Introduction To Bookbinding - Week One

 

When I first created this blog I was very interested in papercrafts and bookbinding in particular.  I still am interested in both these things, its just I've found out about lots more crafts since then and so maybe I have a little less focus than I used to.

 

Anyway, this year I have a couple of bookbinding projects that I would like to create and so I thought it might be a good idea to have a refresher, seeing as I haven't really done any bookbinding for the last couple of years.

 

I've been following @yvettejah for ages and love her projects so when I found out she runs an online introduction to bookbinding, I signed up.  

 

I've just completed week one, although it actually took me two weeks to complete. 

 

I like that we started by just looking at how we can fold books out of paper, no need to sew.  It was fun to fold the projects and see how they would come out.  Already I'm full of ideas of how I could use them.

Ori Folder

 

Once we'd played with folding, we created an Ori Folder and a Blizzard Book.  I love both very much and again I already have ideas about how I could use them in the future.

With week one complete I'm looking forward to seeing what week two holds.  I've already learnt five new ways to make books, and I've got a feeling it's not going to stop there.

Blizzard Book

Gelli Plate Printing

 For Christmas I asked for and received a gelli printing plate.  I'd seen people playing with them on Instagram and wanted to have a go.

It is sooooo much fun, and really quick.  Pro: you can set up a print in minutes; Con: you only get one print each time.

So far I've just been playing to see what works.  Printing leaves had worked quite well, but works best when they are flat.  Printing textures is interesting - loving the bubble wrap print.

 

I've also tried printing with wax rubbings which worked quite nicely too.

I'm loving how you can layer things and mix colours etc.  So many possibilities.

I've also tried to take images from photos in magazines, but that didn't work for me.  Several reasons this could be, so I need to try that a bit more.

I think the thing I need to do before I try any more is to buy some new paint.  All the paint I have is from when I was at college, which is something like 20 years ago.  I'm surprised how well its done to be honest, but I guess paint without lumps in and that isn't seperating would probably work better.

'im outdoors has said he'll take the old paint when I get round to replacing it, so at least it won't go to waste.