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Monday, March 8, 2010

Shopping, Books, Taxes

I didn't get much art done this weekend. Saturday the daughter, her 2-year-old and I went to the Gap at the Meridian Mall because we both think they are the only store that sells jeans that really fit us. And they had a special "bring in a pair of old denims, get 30% off a new pair". We both took advantage of the offer. I also found a really nice pair of Nike sneaks for $29.95 at a sports shop in the mall.

After that we went to her friend Nikki's house for a spa party. It was fun trying lip stuff, eye soothers and facial stuff, hand stuff. I bought the lip stuff and some eye pads. The daughter left early to take the baby to the walk in clinic as she had been running a low grade fever for a couple of days and was actually acting like she was sick. She has an upper respiratory infection, and is on the mend.

I bought some old books at the Maple Street Mall in the basement for $2 each and started taking them apart to make some journals. I have one started, but I attached the accordion spine before sewing the signatures to it. I also made the folds only 1/4" instead of 1/2". The book is small so I thought the smaller folds would suit it better.

Here is what it looks like so far:

 

And here is a better look at the spine:

 

I have some faux leather book cloth that I purchased from Hollander's a couple of years ago and have never used. I am thinking I would like to use it as the soft spine and maybe put some grommets (I'm not sure that is what I mean) in rows down it and sew through the signatures and the grommets for a decorative spine.

 
I would also like to try sewing over ribbon or cord and attach the signatures to the covers that way. So much to discover, so little time.

Well, I just got off the treadmill and this time I tried a programmed workout that was wonderful. It was 30 minutes with a warm up and cool down. The meat of the program was alternating inclines of 6, 7 and 8 degrees with alternating speeds of 3 and 3.5 mph. It was delightful. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow morning.

I have an appointment with the CPA to get my taxes done this morning at 10:30, so I'd best get a bit of food in this empty stomach and get in the shower. Then later the hubster and I are going up to the Maple Street Mall to redo his booth and then may go to Lansing to Menard's. I wonder if lunch out is in the plans??!!

If you have any ideas about using the faux leather for the spine and/or grommets or whatever, I'd love to hear about it. 

xoxo

11 comments:

  1. I don't have any suggestions - I've only done a couple bindings...but I do luv the one you pictured and all your ideas sound awesome!
    looking forward to seeing more!!
    hugs
    arlene

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  2. The grommets will work great. I've done that myself although not on faux leather. The leather will be great glued to the outside of the book. With grommets you have a couple of choices. You can put several of them (three or more) down the length of the spine and actually sew your signatures in or you can put them in the top and bottom of the spine and just tie your signature in with a string or thin ribbon meaning you can remove a signature later and put in a new one if you want. Just wrap the string over the inside fold of the sig and then through the grommet holes and tie it on the outside.

    Your journal is looking great so far with the accordion folds. Would like to hear how it works as compared to the deeper folds.

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  3. Hi Vicki
    I don't know much about spines and books, but I think what you have done looks good. Sounds like you got some bargains for $2 apiece!

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  4. I really like your new book a lot, and i agree, the smaller folds suit it better than the larger ones would. I'm not sure I quite understand about the grommets and ribbons, but maybe when I see what you mean I'll get it. Excited about a new treadmill program? Be still my heart! lol hugs, nancy

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  5. Make a template and punch through the spine with an awl. Attach an eyelet from the outside of the spine. Use wire or dental floss or waxed thread to sew the signatures to the spine.
    Add buttons, beads on the wire/floss/thread between the eyelets. Confused yet?? Email me if you want more into/clarification -

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  6. Thank you all of you for your comments and suggestions.

    Pam - I'd love to email you, but when I click on your name all I get is the list of blogs you follow, no email address.

    xoxo

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  7. Wonderful book. I love how the spine is coming out and the colors on the black. Great job.

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  8. I don't do decorative bindigs - only the plain stuff, so I have no suggestions but I think it's looking lovely.

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  9. Sounds like you had a lot of fun! And I know nothing about binding so I have no suggestions - sorry!

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  10. I can't help you on suggestions, having never even made one myself; but, your books look wonderful!

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  11. I love making journals. Like making them more than filling them LOL. I think your plan will work, but you should give it a try whether you are sure or not. Who knows you may come up with a new or unique binding and then write a book about it and then travel the world teaching your method. I could happen. Lori got here through A.R.T.

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