Saturday 11 October 2008

Hand Made Book

I am having a busy few days with workshops over this weekend. That's the way things pan out sometimes. I have been wanting to learn how to make books for some time so I have taken a class today to make a basic book. Yet again there was so much going on that I did not get chance to photograph each step but it is fairly straightforward. Again, I will be making some more books so I will take step by step photos then. In the meantime, this is what I achieved today...
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The papers that cover the front and back boards are actually shimmery and have been stamped on top. The lozenge in the centre has been stamped, triple embossed and then stamped again into the embossing.
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There are 4 signatures inside and each has been stamped in the right hand corner with a related stamp, some of which have been embossed. This style of book has an open spine but I have also learnt how to enclose the spine which I may well do next time. For the moment the book has only been held together with an elastic cord but it could equally be held with ribbons or yarns and embellished with beads. I feel I am at the beginning of a long road but maybe I'll be able to make a few for Christmas presents. Watch this space!
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Just one thing, do any of you use a Crop-O-Dile? I had great difficulty today using a traditional eyelet cutter because my hands hurt when I tried to squeeze the handles, I didn't have enough strength in my hand to work it. Would a Crop-O-Dile be any easier or harder to use? I tried one of those pinger-type-cutters and that was worse as I couldn't hold it with one hand while the other pulled the spring back because again it hurt too much. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
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12 comments:

Gina said...

Lovely book Julie!

Kiki Finlayson said...

I use the new larger Crop-O-Dile. It isn't magic, but it does allow my arthritic hands to do more than the other 5 or 6 devices I've bought to punch and insert eyelets. You should stand up when you use it. Practice on the same material before you try it on your art piece. Listen for the sound it makes when it punches--it's pretty quiet compared to other punches I own. Also, some eyelets are made of steel, others of aluminum, or something of the sort. The harder material is much harder to put in, but the Crop-O-Dile seems to eventually get them set well. All eyelet setters will require multiple attempts with the tougher eyelets!
~Kiki

Cda00uk said...

Lovely book - I am trying to be more imaginative with mine so I shall watch your progress with interest!

I use a Japanese screw punch to make holes - it has the advantage that you can put them anywhere you like - and an eyelet setter from Hobbycraft which is a metal thing you hit with a hammer - I find it much easier to use than other eyelet setters and more effective.

Glad you like the word 'swithering' - I got it from a Scottish lecturer at Uni who went on to much higher things and is now a Life Peer!

Unknown said...

Love the book Julie, I'm doing a journal book course on-line at the moment and enjoying it. The paper you have used is beautiful but I love a bit of glitz.

Mai-Britt Axelsen said...

Wonderful book, very inspirational...... I have been unsure of how to keep all my C&Gs parafonelia, but you have shown me the way.

Genie said...

Love the Book Julie

DeeMom said...

Beautiful Julie...

Dot said...

Beautiful book Julie. You have a lovelw eye for color and design.

Nver heard of a Crop- a Dile!

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Oooo I'll tell Mummy abowt this post- she wants to mayke books!!!

Mrs Moog said...

What a lovely book Julie! I've got a 'silent setter' for hole punching and eyelets but it still needs a bit of leaning on to get it right. Please don't tell me I need to buy a Crop-o-Dile....I've got an eerie feeling I'm going to be sucked back into the dark arts of papercrafting as it is!!!

xxx

Wabbit said...

The new Crop-A-Dile Big Bite II that sits on the table on it's own is the one to have. I've got the regular Crop-A-Dial and it goes through anything but it's so heavy I need three or more hands just to hold it and another two to place the bit I want to punch, leaving me three hands short! I'd look at the We R Memory Keepers website and look for a store that handles it in the UK. Here's a link to it in an online store here. http://store.scrapbooking-warehouse.com/358373.html?gclid=CKCWueaNrpYCFQykagodmGArLg

All of your work is lovely!

Sharne Gregory said...

I love the book. I don't use a cropadile. From my local shop I bought a gadget for making holes in very thick card. I will find out what it is called. Its cheaper, it works and is painless. You just turn a handle!