House of Thoughts

Last week, I went to friend Gaye's house to make a book.  The "House of Thoughts" book is one she will be teaching at Stampaway this week.  The one on the left is one she gave me for Christmas last year, and the one on the right is the one I made last week.

I've had fun adding things to the pages of my book since I got home.  Pockets, tags, quotes, stamping.  The possibilities are endless! 

The two books we made are variations on the one that will be taught in class, where they will make one with a more traditional, classic style roof.  Ours had an asymmetrical roof with funky chimney!

More information about classes and the convention can be found here at Stampaway. 

Smells like leather

What a fun time I had last Saturday.  Traveled to Louisville to attend a bookbinding workshop where we made a leather journal.  The class was taught by a very talented book artist who uses upcycled material, Melissa Oesch of ReImagined .  These are some of her samples she brought. Each one is unique and beautiful. 

This is the book I made (below).  My one regret is that I picked flimsy leather for my cover.  We had a choice, as Melissa went around the room letting us be the one to pick. So I have no one to blame but myself. I liked the look of this leather, but in retrospect, wish I had used a heavier leather.  After I got home, I stiffened the cover a little by attaching a scrap piece I had cut from my original cover.  I turned it over to the more suede side, and started sewing it in place, first on the right side of the scrap.  I was just about through with that and ready to start sewing the left side of the scrap and thought - eyelets!  So I used eyelets on the edge of the flap.  I will add a button or bead to the leather tie that wraps around the book.

I did treat myself to one of Melissa's journals, and I'm so glad I did.  I picked this one (on the left) because I liked the more tall narrow size.  Reminds me of the Midori travel journal a little.  That's also how I realized I like the thicker leather.  This journal just feel better to hold.  It has beautiful deckled paper inside too.

 

I've been experimenting off and on in the tall journal, testing pens, inks, watercolors, and paints.

This paper holds up surprisingly well.  The only bleed through was when I used a lot of water.  The Distress ink pad bled completely through the page when I added water.

Overall, fun class, fun day with friends, good lunch.  It all went too fast. 

Artiscape 2016

I have been falling down on the job in passing along fun things to do.  This weekend is Artiscape, an annual event in Columbus, Ohio.  My friend Gaye Medbury is once again teaching this year, and her students all know she comes up with fun, fresh ideas each and every time. 

One of her classes is House of Thoughts.  How cute are these houses?  But a functional house as well because when you open the magnetic closure on the front, it's a book!  I was the recipient of a house book at Christmas, and I never cease to be amazed at how clever Gaye can be when coming up with new designs.  I know the students will be happy with their house books!  Be sure and sign up here! 

The other class Gaye is teaching is Journal du Jour.  This is a handy journal with a segmented binding, ready for you to record your daily thoughts or keep track of your convention adventures.  Gaye is famous for having her kits ready to go, everything precisely cut, thorough instructions, and with awe-inspiring samples to get your juices flowing. 

I won't be able to make it to Columbus, but I would be signed up for both of these classes if I were! 
Have fun, students!