Sunday - Done!

Not feeling at all well today, I ignored the very long list of things

that I should have done and instead finished up the little books.

All six copies are bound

I took a late day ride over to the neighborhood baseball field 

and photographed two of the copies on a green bench.

The long shadows and half moon of late day.

Will work on my knitting tonight and plan out my next book!

Friday - Binding the Books

It was cool and breezy today.

The dogwood is turning from blossom to leaf.

After running some errands and a visit to the laundromat

I spent most of the afternoon working on my little books.

It's officially called April.

My binding skills are rusty so I apologize in advance

to anyone who may receive a copy!

Tiny imperfections...

Two copies started, four more to do.

The book block will be glued in last.

I hope to have them done by the end of the weekend.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday - Treasure

Monday night I came home and found the most delicate 

and beautiful envelope in my mailbox.

I couldn't open it right away...and carried it with me to work Tuesday, 

propping it up on my computer or placing it in the middle of my desk throughout the day.

It wasn't until this evening that I was ready to very carefully cut it open.

The contents left me breathless...

My heart is singing!

Thank you, dearest Coco.

Monday

Yesterday's rain gave me a chance to break in my new Wellies!

Wellies meet buttercups.

Still raining today...so many puddles, so little time.
:)

Sunday Drive

Finally rain!

We are 6" below the normal rainfall for the year 

so today's steady showers are a welcome relief.

Leaves are popping...that sharp chartreuse color 

made even more intense by the misty sky.

The homes are on a small dirt and gravel backroad

that winds along a stream and through a small gorge.

An apartment dweller can dream...

Saturday - Little Tunnel Book

 

An afternoon spent assembling the pages of my little tunnel book.

I'm terribly out of practice but after a few tentative attempts 

it all felt familiar again.

When doing a small edition I like to work in sequential steps; 

first cutting all the pieces, then folding them all, before gluing them in place.

A couple of hours later all six are now waiting to be bound.

Whew!

Friday - Avoidance

In a classic case of avoidance I decided that it was of utmost importance
that I double check my portable drawing kit this evening.

(I should be cutting up the paper and bookcloth for my little book.)

It all began when I couldn't find my metal triangle.
I pulled out my art supply carry-all and became intent on organizing
and photographing the content.

The first half is all Derwent colored pencils, regular and watercolor, along
with some Micron pens.

The second half has a compass, lead holder, dip pen, watercolor brush,
micro spatula and exacto knife on the left.
An eraser, 6" metal triangle, 6" metal ruler, watercolor set, pencil sharpener,
scissors, bonefolder and a favorite little magnifying glass on the right.

Hmmm...I forgot extra blades for the knife...and binding needles with
linen thread...maybe a glue stick?

I will find my way around to actually doing some work this weekend.
Maybe after dinner...and some knitting...

Hope you have a great weekend!
xo
j

Wednesday - Possibilities

A new book that I bought in the store where I work.
Check out Nichole's blog here.
Yes, there seems to be a theme to this week...Paris.
A Mountain Girl dreaming of the city?
Why not.

About five years ago I was in L.A. and picked up these shoes.
They are affectionately called my "Paris Shoes."
There are many good memories tied up with these shoes...

Knitting and playing around with the assembly of my dogwood/bird book.
Hope to have all six copies bound by the weekend...
...unless I get up early Saturday morning and hop the bus to New York...
or take a walk on the Appalachian Trail.
:)

Monday Morning

Another bright and sunny day.
The temperature is supposed to reach 80F, but only for a day.

A peek inside my medicine cabinet and the beginnings of ground cover.
The quote is from Emily Dickinson.

Sunday Afternoon - Guilty Pleasures

I will admit that I have a weakness for all of the "I've changed my life

and moved to Paris" books.  

My French adventures have not extended beyond Provence, which is lovely,

but I dream of the City of Lights.

So this afternoon I made a cuppa, set aside my knitting and curled up with a

new Parisian adventure.

The tea is a delicious blend from a dear friend and the pink bottomed cup is 

from Takashimaya in New York.

And the lilacs are blooming...

Friday - Dogwood Nature Prints

This morning I took advantage of the bright sun on my windowsill

and used Nature Print paper with Dogwood flowers.

I had to pop the screen out to get enough sun (keeping a close eye on Sophie)

and arranged the flowers on a board with a piece of glass on top.

After exposure the prints are put into a water bath for about a minute

and then set to dry on a board covered with newsprint.

When the flowers are first removed their image is blue but the water bath

reverses the color.

Some books I made years ago with the papers.  

The old prints are a much deeper blue, I think my stock of paper is old.  

Doesn't matter...the  faded color is just as lovely.

I plan to use some for bookmaking and some will be sewn along their

top edges to create a curtain like effect as shown in the first two photos.

How pretty they will look hanging in a breezy window.

Happy Friday the Thirteenth!

Wednesday - Morning Coffee

Clouds are moving in this morning, maybe it will rain.
I'm glad the leaves are coming back.
Flowers get all the glory but there is nothing like the sound of rain
and wind in the leaves.

I bought my Ilsa coffee maker 20 years ago in Woodstock, NY.
After many summer vacations in Italy I can't wake up without a
good strong cup of coffee.
The rest of the day is for tea.

An hour to knit and read before I'm off to work.

Easter Sunday

Grape Hyacinths I planted in a secret place last year and a treasured
glass egg both on my nightstand.

I went for a drive this afternoon, the farm is a favorite as is the horse
in the paddock to the left.

This morning I put some chocolate eggs in a little nest.
I came home to my own Easter Egg Hunt, courtesy of the cat!
There is still one I haven't found yet.

Thanks Sophie  :)
Happy Easter