GD: Anneke De Clerck Project #2 Notebook/MiniBook

"Hi everyone, Anneke here. Tonight I have a notebook/minibook to share with you, one that is very easy to make. If you're not familiar with book binding but always wanted to make a book yourself, you should definitely give it a try".

For this book I used the brand new EDY09 stamp set.

Let's start with the cover. I used a sheet of PaperArtsy Smoothy Heavy Weight Card Stock for the cover. These sheets are A4 size. I've cut away a strip (lenghtwise) so the book measures 7" from head to tail. As you can see on the picture I folded the sheet of paper in half and I made 2 extra creases at 1 2/8" from each side.

 

With the help of a ruler I sketched a checkered pattern on the cover.

I used sticky notes to mask the squares/rectangles. I used a selection of Fresco Finish Paints Space Cadet, Ice Blue, Lake Wanaka and Inky Pool applied with a piece of Cut N Dry foam.

Next up is the pink/orange colours: Orchid,  Candy Floss, Smoked Paprika and Tango.

I added colours randomly and used sticky notes for each block. That way I could make straight lines. 

After drying I covered the surface with a layer of Chalk using a nearly dry brush.

I did the background stamping with Fresco Finish Paints too. I love stamping with these paints, it gives a great result. Just make sure to clean your stamps immediately after stamping.

I used Candy Floss Tango and Chalk.

I overstamped the front cover with the same stamp and Archival Ink Jet Black. 

I added more stamping at the bottom of the front and back cover. I used a Tim Holtz stencil along with some Chalk and Candy Floss to add the dots. With a fine pointed brush and some Tango I added some more tiny dots randomly.

As I'm intending to use this book as a notebook I used text paper for the inside pages. If you fancy an Art Journal or sketchbook you could easily replace the text paper with more heavy paper or watercolour paper. I've cut and folded 6 pages from A4 sheets with the same hight (7") but slightly smaller than the cover.

I arranged the pages together as a signature/section. I used a 5-hole pamphlet stitch binding method. There is a video tutorial by Lori Vliegen (Elvie.Studio) on YouTube on how to make a 5-hole pamphlet stitch binding. Lori shows you all the tips and tricks, very helpful if you're not familiar with that binding!

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I'm a messy painter, the back of the paper I'm working on (in this case the back of the covers) never stays spotless. That's why I glued the first and last page of the book to the back of the covers. 

I worked with waxed thread but for a small book you can use any thread. 

When working on a project like this I often put it away for a while. The following day I look back at it with fresh eyes....and here I came to the conclusion I had to add more stamping. So I picked a stamp from the new EEV09 stamp set and stamped circles randomly with Chalk.

I added some details with a black fineliner pen and a white Sharpie pen to finish it off.

I'm fond of cute book closures so I've made one for this book too.

I tore a strip of white linen fabric (approx 1" wide and 29" long).

I coloured the fabric with Fresco Finish Paints, used the same colours as for the book cover. I damped the fabric with water first and used a brush to paint both sides of the fabric. Painted fabric has to dry for a while, overnight if possible. You can speed it up with a heat gun if you wish.

After drying I wrapped the fabric twice around the book and made a simple knot at the front.

Tomorrow evening I'll be back with my final project for this first week.

Thanks for watching, see you then!

~Anneke~

A huge thanks from the team at PA HQ. The background using the colour blocking technique looks wonderful and the softness of the colours used make a lovely combination. The overstamping/layered effect really draws the eye to the added pen details. Fab project Anneke.

We would love you to join in with our monthly challenge. If you are inspired by any of this month's guests who have blogged between Sept 1st 2014 and Sept  30th 2014 then join in and link up your creativity HERE. You will go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. You need to add your link by 19:00 (London time)  Sept 30th 2014