52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

WEEK THREE!

For this week's post, I could not decide what I should post.  I already had something in mind for this week, did not know whether to go with my original plan or change it, last minute.  I hemmed and hawed and then hemmed and hawed some more.  I thought and thought and then thought some more. I was trying to decide whether nor not to post what I had in mind originally or ....

Actually, I had something else in mind for this week's post, but when I received a complimentary copy of the book my artwork is in, Zen Doodles, I decided to post it instead.

The name of the book is, "Zen Doodle: oodles of doodles".  Some of my artwork is on the front and back cover of the book.  What is not in color that is.  The book can be purchases through Northlight Book, for anyone interested.

I had the honor of being one of the spotlight artist:

Along with the Q & A, are some of my ZIAs (Zentangle Inspired Art).

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

Here we are, second week of 52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals and More...

For this weeks post, I decided on another simple booklet.

 

I started with Tan Cardstock for my cover and Strathmore's Tone Tan paper for my signatures

(about 7 sheets).

I cut the tan paper to fit inside the cover (8.5" X 11").

I folded he cardstock in half, creating the cover for my booklet, and folded each sheet in half.  I used a bone folder to crease all the papers and the cover.  I marked both the cover and the first folded paper with a "T", so when I sew papers and cover together, everything will line up.  

With a pencil, I made a mark 1" from the top and bottom and in the center.

I nestled he papers together and added the cover.  

Using a large eye needled I sewed the papers and cover together.

I drew a grid on the front cover, to do a design similar to the one I posted on March 1, 2014 .

That one was more free form.  This one will be more geometric.

Here is the finished booklet.  

I added Washi tape to the fold and rounded the corners of the cover and inside papers.

(NOTE:  If you going to round the corners, it's easier to do before you bind the book.  ASK ME HOW I KNOW ;-)

Making Embellishments from Clay

I am one of the Design Team Member for Blue Twig Studio.  I created a tutorial for Makin's Clay Products and Sculpey Flexible Mold, which can be purchased at Blue Twig Studio.

Here is what I created from these products:

To see the complete tutorial, go to Blue Twig Studios, here.

I hope this gets your creative juices flowing.  Have fun creating.

52 Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

Week one of 52 Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journaling & more...

This holiday season was a busy one for me this year.  With visits from relatives, and friends popping in and out and all the preparations for the holidays, it left very little time for anything else.

The book I created for this week is a very simple one.  An "According Fold Booklet".  Super easy, super simple.

I started with Strathmore Watercolor Paper, size 6" X 18", 140#.  I bought this paper awhile back thinking I would use it for watercolor landscapes, but never did.

I scored the paper every 4", which gave me four folds.  After cutting off what was left, it gave me enough to use as a bookmark to make at a later date,  if I choose.

I then folded along the score lines and creased each fold with a bone folder.

I chose these two pieces for my front and back covers.  I found the one on the left on Pinterest, which I thought was so apropos.  I cut each 4" X 6" and glue them to the front and back of the booklet.

Finiahed Book

52 Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more…

I have decided to start the New Year with a new project, or I should say projects. So, for 2015, I am going to create a book of some sort every week for 52 weeks.   

Now, not all of these will be books per se, but they will have something to do with books, be it a bookmark, a journal page, an altered book, or whatever, they will be book related.  The possibilities are endless.

I hope with each book I create or book related item, each would be unique in its own way.  I am not saying that you will not have seen these books before; I am saying I hope I can add my own twist.

Some of these books will be the same old, same old, traditional bound books; some will be bound in an usual way.  Others will be fancy and some, not so much. You might say, "Oh, I can do that" and hopefully encourage you to give it a try. Some will be simple and others more complex.  There will be some that will have lots of details, while others will be just "Plain Jane".  On some, I will have a tutorial, while others I will just show the finished product.

You may not like everything I create, but I do hope you will like at least one. This is a challenge for me and I hope I am able to complete the challenge I have set for myself. But, I do know, that in the end, I will not only have made lots of different kinds and styles of book, I will have had fun in the process.

So, come join me and give it a try and see what you can come up with and thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

Christmas Cards

Every year I make my Christmas Cards and this year is no exception.  

For this year's Christmas Card, I made a Christmas Ornament and tangled inside.  

I mounted the card on silver cardstock and then onto the card.  Added a black bow and viola!

 A card is born.

I think this card is my best one yet!

Ice & Snow ART

Follow the link to see beautiful Ice and Snow formations that look like art.  It's amazing how the beauty of mother nature cannot be surpassed by man. 

http://www.boredpanda.com/natural-winter-snow-ice-art/