Life Stories Books

New Book Cradle!

2009-10-22T15:04:00.003-04:00

I love my new book cradle purchased from Baer Necessities on Etsy. My favorite thing about the cradle, besides the fact that it is handmade with solid pine and very sturdy, is that it is open on one end. I make lots of 12X12 inch books or larger and now I can use my cradle to punch the signatures. Here it is in use:

"Create what you seek..."

2009-10-14T09:59:00.006-04:00

When you visit DarynKagan.com's "About Daryn" page you will be greeted with this:

"Welcome to DarynKagan.com! I hope you'll visit each day to experience stories that make your heart go, "ZING!"

Many people ask me how I have such a positive outlook after more than 20-years in the news business. Simply, I believe in the adage, "Create what you seek." I was seeking inspiration, so I decided to create a home where those stories could live.

This isn't a "happy news," site. It is more focused than that. I would call it "hopeful" news. My mission and the motto of the website is to "Show the World What Is Possible!" one story at a time."

I love stories and these video stories are inspiring! Go HERE to watch a story about a fun artist that gave away smiles because that's what he was seeking! I love his characters, his paintings, and the smiles he creates!

Black and White Portrait Photography

2009-09-23T13:06:00.005-04:00

When my first child was born almost 10 years ago a friend gave me the advice to be sure to take pictures with a roll of black and white film before the baby grew up. I was reminded of that advice when I ran across a book at the library called Mom's Little Book of Photo Tips, by Lisa Bearnson. The book was published in 1999, when my husband and I still used film. The book suggests that black and white film evens out skin tone and gives a "timeless" aspect to your photos. Also, for best results be sure to use natural light.

This is a photo that I took with a roll of black and white film and a simple point and shoot camera.

This photo was taken with a roll of black and white film and my father-in-law's old SLR camera - which I used here for the very first time. I was very happy with the results. These are some of my very favorite photos that I have of when my daughter was small!

Finally, if you're like me and have switched to all digital photography, why not try converting some of your photos in your photo software and experiment with which photos look the best in black and white! Here's one that was taken with my digital point and shoot just last week when we were at the beach with Grandma and PaPa, and converted using iphoto when we got home.

Another fun tip for us amateur photographers who record our family's "life stories" is to take photographs without faces showing. I love the natural look of these photos!

Virtue Bracelets

2009-09-08T07:27:00.003-04:00

Hubby and I try hard to teach the virtues to our children by acknowledging when they either display the characteristics of a particular virtue or we see the opportunity to practice a virtue. Patience is one that I must always remind myself to practice. Right? One night, as I was being called in to the girl's bedroom room for the hundredth time because they were arguing when they were supposed to be going to sleep, I was so very tempted to behave in a way that I would not want my children to behave. Luckily, this time I reminded myself that I have all the patience that is necessary to respond to these children who are still learning an appropriate way to deal with conflict. I thought to myself, if I can use this time to model the behavior I want them to display (patience, discussion, peace, compromise, understanding, etc.) then perhaps they will be just that much closer to modeling the behavior themselves next time. What if I wore a sweet reminder, a virtue bracelet with a symbol that reminds me of patience, to support me in this journey of practicing this virtue so that I don't "forget" and practice "impatience"? Well out comes my waxed linen cord that I use for my bookbinding and jewelry making, Tibetan silver charms are obtained that are symbols of different virtues I want to practice myself, or virtues that I admire in others, and these adjustable bracelets were born!

To be honest, I still haven't made one for the virtue of patience because I haven't found a symbol that I could put on a cord. The symbols for patience seem to be donkey, ox, fir tree - to name three - and I just haven't found a source for those. I will keep researching! I do have the symbols and virtue bracelets for Faith, Hope, Love, Perseverance, Loyalty, Peace, and Courage in my Etsy Shop right now! More to come as I recognize these virtues in others and the need for a reminder to practice them in my own life. Am I especially feeling the need to have courage or faith today? I will don that bracelet as a reminder and a comfort that I have access to that virtue by grace. And for that I am happy and grateful!

I'm having a Yart Sale and Father's Day is coming!

2009-06-11T11:45:00.007-04:00

In my Etsy Shop I currently am offering Free Shipping on all in stock albums and journals, as well as 20% off select items (see Yart Sale Section in my shop for discounted prices).

Father's Day is approaching and I have a great panoramic album for those dads who take panoramic photos - or would just like to put two 4"X6" photos on one page - side by side - how cool is that?

Or how about a birch tree journal for all of his thoughts, ideas, or notes?

2008 A Year In Review Continued...

2009-03-25T07:13:00.004-04:00

Continuing Creativity Prompt's December 31st post called "Journaling Prompt #32 - A Year In Review" I have answered question #3: "What is your most remarkable event of 2008?" My answer: our oldest daughter's First Communion in May 2008. Here she (on the right) with her friend on the big day. What makes this most remarkable for us is seeing how important this event was to her - and still is every time she has received the Eucharist since then. Her joy and her gentleness amaze us daily!

Featured!

2009-02-18T16:59:00.003-05:00

I just love learning about new blogs, especially when they feature one of my books or albums! Thank you to The Photographers of Etsy Street Team who have featured my Panoramic Album in today's blog post. Their blog is one to see!

Here is an custom 10"X10" album that was just sent off to Virginia:

A Year In Review - question 1

2009-01-18T17:46:00.003-05:00

From Creativity Prompt: On December 31st this was the post called Journaling Prompt #32 - A Year In Review. I chose a photograph (or two or three) for each question that Avital posed about 2008. For me, each question deserves a page or two in my family photo journal. It was a motivating way for me to get those pictures on the pages and to write a few words about them. The first question is:

If you’d sum up the year 2008 in one sentence - what sentence would it be?

My answer: It is well.

That was simply the first sentence that came to mind about our 2008 and it fits. All is very well as a matter of fact!

This is my very simple layout using a picture of 6 year old Mackenzie that illustrates the sentence perfectly. I framed the photo with scraps of bookcloth from previous bookbinding projects and briefly wrote with a Micron pen.

2009-01-12T07:31:00.005-05:00

I've been anxiously awaiting my free order of 40 prints from Snapfish.com (earned from mycokerewards.com!) so that I can begin recording my 2008 memories in photo as a response to this post from Creativity Prompts. The prints arrived yesterday, so I will begin creating quick and simple pages in my Life Stories Books family photo journal, photographing them, and sharing them with you here. In the meantime, I thought I would share with you a few of the books I've been creating the past couple weeks.

This one is a new Panoramic Album (5"X13") that can hold one panoramic photograph or two 4"X6" photos per page. I'm very excited about this new product that I just listed in my shop:

Here are two books that were given as gifts:

Another book for my shop, this one a journal with the most deliciously textured pages for writing:

Etsy Free Shipping Sale today!

2008-11-28T09:23:00.003-05:00

I just posted this announcement on my Etsy shop!

"Order Friday, November 28th through Monday, December 1st, and get FREE Priority Mail Shipping (Sorry, US only) - I will refund your shipping costs via Pay Pal and your purchase will still be shipped next business day! Custom orders will take up to two weeks - but order your custom book today and you will still receive free Priority Mail shipping! Let's celebrate our thoughts and remembrances!"

Drawing from my art journal - Dec. 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T08:02:00.004-05:00

Just some Thanksgiving related photos for our family that cannot be with us today!
Our festive fireplace mantle that welcomes us when we come home:

Sierra creating the marshmallow and chocolate pilgrim hats for our feast at home (click here to see the original post from Tip Junkie where I got this idea):

The finished pilgrim hats:

And here is Daddy with the twins at their school Thanksgiving feast:

New books on Etsy...

2008-11-26T18:06:00.005-05:00

Still working on my digital camera skills, but it was a beautiful sunny day outside for taking pictures!

Thanksgiving goodness

2008-11-25T15:13:00.005-05:00

After listening to Danny Gregory's "An Illustrated Life" Podcast with Roz Stendahl about keeping an illustrated journal I truly had to draw something OR ELSE! So while the kids watched "The Sound of Music" on our computer, and the blueberry pie was cooling on the table, I sketched. Here is my quirky drawing of the blueberry pie I make for Thanksgiving every year because hubby loves it. The pie is SO NOT from scratch - but hubby likes it anyway! And my drawing, quirky as it is, has made me happy. I drew it using my micron 02 black pen and my handmade paper journal given to me by Uncle Marc last year. Colored in with Derwent pencils.

Here is Sierra's (age 8) colorful collage of a turkey. LOVE IT!

I've seen the light!

2008-11-21T15:15:00.004-05:00

Light is a gift. I've shared this with many preschool children and with my own children. I realized that I have drawn, in my sketchbook, a few items that are a source of light. Other sources of light I have not drawn.

My son's favorite source of light:

The source of light in hubby's and my bedroom:

Our lightbulbs:

Pages from my art journal

2008-11-19T17:43:00.003-05:00

More fun with Mosaic Maker. My kids are one of my very favorite subjects to draw. Here are some drawings I've done of the girls:

And here are some drawings I've done of Cam:

Most of the drawings have been done on my favorite 90lb. Fabriano Artistico hot press natural white watercolor paper that I fill all my art journals and photo albums with. Cam's funny face was done in pencil on the closest paper I could grab - white copy paper. What can I say? Sometimes inspiration won't wait!

New Book Cloth Cover Choices!

2008-11-18T16:17:00.004-05:00

I love these new fabric choices for my hard bound photo albums and journals! I'm gradually getting the listings up in my Etsy shop - one listing per size. You just choose your fabric and text paper - I'll do the rest! I'm also binding several journals in these book cloths to add to the shop soon.

This image was created with Mosaic Maker. Try it out for yourself - it's way fun!

New Bookcloth

2008-11-13T07:20:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I finished preparing my new bookcloth for some journals. This cloth has been bonded to thin Mulberry paper, sprayed twice with Scotch Guard, and has been cut to size. I'm ready to start gluing them to the book boards this afternoon.

I Am Sierra

2008-11-12T07:25:00.005-05:00

I am a nice girl who loves dogs.

I wonder if I could be a dog trainer.

I hear imaginary dog barks.

I see imaginary dog bones.

I want more dogs.

I am a nice girl who loves dogs.

I pretend that my toy dogs are real.

I feel that when dogs bark they are talking our language.

I touch dog's foot prints.

I worry about dogs getting hurt.

I cry when dogs get hurt or die.

I understand other animals are cool too.

I say, "Dogs rule!"

I dream of dogs talking.

I try to help dogs all I can.

I hope that dogs will live a very long time.

I am a nice girl who loves dogs.

by Sierra

I love this poem that Sierra wrote at school the other day and just had to record it in our family photo journal - with her permission. It gives us a glimpse into how she sees herself right now and it sums up what she thinks, talks, writes, and plays the most about - dogs! I chose a recent photo to go with it that includes her favorite dog, our rat terrier named Oreo, and backed the photo in a blue mat because it matches our red couch and blue is Sierra's favorite color.

Impromptu photo session

2008-11-10T08:46:00.004-05:00

The kids all got haircuts this weekend and the girls posed for the camera before school this morning. They really hammed it up. We are into "themed poses" at the moment and fast photo shoots. Someone just calls out a theme and everyone quickly strikes a pose! Here are just a few that I plan to print and add to my Life Stories Photo Journal:

"Silly faces!"

"Looking up!"

"Birds!"

"Super Models!"

"Suprised!"

Just have some fun today and ham it up for the camera!

It's a great day!

2008-11-06T07:20:00.005-05:00

It's a great day! It's a beautiful day!

The kind of day that makes you want to say,

"I'm glad that I'm alive! I'm happy to be me!

And that's the way to be!

Ok, I know that is a Barney (the purple dinosaur) song, and my kids have long outgrown him, but I still spontaneously break out into this song when I wake them up for school in the morning while bouncing on their beds! I can't help it. Have to sing it. I hope it's a great day for you too!

I'm still loving the Autumn trees outside, so in addition to Mackenzie's jumping shadow picture I took last weekend, I will share with you last year's leaf drawing from my sketch book.

Books we read!

2008-11-04T15:23:00.003-05:00

Sierra loves to read, but just who is reading to who here?

Speaking of reading, have you checked out Swaptree.com? You can trade those books you are finished reading for books that you want to read and only pay for postage. This is a site that I visit daily and trade every 2 or 3 weeks.

On the handmade book front, I have folded enough signatures for 11 journals and am almost finished cutting the bookboards for them. Next, I'll make bookcloth for them. That's one of my favorite steps in the bookmaking process!

My most exceptional teachers...

2008-11-03T11:09:00.005-05:00

Inspiration Prompt #24 from Avital at CreativityPrompt.com asks:

"Have you had an unequalled teacher in your life?" and "What lessons have you learned from your exceptional teacher?"

My response, included with photos from this weekend playing in the front yard, is this:
"My kids are my best teachers. They have taught me to just be completely happy with what "is". To slow down the frequent thinking about what I need to do "next". Enjoy life as it "is"!

Materials used are my Life Stories Photo Journal, printed digital photos, my own painted paste papers from a previous book project, 1 circular tag, 3 eyelets, and a Pitt Pen.

Bookbinding thread jewelry!

2008-11-02T07:08:00.005-05:00

With the help of this book, Fabulous Woven Jewelry, by Mary Hettmansperger, I learned to weave a half-hitched cord and made Sierra this choker necklace to show off her love of dogs. The great dog themed beads came from etsy seller LAbeadsupply. I used my waxed linen thread for the weaving. Making it reminded me of when my mom taught me how to macrame way back when!

More happy places...

2008-10-31T09:37:00.004-04:00

Here are more happy places from my home:

Do you make little happy places in your home?

New artwork for Cam's new room...

2008-10-29T14:59:00.003-04:00

We finally finished painting Cameron's room and I made 3 canvases collaged with more of Jessica Gonacha's scrapbooking papers. They include cutout silhouette's of Cam's favorite "flying things" = airplanes, hot air balloon, bird, paper airplane, and helium balloons. This is a picture of Oreo attempting to wake Cam up for school this morning!

More decorating goodness from Cam's room:

Elements of Life

2008-10-28T20:29:00.003-04:00

Avital from CreativityPrompt.com posted this Inspiration Prompt #23:
The Elements of Life. Hans Christian Anderson said, "Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower". Avital asks us if we agree. She asks, "What are your elements of life? Do you agree with Hans Christian Andersen’s list? Leave a comment and share your opinion". Here is my list, written in my Life Stories photo journal:

The photo is of the twins while apple picking last month. The fun scrapbook papers are from Treasuring by Jessica Gonacha. You can get them in her Etsy shop.

While I agree that freedom is an essential element, my list was much longer than Anderson's.

freedom
faith
family
play
nature
love
laughter
prayer
creating
service to others
color
intimacy
music
imagination
learning new things

Autumn Weekend

2008-10-27T09:10:00.003-04:00

This pumpkin decorating idea comes from Eddie Ross' Ric Rac Pumpkin post.

It was a thrilling Autumn weekend for us!

Disney on Ice:

Trunk or Treat:

This photo was taken using my point and shoot, but I used my manual settings to adjust for low light! I know you all probably know your camera, but I'm just taking the time to do so, and am learning that all those settings are there for a reason!

And a Festival that I haven't downloaded pictures from yet.

Have you seen this blog called Creativity prompt? Creativity prompts for your visual or written journalling! I will find time to participate in this one: Inspiration Prompt #23: The Elements of Life.

The Daily Scoop!

2008-10-23T14:49:00.005-04:00

I've been featured in my neighborhood Scoop Magazine! I'm so thrilled - I love to read this magazine and am happy to see that there is now an online version with great articles. Even more thrilled to see the wonderful words that they said about my books! Thank you Scoop! Here is a picture of the paris album that they discussed in the article:

An Illustrated Life by Danny Gregory

2008-10-22T21:59:00.003-04:00

This book comes out sometime in the near future, but you can pre-order it here. I just finished listening to the podcast with Christine Castro Hughes who is a graphic designer and a contributor to his new book about illustrated journaling. I can't wait to receive my copy!

Digital Cameras

2008-10-21T16:21:00.005-04:00

I'm having issues printing my digital pictures and having them turn out too dark. I'm looking forward to learning more about editing in my digital photography class so that I can start filling up my new Life Stories Photo Journal with great looking pictures! Or, at least better looking than they are turning out right now.

For now, the current lesson is on digital cameras. I use a simple a point and shoot Canon PowerShot SD1100. Nice for a point and shoot, but I'm beginning to yearn for an SLR digital camera, especially after learning about them and having the opportunity to try one out this weekend. Here is a picture taken with that great camera:

Here is a great website calledimaging-recource.com with all kinds of digital photography resources. Lots of camera and accessory reviews, forums, and (my favorite area of the website) tutorials! The tutorials seem short and sweet and to the point.

My mom on marriage...

2008-10-18T06:27:00.004-04:00

As I listened to a podcast today that discussed marriage and preparation for that important relationship, I thought of things that my mom had told me about marriage when I was younger. I remember asking her before I was married, and had just begun dating Dan, how someone could know that they could spend the rest of their life with someone. I marveled at that! She did not offer practical advice on this but, her response always stuck with me. "Kristin, I have spent 26 years with your father and that's not nearly enough"! Dan and I have only been married 11 years, but I know that feeling. And I'm so very thankful for this marriage that grows, is strong, and is a wonderful adventure!

A drawing of my mom:

Perhaps today you could write about some advice that your mother gave you or things that she said and use a photo or drawing to illustrate it. Please comment here if you do this! And give a link to your blog if you have one - I'd love to see!

Photography as a Fine Arf!

2008-10-16T14:02:00.003-04:00

Having started my digital photography class yesterday, I kept my eye and ear open for an interesting tidbit to share with you. My first (for this class) internet field trip was to the American Museum of Photography. Have you visited this virtual museum that claims to be "A Museum Without Walls... For An Art Without Boundaries"? I suggest the guided tour here to explore the many exhibits. Or, if you are a dog lover like we are, you can go directly to my favorite exhibit called Photography as a Fine Arf!. Here is my own interpretation of a current day canine photo titled "Two Friends". I'm glad that digital photography requires so little stillness today, as compared to the daguerreotypes of the 1800's that required several minutes of "cooperation"!

Give Yourself a Present part II

2008-10-15T07:22:00.004-04:00

Here is my submission for the "Give Yourself A Present" challenge. I titled it "The Gift of Now" and simply chose 12 photos that had been taken recently that reminded me of how special this life is. It was hard to narrow it down to 12. I feel very blessed!

Digital Photography class starts today when I return home from school/work. I'm hoping to complete the first lesson before the kids return home from their school day. Stay tuned. Perhaps I'll have some tips for recording the digital photos that make up the parts of your life story. I'm planning to use all new photos in my recent Life Stories Photo Journal (5"X7") that I made just for us! And will be making that album (made to order) available in my Etsy shop soon (in any size you want!).

"Give Yourself a Present" Challenge

2008-10-13T12:26:00.005-04:00

This tiny photo album came from Anna Aspnes and a contest that she had on her blog in response to this "Give Yourself A Present" challenge by Stacy Julian. The tiny album is only 6cm X 6cm and I can't wait to fill it up with my "presents" and officially participate in the challenge! You don't have to have one of these albums to participate too. Leave me a comment if you DO participate. And don't forget to go to Stacy Julian's blog to let her know too.

Yes, that is the book "Artful Journals" by Janet Takahashi that I used as a background for this photo. I checked it out from the library, but with lots of bookbinding tutorials and writing ideas, it would be one I wouldn't mind having in my personal library.

Fall Family Photo Journal

2008-10-13T12:06:00.005-04:00

I made time to sew the album that I shared with you here in a post called "Autumn Bookbinding". My plans for this album include placing digital photos and journalling of the family for Fall 2008. My Digital Photography class begins on Wednesday (online) and I can't wait to improve my skills! Will document them here.

If you would like a photo album or journal just like this, in any size, made for you please contact me. I love custom orders!

The Kid's Quotes Journal - Mackenzie

2008-10-09T14:16:00.002-04:00

Ok, now Mackenzie's turn!

April 2008
Mackenzie was describing what certain body parts are for, "eyebrows are for laughing, teeth are for eating, tongues are for tasting, eyes are for seeing, and legs are so our feet aren't right to our waist."

March 29, 2008
Mackenzie right after lunch: Mommy, I ate all of my cheese tortilla.
Mommy: good!
Mackenzie: I'm glad I ate it when I wanted it, because now I don't want it.

April 16, 2007
Mackenzie: Sometimes when I laugh it makes me toot, and sometimes when I toot it makes me laugh!

March 15, 2005
(we took Mackenzie to the doctor to remove a teeny tiny toy from her nose the week before this comment)
Mackenzie: No toy up my nose.
Mommy: That's right, no toy up your nose.
Mackenzie: Just my finger!

Can I just say she cracks me up?!

The Kid's Quotes Journal - Cameron

2008-10-08T20:35:00.003-04:00

Some of Cameron's quotes that we've recorded in the Kid's Quotes Journal:

June 10, 2008
Cameron: (while looking at his cup that seems to have a milk leak) hmmm... that's odd.
Mommy: yeah.
Cameron: Like the Wizard of Odds!

Cameron: Mommy, if I was a bird would you get me bird clothes or would you let me stay in my feathers?
Mommy: I'd probably let you stay in your feathers.
Cameron: Well, I think I'd want to wear bird clothes.
Mommy: Well then I'd get you bird clothes.
Cameron: But how would you know I wanted bird clothes?
Mommy: ??? (speechless)

March 6, 2007
Mackenzie to Cameron: What is attitude?
Cameron: Attitude makes the tooth fairy come out.
Mommy (overhearing from the kitchen): ???

The Kid's Quotes Journal - Sierra

2008-10-07T14:31:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite memory books is the Kid's Quotes Journal where I record all (well, lots) of the adorable things our kids say. It's so fun for hubby and I to reread and laugh til our sides hurt! Today I'd like to share with you some of Sierra's quotes (who is now 8) from this book that is forever in progress:

June 25, 2008
Sierra to Daddy after an eye doctor appointment, "I didn't like it. The doctor put eye drops in my eyes and dilated my pimples."

February 17, 2008
Sierra to Mommy while admiring my iphone, "Mommy, if I lick your iphone can I keep it?"

August 21, 2004
Sierra has wanted a dog for forever! I used to tell her that we would get one when the twins were old enough to be able to treat a dog well. So Sierra, in all seriousness, says to the twins, "OK, the sooner you guys grow up the sooner we can get a dog."

August 5, 2003
Sierra to Mommy, "Mommy, I'm so glad you came out of your mommy's belly!"

June 11, 2003
Sierra saw a bug crawling on the floor with a huge crumb in it's mouth. Sierra noticed this and said, "Mommy, it's helping us clean up!"

January 9, 2002
"I loo" = I love you

Imperfect pigtails

2008-10-06T07:33:00.003-04:00

I don't just record the fun life stories and the drawings I'm happy with. Here is a drawing I did to remember, hopefully not too long from now, that Mackenzie has an emotional melt down if I don't get her pigtails "perfect" in the morning. As the moment approaches to do her hair before school my heart starts racing, I start sweating, I prepare myself for her tears. I drew this picture with Mackenzie one afternoon as we discussed her "overreactions" to my inability to provide her with the perfect pig tails. We talked about ways that she could express her emotions in a way that communicates them in a positive way for her AND for me. She seems to have learned through our discussion during my drawing that she can use calm words to tell me she wants a "do-over" for her pigtails. She finished my drawing (using Micron pen) with writing her name. Some good communication, time together, effective parenting, recording of a life story, and a snapshot of her handwriting on that date - so worth the effort! Even though it's not "fine art" (or my best drawing!) I am more than happy with the outcome!

Tagged by an Etsy Blogger

2008-10-04T07:39:00.004-04:00

Michelle Lewis of Little Paper Dog and a fellow member of Etsy Bloggers tagged me yesterday. She asked me to tell 6 things about myself that most people don't know and then tag 5 other team members. So ... here they are:
1. My husband is a recreational and a professional pilot and we live here. It's a flying community with a 3000 foot grass airstrip and airplanes regularly taxi by our dinner table! We are a close knit neighborhood because everyone who lives here has at least one thing in common - a love for airplanes and flying!

2. Yesterday while the kids were all at school, and my hubby and I had a day off together, we went for a motorcycle ride! It was my first on his new Ducati and very enjoyable. I just closed my eyes and felt the wind!
3. I like to smell good! One of my favorite things to buy on Etsy is bath and body products. My latest purchase is a sugar scrub from Bathing in Luxury.
4. I am very organized, but loose my glasses on a DAILY basis. I spend way too much time looking for them - also recruiting the family for this task.
5. My favorite snack is frozen blueberries with whipped cream. Mmmmm, almost better than ice-cream!
6. I listen to podcasts ALOT. Favorite subjects include podcasts about my faith, technology, running, creative hobbies, and kid stuff!

I would love to tag 5 more people, but in my search I didn't find one Etsy Blogger who hasn't been tagged yet! If you want to participate consider yourself tagged by me!

Happy Birthday!

2008-10-02T07:27:00.003-04:00

Today is Mackenzie's 6th Birthday - the other half of the twin set! Oh happy day! This is one happy 6 year old who is on the school bus right now carrying 2 dozen fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to her classmates.

Happy Birthday!

2008-10-01T07:15:00.004-04:00

The twin's are 6! To be more exact, Cameron is 6 today and Mackenzie, twin sister, is 6 tomorrow! There are 2 1/2 hours between them and it stretched over midnight. So we just celebrate all week! Stay tuned for Mackenzie's picture tomorrow!

Journaling Challenge

2008-09-29T10:03:00.003-04:00

Anna has a creative journaling challenge, involving hopes and dreams, over at designerdigitals.com and a free download for your digital scrapping and journaling for use with Adobe Photoshop or Elements. Since I don't use either, yet, I will participate in this challenge by listing some of my hopes and dreams here that I have recently written in one of my handmade books:

Hopes and dreams for myself:
- to be the best wife and mother I can be
- to help others see how important and special they are
- to help my own children, the children in my preschool class, and the children I teach at church to experience God's love
- to work and play creatively each day
- to continue to grow as a teacher, storyteller, puppeteer, artist, and catechist
- to lead in a positive way in all I do
- to record parts of my family's life story in creative ways so that they can read later and know who they are - and to encourage other's to do the same

These are just a few of my own dreams for myself that I recorded a couple months ago to help me to manage my time and to be sure that I was actually spending my time working towards those hopes and dreams. It's been a great thing to write these down. I wonder how they will change in the next years. Now to think of my hopes and dreams for my family.

The following image is one I drew in my art journal a couple years ago. Seeing these shoes side by side today, knowing that my son put his little shoe next to his daddy's big shoe, just seemed to scream 'hopes and dreams' to me, of a little boy who, thankfully, wants to be like his incredible daddy!

Fall Bookbinding Completed...

2008-09-28T14:17:00.003-04:00

Here are the notebooks that I completed with the coptic/chain stitch yesterday. They all use recycled/reused paper (white, manilla, and decorative scrapbook paper) and raw Davey board covers. The leaf and "recycled" images are from my own carved stamps. The two Fall leaf notebooks are in my Etsy shop here. The small one I am keeping for myself. I always keep a notebook in my purse for writing down numbers, product information, ideas, etc. I especially like the reused envelope that I have sewn into the first signature of each notebook for holding receipts, Moo cards, and notes. All completely adhesive free books!

Autumn Bookbinding

2008-09-26T14:08:00.006-04:00

I love the beginnings of Fall in Georgia. Today I took my favorite podcasts and green tea up to the crafting room/art studio that I share with the kids and hubby. All windows in the house were wide open and the fresh air was glorious, which put me in the mood for making some Autumn books. Here is peek at what I did with the recycled paper and bookboard that I've been holding onto for inspiration. The leaf image is a stamp that I carved myself for a special order a few months ago. Perfect!

Here is who kept me company in the craft room while the kids were at school all day:

You can see the kids' crafting table with work in progress. I love this room and that the kids are free to make a creative mess up here!

I finally decided to make our new family photo journalling album in the 5"X7" size, using the new leafy book cloth that I made a few days ago. Here are the completely wrapped boards which are now drying in the press (my handy National Geographic set of heavy hardback books!).

Here is a shot of my gluing station:

And cutting the corners for wrapping the boards:

Helpful hint: use one of those catalogs that you get in the mail as scrap paper for gluing. You can turn the pages with each item glued so that you have a clean scrap of paper every time!

I'll be back soon with the completed projects from the photos above!

Bookbinding Etsy Street Team in the Storque!

2008-09-25T15:53:00.004-04:00

If you want to check out some other interesting bookbinders see this article in the Storque at Etsy about one of the Etsy Teams of which I'm a member. There is a team blog as well. You can find lots of good info and tutorials if you're interested in that type of thing. I am.

New Bookcloth

2008-09-23T14:22:00.003-04:00

Since the moment I spotted this fabric at our local designer fabric store, The Scarlet Thread, I've wanted to make book cloth with it. And, since the moment that I brought it home, I've wanted to make a photo journal/memory album for my own family with it. So yesterday I took time out for personal crafting and made the book cloth. It looks even better lined with thin Japanese mulberry paper - so stiff and smooth and just waiting to be wrapped around some Davey Board. Now I just need to decide on a size before I cut the Davey Board. 8"X8" or 5"X7"? I love the square albums, but the 5"X7" one seems to be more efficient. This album will be perfect for holding photos and my children's narratives from our trip to New England last week to visit family! The cousins had a ball together - there was much noise and laughter!

Easy Postcard Memory Journal Tutorial!

2008-09-22T13:37:00.004-04:00

This is one of the simplest bindings you can do - a hole punch, some post cards, and a metal ring! I started this collection of post cards when my first daughter was small. Each time we travelled, whether to the beach or to the local zoo, I picked up a postcard and wrote down what my daughter's favorite part of the trip was, in her own words. Hole punch and add to the stack! We enjoy reading through these when we unexpectedly run across them, dropping everything for just a moment spent together remembering! Sierra was three (now eight!) when we went to the beach and she said her favorite part was "swimming in the waves with Daddy."

Art Journal Supplies

2008-09-21T16:47:00.003-04:00

Yesterday's blog post included a drawing I did of my daughter in her pirate costume last Halloween. Today I am sharing the supplies that were used to create the drawing. I do most of my drawings in my handmade Life Stories Books art journal on 90lb. Fabriano Artistico hot press watercolor paper in natural white. This is my favorite paper for making art journals and photo albums. I usually draw the picture out first in pencil and erase any unwanted lines with my handy eraser. Then I went over the lines with my Micron 002 pen. I let the ink set overnight and add color with the Derwent Watercolor Pencil and go over the color with the water brush for the watercolor effect. I take lots of photographs of the kids, but some of my favorite memories are recorded in my drawings - as imperfect as they are!

Talk Like a Pirate Weekend!

2008-09-20T10:01:00.003-04:00

When in Jr. High, on Georgia History Day, I refused t' dress like all t' other lasses in Southern Belle gowns! Instead I dressed as a pirate and gave a speech t' me class t' draw attention t' THAT part o' Georgia's history - gettin' me picture in t' paper t' boot! Here be a drawin' I did o' me daughter last year dressed as a pirate for Halloween! A daughter after me own heart!

I've been Smidged!

2008-07-20T14:56:00.009-04:00

Click here to check out my Matryoshka dolls album on Smidge!

Brides.com

2008-07-18T14:35:00.003-04:00

This 6"X9" wedding guest book is on it's way to Australia for a wedding and is also the featured book for an article on theLocal Scout Atlanta blog for Brides.com. Thanks Melissa for featuring my handmade books as that "something new"! Look closely at the spine. It has a silver metal locket for pictures of the bride and groom!

New Wedding Guest Book...

2008-07-16T06:40:00.003-04:00

Completed a wedding guest book this week:

Working on more and will post when complete!

New Thread...

2008-07-12T21:00:00.002-04:00

I love my spools of waxed linen thread from Belfast! Volcano Arts has a yearly sale on their thread and this year I took the opportunity to stock up on more colors. Now I have even more choices to offer customers of my bespoke albums and journals!

Bird crafts...

2008-06-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

My little guy Cameron (5 years old) is a huge bird lover. He watches and photographs them. In fact, there is a Mockingbird that he has "adopted" as his own and has named it Ticked (sounds like ticket without the "t"). Everywhere we go he finds a Mockingbird and thinks it's his own Ticked. He really thinks he's always seeing the same bird in our travels, as if Ticked is following us everywhere we go. While I encourage imagination, I have tried to explain to him that the birds he's seeing is not always the same one - there are many Mockingbirds in the world - but he insists I'm wrong! Well, I've been wrong before!

To Cameron's delight we start the Spring every year with swallows that build a nest on our front porch. Inspired by these bird friends I made these earrings for myself!

And, inspired by this blog post, I sewed (by hand) one of these birds for a shelf in our foyer. You can make one too - here's the tutorialfrom Spool Sewing.

Finally, follow this link to one of my favorite whimsical bird artists ever, Gennine!

Another Meme - One Word

2008-06-22T13:38:00.004-04:00

Another meme that I got from my faraway friend's blog.

YOU CAN ONLY TYPE ONE WORD!
Not as easy as you might think. Now copy or forward, change the answersto suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to only use one word answers. Be sure to send back to the person you received it from!

1. Where is your cell phone? unsure
2. Your significant other? flying
3. Your hair? unwashed
4. Your mother? hilarious
5. Your father? quiet
6. Your favorite thing? people
7. Your dream last night? confusing
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? heaven
10. The room you’re in? study
11. Your hobby? creating
12. Your fear? loss
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? earth
14. Where were you last night? Eucharist
15. What you’re not? uninspired
16. Muffins? banana
17. One of your wish list items? flooring
18. Where you grew up? South
19. The last thing you did? talk
20. What are you wearing? tshirt
21. Your TV? samsung
22. Your pet? energetic
23. Your computer? Mac
24. Your life? blessing
25. Your mood? thankful
26. Missing someone? Deb
27. Your car? garage
28. Something you’re not wearing? earrings
29. Favorite store? Anthropologie
30. Your summer? hot
31. Like someone? lots
32. Your favorite color? green
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? goodbye
35. Who will respond to this? unsure

And to leave you with a photo - here's a fun album I just completed as a custom order for a brand new little boy born last week:

Eucharistic Congress...

2008-06-20T18:26:00.003-04:00

Can't wait for tomorrow! The kids will see The Donut Man! And hubby and I will be here.

And Happy Anniversary Sweetie! (We were married 11 years ago - June 21st!) You are an amazing gift in my life and I treasure every single day together! Check out the smile almost too big for my face!

Flickr Meme...

2008-06-19T21:27:00.004-04:00

1. for the girls at Kristin Devitt Public Relations, 2. happy chinese new year, 3. High five! Anyone? Anyone?, 4. ♫ YO Yo yo, there's no place like a green penthouse... so i told the genie i wanted to be well hung. ^o^ ♫ nah... wildlife from singapore♫, 5. John Denver Greatest Hits, 6. The Cup Of LOVE.., 7. Birger Jarls Torg - Stockholm, 8. 4 New Flavoured Ice Cream Plush Toys from Chocolate Log, 9. The Storyteller, 10. Of Earth And Sea And The Oceans Free, 11. He Reigns, 12. Operation: Decatur Book Festival

I saw this meme on my cool friend's blog JavaNutKnits and was so happy to see her blogging again that I decided to join her in the meme!

The rules:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name.

The Love of My Life...

2008-06-14T17:57:00.002-04:00

I love to draw caricatures of my family. I've been practicing and did this one of the love of my life! Aren't those eyes the most amazingly kind and gentle eyes you've ever seen? And that sincere smile is what caught my eye over 17 years ago! And what a wonderful daddy he is to our three kids. I make a point to tell the children often what a great man he is! He really is! Happy Father's Day Sweetie!

Etsy Front Page!

2008-06-04T16:46:00.004-04:00

I just signed onto Etsy and found my Blue, White, and Red Brag Book on the Front Page! I quickly learned to make a screen shot -Easy Peasy! (On your Mac, just press the Command, Shift, and number 3 keys all at the same time - you know the picture has been taken because you will hear a camera sound! You will find the PICTure file on your desktop.)

And to top it off the Ice-Cream Truck drove by in the middle of this post! The kids and I are all slurping our treats in cool satisfaction!

Updating shop and other crafty things...

2008-05-19T17:59:00.003-04:00

It's been a great day to take photos outside with my new lightbox:

I made the lightbox today after reading this blog post by Etsy seller Folk Photography. It's a great tutorial for taking better pictures of your products. I didn't know it was so easy!

Here are the two books I added to my Etsy Shop today using product photos from my new lightbox:

In other crafty news, hubby and I are loving the new mouse pad I made from fabric that I had left over after making this bulletin board to keep track of our schedules, homework, notices, etc. in the study.

Here is the mousepad, made by reusing an old mousepad that had worn the paper off the top, and attaching the fabric using No-Sew:

Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival

2008-05-09T20:33:00.004-04:00

The May 12 edition of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team blog carnival sports the theme “Spring Bloom”. Now, I know I mainly talk about handmade books, journal related topics, and a bit of family here, but I thought I'd share some of my other handmade endeavors too. This week I made these copper and Czech glass earrings in honor of spring. I found that I was purchasing lots of fun earrings from many wonderful Etsy sellers, wanted to spend less money, and decided that I could make my own. I don't wear much jewelry except my wedding ring, a fun anklet I bought from Dornick Designs on Etsy, and my collection of fun earrings. My daughter things that these earrings look more like lamps than a "Spring Bloom", but I'm happy with them! And the other earrings below are some that I've made since purchasing supplies. I need a lot of work on my wire wrapping skills, and have no intention of adding earrings to my Etsy shop, but I'm loving wearing these fun, new earrings and so will the girlfriends that I make them for.

New Handmade Stamp...

2008-05-03T15:27:00.002-04:00

I've been commissioned to make a guest book for a wedding occurring in September. I love carving stamps for my books and thought I'd share this one that a carved yesterday to compliment the book's paste paper covers.

Here's one of my favorite artists, Geninne in Mexico, and her tutorial for making handcarved stamps. Browse her blog for fun stamps, colorful bird drawings/collages, and other whimsy!

Mother's Day with the Etsy Bloggers...

2008-05-02T15:55:00.005-04:00

This is my submission for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team Blog Carnival for this week. According to the team...

"The theme for May 5 is “Mother’s Day”. Blog about anything that we have gave or received as a mother, or given to our mothers that was/is very dear to you. Ex. a memorable phrase, a gift, a special handmade creation you received/or made,pictures, spoken word/story/drawing,writing, a video of a special occasion, etc….something that you will never forget that was done for you as a mom (doesnt matter who you received it from) or something that YOU have done for your mother..or any mother."

I've been wanting to show you the wonderful dress that my amazing mother-in-law made for our oldest daughter's first communion last weekend. She was instructed to make it simple and pretty. She did:

Something special about my mother-in-law: She treats me like her own daughter! My own mother passed away 14 years ago. My mother-in-law (I wasn't yet married to her son - so she was my boyfriend's mom!) knew that it was a tradition for my mom and I to talk on the phone (loooong conversations with lots of sharing and giggling!) every Saturday morning. I won't forget that my mother-in-law made it a point to call me for several Saturday mornings after my mom's passing. She just took time out of her busy schedule to fill a void. I was touched!

Here is a drawing I did last year from my mom's high school graduation photo:

Recently I asked my dad for my mom's old sewing machine, that HE hasn't used in 14 years! I should be picking it up soon. I have never really learned to sew, but I mom was an avid maker of clothes for me as a child! I loved wearing those clothes, but whenever I saw the sewing machine on the table I knew I would be hearing some "bad" words! It seemed to frustrate my mom so I never wanted to learn. Well, now I do. Hopefully I'll have some things to show off here before too long that I make with her machine!

A shout out to my beautiful step-mother too! She has done so much for me I can't begin to list them all. After marrying my dad (after my mom died) she has taught me much about giving of myself, just by watching her example! I don't have a photo to share, but I couldn't let that go unsaid. Thank you Jerry!

My own children give me gifts beyond comprehension. My favorites are the kisses and blessings and prayers at bedtime, the cute words that they say, the dancing in the kitchen at dinnertime, telling Mommy and Daddy that we are their favorite Mommy and Daddy, gentle touches while I help them with something - the hand on the arm or the head on the shoulder. I could go on and on!

April 23rd was World Book Day...

2008-04-24T17:47:00.003-04:00

(drawing above is one I did of a book puppet that I made to introduce my preschool storytimes! He sings a great little song to signal the fun!)

Read what the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team shop says in the shop announcement:

"April 23rd is World Book Day! To celebrate this day, the BEST team is having a challenge. Participating members will make a book honoring either William Shakespeare or Miguel de Cervantes. To finish off the celebration, the team is having a World Book Day Sale on April 23rd, with many members offering 10%-15% off or free shipping. For a list of participating shops, please check our blog, http://etsybooks.blogspot.com/."

April 23rd is also William Shakespeare's birthday! Way back in 1564! And Cervantes died on that day. Read more on the origin of World Book Day on Wikipedia.

While I did not participate in the challenge (because of other previously committed challenges!) many other of my team members did! Check out their work on our team blog here. And check out the sellers who are participating in the World Book Day Saleby clicking here! Happy shopping!

More books and recycling and crafting...

2008-04-23T17:29:00.003-04:00

Have you seen the new blog of Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord (of Makingbooks.com) called The Creative Year? She posts ideas and directions for creative projects that use recycled materials from around the house. The picture above is my version of her First Day of Spring Flowers. I used fabric that I had acquired from a yard sale years ago, twine from the garage, and a couple branches from our pruned Crepe Myrtle outside our bedroom window. I made this to add a splash of color to our Easter get together, but it is still being enjoyed and periodically moves around the house. Right now it is in the foyer welcoming guests. Now it welcomes you to my blog!

If you're looking for a book project see her post about St. George's Day on April 23rd.

Happy Earth Day 2008!

2008-04-22T15:04:00.005-04:00

I love Earth Day! We were all about worms and dirt in my preschool class today! Now, as a bookbinder who uses new materials, I am always on the search for things to do with my leftovers. That extra bookboard and the extra papers. I do not like waste. I do recycle, but I love to find ways to reuse things at home. So, in celebration of Earth Day 2008, I'm happy to share with you one of my own recycled notebook creations - a dos-a-dos book made with all reused paper - recycled from school, home, and library papers.

Included with the reused paper for writing in the notebook are reused junk mail envelopes that work beautifully to hold receipts, business cards, or love notes! I had a ball carving my very own stamps for the images on the front and back of the notebooks. Stamp carving, I found, can be very relaxing and calming. You can see more pictures and read more about them here and here in my Etsy shop.

Now, does anyone have any ideas for things to do with your leftover small pieces of bookboard? I have one idea that I may be showing you soon, but I'd love to hear how you use your paper waste!

Have you visited the Planet Green website yet? This is what they say about Planetgreen.com, "PlanetGreen.com is filled with solutions-oriented tips and information that can help you make your life a little (or a lot) greener. Our eco-minded community includes fan sites, articles about how to go green, and forums where users can interact." It will be the "first and only 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network" launching in June 2008. As a very basic cable customer I won't be able to watch this network, but I have enjoyed searching their site and reading the articles. Particularly this one called "Repair Damaged Book Binding"by Jasmin Malik Chua, of Jersey City, USA. You will find a link to the information on WikiHow. I love old books, especially those that were given to me by my family. These books were read and loved by my husband's family.

The first book titled, "Bible Symbols", belonged to my mother-in-law's own mother and was generously given to me by my sister-in-law. Just look at the beautiful endpapers! The second one is a tiny prayer book used by my mother-in-law and by her mother-in-law before her. I can just imagine the hands holding it as heartfelt prayers were lifted! There is no binding on this any longer and it's been held together by tape for as long as I've had it! Again, no binding! Now, do I actually repair the binding or leave these precious books as they are? For now, I think I still have to leave them as they are - with all their character.

Introducing...

2008-04-13T16:54:00.005-04:00

Should I get a drum roll? I am introducing my new line of handmade bookcloth albums - the Fabric Collection of Life Stories Books! This is what I've been up to with the fabric that I showed you a few posts ago (here). I just love these japanese cotton/linen blend fabrics! I turn them into bookcloth using heat n bond and Unryu paper. The texture feels so good in your hands - I wish you could reach out and touch them! All are available in my etsy shop.

2 Cute!

2008-04-12T18:39:00.005-04:00

OK, I admit it - we are big American Idol fans here - the whole family. This is the cutest conversation I had with Mackenzie (age 5) the other night while we watched the results show. Jason Castro had just walked on stage:

Mackenzie: You like him, don't you?

Me: Yes.

Mackenzie: Do you like his song, or do you like his face?

Me: I like his song.

Mackenzie: I like his face.

I keep a journal reserved just for the memorable things that our kids say! This is definitely in there!

Other family Idol fav's:
Sierra (8): Brooke White
Cameron (5): doesn't know yet
Daddy: David Archuleta

What She Likes!

2008-04-11T15:03:00.002-04:00

I'm so happy to have been featured on the webzine What She Likes! In Freya's own words, the editor of the webzine, "What She Likes is an online mag for women. This webzine is for and about women(of all ages) who love the arts basically. This webzine promotes the arts by featuring women who are active on the web and who are doing a great job in the field of arts, crafts and fashion, featuring art sites and much much more!

What She Likes gives women wonderful oppurtunities to express themselves. You can request for topics, get your work featured here if you are doing something related to arts, crafts, fashion or blogging and even write for What She Likes!"

Click here to check out what she said about my books, as well as all the other great artists and items she has featured!

2008-03-26T17:44:00.004-04:00

I have been working on these books, and more, that will be listed on etsy once we get our new camera. I just don't like to list without closeup photos of my books and the iphone has no macro!

And what, do you wonder, will I be doing with these yummy japanese print fabrics? Stay tuned to find out!

Happy Easter and old books...

2008-03-22T09:16:00.004-04:00

More iphone photos (can't wait to get a new camera - but the iphone's not too shabby, huh?!)... Ok, so these are not handmade books, but they are some of my favorite old books my dad gave me. I finally decided to display them on our mantle because I thought it awful that they would be hidden away in a box. They belonged to my great grandfather and some of the inscriptions in them are dated 1910. Most of them are books by Horatio Alger and were Christmas gifts almost 100 years ago. I just love the worn look of them with the colorful angels that used to belong to my mother (the angels were Christmas decorations that I could not bear to pack away this year - I love the colors!). Knowing that these books belonged to my great grandfather who I never met makes them feel like a treasure. I added some more modern Easter decor that I have acquired from a few students through the years and I have a colorful mix of decor that makes me smile.

Camera not well...

2008-03-21T10:29:00.005-04:00

Here is what our camera looks like after hubby tried to fixed it which was after Mackenzie (5 years old) tried to video herself performing an original song for the world! Not sure what happened and neither is Mackenzie, but this is what we are left with! We use our camera daily - me for photographing books and art and kids and hubby for video taping kids to edit into fantastic video scrapbooks! We are lost without it. Any suggestions for a new upgrade are welcome. Video and macro are essential. This was a Canon PowerShot SD550. How did I take this picture? With my yummy iphone! (no macro or video unfortunately!)

Once Upon a Time...

2008-03-20T11:11:00.005-04:00

I'm preparing for some storytelling and puppetry at an elementary school tomorrow. On my list of stories I left on the counter my husband spotted "Once Upon A Time..." and it inspired him to write his own short story about our life. He left it right there for me to find on a sticky note. He gave me permission to post. Can I just say I married an adorable man that is just perfect for me!?

Our Story - Once upon a time, there was an angel that flew very low one day. That angel was caught by a man and they fell deeply in love with each other. God blessed them with one angel to replace her in heaven and three children on earth for them to love. They all lived happily ever after. The end.

I like our story!

I'm working on new book designs and a blog and etsy store makeover - new and improved!

One of my favorite Christmas gifts...

2008-01-04T18:53:00.000-05:00

Here is one of my favorite Christmas gifts. A leather handmade book filled with handmade paper. I've never made a leather book and I've never made my own paper so this is very unique for me! It was given to me by my husband's Uncle Marc, who has many talents (writing and astronomy to name a couple). He purchased the book in NY. I wish I had a link to some of Uncle Marc's writings for you to read. Perhaps he'll start his own blog for that - hint, hint! Anyway, this book has encouraged me to do more writing in my journals and to sketch with pen (no pencil) just for the pure spontaneity and fun of sketching without being worried about the outcome. I will also rarely if ever add color to the sketches in this journal as I like the simple tactile feel and look of the book. Just look at the gorgeous handmade paper that is so lovely to touch and write/draw on! Thank you Uncle Marc!

Happy Holidays Sale from BEST...

2007-12-08T06:26:00.000-05:00

The Bookbinding Etsy Street Team (BEST) is having a holiday sale with various shops offering discounts or free shipping. My shop is offering free shipping on my recycled notebooks! For a list of participating BEST shops check out our blog here!

Recycled books...

2007-11-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

In an effort to satisfy my effort to recycle I am beginning a line of recycled books using covers from old interesting books no longer being read, and notebooks filled with recycled paper. As a teacher and artist I have access to so much paper that needs to be recycled. It's one of my joys to turn old things into something useful and attractive!

This book shown above will not be listed in my etsy shop, but will be given as a gift! The owl illustration on the cover is hand drawn and cut by me using my own painted paste paper. The endpapers are the same paper as the owl. The signatures are drawing paper, each wrapped in a red coordinating decorative paper. Keep watch - I'll be listing recycled books and notebooks soon on etsy and will still be offering my custom journals and albums using the same fine papers for writing, painting, and scrapbooking - all acid free as always!

New books...

2007-11-21T16:25:00.000-05:00

I've actually been busy making books lately! Here are a couple new ones I've added to my etsy store:

The top photo is our fireplace mantle decorations for Thanksgiving! I'm in the midst of cooking and cleaning for tomorrow but thought I'd wish everyone out there in American blogland a Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for so many things! I hope you are too!

Custom Art Journal Complete...

2007-07-15T10:25:00.000-04:00

This custom art journal is on it's way to an artist in Hondoros! It is 6"X9" and has 40 pages of Fabriano Artistico 140lb. cold press watercolor paper. Wish I could see it filled with her artwork! Thanks Deni!

New binding...

2007-07-12T06:28:00.001-04:00

These are some 4"X6" notebooks that are adhesive bound using PVA glue and single sheets of graph paper for making notes. I got the tutorial from five and a half. I made these for my Etsy shop but I've kept the brown and green one for myself (keep it in my purse and write down ideas for new books when they come to me, grocery lists, cool quotes, appointments that I need to remember to put in my daytimer at home, etc.). The very first one I made my daughter has taken over after my hubby tried to keep it. I'll have to make him one soon! Am working on a custom art journal order now - so should have photos in a few days.

Possibilities for a custom art journal...

2007-07-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

Two More Brag Books Complete...

2007-06-28T17:44:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that it's taken me so long to complete these two books hat are now available in my etsy shop! Believe me, custom orders are completed very timely and take priority over all other art projects. But stocking my etsy store with books as I'm able seems to have taken way longer than I thought it would now that it's summer and I'm not teaching. I envisioned myself completing a book a day over the summer! We have however been busy with storytelling bliss last week (and the few weeks before with preparations) at Vacation Bible School and ending with a Roswell Magnolia Storytelling Festival last weekend. Our almost daily trips to the neighborhood pool have been fruitful for the twins and big sis and their swimming skills! Also, doctor's appointments (dentists, orthodontist, eye drs., etc.) have taken up their fare share of time. We are making the most of this summer though I suppose!

Last post I showed 3 paste papers and only have 2 books to show this post because I just didn't care for the third paste paper after it was glued to the bookboards - not centered right or something. Trying to save it with more paint didn't produce results either, so it's been set aside with others that haven't quite passed the test of my liking!

These new paste papers...

2007-06-06T08:56:00.000-04:00

These new paste papers are in the process of becoming 3 different 5"X7" brag books or photo albums. I love making books in bulk and in stages - especially when they all are very different in color and pattern. So fun!

Sewing in spacers tutorial:

2007-05-31T07:39:00.000-04:00

Traci asked about how to sew the spacers into a photo album/scrapbook. I've written out and drawn a tutorial. I hope it's understandable! Thanks for asking Traci! Click on the image below to see the tutorial larger:

New Photo Album listed on Etsy...

2007-05-23T18:20:00.001-04:00

This one is 8"X8" and just adorable! My 4 year old son wants it - but I'm going to have to make him another with this paste paper! Each of my 3 kids has their own journal with the paste paper of their choosing - they love to write and draw in them at night before bed especially!

2 new books...

2007-05-20T06:14:00.001-04:00

These two books have been added to my Etsy shop (link to the right). The purple and yellow book is a journal with 112 pages of Arches Text Wove paper and the pink and purple one is a brag book/photo album with 28 pages of Fabriano Artistico 90lb. smooth watercolor paper. The photo album has 1" spacers built into the spine to allow for the addition of photos.

I'm currently designing a different option for attaching the long ribbons to my books and albums. Will post a photo when it's complete!

I've been tagged...

2007-05-14T12:50:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Lisa B.. to list 7 secrets about myself. Hmmmm, didn't think I had any secrets, but there are certainly things about myself that you don't know, so here goes:

1) I was somewhat scared of the dark until I was about 35 years old (that was 5 years ago!).

2) If I miss a couple days of centering prayer in the morning I begin to crave it! Our whole family prays together in the evening - my husband and I, our 7 year old daughter, and 4 year old boy/girl twins. We make a huge effort to teach our children gratitude. We end every prayer time with each person listing off the many things we are thankful for about that day. Even our 4 year olds thank God for the most amazing things that they recognize as gifts!

3) I do a great mosquito impression - sound effects and all!

4) As a kid I was the roller skating limbo champion in our home town - a short reign! That was in the seventies when we rollerskated (not the inline kind either) with a disco ball and those large pom poms attached to our skates.

5) I play the flute - not very often and not in public anymore! My flute, however, is an old friend that I pull out and play every now and then for myself and my family.

6) I met my husband roller skating 16 years ago (again not the inline kind!) and we got engaged 6 years later in a hot air balloon. We've been married 10 years next month - I'm a happy wife!

7) Our kids think that we CAN'T (for whatever reason!) fix the only television in our house that broke a few weeks ago, but in reality we are CHOOSING not to fix it! It's just been soooo nice without a t.v.! (I'm sure we'll fix it sometime in the not too distant future, but for now we are enjoying being t.v. free!)

Now to find 7 bloggers that I can tag to reveal secrets about themselves! Hmmmm....I'll have to come back to that - the first few blogs I checked have already been tagged and I have two books ready for sewing together (my favorite part of the process). They are calling my name!

Another sneak peek at a paste paper and...

2007-04-14T12:08:00.000-04:00

a couple of new albums (SOLD) - more in the works!

New Paste Paper designs...

2007-03-13T07:19:00.000-04:00

New books with these covers coming soon!

This is my new sketchbook!

2007-02-16T18:03:00.000-05:00

I made this one for me. It has my favorite paper - Fabriano Artistico hot press 90lb watercolor paper - and rounded corners. I got the book plaque with the Picasso quote from fellow etsy seller Mudcakes. To see my first entry in this sketchbook look at my other blog Playful Art Journal.

Custom photo album

2007-01-25T14:13:00.000-05:00

This 8"X8" photo album is 2 inches thick with 104 pages of my favorite paper - Fabriano Artistico hot press 90lb. watercolor paper. It was a custom album that sold through etsy. I just love the process of creating a one of a kind album or journal for someone who has a specific desire - something to fit just them!

Custom travel albums...

2007-01-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

These handbound albums (12"x12" and 5"x7") have 48 and 28 pages (respectively) of Fabriano Artistico 90lb. hot press natural white watercolor paper. The blue one features the names of several places that the recipients are visiting in Europe and lines of latitude and longitude. The green one features the image of a compass. I really enjoyed making these and hope the travellers will enjoy recording their journeys in them!

Custom art journal...

2006-12-21T11:38:00.000-05:00

This one is for a 7 year old budding artist who is celebrating a birthday the day after Christmas. It is 6"X9" and has 144 pages of 140 lb. watercolor paper and 70 lb. drawing paper intermingled. I hand painted the sparkle glaze over the flowers on my paste paper.

My new favorite...

2006-11-19T20:16:00.000-05:00

This one not for sale!

2006-09-24T19:46:00.000-04:00

This is the art journal that I made for my sisters-in-law and I to pass from Georgia to Connecticut to New York and back around! Can't wait to share it with these two wonderful women! I've got several more books in the works to list on Etsy.com. Will complete them soon!

Chunky book listed on Etsy...

2006-09-11T14:31:00.000-04:00

This mini book has Arches Printmaking paper for the text block. It is 5.25"X4" and has 144 pages.

The Decatur Book Festival!

2006-09-03T20:32:00.000-04:00

I've been busy this month with the start of school, finishing up a couple commissioned books, and a few other commitments, so I haven't had much time to post here on my blog. I did want to make time to post about our wonderful visit today to the very first Decatur Book Festival. What fun! All my favorite stuff in one spot - storytellers, bookbinders, and author/illustrators! Here are a few pics:

The first one is Carmen Agra Deedy, one of my favorite storytellers. I've heard her a few times and she's just great - such a wonderful sense of humor in her telling!

This next one is of my two daughters with author Angela K. Durden. Her new book is Heros Need Practice, Too. And the Henry County Fire Department (where we live) is featured in the illustrations!

This one is when I met Sara Hindmarch. (I'm in the purple!) I have seen her website and her etsy shop before and was thrilled to meet this book artist. She has some very original binding designs! You can check out her gorgeous books here. And visit her etsy shop too!

Finally, a pic of my little guy (twin brother to our littlest girl!) meticulously making a bookmark at the booth of Little Shop of Stories. This bookstore is where we saw the Cat in the Hat! Wish I had a good photo of my dear husband, but he was busy taking all the photos and movies!

Now I'm hoping to finish some of the book ideas that are floating around in my head soon! I'll post them here!

Commissioned album completed!

2006-07-31T13:43:00.000-04:00

This one is for a special couple, my aunt and uncle, celebrating their 40th anniversary! (Shhhh, it's a suprise!) Hope they don't peek at my blog. It is 14.5" X 12", stab bound with 48 pages (front and back) of Arches BFK Rives paper. The pages were hand deckled by me. The cover paper and organza ribbon was purchased from PaperArts.com - they were great - and didn't ask me to say that! The beads are blue shades and the charms include a pewter starfish and 2 carved fish. This couple loves the ocean - so that is the theme I was creating with this album. Now, off to my cousin to fill the pages with her mom and dad's wonderful "life story"!

Another brag book on Etsy...

2006-07-17T07:47:00.000-04:00

6.5"X5" handbound with the coptic, long, and kettle stitches. As I made this book my mind filled with images of daydreaming in a meadow of yellow flowers! (the Making Memories charm on the front says "dream"). The inside paper is Fabriano Artistico, so the book could be filled with various media of art or precious photos. Happy Summertime!

Just Listed On Etsy...

2006-07-13T10:05:00.000-04:00

These are two 8"X8" albums that I just finished - you may have seen the paste papers below. I love how they turned out with my favorite paper on the inside - Fabriano Artistico 140lb. hot press watercolor paper. Perfect for whatever you want to use them for. I dream of making myself an oversized art journal with this Artistico paper. Someday soon! I also just got the paper and ribbon that I purchased for a commissioned album I'm working on - it's soooo beautiful - will post here when that one is completed. It will be stab bound with ribbon and 14"X12". Would anyone like to see a few photos of the process of this album? I can post if you would like to see the album in progress!