Days 39 and 40 - August 15

Book 39: floating page - tri-fold with pop-up
{paper} cream text-weight paper with red cover-weight covers, and origami adornment
{binding} accordion with pop-up and additional page glued in

The triefold was a remnant from another book (wrong size!). I re-purposed it by cutting out a pop-up. The structure didn't quite do what I wanted until I glued on the covers and added the floating page. The window on the back is a nice touch...











































Book 40: origami box
{paper} scrapbooking paper
{binding} none - the magic of paper folding

So, this structure is a bit of a cheat, since it stretches the idea of a book to its limits. Still, I used paper and create something new from the original sheets. I tried to create a smaller box for the bottom, but it was still a hair large. I took of 1/8th inch from the original square, but it probably should have been a quarter inch.

In retrospect, I think this structure could yield an interesting book. A design folded into a box lid and bottom could be curious...

Days 37 and 38 - August 15

Book 37: pamphlet with sewn adornment
{paper} cream text-weight paper
{binding} modified pamphlet stitch

This book was inspired by my good friend Lisa Beth. I think I should start calling her my muse... She showed me a post card for an upcoming show she's in and the image on the front used fibers in a book structure. The integration of fibers - thread, ribbon, string - into the structure of the book intrigues me. Here I punched a grid into the entire text block, then sewed a variety of threads through, in, and around the pages. The threads each only go through the book once, and all the holes are used on each page... I think this idea will definitely turn into a new book... Perhaps for a show submission.












































Book 38: volvelle
{paper} paint samples from the hardware store
{binding} a brad pierced through the three pages

The volvelle is a fun structure, although I'm not sure I figured out how to use the voids to their best. Still, it's a fun concept.

Days 34 to 36 - August 15

After a great visit from my father-in-law Gene, and a bout of mild food poisoning, I was back at bookmaking yesterday, the 15th. The count of books was up to 7 (EEK!), but I made up all the lost ground. The theme for these books was three-dimensional structure. I experimented with pop-ups, built a house, and went crazy with the needle and thread. I've spread the books out over three posts, so enjoy!

Book 34: accordion house: "the house that Kate built"
{paper} cover-weight yellow paper
{binding} a simple accordion

For some reason the idea to make a folding house came to me at a time in my book making that I knew I needed to create, but was overwhelmed with other things. I had fun figuring out the structure, and think that a second version could use some interlocking tabs (e.g. from 'well heeled') to have the house form a bit easier and stay together.

You'll have to pardon the corny illustration. It cried out for something, and I had to make the front door look like our house in Minnesota. A good friend dubbed this 50s-era window arrangement 'cascading rectangles.' An elegant name for an ugly and strange door design. Thank goodness this isn't popular anymore.

















































Book 35: palm leaf book
{paper} remnants from our wedding invitations
{binding} punched pages bound with gros-grain ribbon

The palm leaf was on my list of structures to try, but not very high since I knew that it would be a relatively easy structure to create. The invitation remnants (including the ribbon!) made color coordination and size/format easy - no trimming involved!















Book 36: pop-up accordion
{paper} cream text weight with additional yellow cover-weight paper
{structure} cut pop-up accordion with adhered additional pages

The pop-up structure evolved organically. An idea developed and I started measuring and cutting away. Thankfully I got the cuts and folds right on the first time. I can't say this book is terribly elegant but it sure makes for a great structure.

Days 31 to 33 - August 8

Today I got busy and made three books. My posting has been sporadic at best, and I know that I won't be able to make a book tomorrow, and perhaps until Sunday. So, stay tuned. If you've been watching the blog you'll have lots of structures to wade through for a while. Enjoy!

Book 31: "well heeled" single sheet with interlocking cover
{paper} text-weight with columns
{binding} from Woven and Interlocking Book Structures, this is "well heeled;" it is a single sheet that is folded and cut. the cover wraps around and interlocks to create a double-thickness cover

The directions called for a 10 x 20 inch sheet for this book. But, my supply of large paper is almost non-existent. So, I halved the directions and came up with this miniature version. The origami paper were scraps that I had been collecting. A bit of color never hurt anyone, right?!









































Book 32: concertina with triangular tabs (dracula's ketchup and mustard book)
{paper} spine: cream colored paper; pages: cover-weight yellow paper; covers: cover-weight red paper
{binding} a simple concertina with small tabs cut out of the spine; glued pages and cover

This structure is another creative gift from the great Lisa Beth. She brought over a great example of this book during our part on the 2nd. I remembered it, and popped out this one. The colors are bright, reminding me of hot dogs. And, the small tabs look a bit like fangs. Thus, Dracula's ketchup and mustard book.












































Book 33: flag book
{paper} cream and parchment color text-weight paper; cover: 4/2 C off-set printed (of my design)
{binding} concertina spine with glued-on flags

This is, again, a structure I've wanted to try for a while. I cut a limited number of flags and then devised the page/gluing structure. It's pretty interesting, and would lend itself to myriad variations.

Days 28 to 29 - August 5

This is a continuation of the last post. Enjoy!

Book 28: interlocking structure
{paper} yellow card stock with cream text weight paper for the hinges and wrap-around
{binding} this is a totally interlocking/woven binding.

This structure is from Claire van Vliet's and Elizabeth Steiner's Woven and Interlocking Book Structures. It's an amazing book, with good instructions. My great friend Lisa Beth loaned me her templates, as well as the book. Even with a template and the book in front of me it took a while to figure out the actual binding. And, cutting the pieces was time consuming, but the structure was very pretty making the entire process rewarding.





























































Book 29: tunnel book
{paper} pages: recycled packaging; spine: cream text-weight paper
{binding} accordion spine on each side, folded to allow for telescoping

I had wanted to create a tunnel book for some time and finally did it. However, I made the project a bit more difficult by making the book telescope. I thought the effect would be sort of interesting. I think the packaging makes some interesting textures. This book gives me lots of ideas for others... Hmmmm...

Days 24 to 27 - August 5

After much time spent without any book making materials in hand (although they were on the brain!), I finally got around to finishing the book I started on Friday, the 3rd, and made up some lost ground.

If you're counting, you may notice that I am matching the book number to the day. I decided to take the 25th day 'off,' since I was one book ahead. So, now the dates will match the book count. Here is the late post.

Book 25 - sewn-on-straps: tangled up in blue
{paper} text block: cream text weight; covers: recycled packaging with origami paper; straps: translucent paper
{binding} a typical sewn-on-straps binding with kettle stitch at head, tail, and center of the spine for added stability

The blue theme is inspired by a good friend of mine whose favorite color is blue. When I glued down the origami paper it buckeled the covers a bit, and I'm not terribly happy with how the glue interacted with the translucent straps. I wish I had hidden where the straps were sewn onto the covers. A good lesson in materials!































Book 26: tri-fold sewn into a 5-fold
{paper} cream text-weight and Thai hand-made paper
{binding} the name says it all!

I learned this binding from book maker extrodinaire Lisa Beth. It's quick and easy and a neat way to use folded pages. Figuring out the sewing took some work, but it was all good in the end.































Book 27 - sewn-on-straps with letterpress cover
{paper} text: cream colored text weight; front cover: cannibalized cover from a note card received from a friend - letterpress by A Little Something in San Francisco

I couldn't resist this card. I'm thinking that I'll make books for my nieces and nephews for Christmas. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for neat covers like this one!

Notice that Chachi was being a very good helper cat with these books...

Day 27 - August 3

Well, I didn't actually get around to making a book today, but I did play hostess for an evening of bookmaking and mah-jong. I was joined in my bookmaking adventures by my good friends: Lisa Beth, book artist; Annie, photographer; and Dindy, metal designer (sitting from left to right around the table).












I picked out a sewn-on-straps binding for the group to make. Lisa Beth zipped through her book and used some Japanese (or Chinese?) wasabi bean packaging for her straps. Dindy and Annie are new to bookmaking, but did a fantastic job with the whole thing. I forgot to take pics of their books, so forgive my forgetfulness. Dindy's book had covers with color copied images of a bright turquoise dress with embroidered flowers and small Day of the Dead trinkets. We discovered the toner used in laser color copying is not ideal for covers, as it tends to rub off during the process of weaving the straps through the cover. Annie used some neat paper with black shapes and used orange straps.

I did manage to punch my signatures with Lisa Beth's handy signature punch (what a time saver!). But, didn't get around to sewing it until Monday (see the next post).

Hopefully the bookmaking parties will continue. Perhaps with a stab (edge sewn) binding next...

Day 23 - July 30

I have had these colorful business-card size envelopes hanging around since our wedding last year. We used them as a guest book; guests wrote messages on little cards and sealed them in the envelopes for us. It was terribly cute, but not many of the guests at the reception filled out the cards. So, we have lots of envelopes and paper cards remaining... Thus, this book.

I am behind a couple books, so today watch for the momentous half-way point - book 25, as well as two other structures...

Book 24: concertina spine with wrap-around cover
{paper} 'pages:' business-card size envelopes; cover: recycled box covered with scrapbooking paper; spine: translucent paper
{binding} pages sewn onto the spine at the mountain folds; covers glued

I neglected to consider the sewing and spine when constructing this cover. I would have worked better as a full wrap around that covered the spine. I wanted the book to feel like a bit of a portfolio of envelopes. And, I realized I forgot the trusty penny in the most recent days' photography. Apologies. I'll find another penny and make sure the next set have them.

Day 22 - July 29

I decided to tackle another sewn binding. Didn't I say I was on a sewn-binding kick?! This time, sewn-on-straps is the flavor of the day. I decided to use some worsted-weight wool yarn for the binding to make the spine more decorative. The weight of the yarn expands the signatures, making the spine thicker than the signatures alone, creating an interesting effect. The straps are some origami paper (another stash!) I just uncovered while going through some of my boxes of supplies.

Book 23: sewn-on-straps
{paper} French Paper Co. Speckletone Frostone Tundra Text 70#; cover: recycled box ; straps: origami paper
{binding} sewn on straps with kettle stitch at head and tail with yarn

Day 21 - July 28

I've been on a sewn-binding kick lately. These are the structures that most intimidated me, and I am finally beginning to feel comfortable with them. This coptic binding didn't turn out as graceful and precise as I would have liked, but for a first try it's not bad. I'm also getting better at creating covers (that are covered). I think the next challenge is to try a binding with pages that are reinforced on the spine and have a case with end sheets. I have done a sewn-on-tapes binding previously, so that prospect isn't daunting, but making a large book brings about fears of imprecise measuring and cutting... Slowly, though, I'm learning tricks as I read along and try things.

Book 22: coptic binding
{paper} text block: French Paper Co. Speckletone Frostone Tundra Text, 70# (finally I read the label and reported it!); cover: recycled box covered with a recycled bag from that big mermaid coffee company
{binding} a traditional coptic bind with black thread

I think one of the downfalls of this binding, for me, was that I ran out of the thicker cream thread (yes, thread!) that I had been using as binding thread. I gave my supply of linen binding thread to my mother, and haven't replaced it. I'm trying not to, but with 25 days left in this project, I just might have to break down and buy some.