It's All About The WHIMSY!

New beginnings...

A new art journal for a new year!  

Certainly not planned but somehow appropriate!

I made this lovely large format book with the direction of dear sister Judi, a Master book binder!

Blessings and Bravery

My very talented and lovely "big" sister Judi gifted me with this gorgeous handmade leather bound book some time ago.  Sometimes the sheer beauty of the object makes it so very difficult to open the book and actually write something in it..know what I mean?  Will whatever marks I make in this measure up to it's wonderfulness?   And so it has sat on "display" for quite some time gently calling to me...OPEN ME, Paint in ME!  Write something down PLEASE!

 Yes, I do think books can talk.

Well there's no going back now..

I have finally bravely jumped in!!  Believe me, this was not easy.  

I love the shape and scale of this treasure.  I feel blessed just holding it in my hands.  Thank you so much dear sister for your gift and your inspiration!

Artfest Preparations!

Artfest in Port Townsend is but a few days away!  Oh how I love this annual trek to the Northwest to "play" uninterrupted with like minded artists for a few precious days.  Much advance work needs doing and this is a sample of my efforts.

A small handmade journal for the trip to record the experience.  And below the making of a bound painted paper book.

After several hours spent ripping and painting papers, now comes the fun part-binding.  This technique is a tape binding I learned last year at Artfest  from the lovely and talented LK Ludwig.  This book is for her Saturday workshop " Parts of a Whole".  

A recycled vintage children's book will provide my cover.  I know that some have "issues" with this practice but trust me, the inside pages were badly water damaged, so much so that I could not rescue any of them for other projects.  My local antiques dealer kindly saves these lost souls for me at a very reduced price. 

And how perfect that it is Alice in Wonderland!  Because that's exactly where I am headed...down the rabbit hole!

Gatherings

 

"bring together and take in from scattered places or sources"

 

"draw together or towards oneself"

I had an opportunity to take a class from the lovely and talented Nina Bagley at Artfest in 2008.  The task, to create a "gathering" on a book cover embellished as chosen by each individual.  The covers are stacked and tied with ribbons to form a book.  I came home with several covers and have been adding to my gatherings as the spirit moves...and time allows.  

Yes, there are flip sides to each of these.  Perhaps for another day!  

 

I wish you a  beautiful Fall weekend!