52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 42

Rubber Band Book

The idea for this book came from Kari McKnight-Holbrook's DVD "Backgrounds To Bindings".

Kari shows you how to create a journal using one sheet of 22" X 30" watercolor paper into a beautifully colored book for embellishing, journaling, collaging or to use in any way that brings out your creative spirit.

You start off with a 22" X 30" piece of watercolor paper and start layering by first adding texture, which can be old book pages, collage papers or anything else you have on hand that you would like to use.

Then you start adding color.  You can pick 2-3 colors, but I would say no more than three.  You can stencil, stamp, print, etc. on your paper.  I first started with the color blue, ranging from light to dark,

and then added my second color, purple, ranging from light to dark.  You can use any color combination, but be careful not to add colors that are opposite on the colorwheel from each other, otherwise you will end up with mud.  If you really like these colors together, then wait until one color dries before adding the next.

I folded the paper in half so that the two halves are now 15" X 22" (DO NOT TEAR JUST FOLD).  Now tear your paper into thirds, lengthwise.  Now you have three sheets that are 30" long.  Fold each side toward the center fold line and glue.  Punch holes in your book using a Japanese hole punch.  

Using small rubber bands, loop one end into one hold and the other end into the other hold. 

I used a paint brush to use to go through the loops, but you can use a pencil, chopstick, etc. Finish looping the rubber bands to the remaining holes.

Viola!  Your book is done!

For more information on Kari McKnight-Holbrook, or more inspirations, check out her website here.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week #41

This weeks post is about the "Journal Cover" and not so much about the book.

I have been wanting to make a tall skinny journal, a clock journal and a Steampunk journal.  So, this time around, I created all three into one journal.

Front Cover

The book is 10-1/2" X 4", which takes care of the tall skinny part of the journal.  I added all sorts of gadgets and gears and a little of this and a little of that.  So, that took care of the Steampunk part of the journal.  I added a real working clock part to the front cover and that takes care of the clock part of the journal.  So with all of the above, I combined the three journals I wanted to make into one.

 

I cut two pieces of chipboard 10-1/2" X 4".  I painted the covers first with white gesso.  Using stencils I added textured pasted and then spritz different colors on top.  I added Diva Inka Silver and glued everything down with E-6000.  For the pages, I used Strathmore Tonal Gray paper, which worked well with the cover.

Back Cover

On the back cover, I added just a few embellishments.  I used the Codex binding technique to bind my pages to together and then glued the front and back pages to the covers.

There you have it.  Three journals in one!

Creating Mandalas: How to Draw & Create Mandala Art

My Book "Creating Mandalas: How to Draw & Create Mandala Art" is being feature in the Cloth Paper Scissors Website. 

Example from the book.

In the book you can explore all the different types of mandalas, practice creating your own, and step-by-step instructions on both beginner and expert level patterns to further develope and challene your skills.  You will get tips for creative designs, patterns, and coloring techniques with more than 40 examples to learn from.

You can go to the Cloth Paper Scissors website and pre-order the book.

Zentangle Classes

Basic Zentangles 101

I taught a Basic Zentangle class at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations on Saturday, October 3rd.

These ladies did a fabulous job on their tiles.  
They were inquisitive (always a good thing), anxious to learn and most importantly lots of fun.

They were able to complete three tiles.  They created a basic Zentangle tile, a mono-tangle and one combined to patterns that flowed into each other.  I think they all did a great job.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 40

"My Tall Bird Book"

This week's post was a matter of taking a lot of loose papers and putting them together to create this journal.  

I had some watercolor paper, Strathmore Bristol Paper and Artagain sheets of varying sizes.  I took all of the papers and cut them to fit the size of my cover.  The cover is from a 12" X 12" piece of matt board I had.

Watercolor Paper

Strathmore Bristol Paper (right)

Artagain (right)

The stencil I used was a stencil I had purchased from Stencil Girl Products, called "Tall Birds". Hence the name for my journal.  I used a white pen to trace the birds and title my journal.

I have to admit, this is not one of my favorite books, but I was able to use up some papers that were lying around.  Now it can be put to some good use.  Since there is watercolor paper, bristol paper and Artagain, it will make a good study book, I think.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 39

Chalkboard Mini File Folder Album

This week I took a regular everyday Manila File Folder and turned it into a Mini Album.  

I found the directions on how to make this here.

I first folded the folder according to the directions given, then I painted the outside with Chalkboard Paint and around the inside edges of the folder.

After the paint dried, I started to decorate my Album.   I glued chevron scrapbook paper on the inside, cut some tags and decorated the outside of the pockets.  I also added a bit of bling.  The tags were left blank to add either photos and/or journaling.

While refolding the folder and working with it adding embellishments, some of the chalkboard paint rubbed off, giving it a distress look.

I decorated the back cover and left the two inside pages blank.  I thought it would be nice to have something blank to write on using real chalk.

Back Cover

Journal

"Fall Leaf"

Since doing fall leaves at the ARTbar, I have been in a Fall Leaf sort of mood.  

Today, I decided to draw and color a Fall Leaf in my journal.  Reading the "Artist Way" Book many years ago had started me journaling ever since.  

When I bought my new journal book "Tesla Journal", 

I decided to combine a bit of art along with the journaling.  Every other side of the left pages are either a half page or a full page.  The right side has lines for journaling.  Sometimes I do not feel up to doing art, so on left side I will draw lines to journal on as well.

But, today, the fall leaf called out to me.

I drew the leaf in pen and colored it in with watercolor pencils.  Instead of using water to blend the colors, I used matte medium instead.  Using the matte medium helps seal the colors so they will not rub off and since it is not as liquidy as water, it did not bleed through to the other side of the page.

As you can see, I continued the lines from the right side to the left for my journaling.  I took the picture before journaling, but now with the written words around one side of the leaf, it has, I think, enhanced the leaf like a shadow.

The ARTbar

"FALL LEAVES"

Zentangle Patterns:  Leaflet & Hemp

Spent the morning at the ARTbar, in Santa Ana, CA yesterday.  

We traced around some fall leaves, colored them in with Twinkling H20s and then tangled in some patterns.  Although I did not get to finish mine, I still plan on finishing them (or not).  I plan on cutting out the leaf shapes and gather them together with some decorative ribbons to hang.  It's hard to see, but there are some leaf shapes I did not color in.  May just leave those white and fill in with some Zentangle patterns.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 38

"Slant Book"

This weeks book is called a "Slant Book", because it was made diagonally.

I started off with my pages...

I printed lines diagonally.  One side was printed with the lines slanting from right to left and the other side was printed with the lines slanting from left to right.

I have to say that this was the hardest part of the whole book.  I had a hard time getting the lines to meet up, so that they were straight.

I cut the paper 8" X 8" and then...

folded them in half, diagonally.  Once I had my pages all cut and folded, I used the Codex stitch to bind the pages together.  I had two pages per signature.

I cut a piece of chip board 8" X 8" and then cut in half diagonally.  I painted one side white using acrylic paint.

 Once I chose the paper I wanted to cover my covers with, I cut it 8" X 8" and then cut in half diagonally.  

I glued one of the covers to the front page of the book and one cover to the back page of the book.

I added some brown duct tape to edge and viola!  Done (see picture above).

Your book is now ready for some journaling.

PORTRAITS

A few weeks ago I ordered Pam Carriker's Book "Mixed Media Portraits" along with her DVDs.  I have already watched all the DVDs, and skimmed through the book. 

It wasn't until today, that I finally had the time to sit down and attempt to follow along with the book to draw this portrait:

Personally, I think it's not too shabby for my first attempt, but I know with practice, drawing portraits will get better and easier.  The step-by-step in Pam Carriker's book, maker it easy to follow along.  I know I have a ways to go, but as Pam says herself, "you are not going for a perfect face, but an interesting one".  Yaw, I would say it's pretty interesting.  

I drew the portrait in my journal, and I have to say, it was by coincidence that I happen to draw the portrait on this page with this quote from Nicola Tesla.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 37

Journals, Journals, Journals

You do realize with this being the end of week 37 there are only 15 weeks left before the end of the year.

That being said...

This time around I made two more Dos-A-Dos books and four pamphlet style journals.  It was more about embellishing the covers and using different types of paper for the pages.

 I made one for a little girl that has pages for drawing and four for watercoloring.

The other side has plain paper for journaling.

I made one for a little boy that also has pages for drawing and watercoloring and the other side has regular paper for journaling as well.

On my post of August 27th, I had bought some additional scrapbook paper to make more Dos-A-Dos Books, but I changed my mind and decided to make pamphlet style journals instead and embellish them.

Before embellishments...

After embellishments. 

 I added clock hands to the the pamphlet with the clock, a tag for the star pamphlet, a bow for the owl and a paper doily and button for the one on the bottom right.

I also used different types of paper for the pages...

For the clock, I used Toned Tan paper from Strathmore for the pages,

the star pamphlet with the tag, cream color writing paper for journaling,

and although it is hard to tell, I used Strathmore's Toned Grey for the owl.

Last, but certainly not least, I used Strathmore Artagain paper for these pages.  Great for chalk, pastels, white pens and Sakura Gellyroll pens.

I had a lot of fun making these and using different papers for my pages.  I also had fun embellishing the covers.  I might see if I can find some really fun scrapbook paper I can really embellish and some odd and unusual papers for the pages.  

With Christmas just around the corner, I may make more of the Dos-A-Dos books for stocking stuffers.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 36

"Creating Mandalas:

How to Draw and Design Zendala Art"

My book is done and ready for sale starting December 3, 2015.  

You can see a sneak preview of what is inside the book and  preorder it through Amazon..

The book has tutorials on how to create Mandala; a project section, showing different ways you can create Mandalas; and a Gallery section for inspiration.

Craftsy 31-Day Drawing Challenge

FOLIAGE

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Journals and more...

Week 35

Dos-A-Dos Book

Supplies:

12" X 12" cardstock with pattern on both sides (this will be the covers), 16 sheets of paper for the pages, binding needle and thread, bone folder

Cut your cardstock the height you want your book to be.  I cut mine 7-1/2".  

Score your cover at 4" and 8" and fold in an accordion style.

Cut your pages the same height as your covers and 8" wide.  The pages will be 4" wide when folded.  Divide the pages in half, so you have eight for one side and eight for the other side.

Punch holes in your pages and on one side of your cover, making sure the holes match.

Now sew your pages to your book.  I used a five hole pamphlet stitch.

Now repeat for the other side.

This is such a versatile book.  Make one side with watercolor paper and the other with drawing paper.  Use newsprint, decorative papers, paper bags.  The possibilities are endless.  With Christmas just around the corner, how about stocking stuffers  Great for kids and easy enough for them to make.

I had so much fun making this book, I bough some more 12" X 12" cardstock. 

I will surely be making more.