New Feature

Check out this great feature on my books! Paper Mojo has the most excellent blog, and I'm not just saying that because of the feature! ;)

http://www.papermojoblog.com/2011/09/its-all-in-the-details-handmade-books-from-emerson-bindery/

A Custom Combo

I just love it when my customers have a great idea that I never would have thought of on my own!

Recently I had a customer who fell in love with two of my books. She had trouble deciding between the two and asked if there was some way we could combine them into one book.

Here is her first love-

and the second love-

The two books combined-

I love it! This one worked out beautifully and I may just offer it as a stock item in my shop!

Another Unfinished Project Now Finished!

I have been working on cleaning out my "art attic" which will probably be an ongoing project since I can only devote segments of my time to it. I have filled two trash bags and have thus cleared out two storage tubs full of bottles, jars, boxes, and miscellaneous junk.

It is amazing how quickly I forget what I have stashed away and what intentions I had for the items in question. If you were to be in the room with me as I open a storage tub you would likely hear me muttering, "What is this?" and "Why did I keep it?"

A lot of items went either to the thrift store or the trash. Some were put back into the containers for another day. A few items I pulled out and declared I would do something with it NOW. And so I did, I am pleased to report!

Here is one of my projects--

 Before

This is a very elegant, high end chocolate box which I saved for some unknown purpose. I guess I just thought it was too nice to throw away.

After

I layered a piece of decorative gold toile paper (leftover from one of my guest books) on gold card stock and pasted it over the logo. Pretty simple, but lovely!

Here is the guest book made from that same paper--

Romantic Toile in Gold Guest Book

In Between Tornadoes and Traveling...

...I made this book--

I consider it quite an accomplishment. As the title of this post suggests, avoiding tornadoes and traveling have been on the agenda lately.

I've gotten an amazing amount of work done (ten orders out the door yesterday!) despite taking a full day off last Thursday to sit near the downstairs closet with my preschooler and elderly dog, listening to the weather radio blast warning after warning. I wasn't sure whether to work on my orders, or prepare an email stating my studio has been blown away and I will be refunding your money, so sorry.

That was not a good day for many folks across the South. We were very fortunate to have the tornadoes avoid our area. I hope the tornadoes stay away for the rest of the season!

Andrew Jackson's tomb, The Hermitage, TN

A few weeks ago there was another string of tornado-spawning storms and I had the experience of flying through them on our way back from visiting Nashville TN. I get motion sick anyway, but that lovely experience took it to a whole new level for me. It didn't help that my little son was sitting next to me bouncing in his seat with glee, "Momma threw up!! Oooh, lemme see, lemme see!" Ugh.

Enough of that, now for pleasant memories from our trip...

 Red columbine in the Hermitage garden

Looking down on the city at dusk

It was nice to get away but I'm ready to stay home for a while! Maybe next time I'll take the train.

New Book Design - Peacock

As a follow up to my last post about the newest paper shipment, of course the first paper I got into was the peacock feather paper! I was practically drooling over it. I made plans and started cutting right after I took the photo of the papers in my last post.

I paired the peacock pattern with a golden mums on vanilla paper, which picks up the gold in the feathers, and echoes the circular eye as well.

You can really see it glistening in the light here.

I chose a teal bow, but royal blue would look equally good. You can find "Posh Peacock Guest Book" in my shop. This one is size XL, but I can make it in any of my sizes if you need something smaller.

New Paper Shipment!

Look at all the goodies that arrived this morning! I can hardly wait to use them...especially enticing is that peacock feather paper!

To Be Published!

Okay, so here's the big news I hinted about last week...

Lark Books contacted me and asked if I would like to participate in a book on handmade mini books that will be published later this year. Of course I said yes!!

Here is my book they selected for publication:

Orange Burst Mini Book

I have wanted to have my work published for years now but never made the time to submit it. How cool is it that they came to me!

Congratulations are in order for three of my Etsy Bookbinding Team mates, Cindy of Useful Books, and Simone of Antico Valore, and ParksideHarmony as they had books selected for the project also!

Latest Project: Mini Books

Mini books have taken over my life for the moment! I really enjoy making them which is partly why they've taken over, but the main reason is I'm working on a really big project! I will share more details in the days and weeks to come.

Here is one of my mini books called "Ice Flower Mini". The full sized version of this book has been in my shop before, minus the little flowers.

Most of my minis are 6x4" or smaller.

I'm really excited about this one! I ordered this paper a few months ago, intending to do something with it. (I have probably 100 different "intending to do something with" papers!!)

I finally got around to using it for this project. Also in the works is a larger book which coordinates with this mini. Pictures of them together to come later.

Here is one of my sets together: Topaz and Gold Paisley guest book and mini book. Both are available in my shop.

Stay tuned for more details on The Project!!

New Site Under Construction

Please bear with me while my new site is under construction! In the meantime, I've been working on some of the tabs, so be sure to check those out until I get some more content here. :)