It is amazing what can be accomplished without a computer!

the good old fashioned way. What a concept! :-)

See what I'm up to lately at booksbyclair.blogspot.com.

:-)

Hand Painted book cover

Isaiah's book cover

October 4th

The finished piece is in the mail and slated to be delivered by Wednesday. Hopefully, he receives it tomorrow since tomorrow is his actual birthday. The book cover result is a hand painted canvas-weight cotton fabric with an end flap which protects the pages. The painting on the front cover is Isaiah on his bike pulling a Radio Flyer wagon filled with project materials through a boyhood scene. The back has a camping scene with a pond. I know, you're saying, Where's the picture already?" Well, my computer took a dump and my smart phone has software limitations and adding photos isn't an option at this moment. I'll put some up as soon as I am able.

One of the great things about the books I'm creating is I can refill them once the book block is filled. Or, I can simply make a new book with its own character. Either way it's a labor of love and a true pleasure to contribute to the fulfillment of, in this example, my Grandson's 11th birthday.

Photos to come.

What's next? Anybody want me to create a really special book for either yourself or someone you love? Let me know so I have time to fulfill your request. As far as price is concerned, that depends on the book. We can discuss that privately.

Year 11 Project Book

I'm excited to have completed the content of the book block for my Grandson, Isaiah. The book is a record of a few projects he'll make over the year. The book also contains a letter from the "Queen", promoting Isaiah to Royal Imagineer, which is vital to the generations that follow. His years of innocence are quickly coming to a close as he takes in the world around and I couldn't miss out on any moments I may have to be the Green (he couldn't say 'Queen').

Now, on to the Cover.... it's got to be as special as the book :-)

Carpe Diem - Deadline is Midnight tonight

My grandson Isaiah turns 11 on the 4th and I'm making a special book for him. I'm thinking about a journal type book for his 11th year of boyhood. Maybe pages of tasks or pages to log his adventures, etc...

Should I use fabric or paper, or both on the cover?

Thank you for your input, it's going to be a wonderful book!

Mya's very special book

Yesterday was my grand daughter Mya's 8th birthday. Wow! I made her a book which we can fill together. I made an introduction within a few pages and mailed it to her to add to the story. I'm excited to hear from her once she receives it, hopefully tomorrow.

The book consists of both fabric and paper on the cover. This book represents techniques brand new to me, such as blind embossing on the end papers, the wax seal which replaces my written name (for now) and liquid copper metallic surfacer, which I applied to the sea horse on the cover. I covered shape-cut card stock with the hand made paper I picked up at Pioneer Square a couple weeks ago. The result is one very unique creation, just like my Mya.

Next comes Isaiah's 11th birthday on October 4th. Ready to contribute to the creation? I hope so!

Line Art sketches for logo/signature on books

I have made several sketches toward a logo to replace my name on the books as I make them. I'm not sure of the correct terminology so if you know, please share it and I'll add it to my vocabulary.

I apologize if any of these illustrations is offensive in any way. These sketches are in need of improvements before any final design is created. Meanwhile, I appreciate your feedback.

                            I'm attempting to assimilate a "C"

                   The finished size will be less than 1/2 inch tall.

Paper making

Yesterday afternoon I was out looking for a bookbinding shop in Pioneer Square when I came across a sign which invited me down stairs, passed a used book store to Tai Designs. Paper Artist and Printmaker, Taiko Suzuki, took about an hour of her time showing me some of the most amazing and beautifully crafted works of art. Among her collection is a book with a clam shell cover. The pages were separated by the accordian fold and when opened, the art and story were so purposfully designed, I am still in awe. I asked if she could use my capable assistance and apparently there have been several others before me to ask the same question

If you're in Seattle, stop in and see for yourself.

Tai Designs
214 First Avenue South, Ste B6
Lower Level
Seattle, WA 98104
206-343-9494
B.t.fiber08@gmail.com

Carpe Diem - Deadline is Midnight tonight

Carpe Diem

I have just secured the domain name bookboundfolios.com as a creative portal to present what I do. Keep your eye out for a new adventure in book binding.

Let's get started.

Pick one and leave a comment noting your choice between:

Paper. Fabric. Combination of paper and fabric


Deadline to leave your pick as a comment is midnight tonight.

Thank you for participating!

Some days i feel like pulp

...making pulp, that is. Paper pulp. I think back to 2006, my first freehand experience at paper making. My first batch of paper pulp was actually more like a cracker. My imagination thought to add flour, water, salt, a handful of shreaded documents and some back yard flower petals to the blender. I poured the gooy slury over the screen but it ran right out the holes, like pancake batter. I added more flour, more foliage and ended up rolling it out like a tortilla. I flopped it onto the screen to dry and the result was a semi-transparent off-white brittle cracker. That didn't stop me from writing on it. In fact, I still have the crumbled love note in an envelope among my keepsake treasurers.

So, the next time you run out of paper, spare yourself a trip to the store and pull out a tortilla. Take a picture of your scribbling because it won't be long before the tortilla crumbles. In other words, I wouldn't recomment writing a manuscript on tortillas.

The word "pulp" is one of those words you can play around with... such as...
What the pulp?
Boy, I feel like pulp today.
Where the pilp are my keys?!
His cooking tasted like pulp!
I miss the pulp out of you!
I laughed my pulp off!

...You get the idea.

Book Binding

How's this for combining medium? Hand-embossed copper plate,  fabric over multi-layer cover and paper book block with copper edging to match the copper plate on the cover equals a really special book for the Quilcene Historical Museum and their history in the making renovation project at Worthington Park. Check it out.

What to do with all this paper? How about books?

There is no denying it. I am, as my grand daughter says, a Paperologist.  Collecting off-cut scraps, discontinued stock, unique textures and colors as left overs and a huge variety of paper stocks has provided quite the inventory over two years. Stashing it on shelves, in boxes, in cupboards and even under my mattress could be perceived by some as a bit strange but for me, the inventory represents components of creativity and resources to learn as well as teach. The artisan emerges with hand made books.

I wake up early most every morning with an eager and enthusiastic mind to create these unique and functional books and I can't wait to reveal the finished pieces.

Follow along with me and let's see what becomes of this Paperologist.