Monday, October 7, 2013

What I'll be sending out into the world

The last few weeks I've been really busy getting my art journal ready for a Round Robin (or circle journal) I'm participating in. I found myself getting distracted a lot and doing a lot of procrastinating, because actually I'm a bit scared about doing this.

A bit scared, as I've never done anything like this before and very exited, because I think it'll be AWESOME. So I finally finished it and I think it's ready to send on it's journey out into the world.

The round Robin is hosted by Tracy Woodsford (Sojourner) and there are 7 of us making this journey. Tracy asked us to make a journal with room for 15 spreads. Each participant would then do 2 spreads and one would be for the sign in. Obviously I deviated from that, because I'm a rebel.

Haha, no just because I wanted a certain approach to the book  that wasn't going to work with the 15 spreads.


The theme I choose for the book is: "What lies within..." and it has a subtitle, a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen.”

In keeping with that theme, I felt the TARDIS* to be a great metaphor for this. I used the River Song book as an example. I also wanted the signatures to be removable, so it would be easy for each participant to work on.

* Time And Relative Dimensions In Space

I took a few progress shot, but mostly forgot to take them. Still, here they are together with some detail shots and a short show and tell video.

The book was made from cardboard and a paper towel roll.


I sketched the covers and cut the cardboard pieces to match the sketch. I then glued them to the cover pieces.


I made a hollow spine with the paper towel roll , so I could later put elastic bands through the spine, without them being visible from the outside.


As you can see here.

I covered the entire outside cover with some faux leather I had lying around for costume making.


I then painted this with 4 different kinds of blue, white, black and ochre, to make it look like a very old River Song book.


I made the signatures by folding and glueing some black papers I had in to 2 spreads per signature, with pockets and then gathered some painted papers. Cut some strips from a sheet of 8-8" paper and printed these Da Vinci ladies, to represent each participant.


Stamped and distressed it all and glued them to the outside of the signatures.



The part with the strip of paper is the backside of the signature and can be used to put the sign in tag (or letter if they so prefer).


Here is the book finished.


And with signatures.


With pockets.


And folds.


Here you can see how the signatures are slipped underneath the elastic bands.


And this is what it looks like on the outside.


You can't really see them.


I do think it has a River Song book feel to it =).


I like how it turned out and now I have to make myself set it free out into the world. So a miracle can come back to me in the end. =)


I hope you like my little experiment and I'll keep you posted on the progress of the Round Robin.

I wish you all a wonderful week.

Linking this to:

22 comments:

  1. You put in so much work for this Monique. It looks fantastic! And I have to say that I've never done this before, either, but have always wanted to. I want people to feel free to interpret the 'guidelines' as they will. That's part of the fun :)

    Can't wait to add my own take on the theme.
    Tracy

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  2. Amazing book Monique, with your own inimitable style stamped all over it, superbly crafted as always. You will love the experience I'm sure, it is well worth doing. Tee hee, I have been doing one with a group of friends for the last year now and am totally loving it - ha ha ha we have just agreed to do a third round as we all want to see our books as full as possible!!!!!!!!
    Hugs x

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  3. Wow, this looks great, Monique.
    I hope you'll keep in touch with us and show us your artwork you put into the different journals, as well as the art of the other participants.

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  4. Wow, very awesome. I love the look and how you put it all together.

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  5. Thank you all.
    I'll keep you posted on the progress of the journals I receive.

    xx Monique

    ps: I edited this post to add the show and tell video.

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  6. oh..wow.. and I really think this is going to be a fantastic event!

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  7. now as I see the whole post- don´t know why I did this all not see before...

    I am thrilled Monique!

    I am off to watch the video!

    xxx
    Susi

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  8. Wow, what an amazing adventure, looks like fun! I hope you share the end result of the journey in your blog.

    Have a great day!
    Nora

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  9. WOWOW,this looks all fantastic,your book with the journal pages inside its so amazing,iam looove it to much,great job, dear Monique.
    Now iam Looking your great video,thanks for this.

    Greetings Jeannette

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  10. This looks fantastic, you must have worked for many, many hours to get such a great result! Valerie

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  11. What a beautiful book!!! Fantastic! Great covers also!

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  12. Kan me voorstellen dat het spannend is om zo'n mooi boek te versturen, het ziet er prachtig uit!!

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  13. Your book looks like it's going to be amazing, it will be so much fun to see what is in it when it comes back ! Thanks for stopping in at my blog and leaving your kind comment, it's appreciated. Your faces are also beautiful. Greetings, Shirleyx

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  14. I am fainting with admiration for this amazing book, its fabulously constructed cover, its clever and intriguing theme, its title (I loved the River Song character) and your marvellously prepared pages. It is already full of miracles before it has gone out into the world.

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  15. I have so enjoyed looking at this post, Monique, and watching the video. Your book is magnificent - the idea, the construction, the quality of it all. I love the quote too. I wish you a book full of miracles when it finally makes its way back to you!

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  16. What exciting adventures your beautiful book will have traveling to meet other artists...
    I am crazy about the cover and you've put so much thought and detail into the signatures as well = Brava!!!
    Thank you for the video tour as well
    oxo

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  17. Oh that cover is fantastic! Hope your journal experience is a good one - I am sure everyone who receives this will be totally thrilled. Off to pin...

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  18. schitterend boek, spannend hoor!
    Groetjes Karin

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  19. What a cool event...I have heard about that...how excited to be part of it :) Love your journal and looking forward to see all the things that will come with it! ♥ Conny
    Piaroms Art Journaling

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  20. First, I want to thank you for all your visits, even when I didn't have time to return the favor.

    Second, I like how you made this book. It is the perfect answer for someone like myself who doesn't sew by hand. And being able to remove the pages is a treat, too. It took me a couple of times reading through the text for me to see how you put it together, but now I understand.

    Speaking of TARDIS, it may be the River Song book, but that blue truly reminds me of Dr. Who's phone box!

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  21. Your book looks awesome, I love hand bound journals and this will be the perfect place to send around.
    Thanks for visiting and leaving a lovely comment on my blog.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  22. More glorious book-binding - wonderful work and all those beautiful images too... It's breathtaking and joyous catching up with your amazing work!
    Alison xx

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