New Paper, New Books

I had to make a trip to Reuel's Art store in Salt Lake, on Saturday. I didn't have any more book board. The sole purpose of the trip was to buy ONLY book board. Forty dollars later, I came home with book board, bees wax and four new sheets of paper. Buying paper is a lot like my sister's obsession with shoes. I have to touch each sheet of paper. It's a texture thing-- thin paper doesn't always work well for covering the book board. Ok, that's my excuse, actually, I just love the feel of paper.

I made this book to give to a corporate VP for his wife's birthday. The VP is visiting in November and I'm excited to share my art with him. We've always been connected with work and as this is a special trip, I've created a special book for him to give to his wife.



I secured the book with a butterfly clasp and brown ribbon. The ribbon is threaded through the butterfly's wings and glue to the bookboard.

I placed envelopes on the front and back cover as well as on several  signature pages inside the book. 

The book is sewn with a Coptic stitch. I made my own wax thread using bees wax and embroidery thread.  The bees wax helps keep the thread from stretching over time.  Each of the signatures begins with a sheet of handmade paper.

The second book that I made this weekend is a garden book. The green paper reminds of of the green grass in Ohio. As we are heading into winter, I miss the green of Springtime that renews my spirit. I am not looking forward to the dreariness of winter.

This book also contains interior envelopes and handmade paper. It is secured with a Coptic stitch.

My final weekend project was to work in my art journal. I added three new background pages in color pencil. As I find song lyrics, or special quotes, I'll insert the quotes on these background pages.

I'm still practicing letters. I love my handwriting, but when I put it on a page, it almost seems flat. So, I've been researching methods of writing letters. It's funny, because when I'm at work, I doodle during phone calls. I need to bring my doodles home and insert them into my art journal, OR, I need to take my art journal to work and doodle in it during phone calls .

This page from the journal is my attempt to draw and use watercolors again. I like the primitive look. I think I need to do more of these pages. My art journal contains pages of watercolor paper, as well as drawing paper and writing paper. When I paint on the writing paper, it crinkles and gives a unique look.

As I look back over the weekend, I feel good. I spent Saturday working on art and baking cookies. I'm ready to start the work week again.... and anxiously awaiting my next art day.