Thursday, 28 January 2021

Juggling is not a skill...

...that I normally lay claim to, but I rather feel like I'm doing pretty well at it.  Agreed, it's not the physical balls in the air, but the metaphorical ones.

I've been so enjoying #creativejumpstart21 and with all the experimenting I'm doing, I'm waaaaaay behind.  Luckily, I have until November to download all the videos and play to my heart's content.  

I've done at least seven versions of Birgit Koopsen's technique, and it's been a blast.  While most have already been cut into smaller bits for cards, I've saved these two, knowing they'll eventually be part of a larger project.  



Last week I showed you the start of half a dozen mini notebooks, one of which I finished this week.  It, along with the other five, will go out in the mail when they're all done.







I love the physical size of these particular books (4 1/4" x 2 1/4"), the fact that they're made from a single sheet of paper, and the four-page spread.  It's something that's easily completed in a relatively short while, always a bonus in my opinion;  I do tend to be attention-challenged. 😵 Thanks again, Amanda Trought!

I've got another project well on the go, thanks to Joe Rotella.  I've a host of 'books in the making' that have been languishing like proverbial silent screen heroines due to my lack of knowledge of book-binding.  Well languish no longer ladies; there's one in the works.


Doesn't that look pro?  It would be a cheat if I didn't tell you that John, husband-of-the-tool-proficient-kind, actually did the drilling for the holes in this Japanese stab-binding method.  (I SO like that phrase, and think that has something to do with all the murder mysteries I read).    I could definitely not have managed a hand-held drill through 1/4" of wood and 1/4" of paper without adding copious quantities of blood and creating crazily angled holes.  I did, however, manage to order some waxed thread online, all on my own, so I wait with bated breath to finish the project.  Meanwhile, I'll work on assembling the cover.

There are several other tutorials lined up, impatiently tapping their feet, and with small and large art journals on the go, lots to keep me occupied.  I'm hoping John doesn't want to eat for the next two or three months...

In closing and just for fun, I thought you might like to see a bit of accidental art.  It's amazing what kind of shenanigans blobs of Posca pen inks can get up to when one's back is turned.


I'd love to hear what you've been up to in the past week.  And if you're finding yourself feeling creatively flat, I'd encourage you to check out Creative Jumpstart.  It's going to keep me out of trouble busy for the next good long while.

14 comments:

  1. Still full of artistic adventures in perspective my friend!
    This Japanese stab-binding method seams to be formidable;
    and this first little notebook is charming dear Win.
    I really have a weakness for the first two pages on a black background, ...such an energy!
    I love them!
    Take care of you!

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    1. Like you, I'm feeling the formidability of that book binding, Sim, but I LOVE learning new things, and Joe's tutorial is amazing; it's broken down into what appears to be doable steps. Here's hoping.

      I'm loving the mini books, and there are definitely more to come.

      Also like you, I am so enamoured of bright colours contrasting with black - I've done so many renditions of that combination that my mind spins with the possibilities!

      Thanks for stopping by to comment, Sim - and I do so love your recent posts. The 'transport' one still has me in stitches! :D

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  2. Looks like you're having a blast, Win! I love bookbinding and am hoping to learn the Secret Belgian Binding method this year. My tip would be that dental floss makes a great thread for bookbinding as it is waxed and readily available.

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    1. What a great tip, Tracy - brilliant in fact! And now I'm wondering whether one could colour it with wax crayons. The black thread I ordered arrived today, so when I have my smart brain on in the morning, I'll start to tackle the instructions for the cover and assembly...all good energy for that is gratefully received! ;-)

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  3. I should have added that dental floss is great for hardback binding where the stitching isn't seen. Of course, for Japanese you want something fancy to show off your stitching.

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    1. Oh, I get it, but I rather suspect that showing off my stitching isn't maybe going to be the best idea. :D

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  4. Mini books are so much fun to make and I can see you're enjoying these. I so love those first two designs they are brilliant. I always find that experimenting is a good way of relaxing with no thoughts of a finished project. Have a lovely crafty week my friend. Angela xXx

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    1. Thanks, Ang - I love mini books; the addiction is real. :D And the beauty of Jumpstart is there is no pressure at all to create anything that's 'worth anything'; there is merely a sense of exploration, curiosity, learning and fun, and those first two pieces certainly fulfilled that criteria! May your coming week be fabulous, my friend! xo

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  5. The technique you used with the top two photos is so fascinating. The layers bring so much interest. That white detailing on the top is so clear. Having the right materials make all the difference and that is something you know so well being a mixed media artist.

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    1. I very much enjoyed the combination of techniques in those two pieces, Eileen, and can certainly see how they could be combined with others to create even more depth. And those Posca pens really stand out, don't they? They are definitely a step up from white gel pens, which don't have the same impact. Yay for 'the right supplies'. :D

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  6. Good to see you are having fun ! I have never done Creative Jumpstart but as Mr. Mojo still has not returned I wonder if it would have been something for me to get the creative juices going...
    Also love your little books, they look great.
    Keep having fun!
    Corrie xoxo

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    1. Corrie, I'm sure you'd love Creative Jumpstart - with 31 tutorials, some fabulous artists, and all sorts of makes from journal pages to paintings to jewelry and more, it would be difficult to be uninspired. I heartily recommend it. Sending big hugs for you and your Mr. Mojo! xo

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  7. Forget what I'm doing my dear, by the time I finish commenting on all your treasures this will be quite an epistle.
    Your first two pictures are so bold and graphic I am so glad you didn't cut them to bits they are beautiful. Your mini notebooks are adorable what an absolutely wonderful idea. Stab binding sounds very S&M to me, like an awful B movie "Attack of the Stab Binder"...lol It looks like it will be very cool though can't wait to see the finished product. And while we are on a creepy note, the last picture looks like attack of the Posca ink monster or in honor of Valentine's Day "Ink Blob Love". It looks like your having lots of fun up there in the frozen north, have a great artsy February and take care of you. Hugs, Deann

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    1. Thanks, Deann - I do like those first two; it will be interesting to see what they become. And I'm loving working on the mini books...I've three done now, with three to go from that obsessional splash. And as for the 'Attack of the Stab Binder' I think you and I should collaborate on the B movie - wouldn't we have a blast? Grinning all the way; being an artist is just so much fun. And it's not too different here in Creston - I see you're at 4 degrees C today, and we're at 3...I'm sure we'll catch up to you by this afternoon. :D You too keep safe there, my friend.

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