Saturday, November 17, 2012

My latest book

There has not been a lot of sewing going on here lately. Instead I have been making a book... No, not writing one, but actually making it. I came across this blog and joined an online class to make my own journal and I have been having lots of fun with it. The class is all about using all sorts of scrap paper and ephemera, but I went with what I had on hand for this one, so it is mainly made of scrap book papers and paper tape. I used the covers from an old book, added paper tape, stickers and gaffer tape to strengthen the spine.
The eight signatures (folded sets of paper) are stitched together with waxed linen thread and the first and last pages are glued inside the book covers. Now I realise I could have added more signatures, as the book isn't all that full, but the idea is that it will expand as I work on it, adding notes, pictures and magazine cuttings until it is bursting with inspiration.
It is already full of colour and pattern, and some of it will be painted over before I can add my scribblings, but I think it makes the pages less intimidating than starting with just blank pages.
Now the class focused on making travel journals, but as I'm not planning on travelling a lot the next few  months, I'll be using mine to gather inspiration for decorating a new home while I'm house hunting. Maybe I'll have come up with a usable plan by the time I find that elusive new flat I'm searching for. At least I'll make it a point to have fun while searching...


2 comments :

Lily Boot said...

oooo I love it! Makes me think of the copy of Herodotus that the English Patient keeps with him in the English Patient. In a few years I imagine it will be bursting with a wee diorama of Mathea - who she is, what she loves and how she spends her day. Beautiful!

Lisa said...

How fun! I love your book and look forward to seeing what you eventually add to the pages!