Scrap bits

The Sketchbook Project 2011- Here is my cover.

I separated my interior pages of my sketchbook as detailed here. I thought a lot about what to do with the cover. My theme is "I'm sorry I forgot you"- with the idea that I would be finishing the sketchbook in honor of ART in general. I always did "art" in some form,but somewhere along the line, I stopped.

Why? I am not sure, I guess life just got int the way-I met my husband, had my two children and looked at my art as a luxury I could not afford the time to do. Like it was an indulgence. Maybe because it is so enjoyable to me, that I felt guilt knowing there was always something else I "should" be doing. I now know that art, for me, is the best thing I can do for myself. Denying creative time, was doing myself a great dis-service. It makes me a better person. I am happier, and less stressed. Everything is in perspective.

So-this book is for me- to remind myself to create, in some form or another, every day.

And- this book is for everyone else- to remind you to not deny yourself what you are passionate about. Whether it's cooking, photography, running or woodworking. Nurture your passions. It's good for you!

My cover so far;

And a close up;

 

...my pages all stacked and ready to be inserted into the cover...

I will wait till the pages are done, then sew the signatures back into the cover. I will add black fabric tape to the spine of the cover to finish it.

It's going to be hard to let this book go!

 

update on my sketchbook project 2011

It's been a long time since I posted any progress with my sketchbook. Awhile back, I talked about how I ripped out the pages because they were too thin, and decided to make my own pages.

When I took on the sketchbook project, I had no plans to buy anything new. I would use my stash and up-cycled materials. My first thought when deciding on the new paper was heavy weight watercolor paper,but that would have been a new purchase. After a bit of thinking I decided to use bits and pieces of stuff that I already had: scraps of paper, magazines, vintage book paper, scrapbook papers, and junk mail. I sewed them together and made enough pages to make 2 signatures to sew back into the cover. 

I made these pages in the style of Mary Ann Moss's fantastic online class "Remains of the Day". 

Now I LOVE my pages and they feel more like me. The book is looking chunky and messy and full of textured goodness, just like my other Remains journals! 

Here are some shots of the pages so far;

  I used my sewing machine to sew bits and pieces to each page.

 

The page below has a sewn on Hambly transparency. I love the vintage feel it has.

 

For the page below, the heart is cut from graffiti canvas I painted. Also used some cool vintage text paper

 

 

below, I incorporated a photo of mine,

 

Below, I used a piece of my "under paper" that I use when spray painting- I don't throw anything out, and this is why! I can always find some use for even the smallest scrap of paper or fabric!

I have some ideas on what to do in each page, but I need to try them out and see how it goes first. I think I will sew in the signatures AFTER I sketch/draw/paint on each page.

I am finishing up my cover and I am really happy with how it has turned out. I will take some photos and post as well....stay tuned!

The Sketchbook Project 2011 - progress update

After working on some of the pages and trying to paint them, etc, I realized that the paper that comes with the book is awful!! It is so thin, and doesn't hold paint well, not to mention sewing that I was planning on doing. So I did the only thing I could think of... I took all the pages out!  I am going to make my own pages,, and sew them back into the cover.

...wish me luck!

Recieved my sketchbook today!

It came today! My journal for the 2011 Sketchbook Project!  I am really looking forward to this-it's such a cool idea.  A really fun way to get your art viewed around the world! Once you finish the book and send it in, you don't get it back- it stays in the library for people to check out whenever they want, so I will be scanning each page, and will post it here (along with the Art House Co Op website) for your viewing.

I am thinking of something special for the cover, and I have a few ideas, but I am going to let it brew for a bit and see how it sits!

Here it is, all brand new and waiting to be filled with lots of stuff!

Don't you love starting a new journal? So fresh and clean and filled with such possibilities! I loved the beginning of school, getting new notebooks, pencils and supplies.

If you like the idea of this project and want to join along check out the website!

The Sketchbook Project 2011

Wow! I just found the coolest thing!!! Art House Co-op, (a website I just found thru SheriJD's blog- thanks Sheri!) has been doing The Sketchbook Project for the last 5 years. You buy a moleskin sketch book, pick a theme and fill it with your art, sketches, words, whatever. Then it goes in their Art Library, and people can check out your book and read it (or even buy it if you have it for sale)- They even have a tour where the books go around to different galleries.

Sounds really cool- Check it out if you are interested. Apparently there are only 100 or so days left to sign up. Can't wait to get it in the mail!