Busy as a bee, and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool!

I just couldn't help myself. I thought 'busy as a bee' and then the Music Man lyrics just came out. My grade 13 drama teacher would be SO proud!!

So, Ive been busy. And when I'm busy, I'm happy. I was in a bit of a funk and neglected my studio space where I make my books. It wasn't until I had to work on the order from my Aunt that I went back in there and boy am I glad I did.

She had ordered 5 address books for gifts. For Christmas I had made each of my Dad's sisters one and she liked it so much that she called to thank me and to order 5 more!

When I was waiting for the last one's glue to fully dry so I could unclamp it, I remembered a little phrase I had printed out ages ago but never got around to using. An idea I had before came rushing back and I just had to make the book right then.





I had printed out the phrase "what do you think" for a diary/journal since we all become close enough friends with our journals to tell them what we really think. I used lined pages and a traditional French stitch I learned in my first bookbinding course. I love the window I created in the cover and am SO THANKFUL that my on a whim idea worked out.

While I was photographing the above books, I thought that I was neglecting the very thing that I couldn't live without when making books...my studio space! I started out making books in my living room and the flow of work would be interrupted by having to tidy up so the family could have their dining room back. Ive since moved into the kitchen, where we never eat for some reason and have been creating there ever since!

The drawers I couldn't live without. They sit perpendicular to the table thats always too messy to photograph on its own but is lovely in the way the old glue shimmers in the light and the tool box is the embodiment of strength. How is that for writing when its way too late to do anything but sleep :)



Listening to : the sound of traffic outside

Spring is almost here, I promise

I have returned from my trip longing to make more books and take more photographs. I am currently working on a custom order for 5 address books, and then Im on to a wedding guest book, something that has me both exhilirated and scared. I want to do the Bride right with this book, she is special and Id like the book to be too.



At http://www.bethr99.etsy.com/ I have listed quite a few photographs that I had printed and stored away. I realized that through various peoples reactions, they would make GREAT Mother's Day gifts!! I have included a few as a tastey sample of whats in my store.







Quite a few of the images are 8x12, I just couldn't crop any of the image off! There are a few 4x6 copies as well.




I have recently been introduced to secret Belgian binding, and Ill have to give it a try. Like most stitches, at first glance it looks tough but I have faith I can do it. Ill just have to try :)


I am asking anyone who is reading this to please donate to the Relay for Life Cancer walk this year in honour of a few specific people who have received heartbreaking prognoses this year.

I know, I know...I stink at keeping this blog going!

Im away for the month of February so I wont be posting for the next few weeks, but I will be posting for sure when I get back home!

Hope everyone is well!
beth

Just when you think its time to put your feet up...

you receive more orders!

A few days before Christmas my dear old friend emailed me after he had been looking at bookstores for a recipe book for a gift. When he couldnt find what he was looking for, he called upon me. I felt honoured!

It was a Recipe book, double the size I normally do, lined pages and I have added five index cards if you will so she can organize her recipes. She can write on the tabs and keep the recipe book tidy. My friend wanted it to be pink so I chose this pink because I loved the end pages and was dying to use them. He also wanted her name in caps along the spine, so I printed on the paper I used before I bound the book. I love how it turned out!

While I was working on this, my aunt called me. For Christmas my dad had asked me to make an address book for each of his sisters, I gladly did as I adore them all! Well I received a thank you call and was asked to make 5 more! Thankfully they neednt be ready until April! I have a project Ive been working on for months that MUST be finished this January so Im glad I have time for the address books!

Wishing you all

A Very Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!


I have been very busy the last few months creating new books and shipping out ones I have sold, its been a great month!

About a month ago my dad ordered 5 address books for his sisters and sister in law. They were a hit and one Aunt called today to thank me for making it and ordered 5 MORE! Im so excited! And then with two days to go before Christmas my old and great birthday sharing friend ordered a custom cook book to be ordered! *dont forget to breathe* lol


The cookbook is going to be blank so she can fill it out, but I am inserting removeable pages with tabs so she can organize her recipes. I think its going to be super awesome when its done. Now, just to remember to photograph it before it is picked up lol







Lately I have been trying to be more green in what I make so I have just listed two up-cycled books Ive made. I really do love them! One is made from an old VHS case that had a great pattern and a great shape to it. I did some cutting and sewing and VOILA! An awesomely shaped book with yellow coptic stitches! I really do love it. The other is also bound with a coptic stitch and the cover is cardboard I rescued from a close to being tossed in the recycling bin cookie box! I really enjoyed being creative with something that is already there, working with what you have and not being wasteful at all!




I can't wait for the next few months! They are going to be busy (just when I thought I would hit a lull and be able to relax) but Im soooo looking forward to it!

Its crunch time

Im in the middle of making some upcycled books that Im super excited about! Pics to come!

Please visit my shop at
http://www.bethr99.etsy.com/

Also, crunch time is hitting and I have a bunch of orders to go out, I love it. Please contact me if youd like to order something!

Cheers!

2 excuses and a whole lotta fun stuff!

Why has it taken so long for me to post anything? Well, my family is super sick right now which means that Im coming down with something but also that my care givers are sick in bed. Whats the second excuse you ask? Read on to find out!


The good news? I have new things to post!!!!!!!
(applause, applause)



This is the album I custom made for Tammy. Its a gift that she is giving her daughter after their first trip to Vegas together, something to hold all their memories in!


Its a Japanese punch stitch, the thread is braided embroidery thread which matches not only the idea of Vegas but the lettering on the cover. The pages are bound with spacers in between each page so when the book is filled with photos, the book won't become gaping and triangular, it will stay rectangular and awesome! This is where my second excuse comes in...the photographs I have taken are not up to par, but I know you get the idea of how fab these items are!

These are some of the awesome packs of tags and embellishments I have created. Not shown here? Easter, Back to school, two other sets of tags, Flowers, bugs, birthday. Use them for cards or scrapbook pages. OR add any of them to gift wrapping to make the gift extra special!

TO SEE MORE, VISIT ME AT http://www.bethr99.etsy.com/

HAPPY THANKS GIVING!

Its thanksgiving here in Canada and I am stuffed from all the food, gotta love it!

Im still working on the custom order which I will post pics of before it goes out, its going to be FAB! But in the mean time, here are some photos of books in my etsy store

I have fallen back in love with rubber cement. Less scary to work with that PVA, but you cant use it everywhere. PVA is still the strongest hold and archival, but the moments I can use rubber cement are sublime! hahah Such an easy clean up, I feel like Im cheating!

I am a few hours closer to freedom!

Hopefully in a few hours it will be my last visit with my homecare nurse and then I can get off of laying on this couch and get back to making books, first thing is first though, finishing the custom order album.

Ive been told on etsy that lower priced items are preferred. This is difficult. One, Ive always been told that I undercharge and two, the items I make are intricately made. I guess Ill go for a line of soft cover smaller books, see how those go. Something new is always fun!

Ive been brainstorming with all my time laying down but Im excited to see what shall come of it all!

Ah freshly out of the hospital

and back at home. Im still under the weather but wanted to touch base with this blog, it will get interesting soon, I promise!

I have etsy ring coming any day now, actually boughteb for me by a friend but Iwill post the ring and the etsy seller.

In just moments I will be going for try #3 for getting up and talking..fingers crossed.

I cannot wait until I can get back to making books and putting the final touches on the Las Vegas album special order!