The Red Book of Westmarch - First Attempt

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

I continue my foray into bookbinding.   The Hubster is a HUGE fan of the Hobbit and Lord of The Rings Series.  I recently came across a Long Stitch bookbinding tutorial for creating the Red Book of Westmarch.   I didn't have any red leather and was not inclined to spend that kind of money for a practice project so I decided to use the faux leather fabric that has been propped outside my studio door for exactly one year.

I am so glad I did not invest in red leather.  My first attempt at the long stitching did not go well.  I am posting it here so that I can mark my progress.  I now plan to make three of these books.  One for my hubby, one for my eldest grandson, and one for my son-in-law.   For the real projects, I will order the real leather.  I could not emboss on the faux leather and I really want to add the emblem and Bilbo Baggins initials.

I really don't like this frame.  It probably would have been nicer if I had made it thinner.  Hopefully, I will be able to emboss the books I am working on now.   

The Long Stitch allows you to sew your signatures directly to fabric (or paper,)  The Red Book in the film is Case Bound, but I liked the look of the book in the tutorial.  When properly executed (mine is not) The long stitch makes a beautiful spine.

The inside of the fabric I used is like a moleskin and I decided to leave it in its natural state but stained with Distress Ink

I also used distress ink to age the signature sheets.  I used water color paper to make these signatures.
By the way, my grandson saw this and really liked it, so I let him take it home.  Glad I took pictures.  At least now I know he will like the "real" Red Book of Westmarch once I have it completed.

Thanks for dropping by!
Hugz,
Chana

Portia's Poetry Book- Using Graphic 45's Typography

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Times flies when you have poor eyes!  Hopefully, my surgeries will be scheduled within the next month and I will be able to return to crafting on a regular basis.  I have managed to complete a few book projects.  It is amazing how much I can get done, even with bad eyesight, when I stay off Facebook. 

My SIL loves to write poetry and while she types most of it on her computer, she still likes to write her initial ideas on paper.  I am still working on my bookbinding skills and jumped at the opportunity to make a poetry book as a birthday gift for her.

This is my second attempt using the buttonhole stitch.  

I was successful keeping my bottom stitches straight but not so much with the top stitches.  

 I used Photoshop to create the notebook paper for the signatures.  This book has 14 signatures and 4 Kraft Dividers.  Each divider holds one signature.

I created pockets on both sides of the cover (inside) for index cards.

Altered Eclectics - March Challenge - Cigar Box Upcycle

Hello, Crafters!

Welcome to another crafty month at Altered Eclectics!  

As always the theme is anything goes but has to be altered/upcycled/recycled/mixed media.  Cards and ATC's are not accepted on this blog but may fit in with our challenges over at Eclectic Ellapu (sister blog)

For this month's challenge, I wanted to repurpose/upcycle a beautiful black lacquered wood cigar box.  I have had this for almost four years and really wanted to leave the wood alone.  Repurposing this into a stationery box seemed the simplest and easiest path to take.  Every item used in this project came from my stash!  Another successful stash reduction!

BEFORE

AFTER

I have fallen completely in love with these little snap latches.  They are wonderful elevating elements on a CAS repurposing project! 

Inside Before

Inside After

I used Tattered Angels Plain Jane Baseboard "Bittersweet" and "Clay" Glimmer Mist to stain the wood.  The original wood color was too light for my paper palette so mixing two mist produced just the right tone for this project!  This finish has a deep rich luster and complements the black lacquered wood and burgundy and gold paint on the lip trim!

I used leftover papers from my Graphic 45® French Country Collection to decorate both the interior and exterior of my box.  The lip trim was painted using Earth Safe Finishes® Razzleberry Tart Chalk Paint!  The gold trim is Rub N' Buff "Gold Leaf" Metallic wax!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana