Turn the Page artists book fair - Part One

This weekend saw me at Turn the Page artists book fair, in Norwich.  I’d been looking forward to this for some time, and over the proceeding months and weeks I watched three of my friends completing work for their stands.  My heart missed a beat or two when I entered the venue because there was such an array of book art and some extremely talented artists. It was hard to know where to start! But the beginning is always a good place - so we visited the first stand and carried on from there.

It would be impossible to show everything so here are some of the works that most connected with me.  My husband doesn't have the same level of interest, and said that once he’d seen enough he would potter off and meet me later. The fact that he didn’t potter off shows that there was much to see and admire!  There was a lovely atmosphere and all the artists were friendly and enthusiastic. But 
what stood out was hearing the stories - of how or why the artists made the books. And everyone was happy for me to take photos of their work too, I appreciate that because it is nice to look back and enjoy the experience again through memory.

So come with me and I’ll show you around…..

Visually, this was one of the show stoppers for me.  These books made by Dizzy Pragnell are pages made from fruit and vegetables - I kid you not!  Each is a wafer thin pressed image and the photo does not do them justice.





These are cabbage leaves...

apple.....

kiwi....

and carrot...

Each book was exquisite and I could fill a blog post about each stand that I visited, but I need to move on.....

Next is Pien Rotterdam. One of my favourite books of hers had a collection of fabric swatches that belonged to her grandmother and great grandmother. Pien inherited these fabrics and over the years she has used them. It was only when she started to run out that she thought it important to hold on to the memory and keep a record of the collection.

On the back of the book a small label tells what the fabric had been used for. Pien remembers these... 

Pien also made smaller copies of the book to sell. Each has original swatches and as someone who appreciates nostalgia I really admired Pien's work.  She had lots of other examples of work too, including a stamp album in which she has added beautiful snippets.  Each page is a different colour co-ordination.

Next was Peter Knight.  He makes copper etchings and uses these to make amazing prints and three dimensional constructions.

This one had particular interest as I visited Down House in recent weeks and have always been fascinated by Darwin's work.

Another stand that held my attention was artist, Jane Sasanow. I love constructions and how shadows and surprise comes from folds and concealment. I have often used these constructions to make my own books, but I was inspired how Jane had put these together, to create collections and works of art. Jane will be adding photos to her new Instagram site.

Another series of work that captured my imagination was by Annette Kreiser. 

I love to use found objects in my own work, as it is a way to create longevity.  This is even better where stories are involved too, so imagine my excitement when I heard that some of Annette's marks are made by pieces of WWII aircraft, washed up on the Norfolk coast line. Straight away I was taken back to the crashed WWII plane I found in the Shetland islands. But I digress....

There was so much to see that it was necessary to take a brief break, but a short walk and refreshments gave the much needed energy to go back for more.

And I suspect you might welcome a break at this point too!  So I'll come back with the rest, tomorrow. Thanks for joining me in this visit and I hope you are as inspired by these art works as I am.

5 in 5 - November 2015 - 3 BOOKS FOR 3 GIRLS

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes. 

 

I am always looking for new ideas for hand making books, so when I saw this pad of papers I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it:

 

 

I would make 3 books for 3 girls!

They are very different in personality so I wanted the books to reflect this:

 

The smallest one is quite daring and she might want to add photos into her book and write about things that she likes. She started school recently and likes to practice her writing, these prompts might help:

The middle one is a girl of my own heart because she loves reading, writing and stationery. So her book has extra space where she can write facts and personal thoughts, and make the book her own.

 

And finally, the oldest and most grown up one. She loves inspirational and motivational quotes, so some of her pages have space where she can write her own. There are cheerful background papers too, where she can print or stamp quotes to stick in.

 

 

I hope they have as much fun as I did making these books.

 

And as I sat here writing and choosing photos, the idea came to me that others might like to make a book, one that they can keep or give as a gift. One that can be added to, and made personal.

So I plan to run a workshop. 

And I know not everyone will want to use the papers and colours that I used here, so there will be a choice and lots of ideas. I'm getting excited thinking about it! 

 

My workshops are run in Essex and I know that does not suit everyone but I am prepared to travel and come to you. So if you have a group of people who would be interested in a book making workshop please get in touch as we may be able to work something out. And please let others know who might be interested, because I love sharing what I do! 

 

If you follow my blog you will know that I also love photography, and so a big thank you to Maggie, Eileen, Helena, Melanie and Joy for taking part in this 5 in 5 photo challenge last month. And I'd love for you to join in too. So if you have time to pick up your camera for 5 minutes this is what you do:

 

  1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below. 

   Please note: 

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos to the link

and you can take  your photos any time. They do not have to be taken or posted on 5th!

 

If you'd like more details please go here.

 

ME ON MONDAY - ACTIVE NOT BUSY

I started to write an update about how I am getting on with changing habits but decided to have a gentle start to my week... an unwinding of the weekend kind-of-day. So instead I am waving at Sian over at 'High in the Sky'. 

Life-work balance is really important.  When I worked full time I used to manage the long commute and demanding role by working longer hours on four days and having Friday off.  Yes, it was physically demanding but it meant my weekends were longer, more time to rest and play. So I saw Friday as the start of my weekend I and still do.

And it started as a sitting-at-the-computer kind-of-day. A webinar to watch live, blog posts and letters to write. And a browse of blogs kind-of-day with comments left. Because that is what I am doing more of, and I did more of that over the weekend too.

It was a sort-out-the-sock drawer kind-of-day. You know the ones that lurk in the back forgotten, because they are too tight, too this, too that. Or perhaps you are more organised than me and throw them out straight away! I am getting into practice for that....

Saturday was a bathroom cupboard clearing kind-of-day. An emptying of shelves, throwing out of bottles that have stood the test of time, and rearranging what was left neatly kind-of-day. Meanwhile the washing machine spun and clothes were pegged on the line, but that was a 'what-a-waste-of-time' because the air was too damp for them to dry, despite the hazy sunshine.  

It was also a dash to the shop and feeling smug coming home kind-of-day. Because instead of overloading my trolley I hesitated if things were not on my list. I am reading Marie Kondo's book 'The Life-changing Magic of Tidying'. And it is working. Instead of picking things up that I like but do not need I reminded myself they will still be there next time. And they will.

It was also a book 'making' kind-of-day. Or should I say, finishing, because I made the pages last weekend at the retreat. Now they have spiral binding and I am pleased with the result. Three books for three special little girls.

And there was book reading of a different kind and I was sad to finish Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Big Magic'. It came into my life at a good time.

Sunday we defrosted the freezers. There was chipping of ice, moppingpuddles, and some throwing out. Because like the sock drawer some things had got relegated to the back because they had lost their label or appeal. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has taken out rhubarb for a crumble only to find it is braised red cabbage and onion!  There was also a couple of pairs-of-sausages. You know the ones?  When the pack you bought has more sausages than you needed so you freeze the rest thinking they will be just right to go with a
mixed grill or in a sandwich? The ones that slip to the back and get forgotten and are never enough for a meal for two on their own. 

They were home-cooked meal kind-of-days, custard tart treats, and cosy evenings watching the tv. A catching up of favourites programmes like Gogglebox, Four in a Bed, and Come Dine with Me.
Sometimes I just like to switch off and watch something easy. And other times I like something more captivating, so let's not forget the films I watched. I love films! And one in particular grabbed my attention throughout: 'Hector and the Search for Happiness'.  Have you seen this?  It was one of those films that I want to watch over and over again. I know I won't, because as Marie Kondo says, we have every good intention but rarely go back to read a book or watch a film because others take their place. But I reckon I will watch this at least once more, because it ticked all my boxes! And Big Magic? I'll be looking at that again too!

But right now another day looms ahead, so on this Monday morning:

I hope your own weekend has been enjoyable and I'd love to hear what you have found lurking in your own cupboards and freezers. Meanwhile I'll be back tomorrow with another post for my 30 day Blogging Challenge. Thanks for popping by!

5 in 5 - October 2015 - PAPERLOVE BOOK

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes. 

 

Last year I did an online course ran by Rachel Hazell and a couple of weeks ago I made a trip to Edinburgh to attend a Paperlove Alumni. I was a bubbling of excitement for weeks ahead and so much looked forward to meeting people who I had got to know during the course!  Rachel provided a good supply of materials and my friend Sue had generously bought a long a huge old ledger for me, and another one for the group. I still shiver with excitement when I think of the hand written pages and ways I want to use these! Another friend bought a collection of old stamps to share and there was more excitement from everyone in the group.  It is so lovely to share company with those who understand such pleasures!  

 

So this month I thought I would show you one of the books I made. 

I used a page of text from an old book.  Now I know the thought of this might make some of you squirm and to be honest I once struggled to tear pages out. Then I realised how many beautiful old books are shredded or destroyed so now I like to think that I am saving some from this fate by giving them new life. This page was about printing and publishing of books, perfect! I also used small pieces torn from a ledger sheet, and some of the stamps.  These were collaged onto greyboard to make hardback covers.  

 

We made signatures and sewed these together, then attached the cover.  See the beautiful heart stitches?  Rachel cleverly designed the stitch herself. 



And inside I had to include more of the stamps.....



 

and of one the ledger sheets which I carefully folded to fit the page and glued down.  Linen thread invites a gentle pull...

 

 

and the page opens to reveal columns of figures, handwritten 86 years ago.  Having spent the weekend with fellow paper-lovers I know I am not alone in feeling excited about such things. And I am looking forward to filling the rest of the book over time, using other beautiful finds that will also make me smile and wonder about their past.

   

 

  

 Thank you for popping by, your company and comments are always appreciated and special thanks to Maggie, Eileen, Helena, and Melanie who took part last month.
 
If you would like to join in this monthly photo challenge please link in below so I can come and see your photos. Here's the plan:

 

  1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below. 

   Please note: 

You can take  your photos any time, they do not have to be taken on 5th!

And you have until the 25th of the month to add your photos to the link.

 

 

There are more details here

ALICE FOX - LOST AND FOUND - FOUR

In my previous posts here and here I showed two books that I made during the Summer School.  Today I thought I'd share some another technique that we used - eco printing.  I have used plants before to create prints but not in this way, so I was excited to see how easy and effective this was.
 
Alice had collected a wonderful array of plant life and also encouraged us to go outside to forage.

But first she demonstrated the technique:

We folded a sheet of thick cartridge paper in half lengthways, then in half again, and again. Then we unfolded it and in between the folds we placed leaves, petals, and onion skins. 
 

Finally we secured the folds together using bull dog clips. With the paper tightly folded and bound we put it into a bath of green tea to soak thoroughly.   

Then it went outside under cover with all the other pieces that we had prepared..... 

Skip forward to day three! 

It takes time for the plants to do their magic and because the layers are so thick and wet patience is needed. Finally Alice gave the go ahead for us to open our pieces! Imagine our excitement!

There were squeals of delight as wrappings were removed.  Some of the fabric and paper was still wet so this was hung on a line or laid out on the path to dry. Luckily the sun was shining and it is best to allow natural drying process, but in some cases desperation took over and we used sources of heat to finish of the drying process.  A heat gun, iron or even hair dryer would do the trick but you have to be careful if your paper is embossed or you want to retain the textures. 

Here I am unwrapping mine:

  
Did you notice the string and label on my wrapping? Well I liked the way they took on colour and I went on to use them on another project linked at the start of this post. On other eco-plant prints we used string as a binding. When removed I discovered this left marks which can add to the design.  But I digress! 

I need to unfold...

 And here is my finished print.   I especially loved the effect of onion skins and when I am in the kitchen I will save all these in future so that I have a ready supply. 

Another technique we used was printing with ink and a brayer. I decided to fill in some of the white space using found items such as feathers and leaves, and because I didn't want to use the holes in the way I originally planned I cut these off. I also cut my page into  strips and stitched these together to make one long strip.  Alice's love of needle and thread is catching! 

I glued the strips of holes onto some of the pages as I liked the detail they added. I plan to add further stitching too, to add texture to the prints.  And I am thinking of adding some text, handwritten, perhaps following the contour of the print...

 

But for now I am letting the ideas germinate because like the eco prints, these are sometimes best given time to develop. 

I will be using this technique often in future and love the idea of creating prints anytime, anywhere. All I need is paper, plants, and something to bind them. Oh!  And a mug of tea (no milk thank you!)  

I still have more from the Summer School to share but I have other posts waiting too.  So I hope to see you again soon, thanks for popping by.