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. ;-)