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Iced in today so been prepping 20 signatures & 2 covers. Now ready to smash for a few hours and then time sew! Instructions for Greek sewing by Keith Smith call for 20 signatures so it’s a thick little book. 10 x 15 cm (4 x 6 in) 

Note to self: ALWAYS back cork with a tougher material if you use it for a book cover 😂. First pulled too hard and one of the corners broke… little super glue fixed it in a snap. Then… Was watching a show with my kids and completely distracted went to sit and missed my chair 🤣 Landed right on top of this little guy and broke him all to pieces. Super glue to the rescue - Again! 🙌 And then kept on sewing… he’s been through a lot, but officially done! 

Deciding on colors and pattern for the tutorial book… Will NOT be using cork for covers 🤣 

To celebrate getting past being sick the last couple weeks 🙌 I’ve been practicing on this little book made of cork coasters and scraps left over from other projects. He’s little: 8cm x 8cm (3 3/16 in x 3 3/16 in).  This cork is not one to take a beating so those covers may not survive “out in the world.” But he is cute! - Greek binding to sew the book, but switched the red out for yellow to tie the books halves together. Also brushing up on sewing 2 color headbands since it’s been a while. 

Both the binding and headbands look more complicated than they are and once you get in a rhythm you don’t have to think much. 

Getting inspired to do another bookbinding tutorial (hence last night’s video so I can focus on the actual sewing in the tutorial) and leaning towards Greek binding from Keith Smith’s book series. You sew the halves of the book separately and then combine them. Those “Xs” in the middle are where they meet up. 

Did a test run of colors (that’s the start of it in photo 4) - two colors mixed up would be tough to see so that’s out 😂

Thinking that solid would be great and then at end of video show how it’s easy to make the “Xs” a different color.  

No promises when… but I keep thinking about it at random times so that’s a sign it’s in the queue. 🙌

Here’s a couple videos that show some of the sewing in action.

First Attempt Greek Sewing - Bookbinding (& First try Sawing Pages & Celtic Weave Variation 😄✌️)
 https://youtu.be/39ARfTbJ970 

Greek Sewing - Handmade book with Mixed Media/Carved covers!
 https://youtu.be/ob1u4kQEKvo 

I love to draw, but There is something so fantastic about making a book. 😄 

Been very busy at school and it’s been way too easy to fall asleep soon as I sit down, but! Starting to get back in the groove of arting. Layered watercolor and iridescent watercolor on that first page. Set up in my “bed art area” 😂 this morning. A photocopy of a book page layered with tissue paper, ball point, and colored pencil - experiment from the other day. And fixing up thread color so it will match that book cover - not the thread to bind the book but some tinkering with the idea of sewing on the cover. We will see! 

Fascinated with the little textures in whatever kind of flowers these are. Got on a wild goose chase looking up all kinds of flowers when someone brought a bouquet into class 

Taking that photo reference and drawing the same flowers in different directions. Didn’t exactly nail the placement of the veins but after that pattern - was good enough 😂  Little more drawing happening. Yay! Of course now popping in white gouache- it’s my lazy man morning art routine. Minimal supplies so I have no excuse not to do something 🙌

Also when I hit a drawing slump I make earrings - here’s a couple that recently made a debut! That little hand drill (in video posted a bit back) comes in handy - had to drill holes in every piece. So worth it! Cows are 25 cent toys from a flea market 😂. 

Finally getting past the “post project slump” and easing back into drawing in the morning. What helped a ton was CLEANING and sorting out my garage this weekend… can see the floor! Whoot Whoot!… and letting go of some clutter that I’d saved (let’s be honest it was mainly recycled stuff that many would call trash 😂) but never used. All to the recycle bin or given away. Like a door has been cracked open to let more creativity in. Feels quite amazing. 

While arting early this morning let walking tour videos play.  Highly recommend! 

Pics 1-3 - The doodle that had been covered up with a sewing template got a new life with the help of a couple paint pens.

4 - Was such a lovely day that Jay hung out in the window for hours. Still too cold for him to go outside just yet.

Also, decided to post the art video I’d recorded a bit back and will try for Part 2 later this week. 
Let’s Art! - Minimal Supplies, Little Talk, Real Time
 https://youtu.be/qM2l1Z3hFEA 

Hope you all have had a relaxing weekend! Wishing it was longer! 

When I don’t know what to do but want to art… I glue! Peeled apart a cute napkin and mod podged the design all over the left page. Right page is a sewing template with a couple linocut prints glued down over a doodle that felt meh. Lol 

And… favorite earrings of this week. Filled the little book with positive sayings as little reminders. 

Getting back into arting after a project sometimes takes me a bit. Like a rest is needed before diving back in. Other than writing in my journal, not much drawing has gone on other than playing with some metallic pens on one of these leaf experiments. (Dried leaf sandwiched between tissue paper and coated well with watered down mod podge) and making a bookmark gift out of a laminated clover from the other day.

And a book that is getting prepped for another art journal (used sand paper on the spine to make it look more worn)- Teaching a few students how to make these - it’s very cool they want to get into art journalling. 🙌 

Been out sick and then had family matters to attend to, but! Tutorial is officially posted! Makes my heart happy to share it and hope you enjoy! Be blessed and Happy Arting!!! 


Coptic Headbands - Step By Step Tutorial (Real Time, No Music)
 https://youtu.be/0hYdih87Rog