Gold Floral Casebound Book with Flat Spine

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas! I hope you have been enjoying the holiday season! It is difficult for us to get everyone together at once, so we always celebrate Christmas several times before the New Year rings in, but the main event is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year will be a little different, though, as it's the first year that my daughter is in on the big Santa secret. It should be interesting.

In the meantime, there are those who have Christmas birthdays, who still need to be celebrated, and that's what this casebound book is for.
This book was a first for me. It has a hard flat spine, and it seemed much more difficult than a rounded spine because I had issues with getting the text block attached to the case in such a way that actually allowed the book to open! I ended up having to cut the first text block out of the case and make another, thicker text block. There is a lot of trial and error when you are a self-taught bookbinder. ;)

Size: 4.5" x  5.5"
# of Sections: 19, with 4 folios each 
# of Pages: 304
Stitches: Kettle, Coptic, French Link over Tapes
Cover Material: Canvas Spine, Chinese Pattern Paper, Cotton Lace
Ribbon Marker: Satin
Thread: Linen (textblock); Silk (headbands)


I made handsewn headbands on the text block using silk thread in red and white, and added an ivory satin bookmark. 
Because of all the setbacks on this book, it will be a couple of days late for my friend's birthday, but I think she'll forgive me. She's sweet like that! Thanks for stopping by, and have a Merry, Merry Christmas!

~Hugs,
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A Fabulous Crazy Bird

Here's the last card of the Crazy Bird set. 
Again, I colored the bird with Copics, and I added Stickles to his wings, and around the rest of the card, since sparkly glitter makes everything so fabulous. He has Glossy Accent eyes. After stamping the sentiment, I used a blue gel pen to scribble around the words. The card design is a Sugar Pea Design sketch, turned sideways.
And, here is a look at the entire set. I'll probably be coloring up some more Crazy Birds soon. This was fun!

Thanks for visiting! 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sugar Sketch Challenge #34
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle

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People Will Stare: Another Crazy Bird Card

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

I recently got the Technique Junkies sentiment stamp that I used on this card, and couldn't wait to pair it up with this particular Crazy Bird!
I colored this bird with Copics, adding some detail and dimension to the face. You can't see it in the pic, but the red scallops on the wings and tail were colored with a red Spica pen so they have a nice sparkle. I used a white Sharpie paint pen to make the white dots on the bird's body, and gave him some Glossy Accent eyes. After stamping the sentiment, I colored in some of the words with a Copic marker, then sprinkled a few shiny sequins around the card.

Just one more card to post! 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle
613 Avenue Create Challenge #155: Anything Goes
Penny Black and More December Challenge: Anything Goes with a Stamp

~Hugs,
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You're Weird: A Crazy Bird Card

Here's the second of four Crazy Bird cards I made this week. I used the current Your Next Stamp sketch for the card design.
The bird is colored with Copics, and I used a little gesso in the upper left corner before heat embossing the sentiment.  The texture behind the bird is pink Frantage Embossing Enamel, and I also used some silver embossing powder over that and in the opposite corner, over the sentiment. Silver Paper Sweeties sequins filled with blue Pearl Pen gel add sparkle. As with the earlier Fluffy Bird, I used Glossy Accents on the eyes, but on this one, I first used a dot of black Pearl Pen, let that dry, then added a smaller dot of white paint pen, let that dry, then filled the rest of the eye with Glossy Accents.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
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Fluffy Crazy Bird Card

A friend specifically requested a Crazy Bird card with this sentiment, so I made it and 3 other Crazy Bird cards as a set for her. I'll post the other cards as I get the pics edited.
I've had the stamps for awhile, and recently got the dies for them, too. I love that the dies cut right along the line of the image, with very little white border showing. I made rub-ons with a transparency for the sentiment. The eyes are dimensional with Glossy Accents, the cute sequins are from Paper Sweeties, and I used a sketch from Sugar Pea Designs.

I'll be back with the rest of the set soon.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sugar Sketch Challenge #33
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle
613 Avenue Create Challenge #155: Anything Goes
Penny Black and More December Challenge: Anything Goes with a Stamp

~Hugs,
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Black & Blue Paisley Corduroy Journal

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

I am a very tactile person, especially when it comes to crafting. So covering a book in corduroy fabric was quite a treat for me.
Size: 4" x  5.25"
# of Sections: 15, with 4 folios each 
# of Pages: 240
Stitches: Kettle, Coptic, French Link over Tapes
Closure: 1/4" Elastic
Cover Material: Corduroy Fabric
Thread: Linen
It is bound with Coptic and French Link Stitches over grosgrain ribbon. I'm not sure I've mentioned it before, but I always wax my thread before stitching with it. It keeps it from tangling as easy, and helps the stitches, and especially the knots, to stay put.
I love the high contrast of the paisley designs with the black background.
The colored text paper matched the fabric design perfectly, and I already had it on-hand. That probably won't happen too often.
I usually sell all my handmade books, but this one might be a keeper, if only for the yummy covers!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous week!

~Hugs,
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Puppy Paw Print Journal with Lined Pages

Thursday, December 3, 2015

I finally made a book without having to look up any instructions at all! I used Kettle, Coptic, and French Link stitches on this one, but instead of parallel Coptic stitches, I stitched them diagonally to create an "X" on either side of the French Link stitches. I learned to do that during my week-long bookbinding bookcamp that I went to this past spring. (If you are interested in going to the bootcamp, I believe there will be another one this coming April.)
Size: 4.75" x  7"
# of Sections: 10, with 4 folios each 
# of Pages: 160
Stitches: Kettle, Coptic, French Link over Tapes
Closure: 1/4" Elastic
Cover Material: Cotton Fabric
Thread: Linen
This journal was commissioned by a friend. Her only request was that it have something dog-related on the cover. I found several fabrics with dogs on them, but the images all looked a little freaky, so I went with this cute puppy paw print fabric. 
I considered using white or black ribbon for the French Link stitches, but this lime green polka dot ribbon was calling out to me, and I liked the contrast between the red thread and green ribbon. Adding ribbon to the spine, then having to inset it into the cover, up to now, has been a chore because I was cutting the slits with a ruler and blade. But, I invested in 3 different sized, very sharp chisels, and now it's super easy to do. A few taps with a hammer and I'm done. The slits are much neater and the ribbon and elastic are much more secure than they used to be. Sage Reynolds is my first go-to guy for bookbinding videos, and he has a great one on insetting ribbon.
I think most people prefer writing on lines rather than a blank page. The problem I've had with printing them myself, though, was getting the front and back of each sheet to match up so that when the paper is folded the margins are equal in the center of the folio. After many, many hours, I finally got all the settings just right and so this book has lined pages. To coordinate with the colors on the outside, I made the lines red, and put a little lime green paw print in the corner of each page. 

I am NOT an expert on bookbinding, but I do have some advice for anyone who wants to give it a try. Don't give up if your books turn out differently than you envision. It takes a lot of practice to learn how to form stitches, how much tension to use, how to attach the covers so they aren't too loose (my biggest hurdle), how to punch the folios and covers, how to make bookcloth, and even how to cut bookboard and sections so that everything is square. I'm a competent bookbinder, but every single time I make a book, I learn something new and it is just a little bit easier than the book before it. Also, don't think that you have to run out and buy a bunch of equipment or tools. Except for my paper cutter (which I use every single day) and a diy book press (which I seldom use), all the tools I use to bind a book fit into a fairly small box that sits on my craft table. In my opinion, bookbinding is a relatively inexpensive craft, and if you have the urge to give it a try, do. It's quite enjoyable.

~Hugs,
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Paper Sweeties December 2015 Inspiration Challenge

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Ready for one more Paper Sweeties challenge for 2015? This one is easy...it is a Christmas-y palette that is perfect for making at least one more Christmas card in time for mailing. I decided to go with a Vintage/Shabby Chic look for my card.
If you haven't seen the newest release at Paper Sweeties, you seriously need to check it out, and as a special treat, ALL of the December New Releases are available starting TODAY! That's right! You don't have to wait until the 15th! I especially like the new Dear Santa set because of the sweet little stocking stamps and matching Sweet Cuts dies. For this card, I die cut the stockings in patterned paper, then cut just the cuff portion in white felt, and finally stamped the goodies inside the stocking onto white cardstock, colored them with Copics, and did a little fussy cutting. After inking the edges of the stockings with Black Soot ink, I glued the felt to the goodies, then glued both to the stockings, and popped them up onto a white embossed rectangle with foam tape. Super easy to do, and I love the texture. The rest of the card went together easily. All the pieces, except the white panel have black ink sponged along the edges. The bow is made with Paper Sweeties Tea Seam Binding, and the bling are Paper Sweeties sequins in Black Cherry, Frosting, and Gold, with the centers filled with Lime Green Stickles.



Isn't the challenge graphic fabulous! It just gets you in the joyful Christmas spirit!
I had a lot of fun creating the inside of the card, using ornament designs from the Homespun Holidays Sweet Cuts Die set, and Paper Sweeties Licorice Baker's Twine. The stocking sentiment is from the Dear Santa stamp set and the Christmas Blessings sentiment is from the Homespun Holidays stamp set. Hmmm, I think I'm going to do this again but use it as the front of a card! 

Swing by each of my teamies' blogs for some great inspiration, then create your own design for the challenge. The challenge runs for the entire month of December, and if you use Paper Sweeties products on your project, you get an extra vote. Wouldn't it be great to start the new year with a $20 Paper Sweeties Gift Certificate! 

Cheryl Lea - That's Me!
Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties 
December Guest Designer:  Tracey Kelly

Thanks for stopping by, and have a blessed week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve November 2015 Week 1 Sketch Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Anything Goes
TCP Tuesday Challenge #304: Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps November Anything Goes Challenge

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Elegant Paisley Case Bound Journal

Saturday, November 28, 2015

A case bound book is the kind of book most people are used to seeing. It's also the first kind of book I learned to make many years ago. I like case bound books because of the sturdy supported spines and more "finished" look, especially when you add in hand sewn headbands, which I've done in this example.   
Size: 4.25" x 5.50"
# of Sections: 12, with 4 folios in each
# of Pages: 192
Stitches: Coptic, Kettle, Long over tapes
Closure: None
Cover Material: Cotton Fabric
Thread: Linen (textblock); Silk (headbands)
I positioned the fabric so that the design would be centered over the spine. Also, it's hard to make out in the photos, but there is a tremendous amount of gold sparkle in this fabric. Everywhere you see a golden brown outline is actually gold, glittering thread. 
I sewed a basic headband (often refered to as endbands) to the top and bottom of the spine using olive green and white colored silk threads. Most headbands nowadays are just decorative--a strip of fabric with a pre-sewn headband along one edge that is glued to the top and bottom of a text block. A handsewn headband, however, actually serves to reinforce the spine of a book, and it looks pretty, to boot.
The spine of the textblock is not glued to the case. Instead, the spine is "hollow," so that the pages can operate independently of the case.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I hope you've enjoyed all the books I've posted recently. There will be many more to come in the future--I'm sure! ;)

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The Names of God--More Handbound Journals

The fabric I used for these journal covers are the names of God in a chalkboard style, The pages are blank inside. The books are identical except for the color of thread, elastic, and patterned paper. Two of them are for gifts, but I had extra bookcloth left over, so I went ahead and made a third one. 
Size: 4.75" x 6"
# of Sections: 10, with 4 folios in each
# of Pages: 160
Stitches: Coptic, Kettle, Gathered Long Stitch
Closure: Elastic
Cover Material: Cotton Fabric
Thread: Linen 
The patterned papers on the inside of each of these books is exactly the same except for the color. The polka dot paper covers the first and last sections just to add a little more interest to the spine.

The polka dot patterns line up on the outer sections, and I made sure to fold each of the polka dot folios down the center of a line of dots so that I could get as much color on the spine as possible.

If you are looking for 1/4" colored elastic, I found lots of different colors at The Ribbon Retreat. They have excellent customer service, as I accidentally ordered 1/8" elastic initially and they took it back for a store credit so I could turn around and order the 1/4" elastic quickly. This ribbon is much thinner than I am used to. It has a smooth texture and a looser elasticity than the thicker, ribbed elastic that I found at the craft store. I was afraid there wasn't enough spring to this elastic, but it actually works perfect for a book closure.

One more book left to share with you soon--a traditional casebound book.

~Hugs,
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Floral Handbound Journal

For the binding in this book, I used Kettle Stitch, French Link Stitches, Long Stitches (Twisted), and Weaving. 

Size: 4" x 5.25"
# of Sections: 10, with 5 folios each (outer folio of each section is patterned paper)
# of Pages: 200, including patterned pages
Stitches: Kettle, French Link, Twisted Long Stitch with Weaving
Closure: None
Cover Material: Patterned Paper
Thread: Linen

Thanks for stopping by!

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Bookbinding Soothes the Soul

Friday, November 27, 2015

I mentioned in my previous post that I've been binding books for the past few weeks, but I haven't felt much like putting them on my blog until now. As I get the photos edited, I'll post them. There won't be much information beyond photos, size, and types of stitches I used. If you have any other questions about the books, just leave me a comment and I'll be happy to answer them as well as I can.
Size: 4" x 5.25"
# of Sections: 5, with 7 folios in each
# of Pages: 140
Stitches: Coptic, Kettle
Closure: Elastic, attached with eyelets
Cover Material: Patterned Paper
Thread: Linen (Faux Wood Book); Hemp (Newsprint Book)
Faux Wood Book - Covers

Newsprint Book - Covers
Faux Wood Book - Front
Newsprint Book - Back
Faux Wood Book - inside cover and first page
Newsprint Book - inside cover and first page
Faux Wood Book - Spine

Newsprint Book - Spine


Here's a look at the books I'll be posting to my blog soon. The tall lavender book with orange gathered stitches is the only one that won't have it's own post. It's a checkbook register exactly like this one except the cover and stitch color are different.

I'm entering this project in the following challenge:
Sweet Stamps November Anything But a Card Challenge

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