New Star Books

It is December in Ohio.....as I sit here posting this with my windows open.  It has been 60 degrees almost everyday and there is a lingering sprinkle outside from a thunderstorm that just passed through.  I am enjoying every minute of it.....Ohio weather can turn on a dime.

I have made a few new star books that you an also find on Amazon at www.amazon.com/handmade/Life-is-Art  

I like making the star book because everyone loves the "star" that is revealed when the book is fully opened.  There are so many steps to making a star book and I enjoy each one.

 

New Journals listed on Amazon

New journals listed on Amazon!!  I am so excited to start this new venture.  Here are a few of my latest journals.....and if you see something you like...it's available on Amazon!  
www.amazon.com/handmade/Life-is-Art 

News and New Journals

Exciting News!!  I have been invited to join Handmade at Amazon!  That means that soon, you will be able to purchase my handbound journals on Amazon.  I have been working hard on creating my Amazon shop.  There is a lot of preliminary work that I have to do, but it will be up and running soon.  Follow this link in the next few days to check it out!
www.amazon.com/handmade/Life-is-Art

In the mean time, here is a quick look at some of the journals that I will have for sale.

I am creating these as fast as I can....check back in a few days...and...check out my shop on Amazon!!

Skull Star

The star book...one of my favorite books to make. I came across the skull paper while looking through a forgotten stash of paper.  Doesn't everyone have a stash of art supplies tucked away in a safe place, that they forgot they stashed?
This book has seven sections, each section has 4 layers. I sew all the signatures and layers together. I like how this one turned out.

"The Walk"

My latest art book, "The Walk".  When my son was in elementary school (7 years ago), he had a habit of drawing on his work papers instead of completing them.  I saw this skeleton on the back of one of his papers that he brought home.  I loved it. I copied it and used it in a couple of other art pieces.  Then I thought of the story of the skeleton going for a walk.  There aren't any words, the pictures tell the story. He starts out on a walk through the woods, only to have two birds pick him up and carry him away. They release him deep into the woods, only to return with 2 more birds... I think we all can relate in one way or another. What we set out to do sometimes is not what ends up happening.

I made the cover out of a double layer of imported handmade paper. Each signature is a layer of 2 pages that I wet down and let dry to create a crinkle texture. The next layer is a page of black cardstock. The final layer is the page with the drawing. The edges are tattered and I distressed the edges with scissors. All the signatures are sewn into place.

New Journals

Wow, where does the time go? Summer is here, my favorite time of the year. Everything is green, in bloom, fresh. The smell of summer is hard to beat.
Here are my two latest projects. Leather journals I just finished today.

The brown leather journal has 168 pages for thoughts, recording dreams or sketches. It has a leather tie with an antique button.

The black journal has 96 pages. The tie is black leather cord with a 

handmade button I  bought at an art show years ago.  

Let me know what you think...

Obsessed with Origami

I got curious about making origami butterflies last week. I looked up instructions on line and after making about 5 in a row, I had the instructions committed to memory. Then I couldn't stop. I kept making origami butterflies. My son made the comment to me that there were 
butterflies everywhere. That's when I decided to make them fly. I strung them on fishing line and hung them from the ceiling. I love them!

Quintessential Snow Day

We've been getting a lot of snow today. Last check on my deck was close to 7". It truly is the quintessential snow day. It's not too cold, it's peaceful, beautiful, and you just want to absorb everything about it.

There is a reason why my blog is titled "Life is Art". It's because art 
is everywhere you look. In the bark of a tree, a rock, the way the snow falls, the branch blowing in the wind, the way a child smiles, get the idea? If you do not already do so, take a minute to find the art around you. You will enrich your soul.  

Fly Free...

My favorite thing in spring and summer, besides the warm air, sun, trees, flowers, warm breeze, and sweet smell is the butterfly.  I am always fascinated by beauty of nature and the butterfly is no exception.
This is my latest journal.  With tattered pages and original artwork of leaf-winged butterflies. After accidentally sewing  the middle signature in upside down, I finally completed this journal, my favorite so far. 
I used Thai handmade double-sided paper for the cover and leather wrap to tie the journal closed.  I alternated the signatures inside with the "tattered" edge sections and plain paper sections.  The cover piece was originally a bronze color, I took a heavy grit sand paper to it to reveal the silver-tone underneath and added some black paint.  I tied another butterfly to the filigree just because.

Front Cover

First Page

Middle Section

Third Section

           

#Linus

I am not a fan of winter. I do admit the snow is pretty, on the trees, in the sunlight and peaceful to watch. We really haven't had a lot of snow this winter, compared to last, but I do believe this is the first "named" winter storm we have had come through Ohio. It's name is Linus.I made a "snow gauge" for fun yesterday. Here are the pictures so far. Wherever you are, stay safe, warm and happy. And...don't forget to create something. 

Yesterday

5:30am Feb 1, 2015 

8:30 am Feb 1, 2015

10:30 am Feb 1, 2015

My pine trees

Wrap it up...I'll take it...

Just finished making this wrap book. I re-purposed a handmade-paper gift bag by making the wrap around cover from it. 

I have always been able to look at something and see it as something else. Love how this turned out...

I braided a tie from hemp cord and added a couple of ceramic beads.       All this book needs now is some sketches, poetry, dreams or 

thoughts...

Little Black Book

I completed another journal book. Feels like a record for me. If only I could dedicate every day, all day to art and creating...