ANOTHER BOOK MADE

 I had some papers laying around that I had sewn together into signatures.  I'm using them to complete a simple handmade book.

I used some of the book cloth I made recently.  I stitched them all together with a simple binding.

Sewn signatures ready to go

Newly made book covers 8-1/4" by 10-1/2"  using a batik book cloth

JUNE'S BOOK

 This month's book on Handmade Book Club is the Japanese Stab Stitch in four different versions of the binding. I made three.

I cut the paper and made the book blocks yesterday.   Then I glued the decorative corners on to them and left them to dry overnight.  I cut the covers from Kraft-tex.

Today I sewed some fabric to the covers.  I used Darrell's drill press to punch out the sewing holes in the covers and book blocks, which was much easier than doing it by hand.

And finally, I stitched the bindings to complete them.  On one of them I tore a strip of silk and twisted it to use as the thread.  That was fun.

PAPER BAG BOOK

I've been saving the paper bags, I get for vegetables, from the grocery store for a while now.  Today seemed like a good day to make a book from them.

Yesterday I glued the sides of the bags together I then wrapped some cardboard with a flattened bag to make the covers.  This has all been drying over night.

Today, I punch the holes in each of the bags for the binding.  I threaded some twine onto a needle, not an easy task, and sewed them all together using a Coptic Stitch.

MAKING A BOOK BLOCK

 I glued together the pages to make a book block.

DOUBLE HERRINGBONE BOOK

 This month's Handmade Book Club's Book of the Month is this Double Herringbone binding and a leather cover.

I finally got mine done!  I had ordered this pink leather lacing and have been waiting for it to arrive so I could finish.  I was a little worried when it got here that it was too thick.  But I went with it and I love how it turned out.  I'm very happy.

I had found a vintage metal cloissone button, with green letters, in my Grandma Jennie's button jar.  It is perfect for this.  It was scary making the holes for the lacing and the button, but I did it. 

FODDER FOLDER

 This month's Handmade Book Club's book is Buttonhole Binding. 

I decided to make a Fodder Folder using in this style.  I used file folders and sewed vinyl sleeves into them.  Then I covered book boards with some fabric I've had around for a while.

I got it all assembled today.

BOOK COVER

 This month's Handmade Book Club's book is the Buttonhole Binding.

I cut the covers and spine boards and glued on the cover fabric today.

CONCERTINA BOOK

Handmade Book Club's book for the month of May is the Concertina Book.  

I've been working on mine a little at a time.  I used the last of the drawing paper on a roll that I've had since 2000 for the signatures.  

I wrapped the signatures in some paper printed with bears.

I used Kraftex for the cover and the straps.

Sewing the signatures together was a bit tricky.

JANUARY BOOK PROJECT DONE

 I've been working on the January Book project with the Handmade Book Club.

I finally started stitching the signatures (pages) in it last night.  And I finished it up this morning.

ROUTINE MONDAY

 I finally feel like I'm back into my normal routine, which I missed while I was gone 'on vacation'.

Today, I worked on finishing the Coptic Book Challenge with Vintage Page Designs.  I stitched everything together and it became a book.  It was very satisfying.

Then on Brave Patch Monday Sewcial, we were introduced to a new improv exercise named Coordinates.  We randomly selected pairs of numbers and cut 'rectangles' with those measurements.  Then joined them together.  Each piece must abut a previous piece.

 Then we sewed them together, adding filler pieces as needed.

Afterwards, I made this week's Art East Quilting Mini Charm block.  This is #42 The Witch Hat:

 

GROOVY SATURDAY

 There was a Groove Session this morning with Brave Patch.  This month was about a Mash-Up, using blocks from previous project and Play Sessions, mashing them together to make a quilt top.

Sherri talked about finding commonalities with the blocks and using that to create harmony.

I got out my 30 Minutes of Play blocks that I've made over the year with the Monday Sewcial group. 

My blocks are mostly made using the same fabrics, blues, blacks and whites, and the occassion odd fabric.

This is how they looked at the beginning of the morning.

Then, afterward I worked on my Handmade book challenge.  I glued on the papers inside the covers, along with ribbons.  Then, I poked the holes in the signatures.

I went back to working on the mash-up.  This is how I left it at the end of the night.

MORE OF THAT

 Still catching up.

I worked some more on the handmade book challenge with Vintage Page Designs.  We covered the book covers today.  I didn't finish the video for the day.  I stopped after this because it was time for Brave Patch Finish it Friday, which I wanted to attend.

I made the next Art East Charm Mini block, # 41 The Pumpkin:

CATCHING UP

 I have three Art East Quilting Mini Charm Blocks to catch up on.  

But, first I worked on my handmade book challenge from Vintage Page Designs.  I cut the paper for the signatures, folded them and put them under something heavy to learn to love their new home.

Then I got to work on those mini blocks.  There's a Halloween theme happening lately.

This is block #39 The Candy Corn:

Then #40 The Skull: