Friday, December 7, 2012

December Daily 2012

This is the 3rd year I've done a December Daily book.
The first year, 2010, was done in a more traditional scrapbook way.
Though not all of the materials I used were traditional.
Last year I decided to make it in a more art journalish way.
I learned a lot from that.
A lot.
Like, don't add so many pages to the book.
Limit your supplies.
Over all, keep it simpler.
and
I do love a handmade book.
 
I should also take a moment here to tell you I have yet to actually finish that book.
But I will.
Eventually.
 
So here's how it went down this year.
I started with my paper stash.
A long time ago, when I did scrapbook, I had a love affair with Basic Grey paper.
{Oh crap, I shouldn't have gone there.  I may have just relapsed.
Did you just see that Lucille collection?  I might need that for an art journal about Lucy.}
Now I am working my way through all of the collections I still have.
This year I went with Dasher.
Then I went to Etsy and found a book that would work with it.
 
 
On the front cover I changed the names of the author and the illustrator
 
 
and then sewed the book together.
And I can't even tell you how many times I stitched this whole thing together only to un-stitch it...
so many times I lost count...
before I finally decided on this simple bead pattern.
 
 
And then after all that, I covered the things up with all that ribbon.
Because I really wanted a string of blue beads hanging from the spine
and one string of beads looked sad and lonely.
 
 
I had a lot of trouble getting started on the inside.
 
 
That chili pepper red paper from the book
{that I covered my binding tapes with}
threw me for a loop.
After several layers of paint, watercolor crayons and gesso I still wasn't exactly sure in what direction this was going to go,
so I just moved on.
 
 
A little collage with bits from the original book and sheet music.
Some paint washing and then doodling.
 
Day One
 
 
All about new "empty nest" traditions.
The "rekindle" Starbucks sleeve was the kick off point.
 
 
Oops.  Blurry photo.
 
 
SBX sleeve on glassine envelope.
Popped our Nutcracker tickets into it as that's going to be a regular new tradition for us.
At least for as long as a certain Farmboy can keep from snoring or
dropping his program as he dozes off.
 
That's it for now.
I'll share more later.
Have a beautiful weekend!
 


11 comments:

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

Wow! That is one beautiful book! I love it. Thanks for the eye candy.

MakaniStormont said...

very lovely. My husb is the one who insists on going to the Nutcracker every year. This year we are breaking tradition as Wicked is touring here and we can't really afford to do both.

Leanne said...

That bookbinding is freakin' gorgeous!!! And you're making me think ... I started using some of my Basic Grey stash from my scrapbooking days but I wonder if I have enough (probably) for a whole book? Ooo. But I should probably finish filling the current journal. Right? Right?
PS. Are you taking Mary Ann Moss' Venice class?

Lorrie said...

Amazing book binding! I love it. We've developed new traditions as empty nesters - it can be kind of fun!

Photocat said...

Sjeesh! I am breathless behind my coffee. What a nice wake up blog post. This book is a gem. I wonder how long it will be before I make books with beads... I have a hard enough time to just get the signatures in. Grin.
As it happens I just made a coptic stitch book yesterday, but to be totally honest, not near as far as lovely as yours. Yes, we do have to change lives if the nest is empty. It's a time of rediscovering ME... Outside of your role of mom. I found it exiting!

kandeland said...

OMG! I could barely read what you wrote because I was so excited about that beaded binding and the beautiful ribbons and cover! I wanted to jump right through the screen and grab it!! I am SO going to work some beads into my next book! Your journals always make me flip Alisa! Can't wait to start on TTV! have a good weekend, xo nat

Tina said...

Such a beautiful book Alisa. Your binding is perfect as is the book you used. A christmas daily journal is such a great idea. I wish I exsperienced enough in december to make one too.

Dorthe said...

Dear Alisa,
I NEVER tryed to create a journal...
yes ,what do you think!!!!! so seing yours, I actually so admirering your skills , in binding and making every page special and exiting- it is surely a very huge job, and a very gorgeous one,too!
Hugs,Dorthe

Monica said...

P.S I meant to say thank you for the white pen tip! Will go and look for a good one. I had already tried those gel pens with no luck, maybe it was the brand... it's not simple to get here in Europe what you have across the pond!

Celeste Kemmerer said...

I love your journals!

Robin Thomas said...

The binding. Those beads. That ribbon.

Holy Shit.