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Monday, November 8, 2010

Handmade Books, Artist Links, and Another Bird

I had a lovely day yesterday with my friend, Nancy. We went to Hollander's for a 2 Exposed Spine Sewings workshop. You might remember that I took a class at Hollander's last year in August and had a great experience. If you click on the link in the sentence above, you can see the books I made in that class. This class was just as fun. The instructor was once again the lovely Vicki from whom I took the last book making class. The books we made are beautiful - you know Hollander's has the most wonderful selection of papers and the ones they choose for their classes are absolutely gorgeous. It doesn't matter whether you get to choose yours first or last, you are bound to get something you will be happy with.

The two exposed spine sewings we did yesterday were the buttonhole stitch book and the coptic sewn book. Vicki once again was very organized and demoed each step and then we all sewed together at one table. I loved both styles and have three books finished to bring home. We actually made a small "practice" coptic stitch book before working on our larger one.

Here are my goodies from yesterday:


My stitches on the coptic sewn book are a bit too tight and the soft cover is a bit skewed at the edges as a result, but I will get better and absolutely loved making these treasures. I'm hoping Vicki will have a class next year that includes the long stitch method. I'll surely take that one, too.

This is also the day I share links of some of my favorite artists' blogs and today is no exception. I do hope you will take a look at these. I have found some of my favorite blogs from following links in others' blogs.


And now I humbly offer to you my latest colored pencil bird. It is a scarlet tanager. Actually it is a rather fat scarlet tanager. I think that in my photo of him he is a bit longer and more svelte, but I am not overly unhappy with him. What do you think?



I was supposed to spend last night at my daughter's house because she was supposed to be at work at 7:00 and the bus arrives at her house at 8:00. Miss 3 wanted me to sleep with her in her bed. She has one of those convertible crib beds. When I told her I was too big for her bed, she said I could sleep on the floor next to her bed. But when I got home from Hollander's yesterday I found out that DD didn't have to be to work until 8 and she thought it would be more pleasant for me to spend the night in my own bed and drive to her house this morning to arrive at 7:30 so I could get Miss 7 on the bus and then bring Miss 3 to my house for the day. Good plan!

14 comments:

  1. You've really captured the alert expression on your tanager and I like the pattern the twigs make across the paper.

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  2. Your books are really nice. Wouldn't they be a great Christmas gift...if you could bear to part with one!?!

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  3. Those books are so awesome! I like your scarlet tanager too. He may not be exact but I could see him just as he is in a children's book tattling on Mr. Mouse or Miss Mole. Oops, sorry, my imagination just took wing there! Thank you!

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  4. That sweet little bird looks so pensive. He's very cute!

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  5. What wonderful handmade books...this is something I've always wanted to do, but sadly, there is no one in my neck of the woods who teaches the techniques. Sounds like a lovely and productive day...

    there was no link in the above post to see what you did last year...

    J

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  6. Mmmm. I love Hollanders it feels so magical, like a store from Harry Potter. I just picked up some more mulberry paper from there. I like your bird a lot, maybe the proportions are a little off, but the head and the wing patterns are wonderful!

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  7. Your birds are all delightful! And what fun making sketchbooks!

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  8. The books look really good, it's always fun to learn new skills. I'm sure you'll put them to good use!

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  9. I love hand bound books! I can hardly buy them from the store anymore. You did a great job!

    ~Stacy

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  10. Your books are wonderful. I just took several bookbinding classes at the Art and Soul retreat in Portland, and I am HOOKED. Just adored making those books. They are very addictive. You did a great job on yours.

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  11. I'm drooling over your sketchbooks and your bird painting is wonderful in my opinion!

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  12. Oh I have to take a class at Hollanders I think. I took a bookbinding class there ages ago but it's obviously time for another one. Your books are so wonderful, Vicky! Thanks for sharing about your experience. I'm glad you got some sleep in your own bed last night, too!

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  13. OMG, I'm so far behind (what's new?). Anyhow, your Scarlet Tanager is very nice - I think he looks splendid! The class was a lot of fun, and thanks again for all your help! hugs, nancy

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  14. I've heard a lot about Hollanders classes and have been itching to learn about coptic stitching. What was the name of the class that you took? I'm so confused by all their titles.

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