Journal Envy
I just found some of the most beautiful handmade leather bound creations: Handbound Leather Books by Martha Engeltjes. They're gorgeous, but mostly too pricey for my moderately extravagent budget. There is a fairly reasonable Lord of the Rings scrapbook, though, that she did as a custom order. I wish I had the knowledge (and the time, which is the bigger concern, since I can learn new techniques if I have the time) to do this kind of work. I love working with my hands, and feel rather incomplete in my office job because I can't really do anything. Just move papers and students from one place to the next. Big sigh.