Leather Journal Completed

A few days ago I posted the beginning work on my handmade leather journal.  Now it is finished.....I think.  I wanted the cover to feature the rough edges and curves of the natural cowhide.  But now I am not sure I like it because it tends to curl up.  What do you think?

 I found this metal piece at Michael's.  It is supposed to be used on a bracelet, but I hammered it flat to use as a closure for my sketchbook. I love the look of the long wrap around lace of the leather journal that I bought from Iona, but when I am sketching, the long lace gets in the way or in the dirt or once, my puppy chewed on it. I was trying to come up with something that wouldn't get in the way.