Monday 17 March 2008

Making notebooks

I love making things with paper and card - any excuse to get out my cutting mat and unwrap a new scalpel blade. I had promised Nadine a few notebooks like the ones I made here so decided to get down to it yesterday. These ones are quick and easy, just held together with staples.....(and no photos, otherwise there will be no surprises when the parcel arrives) so I decided to stitch some bindings as well.


This was great fun, and I think gives a more 'polished' finish. I did bend several needles, and resorted to a few taps of the hammer to get the needle through the paper and card.


I used cotton embroidery thread because the colours worked, and I didn't have any linen thread that was fine enough. Ideally, waxed thread should be used so the knots don't slip, and you can get a nice tight binding. Mmm, next time...


I used old magazines for the images again, except this pink one. I've deconstructed a book I never look at...thinking great photos, could use these for cards and notebooks. So I started chopping it up. That's quite a big thing for me, I'm a bit neurotic about my books, they're all in pristine condition, barely showing even a hint of having been read. Once I'd pulled the bindings apart I thought YES, this is going to give me so much more pleasure.


And I hope it will be a pleasure shared when I make some more cards and mini notebooks and give them to friends.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW WOW ! These notebooks are sooo beautiful ! You are very creative and talented, and the photos are exquisite and so peaceful. Can't wait seeing mines in my mailbox ! :>) ( THANKS again, dear. This is so sweet of you.)
Actually I just LOVE everything related to paper and writing. There's nothing like the smell of a new book. I also like to feel the grain of paper under my fingers : thick ones, thin ones, parchemin ones (like old Bibles). And finally I like the sound of paper : for example, one of my favourite quilting technique is English paper piecing (using a paper template - generally a hexagon - and wrapping it with fabric, then baste and sew them all together). When making these I use a special (cheap) paper and I just love hearing it "cracking" while I'm sewing..... :>)
Next to that is my passion for inks (no roller balls for me !) : their smell, the sound of the pen "grating" the paper, or gliding on it when it's soft.....

There can be computers, phones, webcams,... nothing will replace the joy of getting/sending a letter or a postcard. To me they are an act of generosity, of care and respect, because they use the most important present you can give : your TIME...

Sorry for this long post, dear, hope I didn't bother you :>)

Grateful ((HUGS)) & smiles !
NADINE

Meadowlark Days said...

This made me chuckle - I've been going through a huge pile of magazines to recycle and saving pretty pictures for a similar purpose! Yours are lovely.

Have you tried using an awl to first pierce your holes before pulling the needle/thread through? That may cut down on the bent needles (but maybe not!)

Anonymous said...

Your note books are beautiful Thank you for the idea, I am going to try and make some by salvaging scarp paper from the school I work at.

Anonymous said...

these are really nice x