Books, books and more books...

Because I'm bent on learning so many new styles, this week alone I have crafted a flag book, a secret message book, and a folded pocket book among others.  The flag book is a style I'd not tried before, and it was on my must-do list.  

When closed, it's a tidy 4 1/4" x 2 1/4", small enough to fit into a tiny purse.

I'm liking the look of that 'mapping' on the back of the book.  The pages and covers are pieces of the paper towel collage I did some time ago.

I also did a secret message book, and if you are like me, spatially challenged, this is a sure way to drive yourself right into loony-tunesville.  It is a meandering book for no discernible reason that I can understand.  Does that sound like I'd never make another?  Pretty much!  😖 😵😣

I can't begin to tell you what it took for me to get this sorted, and I have to admit that I actually glued a couple of pages together when I realized that I'd missed them in the middle.  Grrrrrrr.

I was delighted to get the inking done, and did a mini happy dance to be finished, when I found (right near the beginning) two pages I'd missed entirely.  

Here's what I did with them, as I cursed underneath my breath, hissing like a snake.  I guess this is the secret message.

Suffice to say, it might be a decade or two before I try one of these again...or maybe never.  

I also got started on an folded envelope style book which requires no gluing.  It's interesting in that it takes a 35" long piece of paper to create a book that is basically 4" square.  I've not finished the signature or fun inserts yet, so I'll keep you posted on that.

The collection has been growing and I'm a bit concerned.  I did a quick check around the studio yesterday, and found these.  

Now granted, these are not all from this year, but I am a bit worried about the mania/addiction/obsession.  It appears to be turning quickly into a neurosis, given that over the past few years I have sold and gifted some dozens of them in various forms.  Somebody, please send help.