Now That's a Book Bag!

I was listening to NPR today and heard an interview with a woman named Caitlin who made purses out of books. I gasped as I listened to her cutting the pages out of a book with her X-acto knife. It felt so wrong somehow. And then, as I continued to listen to her, I became curious. She clearly is an artist with a vision. She makes the purses from actual book covers, usually those she rescued from library discards, yard sales, thrift shops, etc. She then finds fabric and beads and hardware to complement the book. The results are truly beautiful.

Ex Libris

Not too long ago, I found myself on a quiet mission to claim ownership of all of my books. It started with one book -- a favorite book which I was about to lend out and didn't want to lose track of. I thought of simply writing my name inside the front cover but that seemed too casual, almost disrespectful for this particular book. So, I looked online for some bookplates I could order quickly. I ended up taking a wonderful trek through the world of bookplates -- from the history of bookplates to customization to collection (there are societies dedicated to the study and preservation of bookplates). I also found some beautiful designs. Too many for me to actually settle on one. I ended up making my own. If anyone needs a personalized bookplate, you now know who to call!

Grungeboard Creations

It has been a while since I have nurtured my creative spirit. In the midst of professional transition, personal challenges and an active 17 month old, Creativity was collecting dust on the bottom shelf. Well, a recent visit to the Rubber Stamp Convention in Carson, CA was all the inspiration I needed. It was a smaller convention than usual but I didn't mind because it allowed me to slow down and actually watch some demonstrations. I spent most of my time at the Tim Holtz booth, watching the artists there and picking up some new tips and tricks. I learned how to make my own version of Tattered Angels' Glimmer Mist by mixing water with Perfect Pearls (which I already had at home but didn't know what to do with!) in a $1.75 mini spray bottle (saving myself about 8 bucks). My favorite purchase was Tim Holtz's Grungeboard which takes ink like paper but acts like leather. The night I came home, I made a series of tag cards celebrating Spring's arrival. Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I had fun making a 20 page journal for a friend. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!