Thursday, July 13, 2006

Can't believe we made these books!


















Look at this! Hard cover books with hinges that Annie and I made at Barb's workshop. Covered in fabric brought back from Beijing, chopstick used as decoration near spine. We are happy campers! Can't wait for the next workshop in August. I think I could spend my whole retirement sitting in Barb's cosy work room, making beautiful things from paper. Oh, we made beautiful paper too!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Val those books looke terrific....what a great gift Idea and what a great ide with the chopsticks..of to look at the workhop now

Susie said...

Very creative! Are they for your own use or for future gifts?

sonia a. mascaro said...

Those books looks so beautiful and very creative too! Well done!

Sharon said...

They are lovely Val.. It looks like you have found your niche... They are truely a work of art...

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Val, those books are beautiful. What will you use them for ??
Hope your retirement is treating you well !!
Take care, Meow

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Val!!! What wonderful looking books. And to think that you made these with your own two hands. Know wonder you are so proud...I would be too.

Val said...

I made the one with the red cover (my friend made the other one), but I haven't figured out what I'll do with it yet. The book I made a couple of weeks ago (coptic binding) I'm setting aside as a journal for my proposed solo trip around Victoria in our autumn. I was wanting to drive but I think the petrol will be too expensive, so I might go by train.

I've made less elaborate books for friends, one had favorite recipes in it, another had some reading suggestions, others are just a blank journal. They can be used for photo albums and larger ones (when I've built up skill levels) could be for scrapbooks.

Yes, AIP, I keep looking at the book and have to keep reminding myself that I actually made that book with my own two hands.

Sharon, I was thinking you might enjoy doing one of these workshops, it's near where you work.

Pear tree cottage! said...

Val, great job! so nice when you are retired and things do not rush pass you anymore. why I could easily forget what day it is or the date for sure! lol lol lol

Thank you for the great comments and your visit to my blog I was so pleased so many came to visit.

best wishes to you

Alice said...

Those books truly are beautiful. Shellyc and I both love paper - coloured, textured, whatever...

Even as a child I loved new exercise books for school - all that clean paper just waiting to be written on.

Your Chinese papers certainly worked out well. Glad you are enjoying your new skills so much.

Kerri said...

Val these books are very beautiful. What a great craft! I'm glad you've found something you enjoy so much. They would make a lovely journal..and all the other things you suggest. Can't wait to see what you do in August.
The chopstick used as a decoration is a neat idea.
Making paper is fun!

Val said...

Paper has always been important for me too, Alice, but with the advent of email and less letter writing, there hasn't been much chance to use it. But I'm changing that!

I think I'll leave the papermaking to others, it means more equipment and wet mess around the place. But the Man Who Cooks expressed interest in making paper, so maybe one day when he retires he can get into that side of things. I would like to have a go at marbling though, and there are other things that people do to decorate paper, rather than make it from scratch, so maybe I can get into that. First though I have to make some more books!

Ampersand Duck said...

They are very, very beautiful. Great choice of papers!

Ampersand Duck said...

Woops -- fabric! :)

Val said...

Oh, and did I mention that I'm now dabbling in origami? Having a great time doing these things!