I'm celebrating this week - I've had the Coptic stitch on my list of 'things to learn' for so long that it's lost in the mists of time, and this past week I finally managed to get the lead out and try it.
It's tiny (5 3/4" x 4 1/2"), and has enough flaws to qualify for "Book Fails in Canada' fame, but I've made a list, learned a ton, and look forward to trying it again.
I enjoyed making the signatures as well, using gel prints for the base, going mad with alcohol inks on white-on-white wallpaper, and generally drooling over the results.
Because this was a practice book, I paid no attention to the prints on the signatures, and then had to come up with something to tie them together colour-wise.
In any event, I am gleefully celebrating the death of this particular procrastination issue...a few thousand more of these and I'll have the skill to put together that tall stack of signatures I showed you last week. That is cause for elation indeed.
Hi Win, I'm loving this and I know it will just be the start of some more great projects. The front cover is lush! There are so many great techniques to try that it's difficult to know where to start sometimes and then you get distracted with something else and time passes, I know because this happens to me all the time. I'm in the middle of something a bit special at the moment that I've been wanting to do for ages,
ReplyDeleteSteampunkish which is why there are only cards on my desk at the moment as I'm working on those while I wait for things to dry. I hope you are keeping cool. We are hoping for some drop in the temperature soon. Take care my friend. Happy creating, Angela xXx
Oh, isn't that the truth, Angela...the distractibility is amazing for encouraging procrastination on a project...and honestly, there are so many ways to bind books that I'm practically drooling over all of them. I'll need several lifetimes to try them all. And meanwhile, the gel plate, Typar house wrap, white on white wallpaper and a dozen other possibilities call! We'll never run out of things to do, will we?
DeleteI'm look forward with great anticipation to see what your Steampunkish project will be like - no doubt it will be another outstanding WOWZA piece. Have a great week, my friend, and keep cool in that heat!
Love, love, love, Win! The coptic stitch is also on my list of techniques to try - but not being world famous for my patience, I keep putting it off. I used the three-hole pamphlet stitch for my junk journal and I was pretty impressed with myself for doing something as simple as that LOL! One day, I'll try the coptic too! The alcohol inks look amazing, but I'm not sure what you mean by "white-on-white" paper - please tell me, so I can try! Is it like embossed paper? Still pretty hot around here and I hate it! I couldn't take a whole month of this! xx
ReplyDeleteOh, it's wonderful to hear that I'm not the only one, Zsuzsa! I'm appalled at the length of time I'd procrastinated on this particular technique. I just know the pamphlet stitch won't hold the signatures I need to put together, so I've got to keep at this.
DeleteThe white-on-white wallpaper is indeed an embossed wallpaper, and can be painted on, as well as making a great playroom for alcohol inks. Sometimes you can find some in thrift stores; it's gone out of fashion a bit, though, and normally would have to be ordered online! Here's hoping you can find some - you'll LOVE it!
Your bookmaking skills are exploding! I mean that in the very best of ways. I am so impressed with your tenacity to learn the various book making stitches and techniques. The results are so professional looking.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Eileen...this is obviously a part of mixed media that really speaks to me! I'm looking forward to doing many more of them, and learning a ton of stitched glory!
DeleteLooking great, Win!
ReplyDeleteHaven't tried Coptic stitch bookbinding yet - it looks a bit complicated! Your heroic efforts have yielded great results, though. Those inked white-on-white wallpaper samples look yummy and I'm sure the book will provide inspiration for years to come.
Thanks, Tracy - there is much room for growth, but I'm glad that I managed this first one, and can hardly wait to learn more about stitched books. And the wallpaper colouring part is, as always, addictive to the max. Like I need more addictions, right?! :D Happy week, my friend. xo
DeleteI did a Coptic bound journal a few years ago in a workshop and found it quite challenging. Needless to say I haven’t made one since ! Maybe I should have another look at it because it is fun ! Love yours. Corrie xx
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Corrie - I, too, found it challenging. That's why I started another one yesterday. I wasn't kidding when I said it would likely take me 1000 books to get it in my brain. :D In our family, the saying 'repetition aids comprehension' is law.;-)
DeleteWhat did I know before I got here I thought "Coptic" was a Religion...go figure. Anyway, gorgeous all, I have come to expect that when I visit here. The red cover is so rich a regal looking and I always love your mix of colors and little details. What kind of thread do you use to bind them?
ReplyDeleteAs for me, the week after we got are cool back, my sons air conditioner went out so they are living with us for a couple of weeks. It's my own flying circus...but I love it.
Have fun with your new obsession and take care of you my friend. Hugs, Deann
Ha! I had to check you on your factoid and found out that there IS such a thing as a Coptic religion. 😄 We're educating each other, and I LOVE that. I used waxed linen thread (purchased online), and that's likely the last time I'll use it. I bought one that is too thin, even for tiny books, so I've purchased some beeswax for the next go 'round, when I can wax my own thicker thread.
DeleteOh my goodness, you've got a houseful, then! May you bask in that lovely cool home and enjoy all the family shenanigans for the next couple of weeks. Hugs to all...
Love all your pages. Coptic Binding is on my to do list - hopefully this week if I can remember how to do it. Angela
ReplyDeleteYou're way ahead of me then, Angela - I'll be reading and re-reading the directions for months to come. :D
DeleteMy reply might have been a tad misleading! I watched a couple of tutorials and took some notes. Not actually tried it yet :). Thank you for your visits x Angela
DeleteThen I'll wish you great, good luck, Angela!! ;-)
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