Unusual Guest Book - Envelope Guest Book made to order!

Unusual Guest Book - Envelope Guest Book made to order!

As I've said before.... some of my best ideas are not mine... in fact they come from my customers, who request something a little different. Keely rang me and asked if I could make an envelope pocket guest book.... which she could not find for sale ANYWHERE in the UK. I must admit, I searched around and I couldn't find one either! The only reference to these books was on a Martha Stewart Wedding website.

The concept was easy enough, I just made a Japanese Bound book the same way I make Guest Books, wedding Albums and Honeymoon Albums.......

 You do however have to make the spine, twice as thick as the inside pages, so that when the envelopes and cards are glued  inside, the front of the book doesn't splay open.

 The request was for the book to be made in Ivory, Lemon and Gold.... oh and with Butterflies on....

 With the right colours the hot foil can look stunning!

 Although the envelopes are quite small (as envelopes go) adding 6 to a page makes the book rather large.
The overall size of the book is around 30cm x 49cm.

 This book contained 60 envelopes....
enough for 120 guests and I made little cards
 to fit inside each one.

And I've made a sign to help the guests along...

As I'm more your bright and gaudy colour lover, I really wasn't sure how this would look when it was finished.... but to be honest... I think it made a refreshing change! It's clean and fresh and quite an alternative idea to the 'normal', run of the mill guest books I get asked to do.

I'm looking forward to making more :-)

Watch  my website for updates:

http://northyorkshireweddings.co.uk

Some hand made books

As most of you know, making books is a great passion of mine. Before I leave for the weekend I thought I would share a couple of the books I’ve made in the past….so here they are.


Above - The first page of a book before the calligraphy which will read 'Two hearts connected by one thread
The front page has a pastel heart wit little triangle windows cut out of the corners.


Page 2 of the same book has a cut out heart. Page 3 and 4 also have cut out hearts and a gold thread is sewn from page 1 to 4 making sense of the quotation.


And an Egg Box Book....Very simple and effective


A close up of the book

Squares of paper folded into 4 and then folded the opposite way to form a type of cup that are then glued back to back and concertina up when they are closed.

This post is from waaaaay back and I found it in my Drafts box when I was having a good clear out of the last 5 years of my posts.
I will, sometimes soon give full details and instructions on making thus book, Stay tuned and happy creating :o)

Catching up....the last 2 weeks

Phew! What a busy couple of weeks! Time just seems to fly when you're having fun......Last weekend was over far too fast, but much was achieved....Steve managed to get more kilning done and his new range of Kiln fired, dichroic glass studs are well on the way and will be added to his wedsite soon.

Here's a close up of the gorgeous little gems which look like rainbow dewdrops. I love the colours as they catch the light....


Last week I was asked to make Thank you cards... a chance to use my foiling machine....

And some Order of Service for a funeral.

In the middle of it all, there was of course, Valentines Day.....and a chance for Calligraphers everywhere to do something a little personal for their loved ones.

These are just a couple of pictures from the book....a full rundown

can be found at my Inspired by Script Blog

HERE'S THE LINK TO THE POST

Because all things must change and my business is going in a new direction I've been clearing clutter. Clutter that has accumulated for over 20 years. I've given a lot away and my lovely son and partner did a couple of tip runs at the weekend. Slowly, everything has a place again and out with the old frees up the mind wonderfully. What I no longer have a need for I am finding new homes for, which in turn opens up their creative minds too. Holding on to thinks sometimes keeps us stuck and the studio was seriously getting on top of me. I had no room to move and this can get very depressing at times.

It's now opened up and within the next couple of weeks, I'll have a creative space that is both practical and functional.

This week though, I have to concentrate on the Wedding Fair planned for this Sunday. After going to the last one, I know what's expected of me and I can introduce my new foil cards......I'm so excited!

The most wonderful thing about being in a relationship with another Creative Spirit is the mutual support and the bouncing off each other of ideas. I'm so glad Steve came into my life. Things are going well for us both regarding the business.....it shows what the love of a good man can do.

Next week we are at a Lifestyle and Fashion Bazaar, so there will be no rest for a wee while yet :o)

What's Been Going On...

Well.....lots and lots and lots and lots actually....and as most followers and readers of my blog are also friends with me on Face Book....I won't re-hash the more personal news here. However, first off, new direction and with the rethinking of my business and the need to actually not only pay my bills but also at some point in my life make a living out of it, I've started with the repainting of the Gallery...

Many paint swatches and much dilemma as well as being terrified of picking a neutral, neutral that would go with just about anything....All the shelves were painted too, so at last I feel like the whole place comes together.....much like my old place in Darlington.

The pale shelves set off the Concertina Books wonderfully.
And are just as suited to the Paler pieces of work....

As they are to the brighter pieces.....

All in all, I'm happy with the result. I have taken down old, worn out and jaded pieces of my work that no longer reflect my work now and the services available. Now, in between working I need to rehash the store room, which was originally a store room come office. I feel creatively stifled sometimes and I need to reopen my space. A good weekend and a skip seems like a good idea lol. More blogging and more photos will follow, until then, keep your Creative Spirits flowing,

Meanwhile if you want to follow me on FaceBook CLICK HERE

Brightest Blessings,

Sue xxx

The Joy and Pleasure of Making Books

This is a book made entirely of wood. Each leaf is cut into the shape of the leaf and each leaf is made from the wood it represents. I didn't make it, but won it as part of a book swap...but would like to share it, other books and a story with you....

My passion for books started at a really early age…. probably about 3 years old. Been brought up by a bunch of teenagers had it’s advantages. Each week I could have either a Ladybird Book, or a Matchbox Car. I had over a 100 Ladybird Books and you can still buy them now!

My Calligraphy and Lettering path lead me to a workshop where I actually learnt to make my own! Totally different and a refreshing change from writing on paper and mounting or framing it, and the delivery of profound and sometimes moving words seemed more personal and intimate.

Over the years I took part in many on-line book swaps organised by fellow calligraphers. Our deep love and understanding of words gave is the perfect vehicle for sharing our inspirational creativity alongside the texts that moved us. We are a fortunate bunch of people who, on the whole, can actually ‘feel’ the words, then express them as marks on a page. These movements come from deep within, unlike handwriting and lettering for lettering's sake.

I was clearing out the studio the other day and on top of a filing cabinet are about 8 boxes. Each box is full of memories…. memories for which I cannot part with and no amount of money would buy what’s in those boxes.

The actual value of what’s inside monetary wise is very little, for they are nothing but bits of paper….but inside each box holds the spirit and essence of those creative hands that sent items mostly from abroad and their value on a spiritual level is….PRICELESS! The words, thoughts, sentiments and pure kindness cannot be bought or sold. Some of the items were done by complete beginners and others pieces by ‘masters’, each created piece is just as valuable as the next. The beginners did not wait to become experts and the experts weren’t so precious with their work that they refused to part with it. All this was sent as an act of love….the Love of sharing their life’s passion.

Friendships were formed and many of us are still firm friends almost 20 years later. We have not met each other….and yet we ‘know’ each other so well. We belonged to an on-line group who shared a common bond….and that group still exists today. Many of us now are on Facebook and other social networking site. We know about each others lives, kids, families. We have shared both joys and tragedies. We have supported and encouraged each other over the passage of time. We have known each other since our kids were little! We have shared stories and poems and pieces of wisdom and helpful guidance when it has been asked of us. We are not well paid for the hours we spend, doing what we love…..but the rewards are more precious than gold!

I’d like to share a few of my most treasured gifts……

Here;s a book by Beth Lee who very kindly offered to host the swaps

You can see more of her books on HER BLOG HERE

The book was made using dark green paste paper and written in Gold....stunning!

And here is a real treasure from Bev Allen who I had the great fortune to meet when I had my studio in Darlington and she came over from Canada on a visit...

Were still good buddies on Facebook and via the blogging world. It's about time she got her own blog as the link above is one that she runs for her guild.

This is another wonderful book I received in a book swap at a local group called Quatro'.

And this is another amazingly Small concertina book. As you can see from the ruler it must have took some careful planning and expert calligraphy to do the copperplate in letters no higher than about 3mm!

And for all you book making buddies out there who make 'One Off' books or small print run editions...you might like to visit Vamps and Tramps it's worth a peek.

OK I'm on my last lap of decorating this weekend. The weather forecast is not good, gale force winds on Sunday and thanks to my mums help I have only the bedroom and the hall, stairs and landing to emulsion and the bedroom to gloss. With such crappy eyesight I was always terrified of going it alone, but this Pixie will not be beaten! Ra, ra, ra! I've been reading a book called The Power of TED* and I think it's gone to my head...well that and the Bach Flower Remedies!

Baby Birth Idea - Astrological Concertina Card

I've been working on a couple of commissions, in collaboration with a superb astrologer Simon Greene. He works out the chart and gives me the info and I put it all together to produce a concertina card/book.

The details inside contain a basic personality profiles as well as characteristics and traits of the babies in question.

The books open up into a star or stand upright by untying the two end ribbons. A wonderful idea for any new parents.

We are taking orders, and the charts can be for anyone, they don't have to be babies! so if you are interested, email me at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

Rainbow Concertina Book

I love, love, love working to commission, especially when the client trust you implicitly to produce something special with only a small, brief, outline of what is required.

This was a first birthday card for a treasured Grand-daughter Eden. Her name means Perfect, pleasure and delight.

The only real requirement was that she wanted 'Rainbows'....fantastic...because I love them.... and I don't know many adults that are still not fascinated by them and who look on them with child like wonder.

The covers both front and back were also Rainbows and a small charm just finishes it off. Delightful indeed.

Wedding Album

In an attempt to play catch up, I'm posting a series of smaller post instead of posting them all at once and in one post. The studio has been busy and somehow there never seems to be enough hours in the say. Beltane Man is wonderful and keeps me fed and watered, as well as creating his own work. What a gem!
Anyway....the first post....

I was asked to make a 30 page Wedding Album for a girl who's husband is in the RAF. The colours for the front and the writing are Air Force Blue.
The front is a hand made petal paper and sewn with silver beads, from which hand 4 droplets of faux crystals.

Hand Made Wedding Card - Concertina Wedding Card Gift Idea

This is a simple Wedding Card for Nathan and Alexis. The brief was Sage Greens and Silver.

Left Side ease Click To Enlarge
Right Side Detail: Click To Enlarge

Of all the jobs I get at the studio, concertina or accordian style card/Books are the most common. Possibly becasue of their novel construction. The long thin horizontal construction make for an interesting layout.

Making A Multi Sectioned Book - It's trials and tribulations

The request was simple enough, “Will you make our coven a Book of Shadows?”
The problem with questions like this is that the answer can be only one of two things….Either “Yes” or “No”. I already make small, A5 Books for this particular clients shop anyway, so she knew I made books….but what she didn’t know is that I had never made an 800 page book before! I am not a formally trained Bookbinder and never profess to be. I have however made a multi section book before. In actual fact I’ve made a few, but never one of these proportions and with this material.

The brief was: To make a 1.000 page book, A4 size, Parchment effect paper, leather bound and with a pewter Vesica Piscis on the front.

To be honest, I answered Yes before I really had time to think about it. Once the reality dawned I was overcome with doubt and fear.
I have 2 ‘Formal’ and ‘Traditional’ Bookbinding books, one of which takes about 250 pages to explain the process! GULP!

I decided that the worst thing that could happen is that it would go badly wrong and I would have to admit it was impossible. So I took it one step at a time.

FIRST OFF…..I folded all the A3 sheets, and pricked through the sections.

THEN….bit by bit, section by section I sewed up and down each section catching each end to the section before and sewn over tapes attached to a frame. The frame I use is a home made one that my husband made me when he was alive. Nowhere near the all singing all dancing type you can buy, very basic and very crudely put together, but it functions perfectly. I had a serious problem with the thread knotting and twisting and there were more than a few choice swear words thrown around the studio I can tell you….This Pixie can swear like a trooper when she wants to!

After the book was put together, the end papers are tipped in and the tapes cut and stuck down.

Then came the grinding halt….The problem came because I have always made flat backed books with a ridged spine, but 800 pages was far too thick for this to work without bursting the spine and leather being pliable needed to flex. The idea is that once the book is open, the book will lie flat and the book will pop upwards and the outer cover spine will follow suit! Also to make this happen the book sections had to curve gently at the fore edge and not be flat…..Well so the book said anyway!....Phew, from there I was even more terrified….. a case of feel the fear and do it anyway springs to mind. Well after a few anxiety attacks, rock bottom self esteem issues, fear, panic and a fit of uncontrollable giggles to deal with I glued the cover boards onto the tapes. Then apparently the mull is glued around the spine before the cover is glued down.
There are many ways to so this and in the past I’ve used a self invented way of doing it but not this time…. Well not if it was to work. Perhaps the worst thing to get over is the not knowing how the leather would glue, and while gluing how to stop the other bits flying up in the air…I must admit being born a spider and having the advantage of 8 limbs may have been a huge advantage here….but I wasn’t so used any part of me that could be manipulated into action. One thing about bookbinding that I know to be true is that you need just the right amount of delicacy with sheer brute force and just at the right time depending on the stage you are at. Fear, timidity and caution will not make a book!
Well the deed was done. I put it in the drying press and resisted the temptation to open it and look at it till the next morning. While the glue is drying it’s always a recipe for disaster anyway, so I made myself leave it well alone.

The next morning….I gingerly opened it up…..an it was perfect! It opened just as it should, the pages pay flat when opened, and the spine sprung up and popped down just when it should…Much to my relief and even more amazement! Happy, relieved, amused, elated and down right proud as punch are words to describe how I felt. Then looking at it and realising what a work of art I had created thought I should have charged at least twice the price. Lol. Sheesh, anyone looking would think it had been done by someone who knew what they were doing.

This is the detail of the spine popping up

The Vesica Piscis was glued to the front

I had one more hurdle to cross. My printed who trimmed the sides for me asked to see it when it was finished. I had told him what I was doing with the paper, and very blasé about the job in hand…THEN he told me he had trained as a Professional Bookbinder as part of his Printing Training many years ago.
Despite the odd looks from passers by, probably assuming that I was some nutter carrying round the family Bible (YES it’s that big!) I took it to him while he tugged, pulled and pushed it and cast over a critical eye.
I waiting for his advice on where I went wrong. There were none. He smiled and looked at me and said….”Nowt wrong with that is there? If I were you I would make another, and soon!”.
So if anyone wants an 800 page, leather bound Book of Shadows making…..just get in touch…. I’m up for making more.

And you’re probably asking, 800 pages, I thought she wanted 1.000?
Well, totally impractical, it would have been a massive 6” deep and impossible to lift never mind open.

Other lessons learnt? The client sent me the leather, next time I will buy my own bookbinding leather….not ‘shoe’ leather which is crazily thick! DUH! Thought it was giving me some grief.
Also the most valuable lesson?
There are many occasions in life where we are taken well out of our comfort zone. We feel that we are incapable of things we are asked to do, challenges that need to be met and fears to overcome, but take that risk, loose that fear and be brave. The reward of succeeding is immeasurable.
I can assure you the benefits far outweigh the anxiety and once the fear is dealt with first hand it will never return.

Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain.
Adventure is an attitude that we must apply
to the day-to-day obstacles of life:
facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities
,testing our resources against the unknown and,
in the process,discovering our own unique potential.
John Amatt