new journal listing on etsy

I've just listed a small journal on Etsy.

This journal is 6 x 6 inches and has 36 pages, creating 72 surfaces to use. The pages are a variety of scrapbook papers. ; There are 10 pockets, 6 glassine envelopes, and several tags. Use this spiral coil bound book for whatever you wish: photographs, quotes, journaling, lists, daily ephemera. I see this as a “smash book” of sorts.

$20.00

Gelli Print Book #2

The other day I posted Gelli Print Book #1 here. Here is a slideshow of the 2nd book. 

It's a small size 4.25 x 5.25 with a 3/4" spine. There are 35 papers (70 pages), which are taped together to create one signature block and then glued into a cereal box covered with one of the gelli prints. The pages don't lay flat which will make working in it cumbersome. But it was fun trying a new binding method, inspired by The Frugal Crafter.

I'm thinking these prints will take paint, pastels, gelatos, collage and some markers well. I'm hoping to be inspired by the combinations that create the spread. We'll see ...

Gelli plate prints art book #1

Here is the book I made from gelli prints. The cover is a manila envelope which I collaged with some of the prints. There are 4 signatures and 12 folios in a variety of sizes to create 48 surfaces to play with.

I think this will be fun to paint, collage, and doodle in.

Scrappy Leftovers

This book was born out of an attempt to use up my stash of papers and junk and supplies, and my love of making and working in book form. It is a true “scrappy journal” in that nothing inside it is “new”.  The cover is a cereal box, covered with drop paper (paper used under painting projects) sealed with glossy collage pauge mixed with red glitter. I added a paper flower and two strips of ribbon to the front, and stitched hearts of the same drop paper to the back. There are four signatures, sewn in with hemp twine, using a simple long stitch. Approximately 138 pages/surfaces are available to use.

While I won’t journal in this book, the papers and vignettes will be documentation of life lived. Junk mail, stamps, stickers from fruit, product and food packaging … things that would normally be thrown away. They are repurposed here to create an interesting form of art. The book is meant to be interacted with … lots of pockets and tuck spots invite the viewer to lift and pull, perhaps turn the book around. I invite anyone who views this book to dig into their purse or pocket and offer any junk they find, thereby being a collaborator in this project. 

Meandering books

This book, made from one sheet of paper, is called a "meandering book" because of the way it unfolds and can be displayed. 

Either side can be the "outside". 

I added content to this one ...

I love making these books, decorating the papers and creating the structure. Sometimes the structure "dictates" the content. In this case there were roughly 11 pages on one side, my granddaughter is 11, so a page per year worked perfectly. I haven't yet decided on the content for the top one.

3 more books

Still making books from one sheet of paper. Folding and cutting techniques to create different structures.

French Door Book. 

Painted, stamped and doodled paper.

the "french door" is in the middle

here you can see the backside of the paper which has a light wash only.

No content yet ... however, thinking of following the graffiti theme and adding photos of graffiti I've taken on various travels, mainly in Europe.

Meandering book.

Painted and stamped paper both sides

Front view

top view

inside page view

Again, no content yet. Thinking of making it a "map" of my granddaughter's years.

Accordion Book with Pockets

Scrapbook paper 12x12. Folded to create pockets

I created a "belly band" with a complimentary scrapbook paper.

 backside

inside view with pockets which I filled with tags

This is for my son for father's day.

I absolutely love love love making books! Hope you are having a creative day!

One Page Wonders

I'm taking a class with Kiala Givehand. We are making books from one sheet of paper. I'm taking the class because Kiala is a wiz at bookmaking and her videos are good quality. 

This is the first book, an "X" book or 6-page book. You can choose to glue pages to create a book like this or you can leave pages unglued. I wanted to show the back of the paper so I created pockets by just gluing sides and using my circle punch.

For content, I added small photos of flowers and call it "Small Wonders". I also rounded the corners which adds a nice touch. It's quite small 2 3/4 by 4 1/4. Not sure what I'll add to the pockets, perhaps quotes about flowers tucked inside. I'm not happy with the title on the cover (don't like the black on the dark green) ... so I'll be switching that out.

Kiala is not only teaching book structure but also teaching a variety of paper "decoration" techniques. This is using tulip fabric paint to create a sort of "tie dyed" effect. 

Taking this class supports one of my 2015 art goals - to make 50 books. Having a lot of fun with this!

books made so far

One of my 2015 art goals is to make 50 books. Here is what I've done so are ...

A good idea but I lost interest fairly quickly in it

Scrappy journal for my granddaughter. I'm thrilled that she actually uses it!

"Secrets" A journal of cardstock papers in a manila envelope cover. Most pages have places for "secret" journaling. Almost finished

Strips and Circles scrappy journal - ready to use

Smash scrappy journal - ready to use

A small scrappy journal that I might use as a "travel journal"

Hearts and Flowers scrappy journal - ready to use

Black and White Scrappy Journal - ready to use

A page from Journaling by 5s (unfinished composition book journal)

Cover of  "Truly Junque Journal" - this book is filled with snippets of stuff

A page from "Vintage Gluebook" - in progress

Newest "Truly Junque" journal

12 so far ... end of May ... 38 to go ... hmmm ...