Books

I can finally show you a photo of what I made my sister for her birthday as I handed it to her today.

I made her a book. Many years ago I attended some book making classes. I sat down and tried to remember how to make a book. This was the result. To make it special I put one of her favourite poems in it. It is a fully bound book with a spine and hand sewn sections. I did the marbled paper a number of years ago. I am getting low on my marbled paper so might have to try to remember how to do that again also. I had to improvise with the book cloth because, while I am sure I have some around somewhere, I couldn't find it. Therefore the spine and corners are made using a piece of an old window blind.

I've also recently been thinking about hollowing out a book for use as a book box for a miniature scene so tonight I had a very rough attempt at using an old book that was destined for the scrap heap. It has no relevance to the scene I quickly threw in it - a page from a magazine and a miniature plant. I just did it as a quick experiment. I think it is worth trying a more carefully planned attempt with a book and a scene that go together.

And finally I did another quick experiment tonight - nothing measured and little care taken, but I just wanted to see if I could use full scale book making methods to make a miniature book. This book is a relatively big book in miniature terms at 1 inch height but it worked. I need to look around for some suitable papers but it is possible. This little book also has hand sewn sections (sewn with beading thread) and also has a spine. Definitely worth more experimenting.

Well that was my play for tonight. I'd better go and do the dishes and head to bed.

A friend of mine has just sent me some off cuts of some vintage wallpapers, some of them are very old from the early 1900s. I'll take some photos and share them with you later in the week. I just love old wallpaper designs.

Until then have a great week.