Well, the case...

...is closed.  After a week and a half of smelling like a forest of eucalyptus and sounding like a bob of seals (that's one of the words to call a group of those delightful creatures - isn't that perfect?), I'm finally on the finish line of this nasty cold.  That means that I could return to the studio and finish the slip case for the second star book.

Somehow these books cry out for a holding cell, and as any good murder mystery aficionado knows, it's not over until the culprit is contained.

Of course, I've been managing to get into the studio for short blocks over the period, so the black and white journal got two more spreads as I near the finish line there.  It's so stuffed with additions that I doubt a case will ever contain it, though.  It's akin to a bursting stomach after a pot luck dinner with family.

I've had a couple of experimental pieces on the go, too, and I keep throwing layers at them.  While they're mostly pretty ugly, they do have some interesting bits in them, so I'll be playing further to see what may come of the combination of paint, stencils, Kroma crackle (man, that takes forever to dry and I'm so not a patient person) and glass beads.

I'm heading out into the blogsphere now to see what you've all been up to...it's certain to be much better than an end-of-winter cold.  Here's to sunshine and blue skies for us all!

It's in the stars...

 ...well, at least in the star book (#2) which is now assembled into its proper form.  

While small (3 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1"), 

it's already packed with some great detail, including some hand-crafted, quietly sneaky paper beads on the spine.

I'm feeling guilty for using purchased papers for two of the interior layers.  (Picture a 1920's-era heroine with back of hand to forehead, gasping in horror.)  There are a couple of reasons for this.  I didn't have enough handmade papers to complete either layer, and I was too impatient to make more painted papers, and these papers have been safely in my stash for over 20 years, as I couldn't bear to 'waste' them. I suspect some of you can relate.  🙃  How wrong is that?!!!

The topmost inner layer (and the last for assembly) is the deliciously marbled orange one above, and the next one in is by the same maker in blue.  I MUST learn how to create such stunning marbled papers in this lifetime.

The other two are quinacridone gold and umber papers which I painted.  Of course the cover is my hand-painted paper as well.

The next step will be to add embellishments, should I be able to bring myself to cover any of this mouth-wateringness.  I've been considering making skins from these lovely pen and ink drawings from the book I borrowed from the library.  It is chock-full of gorgeous drawings

and some wonderful calligraphy.

What's your vote gang?  Embellish, or not?  An inquiring mind waits with bated breath.

Yet to come is the case for this - I've already painted both sides of the paper I'll use for that, so it might even show up in this century.  In the meantime I'm wishing you a terrific week filled with world-wide good news and light energy.

It's sure ugly in here...

 ...and this time (not always 🤣), it's intentional.

This journal page in my largest journal evolved as I was dealing with the frustration of ongoing plague pandemic restrictions.

The pile of window envelopes was growing apace, hiding the lovely yellow/orange file cabinet top.  It was time to make use of them.  

The layering of envelopes left some intriguing spaces showing from the background, and it reminded me of how so much of our lives has been covered and unavailable in the past two years, with just bits and pieces peeking through.

Here in western Canada it feels as though the sunlight may start showing through.  I hope it's the same for you.

Elsewhere in the creative life, the dryer sheet curtains are coming along, and I'm now anticipating the addition of colours other than blue or green.  That's going to be a great change.

The papers for the second star book are painted and chopped, the beads for the back end are chosen, and assembly can commence.  Enter the band, 'cause the parade's about to start.

I was dumbfounded to find the perfect book I needed in the local library.  I can use both the cover 

and the inside of the written-completely-in-Chinese text (and the illustrations) for the embellishments I need.  Of course, now I want to know what it all means!

I hope your week has been as fruitful (although not necessarily as ugly) as has mine.  May there be sunlight streaming through your windows and restrictions lifting safely left, right and centre.