Today’s recycled post comes from a bookbinding project I did in July of 2008. My sister’s friend was getting married & her mom wanted me to bind a wedding sign-in book for the occasion. Her colors were pink & green. Jerre’a sent me the paper & fortunately it matched my green ostrich leather perfectly!

It’s so funny how pictures of previous projects take me back in time. Right about this time 3 years ago, I was taking care of a 3 month old Penelope & teaching bookbinding & watercolor classes for the continuing education program in Redwood City, California. We were living in Menlo Park at the time. Our summer was full of hanging out with friends, kiting, beach going & SF touring. I miss those days, but I’m so happy to be where I am right now.

It’s memories like those that make me realize how happy things are. I’ve been sort of up and down these last couple of days, so these reflections do me the world of good.

This little eBook has been in the works for nearly nine months. It’s gestated just like a baby sans the vomiting and weight gain.

See, bookbinding isn’t just for conservators with 2,000 square feet of art space and thousands of dollars in tools. It’s very inclusive, so join the club! Bookbinding requires a desk, some floor space and a few inexpensive supplies that you might already have. So here it is; learn to bind a flatback journal—just like the blank books in the bookstore—at home, using regular crafting tools. Get your copy by making a selection and clicking the button below. If you’re not sure about the tools to buy, add the tools eBook for only $2 more!

PDF Options

Flatback $5.00 Flatback & Tools $7.00 Tools $3.00

Here we all are having a serious moment. Andy (middle) taught the silkscreening classes which I so stupidly missed. He’s really cool.

Being able to participate in Nicole’s Art weekend was so much fun! The last bookbinding class I taught was nearly a year ago, so it was great to get back into sharing the addiction. In two classes we bound nearly 30 books! I was so impressed with how well all everyone did. Sadly I didn’t get a photo of a single one of their books. Oops.

Alma, one of cool art weekend teachers (and one of my dear friends) gave me a super rad flower brooch. She teaches fabulous illustrator classes, designs beautiful repeat patterns and sews these fabulous felt pins (among other things). Check out her etsy shop here. Her husband taught the photoshop & workflow classes (which I heard were great) and their baby. Oh. Their baby taught the how to melt everyone’s heart class. He’s very cute. very.

I had the pleasure to Audit Nicole Hill Gerulat’s Tabletop photography class. I learned all sorts of cool tips and tricks to get better photos. Nicole convinced me that I need to start shooting manual and focusing manual. I learned a lot more about photography that way.

We were in such a dark room for this, but look at how the coke can was lit! Nicole is very impressive with her lighting abilities. She’s also very nice and one of my favorite photographers. You should take her classes.

These photos I took with my lensbaby because my regular zoom lens is an embarrassing piece of j-u-n-k that stopped focusing that afternoon. Now I’m getting a new zoom lens, can’t wait to get it in the mail!

I had a great weekend, it was so packed with creative time I just crashed on Sunday. I’m still trying to catch up on my sleep. It was a pleasure to meet and hang out with everyone at art weekend. I surely hope it’s not my last!

It’s going to be a good day. I can feel it. To celebrate, I’m doing a giveaway! YUP. Another blank journal giveaway for those that you didn’t win last time.

SHAMELESS PLUG: Don’t want to take your chances winning a book? Why don’t you learn how to make one? Take my bookbinding class this weekend! Click here to sign up.

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I’m getting SO excited for Nicole’s Art Weekend here in Salt Lake City! I can’t wait to see all of the creativity and meet super-cool Art Weekend people.  If there’s any way you can be in Salt Lake City next weekend, sign up for a class. IT WILL BE AWESOME. If you’re interested in or have already signed up for my bookbinding class, this post is for you.

(click image to view larger)

If you’re signed up for the class, please comment below and I’ll send you the complete PDF of bookbinding materials and the supply list for next weekend’s class. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in the download:

The booklet will show you what you need to start bookbinding, where to buy it and an estimate of the materials cost for the class. If you’re unsure about the bookbinding class, but you’d like to read about the costs and supplies, you can purchase the PDF for $2 at my Etsy shop. See you at class!

Or sell on etsy with Kelly, or design with Alma, or photograph with Nicole, or blog with Rachel or photoshop with Mike or silkscreen with Andy or cut paper with Cindy, or arrange flowers with Holly.

Get your art on and come join the fun of Nicole’s Classes! I’ll be teaching two sessions of Bookbinding and planning on teaching the same bind both nights, so if you can’t make one class you won’t miss out if you can take the other! Class space is limited, so hurry and sign up. Spots are going FAST!

I am so incredibly excited about teaching these classes and getting to know the other teachers that will be participating. I truly wish the weekend were longer than just a few days. If Nicole did an art week, or fortnight, I’d be in heaven.

While making this journal I realized, or rather it was pointed out to me, that I have very few masculine patterned papers. Although the brown with Paisley is feminine, I think it’s still a pretty masculine book. In addition to making the journal, I made a magnetic bookmark (like what I made for Maggie). I think these things are so handy, and pretty darn awesome!

I really love your emails, thank you!! After I posted about Brooke’s book, I got a few responses from readers interested in Father’s day/tribute books. It was a pleasant surprise and I had a lot of fun making something special and memorable for the men in these ladies’ lives.

Two of the books I bound were tribute books with printed text from family members and friends. I can’t tell you enough how much I love this idea. Funny, Marissa and Audrey both wanted the cork/leather combination. I don’t blame them, if you could feel the cork and leather materials, you’d just drool. I love how yummy these books turned out.

In addition to making the custom tribute books for Marissa and Audrey, I also made a blank journal for a fellow blogger, Pattie. I love the checked paper and I’ve got a huge soft spot in my heart for the Coptic bind. The stitching is just so beautiful and theraputic. It’s also perfect for a pass-around book because the pages lay flat, perfect for writing in. Have I told you how much I love bookbinding?!? I got a year’s supply of PVA in the mail yesterday along with some beautiful paper from paper-source, so off I go to make some more books!!

Favorite colors: Red, Apple Green, Black

Interests: Guitar, Architecture, Interior Design

Something about me: I love zebras!

I made her a pamphlet book out of discontinued wallpaper, string, snaps and grey paper.  I hand-painted the zebra pattern on the inside of the book. I’m thinking I like zebras now, too!

I’m so happy with how it turned out. I really wish you could touch your computer screens and truly feel how yummy the cork and leather combination is. I LOVE CORK. I LOVE CORK! It’s just deliciously soft.

Like I said above, feel free to drop me a line (islyblog[at]gmail[dot]com) if you want a custom bound book. Also! Check out the right sidebar and join IS•LY with Google friend connect!

Mini Handmade Date Book (blank)

Leather Handmade Flat Back with Hidden Monkey

So hop on over to the IS•LY Etsy Shoppe and peruse all of the goodies I’ve made. Just for you.

I love the manly fleur-de-lis/leather combo.