The "Good" Book...

Brynwood Cork Nature Journal

No. I don't mean that good book. The last post I shared was my "practice" class piece. While this one is my completed class assignment, I can see that I still have a lot to learn and perfect.

I used a piece of my favorite wildlife printed cork fabric as the cover. The binding is called a pamphlet binding and it should be accomplished with straight rows. What I learned is that it's hard to see the punched holes for stitching in cork, because the awl-sized holes tend to try to close up. Next time, I would mark the holes with a tiny ink mark on the inside before I start stitching. Lesson learned.

The inside pages are again made from copier paper, because I didn't want to use expensive paper for a technique I'm still learning. I made five signatures (that's the term for the folded pages that make up each sewn section), and the collection of bound signatures is called a codex.

I completed the book by adding a couple stickers inside the front page of my book, and then added a Brynwood leaf tag to the spine. The final touch was to add an acorn needle keeper as the closure. I glued one magnet inside the front cover, and then attached the acorn with another magnet to the fold-over flap. I may choose to amend how it's attached at some point, but I'm sticking with that for now.

Well, I completed my class so I can say, "I've done that." Perhaps my idea for adding needlework to covers of handmade books is something that will need to percolate further. I'm sure not ready to jump into that at this point. I think I'll stick with what I know for now. I'll be doing more needlework this week.

I'll also be working in my Etsy shop this week to take my February sale live. First I want to rephotograph some of the items in my shop. Right now there are multiple items per listing, and I want to change them to one item per listing. Of course, I want to put in a site-wide sale to move some of my stock to new homes. My plan is to take the sale live by Friday. I'll be sure to announce it as soon as it's ready.

My blog is still slow on this end. How is it for you? Slow? Loading as it should? I'm genuinely curious. I haven't figured out why this is the only site that loads turtle-slow for me, but I really hope it's not hanging up on your side, too.

I'm off on an early errand today and then I'll be busy here in the studio. Now, where did I put my morning cuppa? See you tomorrow!

Bookmaking 101...

 Well, this is awkward. I seem to be having some issues either with my desktop computer or Blogger. I'm not sure which, but I'm a bit frustrated. I'm unable to upload photos right now. ugh

I went to bed early last night because I developed an ocular migraine. They don't hurt, but I get a zigzag image that travels across my sight line. On one occasion, I also had an experience with speech aphasia, which was frightening. No lasting damage, and also no pain, but frightening nonetheless because you're trying to speak and know that it's not coming out as your brain is saying it. All anyone outside of you hears is gobblydeegook. Thankfully, that didn't happen last night. Rather than wait it out, I went to bed at 9:45 and there I remained until I got up this morning. Only to find that my computer is acting up. 

This Zoom class I'm taking is to learn how to assemble and bind my own books. I've had this harebrained idea to add needlework to covers of journal-type books to share and sell. I'm not sure at this point whether or not it's a pipe dream, though. 

The class is available through a website: https://handmadebookclub.com, and the instructor, Ally is very knowledgeable. I'm really enjoying the sessions, which each last about 90 minutes, and then have homework.

Yesterday was the second session of a four session class...and if I can ever get my photos to load, I'll share them here. 

If you've read this far without a photograph, Thanks! Perhaps my computer is suffering from a migraine, too?

Anyway, I'll be continuing my class homework, and if my eyes are up to it today, I'll do a little more stitching. Otherwise, I'll just take it easy and do absolutely not much for a bit. I'm just hoping February doesn't turn into the dumpster first I experienced in January. So far, this year is off to a less-than-stellar start!

See you tomorrow...or later if the photos will load. (I really don't want to shop for a computer right now!)