one corner and a brad keeps everything together. The cover is in keeping with the clue solving so it sure saved a lot of time just adding new pages and not having to replace the whole logbook.

I've seen a few lines lately about folks getting into logbook making, a few speaking of blue diamonds - but only in reference to the stamp (not the whole box) and so on.

A few things that occur to me now and to think about when putting a box together. I speak only for myself as a planter/finder. Take what you need, leave the rest..I'm kinda talking out loud to myself as I type about stuff I learned and in NO way critiquing the work of others.

A) IF one is lucky enough to have to replace a full logbook, that's the part YOU get to keep for your efforts...even if it takes YEARS to bring it home and put it in its new home, your home. It's an irreplacable "token" of your efforts when you dreamed up the idea/reason for placing the box! Make the book for yourself with this in mind. Taking the time to put as much effort into logbooks as the stamp...which finders seem to covet. However, the stamp ain't all to making and/or finding a 'box!, and which has payoffs for yourself and for your finders. Revel in the possible "tactile-ness" of logbooks AND how you write the clues, what you show/teach others. They DO matter....when making a letterbox.

B) The logbook is part of the whole experience of the letterbox for me. I'm trying to think of when a "it all came together perfectly" 'box (call it BD or your own words for the "wow" factor.) I'm thinking a lined memo book tossed in the box, all things considered, doesn't "do" it for me...unless it's a replacement book that a finder helped out with by tossing in the box....that's a whole different thingy (to use the technical term.) The PLACE first and foremost, stamp, book/box contents...etc/etal....ALL need to come together to "make" a box.

C) Use paper that's thick enough to stamp on both sides if it became absolutely necessary....the smaller the logbook (like many urban ones) the more this is true.

D) And once again....There is NO Game Without Placers....Make it worthwhile..for yourself and your finders...in the stamp, the logbook, the clues, EVERYTHING. Amuse yourself...take others along for the ride!

snort ™

preboxed
Denver, CO

a spiral-bound book of perforated index cards that I bought at Wal*Mart for a dolla.

I have used these also. However; I embellished the front with scrapbook supplies so that it doesn't "look" like index cards from the cover. I figure that when it is full that I can unperforate them and then put them in an album to save on the bookshelf =)

It is true that the logbook is for the planter. I sometimes find that the fancy schmacy books can be a problem to deal with on the trail (if there's not a convenient rock to put everything on). I make my logbooks to fit my LnLs. just a few pages of printer paper with a poster board cover stiched together using the three hole pamphlet method.

For me it's the hunt/destination first, then the stamp. That's what makes this game so great there's something for everyone.

Shiloh

Congrats on your first full log book. I was soooooooo excited when mine became full. Though I have come up with different types of logbooks since then, (With the help of postals) I still like the simple ones I have for my first boxes with the brads in the corners holding the whole thing together. :)

-HG

I stumbled on one of the tutorials here on AQ and haven't turned back since:

http://www.atlasquest.com/tutorials/logbooks/codex/

Since I learned how, I have enjoyed making log books as much as I enjoy making the stamps! Especially, when it comes to making the book cover -- you can use SO MANY different things -- from novelty and scrap book paper to 3-D items like craft feathers and popsicle sticks.

The idea od codex bookbinding *is* a little intimidating at first, but if you have a cereal box, some blank paper, a needle & thread, and glue -- you can do it!

I have made

1, count em, ONE

logbook like this. It turned out nice (well, sort of). But the edges of the pages were uneven. I didn't have the guts to toss it up on the paper cutter to even it up. Scared I would make it worse. I will stick with my simple 5-stitch coptic method...

http://world.std.com/~deanb/zgg/book_5st_1.html

Taking the time to put as much effort into logbooks as the stamp

This is how I'm beginning to feel, too. Until I signed up for my first postal, I didn't realize that boxers were making logbooks as well. That scared me :) But, now I love making the book as much as the stamp. I agree that it's great to have the stamp, the book and the location all tie together, if possible. My mind races as I think of things to carve and the books that I can make to go along with the stamp.

I made a book last night (only my second) that turned out pretty cute. I hope to plant it later this week. When I finished it and was admiring my handiwork, I thought, "geez, do I really want to put this in the LB?"...then it hit me...I'll get it back. It will be mine when it's full and YES, I want to put it in there so when I do get it back, I'll have a really pretty momento of my letterbox.

Mercs

the 3 basseteers planted our first box 2 weeks ago. the logbook? a spiral-bound book of perforated index cards that I bought at Wal*Mart for a dollar.

Actually, I think that is perfectly acceptable, especially for your first box. You don't want to make a fancy logbook for a box planted outdoors because things happen and sometimes the logbook gets soaked, torn apart by animals, etc. Fancy logbooks are done more for postals.

TG

Quote

Fancy logbooks are done more for postals.

Gasp!!!

Doh. I wish I'd known that! After I made my first Postal logbook, I made 7 logbooks for a series I just planted TODAY! LOL

Fancy logbooks are done more for postals.

Gasp!!!

Doh. I wish I'd known that!

I didn't say you HAD to make a fancy logbook for postals. :) Some people do because moisture and animals aren't an issue (we hope).

TG

i don't think using spiralbound index cards is bad at all. its quick and easy, and very durable. hard surfaced. it has all the proper qualities. and it hink what you did is great--make it specific to that letterbox. now if you just threw it in there that would be boring, but covering it w/ something makes it good if thats what you can do. there are no rules, just fun embellishments.

I try, the more I plant 'boxes, to make "fancy" logbooks for ALL my boxes. (well at least original-ish/specific to the box). I don't do postals so I'm speaking of traditional boxes.

Just coming from the place ...ahem, perhaps backwards...that, hey It's Buried Treasure - make it Feel That Way! when someone goes through the effort/fun/whatever to find one my wittle ol' boxes.

...and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not as successful as I'd like to be every time, but I DO try... 'Cause I wanna be proud of my work...and that means making it something I'd wanna keep...for myself..some day.

But that's just me. Like I said in my original post, just talking (OK typing) out loud.

pre
Who has SO many examples of being "suchly-inspired" here in the Rocky Mountains..Shout Out To You ALL! ;-)

I don't care what kind of log is in a box as long as I find the box! :)

But, yes, I am trying to make my logs "fancy" for what I'm planting too. I agree with preboxed:

that, hey It's Buried Treasure

Last weekend, we presented my mom with her own little logbook (handmade in her favorite color, of course) and a signature stamp. She's gone along with us for a few finds and I thought it would be more fun for her if she could stamp in. She was very excited and very impressed with the log, turning it over and over and looking at it. (She's very crafty and appreciates handmade items of all kinds.) She laughed and laughed at her stamp, which was the reaction we had predicted.

Anyway, in addition to finders enjoying the log/stamp as a whole, I figure that eventually, when the log is full, I'll have a nice little reminder of our box...perhaps a family keepsake.

Mercs