Although the idea has been muddling around in my head for years now, and I have created publications that came very close, I am not the first to embrace the idea of a magazine that celebrates the art that is inherent in everyday life.
There is Martha Stewart Living, of course, and Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion which is no more.
Printed publications are in a huge state of change right now, and most are getting thinner and more simple, or so full of advertising that you can’t find the actual content.
But a few are moving in the opposite direction with elaborate design, different paper stock being used in the same issue, and inserts galore.
One such is Daphne’s Diary, which you see above. The only thing in my photo that is not part of the magazine page is the leaf I laid on top!
The concept is that a woman (Daphne) keeps a diary, excessively illustrated, which becomes this magazine. She’s into a little bit of everything.
The magazine is oversized (9″x12″) and 122 pages or so. Lushly printed on varied stock, with inserts like little calendar booklets, die cut punch-outs, recipe cards, and cut & fold items. It’s published in the Netherlands several times a year. I can’t imagine how they get that done, but they do.
I paid just $12.99 for the issue I found at a Barnes & Noble store, and you can order from their website:
You inspired me to finally stop at our one and only Barnes N Noble Booksellers and purchase the latest issue of Daphne’s Diary plus a couple of other magazines that I like for the eye candy. I went to the Diary website and almost ordered the 2015 planner, however, the cost of shipping was more than the cost of the planner. Not – aint gonna happen.
Merry Christmas from Flagstaff, AZ