Simple Pop Out Valentine Card – Doodled Heart

January 20, 2015 /
Category: , ,

I was very good yesterday, I worked all day at putting my studio back together, so I took a little time before calling it a night and made a Pop Out Valentine card.  Valentines Day is weeks away so I have a some time to finish it with a verse.  In the meantime I’m going…

Read More

Zombie Book and Clam Shell Box

January 4, 2015 /
Category: , , , , ,

Short story… I wanted to make something different for a special, incredibly talented, artist. I went to her blog and found a post titled “Things To Do Before The Zombie Apocalypse” – things rocketed on from there. I lead a rather boring life and am not too familiar with Zombies. I’m more afraid of not…

Read More

ATC – there’s a first time for everything

October 14, 2014 /
Category: , , ,

First, let me apologize for the pictures.  We’re close to finishing my studio and getting my supplies and furniture out of storage.  In the meantime I’m still working on my kitchen counter and, if space wasn’t an issue, it’s been a beautiful rainy day with a gray sky – therefore not the best light for…

Read More

Flag Book Workshop at Random Arts, Saluda, NC

September 30, 2014 /
Category: , ,

I’m on schedule to teach this fun Flag Book workshop at Random Arts in Saluda, NC on Thursday, October 9th. * All materials to make the Flag Book and Envelope as seen below, are precut and included in the workshop.  Workshop size is limited to 8. * Book size is 4″ x 7″ closed / 16″…

Read More

Pamphlet Stitched Journal with Collaged Cover

July 18, 2014 /
Category: , , ,

If the Focus Book workshop finishes early we’re going to make this journal structure… Pamphlet Stitched Journal with Collaged Cover Design Considerations: I wanted a journal structure that used supplies most folks would have on hand and involved minimal, if any, sewing.  It should be easy to assemble and easy to decorate (I, however, couldn’t stand…

Read More
Focus Book

Focus Book – Workshop at Random Arts in Saluda, NC

July 12, 2014 /
Category: , ,

FOCUS BOOK – Workshop at Random Arts in Saluda, NC I’ll be teaching this book I created on July 25th. 6 1/8″ x 7 1/4″ 6 1/8″ x 22 1/2″ Story: I’ve been caught up in the Gouache technique.  Where you paint a picture in acrylic paint, paint over it with white gouache water color,…

Read More
Guache

A Gouache here a little Gouache there + Golden Fluids color chart

July 5, 2014 /
Category: , ,

Gouache Technique and Golden Fluids Color Chart Although, admittedly, I’m an impulse opportunity shopper I don’t like to buy duplicates of supplies I have at home. Soooooo, after an inspiring Tuesday of Zen Doodling at Random Arts (where most of my Golden fluids shopping happens) I created an inventory color chart in excel of Golden Fluid…

Read More

2014 Christmas Card – Panel Book based on Hedi Kyle design

June 30, 2014 /
Category: , ,

I’ve been doodling some, making books and buying duplicate of art supplies that I can’t get to in “lock up”.  Luckily Random Arts is having their Artist’s yard sale in October and I can sell some of the duplicates there (my studio should be finished by then). While lost in Pinterest (this should be a…

Read More

TA DONE! – Coptic End Bands

March 6, 2013 /
Category: , ,

I hate to continue leading my posts with TA DA! but when I finally figure something out I just can’t help it. Coptic End Band   In the beginnin….7 1/2″ x 5″ – 11 signatures – 4 sheets/8 pages Susan, our instructor for teaching the Coptic End Band technique, brought text blocks for us to keep…

Read More

Repurposed Lemony Snickets – Greek Binding

August 16, 2012 /
Category: , ,

OK – I didn’t want to use my wood covered book to experiment making the Coptic Endband so I took two Lemony Snicket books that I dug out of the library’s RIP box to make a book to experiment on. This picture shows the covers separated from text block andthe front sides already trimmed back. I…

Read More

Wood Book Cover from Hardwood Flooring

August 15, 2012 /
Category: , , ,

At the next Atlanta Book Arts Collective’s monthly meeting one of our members is teaching us how to make Coptic Endbands.  The word went out that we needed boards. Picture a spinning top that has swirls of color – that was my mind.  Never mind what the intent was – I heard boards.  To me,…

Read More

Beach House Book from Drink Coasters

July 26, 2012 /
Category: , , ,

This, with a bottle of wine, would be a cute hostess gift. 4 5/8″ from floor to peak of box 5 1/2″ high at the center of the house with book inserted 6″ wide from roof edge to roof edge Materials: 2 Coasters – 4″ x 4″ thick cardboard coaster (restaurant kind) Empty tea box –…

Read More

Leather Covered Slip Case for Antique Book

July 25, 2012 /
Category: , , ,

One of the reasons I was interested in Jana Pullman’s class was that I wanted to make a slip case for a 1966 Instrument Flying Handbook I found at a yard sale. I have reclaimed airplane seat leather I want to use as a cover.  The leather is VERY thick and I was hoping for some…

Read More

My Week At Arrowmont

July 24, 2012 /
Category: , ,

I’m exhausted!  The good kind of exhausted.  Every waking minute (there are NO televisions in the rooms) was spent making, observing and/or speaking with other artists about art – all kinds of art (and eating delicious meals). We learned a lot about historical leather bindings, leather and leather tooling from Jana Pullman.  I was kinda hoping for…

Read More

Call me Pollyanna

July 15, 2012 /
Category: , ,

26 students – making 4 journals in 2.5 hours was ambitious. Pamphlets (4 1/4′ X 5 1/2′) showing the students specifics of the journals they made – bound with hairbands from Dollar Tree (100 for $1) Monday was the first day of class. The 25 artists (we lost one – before the class started) began the first…

Read More

25 Students, 4 Journals, 2.5 Hours!

July 6, 2012 /
Category: , ,

20 page pamphlet I put together of the 4 Journal Techniques being taught4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ I’m nothing if not optimistic.  Here’s what happened.  A few weeks ago the Administration of a community arts center asked one of our local book arts teachers if she would teach a one day journal making class the…

Read More

Shock and Awe – Library Sorter

June 29, 2012 /
Category: , , ,

About a month ago I began volunteering at my local library.  Holy cow!  I didn’t have a clue as to the amount of work and organization that took place at a library.  It must have been a paper zoo when card catalogs were in use. Library – Box Label Sorter At any rate, in addition…

Read More

IPad Stand using a Book Cover Repurposed #2

May 23, 2012 /
Category: , , ,

PART 2 – A Rewarding project.  IPad Stand:2 –   1937 / New Standard Encyclopedia Volumes IV and V (I bought 6 volumes at a yard sale years ago)        The covers are a very nice, embossed, burgundy cloth.Scraps of Chipboard 3 –     Silver Grommets15″ – 1/2″ black elasticPVA Glue TIP: The stand could also be made using…

Read More

IPad Stand using Book Covers – Repurposed #1

May 23, 2012 /
Category: , , ,

Having a hard time separating myself from the books that don’t have a “near future” purpose and don’t have much of a redeeming value that anyone else would want them. To reduce the length of the post I’m sending this in two posts. #1 shows the finished project. #2 shows the process. Stand as assembled. The elastic serves…

Read More

When The Student Is Ready…The Teacher Will Come

May 13, 2012 /
Category: , , , , ,

In my case this Buddhist Proverb couldn’t be more timely… 1.  I came across a book binder on YouTube that put together awesome instructional videos of various book binding and case making techniques  http://www.youtube.com/user/Ceropegia?feature=watch. Sage Reynolds, the book binder, has an impressive list of videos, take a look.  While I knew (or have seen in the…

Read More