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.

Please follow the guidelines below for entry:

• Please comment on this post. Click on the this permalink or the title above to comment.
• Any comment will do. If you can’t think of what to say, answer one of these questions: What is your favorite blog post? What would you like to see more of?
• Comment before 11:59pm MST Monday, November 9, 2009.
• Please tell family and friends about it (not required, but very nice). Tweet, Facebook, text, or write a good old fashion letter to someone.
• One comment per person only.

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!!

It’s funny, I had a bunch of onesies made for gifts and most of them ended up at my sister’s or ungifted and unused. Penelope had one, which was really fun for me since I made them before she was even a twinkle in the eye, but she grew out of it so fast. I love this onesie, it’s just a pity Penelope grew up entirely too fast.

So, if you have a kid that fits into 9-12 month onesies, or you know someone who might, comment on this post to enter to win it!! Here are the rules:

• Click over to the comments section
• Post a comment, any comment
• Only one comment per person
• Comment by Sunday, June 7th at midnight

If you don’t want to take your chances on winning, I have one more left that I’ve posted in the IS•LY Etsy shoppe.

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Second Giveaway: A Handbound Japanese Stab Bound Journal

Follow my blog through google friend connect (on the right sidebar) and you’ll be entered to win this hand bound, hard cover Japanese Stab bound Journal! Already a friend through google friend connect? You’re already entered!! Follow this blog by Midnight, June 7th to enter. Anonymous followers don’t count, sorry.

Click here to learn how to make your own Stab Bound journal, or Click here to buy a handmade book!

ALSO, while you’re clicking around the internet, take a moment to vote for me for “Blog You’ve learned the most from” award. One vote per person per day, so vote for me everyday!!! Your votes are appreciated!!

Note: All winners are chosen randomly, either out of a hat or through random.org. Bonnes Chance!