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Bookbinding, Book Arts, Zentangle, and Other Random Thoughts

Archive for the tag “Bookbinding”

28 Aug 2013

French Country Journal — Saturday, Septemer 14, 2013

Lovely “French Country” paper by Graphic 45 covers this journal that is bound with an interesting and ancient Japanese binding stitch. Called “The Butterfly” or “Yamato Toji” or a “Double span-span span-span” stitch, it was developed in Japan in the 11-12th century. We’ll use Czech glass beads, and Irish waxed linen to bind this 4 ½ x 6″, 5 section journal and we’ll add a little bronze sunflower charm to the sewing. There are 60 unlined, goldenrod colored pages in the text block. Using an ancient Japanese binding for a French themed paper may seem to be a bad match. It works because this binding does not call attention to itself, allowing the beauty of the paper, bead and waxed linen to really shine. This is a gorgeous journal; one that you will treasure.

To register, please contact “Prairie Art Stamps” listed under my favorite links.

Posted in 11th Century Japanese Binding, Bookbinding, Workshops I'm Teaching and tagged 11th Century Japanese Binding, Bookbinding, Workshops I'm Teaching | Leave a comment

26 Aug 2013

Stampaway 2013 — A Gardener’s Journal

I taught my last workshop at Stampaway on Friday afternoon. This is a whimsical journal and a perfect way to end a full, and busy, three days of teaching. I am so honored to have been an instructor! It was a wonderful experience.

This sweet journal will delight your favorite gardener. Perhaps that favorite gardener is you! The cover paper is a delightful British paper and the book is bound with Italian
book cloth. We used an interesting lattice stitch created by Keith Smith to sew the
journal and accented it with charming antique gold colored beads. This lattice stitch might remind you of an old fashioned trellis with a butterfly perched between two flowers. This 4 1/4” x 5 3/4” journal has 48 pages divided into two sections.

Posted in Bookbinding, Decorative Bindings, Keith Smith Bindings and tagged Bookbinding, Keith Smith Bindings, Past Workshops, Stampaway 2013 | Leave a comment

26 Aug 2013

2 Comments

Stampaway 2013 — Bird Song Journal

My Thursday at Stampaway was busy! This was my second workshop, and one of the most popular that I taught. It is a lovely binding!

Lovely “Birdsong” paper by Graphic 45 covers this journal that is bound with an interesting and ancient Japanese binding. We used Czech glass beads and Irish waxed linen to bind this 4 1/2” x 6”, 5 section journal.

This 11th century Japanese binding is also called a double span-span, span-span sewing. In bookbinding, the term “span” refers to a sewing where the thread climbs directly into the station or section above without linking into the section below (as in the Coptic stitch, for example). Usually this sewing is not used for a book with a hard cover. Using a hard cover for our books and adding beads and trim to the book made our journals a contemporary interpretation of an ancient binding. Because this sewing is a “span” sewing, there is a little “wobble” in the finished book. Think of this as part of it’s charm. This is actually a very tight, sturdy sewing and I love the beauty of it’s simplicity.

Posted in 11th Century Japanese Binding, Bookbinding and tagged 11th Century Japanese Binding, Bookbinding, Past Workshops, Stampaway 2013

25 Aug 2013

Stampaway 2013 — Chain Stitch Journal

I was honored to teach this workshop on the first day of workshops at Stampaway 2013, Wednesday, August 7.

Every journal made in this workshop was a one of a kind! How fun is that? Participants selected their cover paper from a wide variety of choices of beautiful screenprint paper made in Napal to create a 5 3/4” X 8 3/4”, 3 section, 48 page journal with an Italian book cloth spine. We used two colors of Irish waxed linen for the chain stitch binding. The chain stitch is an elegant and versatile binding that every bookbinder should know.

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25 Aug 2013

Sumptous Suede Journal — Stampaway 2013

I taught this lovely cross structure journal at Stampaway on the first workshop day, Wednesday, August 7,

There is debate whether the Italian Cross Structure binding is a historical model or a contemporary creation inspired by study of a historical long stitch model. The Italian bookbinder, Carmencho Arregui, is credited with either its creation or re-discovery. You can explore the website, www. outof binding.com and see the work of this bookbinder and pictures of his 1992 Cross Structure binding. Arregui has developed four or five more complex Cross Structure bindings, as well. The structure we created in this workshop is a simple model.

Posted in Bookbinding, Cross Structure Binding, Welcome! and tagged Bookbinding, Cross Structure Binding, Past Workshops, Stampaway 2013 | Leave a comment

20 Aug 2013

Stampaway 2013

I am so honored to have been one of the instructors at Stampaway 2013. Today, I received two evaluations from participants in my workshops. They made my day! Some of the comments . . .

“As with last year, my experiences in Jan’s classes are perfection. She offers everything that I want in a class — high quality materials, a properly assembled kit, WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS, a proper supply list of items we need to bring, and last, but not least, clear and patient teaching. Everyone was able to complete their books and everyone winds up with a gorgeous finished project plus written instructions so that they can make another book in the future. Absolutely your best class offering.” — Anonymous

And,
“Class started on time. Jan was very nice and did a good job instructing us throughout the class. I wished I had signed up for some of her other classes and hope she is back next year.” — “R”

Ladies, thanks so much for the kind words. You are the best!

Posted in Welcome! and tagged Bookbinding, What others have said., Workshops I'm Teaching | Leave a comment

31 Aug 2012

Autumn Chain Stitch Journal Workshop — September 15

I’m teaching September 15 at Prairie Art Stamps in Springfield, Illinois. For more information, follow the link under “My Favorite Links” to the right of my blog.

Autumn Chain Stitch Journal

Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012

Time: 12:00 – 3:30

Cost:$35.00

This workshop features an interesting “twist” on traditional binding. You’ll use a Cuttlebug embossing folder to create a “one of a kind” cover for your journal and learn to assemble the book using mixed media paper and matboard. We’ll highlight the embossing with ink. The waxed linen for the chain stitch, text wrap paper and the ink for the cover will be gorgeous, rich co-ordinated autumn colors. The chain stitch binding is elegant and easy. It’a a stitch you will want to use again and again because it is so lovely and versatile. This is a 5 section journal… nice and chunky with lots of room for notes. Please bring scissors, bone folder, awl or Japanese Screw Punch, and a ruler. There will be several embossing folders available for you to use, but if you have a favorite you are welcome to bring it.

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31 Aug 2012

My First Handmade Book

This is the first handmade book I made in September 2005. I had admired many of the lovely handmade books at Prairie Art Stamps in Springfield, Illinois. When the next class was offered, I signed up. I loved making this book and have been captivated by hand bookbinding ever since!
This book is a simple long stitch binding and the cover is Japanese Yuzen Washi paper. Looking back, I see beginners “problems.” But considering that I really didn’t know what I was doing or know anything at all about bookbinding, I’m proud of the results.
My teacher was Angela Finet, owner of Angela’s Happy Stamper in Reston, Virginia. Angela is an accomplished bookbinder and a wonderful teacher. I always remind her that she is the one who got me “hooked” on bookbinding.

Posted in Bookbinding, Long Stitch Bindings and tagged Bookbinding, Long Stitch | Leave a comment

30 Aug 2012