I Was Going to Blog Yesterday

but then I started watching "Downton Abbey". I watched the entire first season. I'll write an update post tonight with lots of pictures. I've been a little bit busy. :)

How I Turned A Catalog Into A Planner

This is a picture heavy post. :-) But I'll start off with a story.

On Saturday, Sean ran his first 5k for the Kent Cornucopia Days. In the area where the runners meet to register and warm up before the race there was a table with plastic clappers -- I had to get one for James -- and a little bag with junk in it. I got one 'cause I thought I might be able to use some of the stuff for collages or something. It turns out I was right! There was a catalog (Ex Officio, I think) that was a good size and had nice, thick pages. I set it aside and let James tear everything else up. I didn't really have a plan for the book, so I made a pocket in my art journal to hold it so I wouldn't lose it. Then, a couple of days later, I decided to make a blog planner where I could jot ideas and make a "schedule". And I thought, "heeeeey. I have something that would be perfect."

And now the pictures.

1. The supplies. Here I have my catalog, index cards, corner rounder, and double-sided tape. I used index cards 'cause I didn't want to spend the time or energy painting over the pages with gesso. Besides, if I went that route, I'd also have to sand the pages because they're glossy.

                                             


2. After I decided what kind of layout I wanted, I used double-sided tape to stick the index cards to my pages.

3. Here is a picture of the cards taped to each page. I had 13 spreads in my catalog.

 4. Decorate the cover. If I wanted to do it "right", I would have sanded the cover first so the paint wouldn't peel off. But I was too lazy. So I started painting, but the paint was too transparent. I put a couple of layers of gesso down to cover up the people and the kangaroo. That's what you see below.

Then I painted. 

And added some stenciling.

And some stickers and writing. And tabs. I thought I was done with it.

But then I decided to add a pocket for extra index cards. I used file folder scraps. :-) In the picture below you'll see a bone folder, double-sided tape, a short folded piece, a 'w' shaped piece and a larger, folded piece of manila paper.

I added some double stick tape to the accordion-shaped piece inside the 'v' and stick that shut. Then added tape to the under side of the flaps and on the outside of the 'v' that's not a 'v' anymore.

I taped the piece so the seam of the 'v' lays on top of the books spine. I put my pocket in the very center of the book, so the book will still close properly.

I took the short folded piece and attached it to the open side across from the fold.

I put double-sided tape on both sides of the piece sticking up from the center of the book and slipped one open end of the pocket over the hinge, almost to the spine. Now it's a pocket.

I took  3/4" circle punch and made notches at the pocket's opening so I can easily take things out of it.

Here you can see some index cards sticking out of the pocket.

All done! See how it still lies flat?

                                    

Next time I'll have pictures of the most recent books I made and my first lettering practice. :-) 

Thanks for reading!

I know I promised

a new post with pictures of the latest books I made would be ready yesterday. Here's what happened. We were on our way to church when we ended up going north up the peninsula. It turned out to be a day trip. We drove up to Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center in the Olympic National Park. It was a truly awesome experience. I took pictures with Sean's phone, so when he gets home I'll write up a new post to share them. :) Anyway, we didn't get home 'til after 7! James handled the drive quite well.

I just wanted to share some of what I do (and what you can do) in the books I make. 

This is one I use for my art journaling. It is 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 and has file folders, sketch paper and Canson Mixed Media paper. I bound it with purple waxed embroidery floss using the daisy chain stitch I learned from Marianne Kensington. Here is a link to her video tutorial. I'll post a zoomed-in picture later. ;)

This is the inside front cover. I lined it with scrapbook paper and made a library card pocket. The little book inside the pocket has an "About Me" section and a list of goals for what I want the book to be and for me as a growing artist (There! I said it.)  ;) 

The picture below is of the second spread in the book. I painted it a few weeks ago when I was hanging out at a cabin with a couple of friends. I used craft paint, FW acrylic ink, stencils (one store bought and a couple that were hand cut), a bottle cap, and some paint pens. The page on the left is mixed media paper and the one on the right is sketch paper. The sketch paper held up to the paint better than I expected it to. I think letting each layer dry before continuing is key.

I had scraps of paper lying around, so when I was cleaning my desk I decided to stick them in my book.

That's all I've got for now. I hope you're enjoying reading my blog. Please feel free to leave comments, ask questions, say hi, whatever. Thanks for reading!

If Dreaming Was Practicing . . .

. . . I'd be an Expert. "At what?" you ask. Well, everything I dream about doing expertly, of course! Oh and do I ever dream!

When I was in 4th grade I dreamed of being a great violinist. I took lessons for maybe a month. I quit. I hated practicing. I want to just know. To pick up the instrument and play beautifully and perfectly.

When I was in -- oh I don't know, 2nd or 3rd grade? -- I dreamed of being an amazing calligrapher. My older brother gave me a set of felt tip calligraphy pens that came with a little practicing guide. I tried it for a while. I did ok. But I got bored with it. It required too much patience and too much practice. And I had better things to do. Like play outside or read or "play Barbies" with my sisters.

Here I am. All grown up. I still have dreams. I'll even list them for you.

• To write beautifully in calligraphy like this.
• To illuminate letters like this.
• To be able to hand letter like this .
• To draw and paint faces that actually look like humans. And maybe even do full figures. Whimsical people would be great, too. :-)
• To be a world-famous author like George R. R. Martin.

All of these take lots and lots and LOTS of practice. In fact, that is probably an understatement. I am not good at practicing. I am great at being hard on myself.  This is what I hear (a lot): "It's not ok to make mistakes. It has to be perfect the first time. Every time. That really sucks, so don't let anyone see it." On and on.  And, frankly, that is a giant pile of steaming *%&#.

I am trying to learn that what I create doesn't have to be perfect. It's ok to make mistakes. Practice is good. It can even be -- dare I say it? -- FUN! Besides, it's not like what I do is brain surgery. It's ink-and-paper. I can always start over.

Anyway, this post has been on my mind for a while, and now it's done. Sorry there were no pictures this time. But I promise I'll take and post some tomorrow. I have to show you the book I made at the craft party at the Scrapbook Nook Friday night, the one I finished this evening, and my first attempt at practicing lettering.

Thanks for giving me some of your time! I hope you have a lovely Sunday full of "happy accidents." (I love Bob Ross.)

I Write Blog Posts In My Head

I intended to write a post last week, and it did not happen. I even wrote out a draft. And I thought, "Well, that's too long, and it's not very interesting." So, I scrapped it. :-) You are welcome. Since then wrote two other posts, but those stayed in my brain.

Anyway, here is a quick note on what I have been up to the last few months:

James was sick and teething for most of the winter and spring months, poor little guy. Boy, did that suck the energy right out of me, too! I hit a creative depression and didn't work on much of anything.

But then! Oh, but then.... I discovered the Goodwill Outlet. And their wonderful selection of old hardcovers.

That brings me to what I have been doing over the last 3 or 4 weeks, and I have pictures!

I have been making these:

A birthday gift for a friend.

This one I call Fat, Fun, and Fancy. It's mine! :-) 

Not all of the signatures I made for FF&F fit, so I made a new cover for them.

This one is so cool. Tabs. Pockets. Fold-outs.

I love the color combination I used for this one. It's a welcome home present for another friend.

It feels so nice to be creating again. I make them over a few days sometimes, doing a little bit here and a little there. Sometimes I stay up too late 'cause I am on a role! The pages are an assortment of papers: scrapbook, sketch, drawing, manila folders, cheap kraft paper. 

I learned a couple of new stitches that are a bit more complicated than the coptic, and they leave my fingertips bruised for a couple days after. I found a needle puller in the quilting section at Joann's, so hopefully that will help. 

There are two more books I am working on. I will post pictures of those in the next post. People have been asking if I will list them in my Etsy shop. There are two reasons why I have not: I need to take care of some stuff with PayPal. And, probably the biggest reason, I get too attached. Each new one I make is my favorite, and I am having trouble letting go. But! There will be some new listings in my shop in the next couple of weeks -- some time after I get my PayPal account sorted out. Not just sketchbooks/art journals, either. :-) Keep your eyes peeled for the surprise. 

If you stuck with me this far, thanks! I'll be back. ;-) 

Life Happens

Wow. It's been about a week since my last update. So, what have I been doing that I haven't had time to blog you ask? Well, the Little Dude has been sick, so we've spent a lot of time snuggling. He also hasn't been sleeping well -- waking up every few minutes, waking up every time we put him back in bed, waking up too early in the morning -- and that means we don't sleep well, and that means I don't get much beyond the necessities done. And that's ok. I know it's just a phase we are in at the moment, and that things will change soon. We're trying very hard to stick to a nap schedule and bedtime ritual. I was reading a mama blog yesterday, and Moxie, the author, was talking about development spurts, sleep regression, and separation anxiety. I think it's what we're in the middle of now, and she assures us (moms in general) that it won't last forever! Here are links to a couple of the articles I read: this is one that talks about the 9-month sleep regression, and this one explains what sleep regression is. Moxie also recommends a book called The Wonder Weeks that Sean and I ordered. Here is the link to the book on Amazon, but I think you can find it cheaper at Barnes and Noble's online store or Alibris (that's where I ordered it from).

-- --

Where was I? Oh, right. Sleep regression. Developmental changes. Restless sleep. I think James is teething again. Lots of drool. I'll leave it at that.

Where am I at in my projects? Stalled. Which is sad, 'cause I have a commissioned piece I'm supposed to be working on. Tomorrow I may have an order for another project. And that's awesome. I am excited to be getting the work. For some reason, I don't sound terribly enthusiastic, but I really am happy to be getting the orders in. And, once I get working on the books, I'll be excited to be in the middle of the projects. I think the lack of excitement comes from the chaos that is my work area. And the kitchen. I don't even want to think about the kitchen.

Tonight I decided to be a little more organized about it. (Hah!) I decided to put together a Planning Book. In it I will keep samples of the patterned paper along with information about the paper -- like the brand, pattern name, what projects I used it for. Oh! I can color code! Also, the book will contain samples of the paper guts, samples of the thread I can use (or fishing line? yep. I bought some.), a menu of options, and a break down of the cost for each piece. This will really be for my information, because I always have trouble when it comes time to set the price for a completed book I list on Etsy. Finally (I think), I will put a section for commissioned books that will have a page or two for each project, the desired specifications, and the task list.

I have so many ideas for projects! Pocket jotters, flip-top jotters, single-subject notebooks. And super-specialty notebooks. I can't share those ideas just now. I want to find out if they'll work first. Oh! I got a fabulous idea at Ikea today. I love wandering around that place. It gets the wheels of my mind turning.

That's all I have for now. I will try and post again soon -- maybe tomorrow or Monday.

Until next time!

Setting Up Shop

Hello again, blog land. I officially set up my Etsy shop a couple of days ago. It was a pretty overwhelming experience, probably because I was over-thinking it. I have a tendency to make things more difficult than they need to be. Anyway, I have items listed for sale. It's a relief!  You can check it out here. I am having a fun time with this new adventure.

Though I am new to this -- blogging, selling, arting -- I am already discovering how difficult it is to balance everything. There are so many things that require my attention: my husband and son, the shop, this blog, my creating. My family needs to be my top priority, and I don't feel that has been the case the last couple of days. I've been working on the shop and picking up supplies. I want Expositus Spinae to be a success but at what cost?

Maybe I need to start scheduling things. Up to this point, I have been using every available "spare" moment to obsess over my new project. The new plan: schedule time to create and time to do business. The question: how much time is reasonable, practical? I guess I'll figure it out.


Today I made my first Etsy sale. That was an exciting experience! Here it is all wrapped up:

My first Etsy sale, wrapped and ready for delivery.

 I find myself obsessing over the stats. They show how many times my shop and listings have been viewed. I think I should try and avoid looking at those too often.


It's so fun to watch James develop. He's making new sounds. The latest? "Ayayayaya." He draws out the vowels in the cutest way. Today he almost took a step without hanging onto anything. He's so close to walking! He makes laps along the furniture in the living room. He also likes to try and play with Mommy's art supplies. I have proof:

One day he'll figure out how to open those drawers. Then I'll be in real trouble!

Now I am obsessing over this post -- thinking about transitions and the organization of content. I have spent too much time on it, already, so I'm going to call it good-enough.

Until next time!