Taa Daaaaaaaaaaa!

I have completed the Wedding Guest book and am really proud of myself. I sent a few images of it to the Bride via facebook and she loved it! Of course, I was thrilled (and relieved)

The book is coptically stitched with Irish waxed linen thread, which was the first time Ive used anything of the sort. The pages are strathmore paper and the silver peacock feather was created by a hand cut stencil and silver leafing. I wished that the silver leafing was more patchy for lack of a better word, like when you are leafing a 3D item but then it would be difficult finishing it in a way that it wouldnt chip off an any given time.

Turns out two days after I finished this book, I cut a piece of my finger off and had to go to the ER. THANK GOODNESS I finished the book already! The Bride picks it up this weekend and then the bitter/sweet feelings kick in. My creation is gone but now it is the hands of the Bride and will participate in the happiest day for her!

thanks to UberArt / Studio B at http://www.etsy.com/shop/emersonbindery for all your help! you were fantastic!

Deep thoughts by Jack Handy

"Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out it, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window."

I couldn't resist.

Ive been working hard with not only the guest book (which Im pretty stoked about) but coming up with a constant pricing system. Ive been logging how much Im paying for supplies such as paper, how much they cost per sq. inch so I can charge accordingly. Turns out, Ive been charging decently, even when guessing.

Things Ive learned this week when it comes to bookbinding:
When making your own stencil to embellish with a silver leaf pen, the stencil can be as thin as simple computer paper. This saves wrist power when using an xacto to cut the stencil out.

I at first tried to adhere the stencil using rubber cement which can usually be a god send, however it stains certain papers, so test it out first. I was afraid to use moveable spray adhesive because I thought it would stain the paper but it didnt! Turns out that it worked perfectly. But only spray it once or else it will leave a sticky residue on the paper.

Using a silver leaf pen makes things really easy. After applying, let it sit over night and dry out or else its easy to smudge. Ill check on how it is tomorrow and report back. The pen didnt leave the look I originally wanted when thinking about using the sheets of silver, however Im thinking of going over parts of it again to give it a layered look that you get with sheets of silver leafing.

I didnt open a window when using the spray adhesive and trust me, its not ideal. Opening the window is difficult for me logistically with the wheelchair and all so Ive got to figure that one out before the spray makes me ga-ga.

I always keep in mind to measure twice, cut once. But remember to make sure the sheet of paper you are cutting is sat the correct way so the strips you are cutting arent too long and there isnt enough space to cut as many per sheet as you were doing all along.

Words from my old prof...be ok with the mistake you made because you will never make it again.
Here is hoping George.