Sunday 7 January 2018

2018 and 52 books to make .....


I have been sitting here for an age trying to remember how to write a blog post now that I have finally found myself here ....... nearly had to 'phone a friend' but eventually I found my way.

Happy New Year to any of my fellow bloggers who still follow me and any who find their way through to 'tracemarks'.  To say I have missed my 'tribe' is an understatement but over the last couple of years it has seemed too difficult to find anything to write about, create or share.  Amongst many things I was pondering towards the end of last year, was a way to motivate myself back into the studio and I came up with the idea of a 'book a week'.  It seems manageable when I think that my commitment is really just to make a book a week - it doesn't actually mean I have to have artwork or any substance to the work.  I just have to make a book.  Of course as I have spent years and years making artist's books it is unlikely that any of the books I make will not at least try to stand up on that shelf ....

This is my first effort and it came about by thinking that I would like to make a book about thoughts for the New Year and what it could hold .... not necessarily resolutions but notes or reminders perhaps.  

And so the first of my books has been made, out of tea bags, into a simple concertina framework.  I decided that the spine would be as deep as the pages as I liked the symmetry that gave the book and that each page would actually be two separate pouches into which I could place messages to myself as the year progressed.  


Some years ago I bought three beautiful A4 sheets of tea bag paper in a favourite paper shop of mine in Paris.  It seemed almost sacrilegious to then cut up these sheets though I did and then started trying to work out what I wanted to do with the pages/pouches.


I played with the idea of using gorgeous little decked edge cards (again bought in Paris) and although I preferred the look of the teabag paper with the white inserts, I decided the book was becoming more and more complex which is really not my style at all.  In fact I am not sure that this book is actually my style but with only a a few days each week to come up with an idea and then work it to a conclusion there is not much time for all my usual deliberation.  The book had to be made.


My sewing machine blew up as I began to sew my first pouch and as such I knew that I would have to sew it all by hand.  As it turned out, I think I rather prefer the irregularity of my hand stitching.  I have only just begun sending messages to myself and the first couple that went into pouches were feathers - a reminder to me of how much I love the outdoors and how it feeds my soul to go wandering.



I played with a couple of my wooden stamps collected in London and into this pouch I hope to have a list of things I wish to accomplish this year.  This and that and that and that ........


 Into one of the other pouches though not photographed here, I wrote my word for the year which is 'nourishing'.  I hope to nourish my creative self this year and I hope to find that this restored balance within me will enable me to nourish those around me too.

I have already begun work on my book for next week - a little more like me and though I may not finish all its content in time, I will certainly have made book 2/52 by the end of next week.

Now I am back on line I will make sure I find time to wander and visit with fellow blogging friends, see all the exciting things that have been happening in the studios of your corner of the world.  Can't wait :-)

29 comments:

  1. Glad to see you back, l wondered where you'd gone. Interesting first book, looking forward to seeing the other 51.

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    1. Thanks jac - certainly feels very very good to be back.

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  2. Your words so resonated with me “I have found it too difficult to find anything to write about, create or share.” I have been there once, for several years, and thought it was over, but I can feel myself slipping away from my creative life.
    I so admire you, to continue in the face of adversity (sewing machine explosion), and to create such a beautiful and meaningful piece of art.
    I feel as if I am drowning under a sea of materials and ideas, but never getting to the shore to create, but maybe it is possible for me too, thank you so much for writing, creating and sharing.

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    1. Lynne - I am certain that you will find your way back. Someone told me at one point, you just have to show up! Sounded too easy but just by being in my studio and designing a project for myself - the creative juices started running. Now there are so many things I would like to do other than just make my book each week but time has not allowed for this just yet. I think it will when I finish a couple of other commitments though. Good luck with your starting point - it is the hardest thing and after that, all seems much easier.

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  3. So good to have you back in blog-land and what a gorgeous wee book to begin with! I love the pouches and the thoughtful little reminders and messages to self - perfect. Hope you enjoy - I am sure we will!

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    1. Hello F - have just managed to find the comments people have left. So reassuring. And yes - I will take time to send myself messages.

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  4. I so enjoy the transparent quality of this work. It somehow makes the messages more important. I admire your commitment to a book a week which seems quite ambitious to me.

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    1. I think you are quite right Linda - it will be quite a commitment. After book 4 am realising that already but I am enjoying the challenge.

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  5. Delighted to see you posting again after the long break - I love your work.

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    1. Hello Angela and thank you for loving my work. So nice to know there are people out there appreciating what I do.

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  6. welcome back here, i hope you feel like it's worth your time and effort. i enjoy visiting here.

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    1. Hello Velma - just finished my fourth book and so far am very pleased about being back in the studio. Crossing fingers that I can manage the 52 books. Seems like a big commitment now I think about it.

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  7. a beautiful beginning and so good to see you back online!

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    1. Hello Mo - didn't realise that people from 'my tribe' had left messages and am so please to have found these comments :-)

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  8. I very much look forward to following your journey through 52 books.

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    1. Hello Sonia - sorry it took so long to publish your lovely comment. It will be lovely to have you watch as I work my way through 52 books. I have just finished my fourth.

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  9. This is a beautiful beginning to the year.

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    1. Thanks Penny. Lovely to see a new face on my blog. I am so enjoying being back in the studio and working hard. 52 books will take some doing!

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  10. Hi SB - so good to see you back to making and blogging. Good to set a goal for the year. This first book is looking grand - be interesting to do the book 1 book 52 comparison. Go well with it and enjoy 2018. B

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    1. Thanks Barry - good to be part of the tribe again :-)

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  11. I love this book! I am a book artist “behind the Redwood Curtain” in Northern California and love the natural materials you are using. I will also be in Paris this Spring and would love to visit your lovely paper store. Would you give me the name and address?
    I am looking forward to the other 51 books.

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    1. Hello Michele. Lovely to meet a fellow book artist. Sorry it took so long to reply - I didn't realise that people had left comments. One of my favourite streets in Paris is Rue De Pont de Louis Phillipe and on this street you will find a couple of stationery looking stores - one is just that, and the other sells all sorts of exquisite papers. Some so beautiful you could just frame them. I can't think of the name just yet but keep in touch and I will find out.

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    2. Hello again Michele, just remembered that the paper shop is called Calligrane. Google it and you will find info about opening times as it is not always open.

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  12. Such a delight to have you back! I have missed your elegant ideas and work, amply illustrated by this post. Indeed you have already inspired me with the beginnings of an idea of what I can make for a friend's 80th birthday. Thank you.
    I hope you enjoy your return to the blogosphere.

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    1. Olga - thank you so much for not giving up on me! I am really enjoying being back in the blogosphere. Didn't realise anyone had left comments but I managed to find them. Always encouraging to know people still support what I do.

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  13. I love your work. So inspiring - thank you.

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    1. Thanks for that Jen - nice to think I can still inspire people :-)

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  14. Love love love this book - and how it can hold hopes and dreams and wishes. Will be s fabulous thing to watch 52 books emerge - hope you enjoy creating as much as I will enjoy watching!

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    1. Thank you so much Fiona. I am going to enjoy adding to this one!

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I appreciate your comments - thank you!