The Blue Book

For the better part of a few days I experimented with some mixed media techniques I used for a book back in February. This time I repurposed a cover of the book A Pocketful of Years which seemed like a great title for a journal that could possibly contain memoirs, or serve as a guestbook or wedding book. For now I'm just calling it the blue book. It was fun tea staining paper, lace and other ephemera to embellish the torn edge pages. I'm also really pleased with the buttons, charms and ribbons I found for the cover, which are a mixture of modern and vintage pieces.

- Sam

Road Trip

Our favourite road trip stops (apart from cafes and walks on the beach) in no particular order; art galleries, art supply shops, antique and second hand shops, sewing/patchwork/quilting supply shops and book shops.

Up cycled, recycled, pre loved, revived, restored, secondhand, vintage.

So much character, so many stories to tell.

Something for him, something for her. Something that sparks an idea, a connection, a memory, a new project, a gift.

Some of our best finds have been in Hospice, Salvation Army and SPCA outlets.

and

We've developed a renewed interest in lace, brocades, buttons and stamps.

Attention to detail; an eye for hidden treasures; searching for patterns. Always on the look out.

Learning new techniques, exploring new pathways and stretching the comfort zone.

Can't wait to get started on the next project.

- Karen

Custom Wedding Guest Book 'The Love Book'

A lovely customer recently approached us for a custom made wedding guestbook, which I took on:

"Think love, light, laughter, happiness, family, rural living, history, heritage, creativity, joy, union, light and magic ... A magical, beautiful, oozing-with-love book, complete in every way. A wedding guest book to inspire beautiful, supportive loving words and images," she said. So I set to work.

The first step was gathering bundles of materials; textures and hues in red and gold.

Then I cut and shaped the book board to the required size (A4).

The next thing to do was lay elements together, stitching as I went. 

I had an image in my mind of how colours and textures would

morph from one end of the book to the other.

As the elements came together, they were adhered permanently to the board. 

Loose threads were left trailing from the ends of pieces. 

The result: a work of art!

But I wasn't finished yet. With the layers and materials in place, 

I still had to decide where to attach my selection of beads, buttons and charms. 

Once I had the cover it was easy enough to lay them out

and push them around until I found a composition I liked. 

The flowing composition of circular buttons nicely offset 

the straight lines formed by the layers of materials underneath.

The process was repeated for the back cover.

The inside cover, front and back, was lined with a rich burgundy red book cloth. 

Ribbons were sewn directly into the edges of the board to close it. 

Pages were torn, aged, pressed, gilded and sewn by hand, using coptic stitch binding,

to complete a book I am very proud of. 

A few weeks ago I blogged about the importance of storytelling in my life and my work;

about journeys, adventure, mystery, wonder, magic, love; 

about incorporating these elements in my work in 2014. 

What a coincidence, then, that this custom order should find its way to me!

- Sam