Creating a book a month : February Self-Love

I have an Intention to create a book a month this year : small and gorgeous, mixed media and stitched. I've created a self-love and affirmation book for February. I was inspired to create another tag book and I am Shining Bright with this one. My tags measure 16cm x 8cm. First gatherings - I LOVE this part. 

I'm going with Pink/Red/Orange as my colour theme and thought that some dark blues would be nice in the backgrounds. Also really wanted to use some new sprays recently gifted ♥

 These are my bases with a mix of paint, spray and paper. Inspired already

As I layered up, I had these words in mind : fierce, tender, brave, worthy, loved, strong and grateful. Although they didn't all make it into the final book, they definitely informed my process.

This project involved lots of colour and fun layering. My focus was on enjoying the process of creating what I want to see and my heart needs to hear. The final stage was to stitch the tags together using a double line of zigzag so they would fold. Click on any photo to see it larger. 

Stitched as much as possible with a view to seeing messy stitching on the backs

but when I was finished, I didn't like all of the backs. 

I think it was the hand stitching and the staining on some of the tags that I didn't like, so I decided to add some serviettes and some lovely papers to cover the bits I was unhappy with or that needed that little extra something. 

Very happy with the messy random loveliness of this back now 

And I am thrilled with how the finished tags look individually and collectively

See my other posts about my monthly creating a book project HERE.

Journal 52 : Week 8

Journal 52 is a weekly prompt from Effy Wild (Free HERE) that I'm creating on a deck of jumbo playing cards 3.5'' x 4.75'' (8.5 x 12 cm). Each card will include stitch, a found word, and be inspired by the project I've been working on that week or what's lying leftover on my work table. See the original post HERE.
#8 : Play. Inspired by materials I was using for my February book project again because that was on my work table, but a totally different feel from last week because of the prompt. 

I began with inky papers - the playing cards are really glossy so a collage base is a good way to overcome that challenge right away.

Then added fun gifted tape that I haven't yet tidied away, and lovely bright fibre elements. Simple but happy-making play ♥ 

Find all my Journal 52 posts HERE. I'll be posting my completed tag book for February very soon.

Journal 52 : Week 7

Journal 52 is a weekly prompt from Effy Wild (Free HERE) that I'm creating on a deck of jumbo playing cards 3.5'' x 4.75'' (8.5 x 12 cm). Each card will include stitch, a found word, and be inspired by the project I've been working on that week or what's lying leftover on my work table. See the original post HERE.
#7 : Moon. Inspired by the papers I am using for my new February  book project.... sneaky preview for you. After my first layer of black gesso on my card, I added some pretty papers and stenciled a moon on some inky paper

I made sure to include stitch and found words. All the elements have combined to make me very happy with the magical feel of this one

Find all my Journal 52 posts HERE. 

On Valentines Day

 Don't forget to love yourself ♥

Journal 52 : Week 6

Journal 52 is a weekly prompt from Effy Wild (Free HERE) that I'm creating on a deck of jumbo playing cards 3.5'' x 4.75'' (8.5 x 12 cm). Each card will include stitch, a found word, and be inspired by the project I've been working on that week or what's lying leftover on my work table. See the original post HERE.
#6 : Ponder. To sit with what is - be present - think deeply. The challenge this week was to create an expressive self-portrait that ‘looks like’ you when you’re pondering. I decided to be inspired by stuff lying on my work desks from making my Little Book of Whispers. Lots to be inspired by!!!

First I glued a selection of scrappy papers to the front of my card. Wish I could leave the ends hanging over like this.

Trimmed and I really like the sketchy stitching technique from behind so printed one of my favourite faces and free-motioned over it with my sewing machine. 

Not an ideal result - a bit detailed so a wee tear in the nose area but put masking tape on the back to stabalise and can work with this.

An unexpected outcome with the use of the brads and lace but it works for me. 

Find all my Journal 52 posts HERE. And now I need to tidy my work spaces...

Little Book of Whispers

My intention to create a book a month is off to a good start although a little delayed by the wedding quilt I made. January's book is inspired by Laly Mille's class Little Book of Whispers

I shared my initial thoughts and gatherings HERE

The pile of gatherings grew as a happy result of doing some cleaning out of my studio....

I already know the size of my cover (16.5 cm square), so began by quickly putting together 3 folios - a spread that will equal 4 pages when finished. It doesn't seem like many but I've learned from experience that books with less pages are more rewarding to create since they get finished! I will have 12 pages from 3 folios and I can always add more if I find I can't fit in everything I want to express. These are the 6 sides as they began - already with a lace flap and pocket

I'm not going to show you a step by step process. You'll have to take the class ♥  
My book has been inspired by gratitude, joy in the creative process, and affirmations related to my recent diagnosis. I want these monthly book creations to be small and thought it would be most useful to take a photo with my hand for size comparison

I was very excited to be able to use many special elements in this book and some favourite and meaningful colours. 
Pieces of my Great Grandmother's collection of lace

Elements that were waxed in a play day many years ago 

I always love butterflies as one of my special recurring symbols in my art

Meaningful found words - you may remember that this year I am going to Shine with Intention (above)

Including stitch throughout as much as possible

Lovely tyvek beads made by Carolyn Saxby (she's announced her shop reopening Feb 2020) and gifted by a special friend

I ended up with 14 pages since I worked on my 12 double pages separately before stitching them into another folio that was then glued into the cover beneath 2 end pages 

Here's my book in detail. Click on any photo to see it larger

I tried my first flip through video. Let me know if you like this or would have liked larger photos of individual pages. 

In my first post about this monthly project I said I'm concentrating on small and gorgeous, mixed media and stitched. Intention fulfilled for January ♥