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Monday, December 31, 2007

New Year's Journal

I didn't really plan to make another journal right now with so many irons in the fire but this is what happens when I follow my muse. I just had to work with paper; and I love making my own journals. Here is how it happened.

My friend Kay (no website) came over for a play day and I suggested we make Jackie paper together. (See my blog entries of November 10-11 to read about the technique for making patterned paper that Jackie Crist originated.) My Jackie paper is morphing though as I am adding white paint and my own fillips to her basic technique. That's how it usually goes. We each add to the basic recipe until it reflects our own taste.

I made a lot of paper as I want to include pieces in packets when I teach. I think it is such beautiful paper. I make it on a type of white tracing paper which makes it very fragile but also very beautiful. I love the ripples that come in the tissue paper as it gets wet.

Then the next day I tear paper for the signatures in my book. I am using thick printmakers paper for the most part so only 3 signatures this time. My next book wont use such thick paper but I like to use what is on hand.

I choose a likely sheet of paper that I've just made and use a window mat to choose the exact area that I will use for my cover. I cut that out and glue it to the 8x10" canvas board, folding the margins over the edges.

This is the backs of the canvas boards. Since I'm going to attach the thin paper to the inner side also I glue a white sheet of paper on the big red labels first.

Here I am tearing out the paper for the insides of the book covers. Only I decide I like this sheet even more than the sheet I'd chosen for the front so I decide to reverse both covers. Now they'll have sort of borders but that's okay with me.

I spend about a half day painting this tiny strip of canvas for the spine. I keep comparing it to the cover, then tweaking it, comparing it, tweaking some more, sanding it, stamping it, . . . you get the picture. Lost in the ozone where I love to be lost. Finally I make a decision and glue the spine and then sew the book together.

These are the tissue, resin and copper wire danglies I tie on the strings. With a typewriter key for good measure. I made the danglies in a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer at Artfest 2007.

Voila! My next journal just waiting for me and for the promise of 2008. If you want to make a journal like this I suggest Teesha's directions as they are easy to follow. Happy-happy!

36 comments:

  1. Judy,

    You must have read my mind. One of my goals I have set for 2008 is to start to make my own journals. I never thought to use canvas board for covers, that is an excellent idea. thanks for showing this. Now I just need to get off my butt and do it. Your journal is really beautiful.

    Kate

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  2. Wow! What great paper and project! After reading this post I just want to go make a new journal!

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  3. I LOVE the New Years journal! All those warm colors are simply delicious. Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring to do more.
    hugs,
    Ute
    http://utes-trolls.com

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  4. hey beautiful!

    look at you in your cool glasses and wild apron getting down in the studio with your cute friend! that paper of yours is just the best. i think your instructions are crystal clear.
    i see you a key lime pie martini and i raise you a cardamon rimmed glass of deliciousness. here's to more meetings at clandestine spots in our pajamas, fuzzy slippers, and bear masks.

    hugs and new year's kisses

    -pancha villa

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  5. Love the papers Judy and what a beautiful journal. Lucky Kay to get to work with you in your fabulous studio. Thanks for sharing the process.
    Ro
    xo

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  6. I am just going to simply say..
    S T U N N I N G!!

    Your tut is so clear and inspiring. Bravo!!

    xo Rella

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  7. Judy Wise! I love that paper! Why is it called "Jackie" paper? What a splendid journal! Did you make those resin danglies? Those are wonderful. I want to learn how to make those.

    In other news, I started making a paper bag journal using the tut you posted a while back. I'll post my results at http://bytara.blogspot.com when I get done. xo

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  8. Anonymous6:56 AM

    Judy... your journal is fabulous! You have me inspired! :D May I please ask what *Jackie Paper* is.... I mean the stuff you make for your journals... not the puff stuff. lol

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  9. What a way to start the new year! Scrumptious, a kaleidoscope of joy and hope is hidden inside those colors. May the new year bring that and more, to you and your art.

    Allegra

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  10. Wow...lovely journal. I have been making journals lately too. I just love decorating the outside. I finished a fabric journal and started another Teesha Journal. Now to start journaling:) Happy New Year!

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  11. To answer the question about the Jackie paper I added a reference to my November 10-11 entries regarding her technique. She is Jackie Crist (no website) and she uses inks, stamps, brayers and love to make beautiful patterned paper.

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  12. Oops, one more thing. I made the resin charms in a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer at Artfest. They were just waiting for the right moment to be used in a project.

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  13. Thanks Judy for giving a visual for making the journals, The instructions for Teesha's journals now make sense.

    Blessings for the New Year....

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  14. That's beautiful! Thanks for sharing and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!!!!

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  15. Beautiful journal for a new year. I love the paper!

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  16. Lovely lovely :) I love to make books and journals too, and always hate the middle bit when I realise I've embarked on something big and it's cutting into my "art" time... but then I have the lovely book and that is art time well used.

    Where can I link to Mary Ann? (I want to follow your instructions!)

    I hope that 2008 brings you joy and many good things.

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  17. Absolutely love the new journal you have created! I would never have thought to use those canvas boards for covers either, what a fabulous idea. I'm sure many inspiring pages will transform in 2008!

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  18. Anonymous5:58 PM

    well that looks good enough to eat! i love spending whole afternoons making big sheets of colorful papers like this. it is so good to have a stash of multicolored goodness. your journal turned out to be Gorgeous! happy new year, judy!!

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  19. makes me want to get stuck into making a journal judy!!! ive only altered book covers to use for mine, thanks for sharing :))
    PS Your studio looks devine

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  20. i love making books... this one is beautiful...may the spirit of a new year fill your home with an abundance of love, laughter, and joy...may the magic of the moment bring peace to your heart all year long...may your creativity take you to amazing places and may you experience the resulting bliss...much love to you and your family...rebecca

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  21. happy new year, judy!! thanks for all you give!

    xxxooo

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  22. loved this - what lovely bright colours you used, great start to 2008. I'm off to my studio to make a journal! Amanda

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  23. It looks so beautiful! Making your very own journal makes it that much more special!

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  24. Anonymous8:37 AM

    Oh my goodness, this is so gorgeous. You should see my feeble effort!! Happy New Year xx

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  25. Thanks for the easy tutorial and pics of your journal. It looks great. I really like the dangles you made. Isn't Susan unique?

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  26. Great job Judy, I can't seem to fuction unless I have a fun journal I can relate to. A beautiful cover helps to make everything flow. I have to write everything down. The out side is just as important as the inside. Daris

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  27. Wow! WOW! WoW! fantastic, beautiful paper, journal and those resin charms.

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  28. Anonymous3:11 AM

    Thank you so much for the inspiration. I've made my first!

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  29. I love watching step by step processes, thanks so much for going to the trouble. Love the paper

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  30. Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous journal with us! I love it, it is so very inspirational. The papers are so bright, and i love the canvas for covers idea too. What a great way to start the new year!

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  31. Judy, not to be repetitive ... love the papers and thanks for sharing the process of making the journals.

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  32. Love your seeing your process. I am just finishing a "Teesha" journal myself. I love her binding technique, its easy and fits my style.

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  33. That journal is gorgeous! YUM!!

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  34. Anonymous1:04 PM

    Thank you for your inspiration! I made my very first book because of you!

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  35. I absolutely love the paper and the journal -- definetly something I will need to explore further. So happy to have found your blog!

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