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.