Wednesday 18 September 2013

WOYWW - Making a Book!

Hello and welcome to Magpieheaven! I'm sharing what's on my washing machine top with you this morning, but if you're in any doubt why I might be doing this, then hotfoot, or hotclick it over to the wondrous Julia's Stamping Ground HERE! You'll find 'deskers' from all over the world ready to reveal all - all that's on and around their work-places, that is! And you might just make some new friends too. Recently I bought a little notebook from a London gallery. I have a weakness for notebooks and I like to have an attractive one to carry around in my handbag - you see lovely quotes and beautiful things in the most unlikely places and I know I'll never remember unless I jot them down. This one had such a lovely cover, an early Picasso painting of a harlequin. However, within days all I had was a collection of loose pages; a piece of cardboard and what turned out to be no more than a postcard used as a front cover! I thought, would it be so very hard to do better than that? There are lots of Youtube tutorials on making books, and Monique over at Morgan le Fae's Trinkets makes some absolutely gorgeous ones of all shapes and sizes. I've been wanting to challenge myself to do this for ages so I'm now taking the plunge - and I have to say I'm loving it!
I've used, or attempted to use, I should say, coptic stitching with orange waxed thread and two mini canvasses from 'The Works' as covers; I've added my signatures - having learned what signatures are and I'm all ready now to decorate my little notebook! You can see what I'm using: I've been very busy making paper beads from magazine pages. I finished the little box - yes it was a box I started the week before last. I know that you're probably busy with visits to other deskers; but if you do have a minute and you would like to see how it turned out you can see it over at Our Creative Corner where I've entered it for the 'Forgotten Things' challenge. Thank you so very much those of you who have said such lovely things about it: it has a special significance to me.
Here is the other side of my notebook. I'm still working on top of the washing machine in the conservatory, although it's getting chilly! It's much lighter in here than in the dining room. To my dismay, we discovered last night that our kitchen cupboards are no closer to completion! We shall have to go on with cupboard carcasses along one half of the kitchen and the shabby falling-to-bits ones on the other side for a while longer, as Kevin has been 'snowed under' - with what I'm not quite sure! Ah well, at least I can cook fresh food; as I do have my nice new cooker and fridge. And we'll appreciate it all the more when we have it! Just hope it's before Christmas! My daughter is now back at Art College and making plans to study in Australia for a term next year. Terry, after taking early retirement, has taken on two and a half days' teaching teacher training students so this last week has been one of changes with him returning to work as if he weren't really retired at all. So many wonderful friends have sent us links, books and information on coping with Aspergers - so much hope and encouragement for our son! Now we have to look at it all with Isaac and chart a course for the future. Lots of activity in the Magpie's Nest then! And my birthday is not so very far away - September 27! My present to myself is a trip to the craft show at Alexandra Palace on Sunday - I've been warned that I will return penniless, but I'm so looking forward to it! I wonder if I'll see any of you there? Right now I'm off to look at some desks. Have a very Happy What's on your Work-desk Wednesday!

39 comments:

  1. Great post Julie Ann, I really hope you get you kitchen finished soon!! Sounds very busy in your household at the mo. I will probably see you at Ally Pally as I will there for just a couple of hours :D

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  2. I am going to track Kevin down myself and get him round to your cupboards, LOL!! Wish I was going on Sunday as well, but I will have to be playing with all my stash from the Saturday... shame we won't get to meet this time.. Good luck with that notebook - very impressive! I'd have just bought a new notebook, despite having lots of books on making books...lol!! Helen 22

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  3. Hope you have a fab time on Sunday at alli pally I am hoping to go Saturday fingers crossed as not 100% as going with a friend if she can go on Saturday
    Jackie31
    Scrapbangwallop

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  4. I love your paper beads....it's a long time since I made some of those :-)
    Hugs,
    A x # 64

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  5. Have the best time at Ally Pally! I'm sure you'll be inspired and penniless on your return home :-)
    Hugs, LLJ 58 xx

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  6. awesome! I am into paper beads too right now, so fun! Maybe you should stop in the gallery again and see if they wan to sell the books you make, no doubt they are better quality:) Happy WOYWW! Lindsay #8

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  7. You deserve a wonderful time at the craft show and I hope you come home with bags full of goodies. The book you are making is stunning.
    Sandra @90

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  8. Thanks for sharing your creative crafty space and hope you have a great weekend

    Candace #60

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  9. Hello my lovely cousin, well I knew you could make it better, loving the colors and some gorgeous beads you have made, can't wait to see it finished. You know I had to Google the Alexander Palace, it look amazing place to visit. I have your BD gift on my desk just have to get to the post office to send it out, I hope it gets there in time if not you know it will be on its way, glad I know the proper date now :O). Oh my your daughter will leave the nest soon, nice place to visit though, and that Mr Magpie was suppose to be home, guess it's hard to stop teaching when it is what he was meant to do :). Ah sweet Isaac, things are going to be fine, with you two as parents how could they not be. I wish you a fabulous day at the Palace, I'll be thinking of you, (((( BIG HUGS )))). Dianne #74

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  10. Love what your doing with that notebook. The colors are stunning. happy crafting #1

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  11. Love that you are creating a beautiful hand crafted book to tuck in your purse so you can pull out when the need arises to store away some treasured words. Lovin' the paper beads, too!

    Most of my stamping family and friends live too far from me to work together (except for my mom who is two doors down) so I am mostly a cyber stamper on the internet, as well!

    Wishing you an inspired WOYWW!

    Lynn #46

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  12. That's going to be a fabby notebook when you're done, far better than the original. Have a great time at the show on Sunday, you might be penniless but it'll be a happy penniless! Good news for your son, hope you can work something out for him.

    Hugs
    Brenda 14

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  13. I love visiting your washing machine!! I mean, work desk!! your book looks awesome!I'm looking forward to seeing it finished!!
    Your kitchen will get finished someday!! Just look at your refrigerator and smile!!
    xxDaniella#19

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  14. good luck completing the kitchen - it's always a BIG job! wonderful to see your book creation :)
    happy WOYWW and have a fun week :)
    no. 39

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  15. Hello, Thanks for the peak and have a great day . Roberta 7

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  16. That looks like so much fun! I love making books--but I definitely need to get some of that waxed twine, that's good stuff. Your book is going to be beautiful. Your comment about my crop-a-dile cracked me up! Isn't it the greatest tool? I don't know how I ever lived without that snappy thing. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #33

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  17. Thanks for your visit to my blog earlier today, and leaving me such nice and sweet words! And wow - you handbound a book and even used the coptic stitch to start with? My first books had bookbinding rings, hehe... but stitching the books is more satisfying, isn't it?! Ohmy... I could bind books all day - I LOVEEEE books and bookbinding (but you knew that, didn't you?) And so it is your birthday coming up soon too - mine too. Did you notice that there are lots of Libra's in the creative world? Do you think it has something to do with our sign??? Have a great day and see you next Wednesday! Hug from Holland, Marit #79

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  18. We're liking what's on your washing machine top. A novel new idea for a weekly post maybe? We tried making our own book but it was a disaster. We will try again sometime though.

    Thanks for visiting the bears already today.

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  19. You certainly have a lot going on at the moment but maybe it's always like that in your space! ;D
    I can relate to your temporary desk as I too haven't managed to settle in since we moved back from Australia. But at least I'm not having to work on the washing machine top.
    It doesn't seem to stop you though because that book looks amazing.

    Have a wonderful time on Sunday. It'll be brilliant and you can count pennies another time!
    Good luck with helping your son...I wish you all the best.
    Neesie #86

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  20. Hi Julie Ann - can't wait to see how your notebook turns out - I'm a notebook addict too! Thanks for your visit today. Have a good week MMx #107

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  21. I love making books and it looks like you are well on your way to Thanks for visiting for letting me have a snoop around your place. Robin nine

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  22. I also have a weakness for notebooks, looking forward to seeing that one finished! Hope the kitchen cupboards speed up, you are being so very patient!
    Just think of all that birthday money to spend at Ally Pally!
    Debxx

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  23. I can't wait to see your book when it is finished if your little box is anything to go by it will be amazing. I have fallen in love with your box so pretty
    Have a great day today and a wonderful weekend
    Ria #61

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  24. Love the notebook so far. I am so jealous of you going to Ally Pally and you will spend all your money - I would!

    I'm glad you are getting lots of aspergers advice, I am sure there are forums you can join too.

    That is a long time to wait for a kitchen, hope it gets finished soon!

    Cazzy x #95

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  25. Wow it sounds like so much change is happening for your family at present. How exciting for your Daughter to be perhaps studying overseas and good on you for taking up the challenge of making your own book. I am just loving all those fabulous paper beads in your photo too. I hope your kitchen gets rolling again soon and that you have a great time at the fair. Happy WOYWW! Danie #38

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  26. Your beads look amazing! I saw a tutorial on those ...now where did I bookmark that?! I have to try them! I'd say you stitching is fab on the binding. Look forward to seeing the decorated covers. I'm off the check the box! Thanks for the earlier visit! Happy WOYWW! Nan G #3

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  27. I love notebooks too and yours looks great! And the paper beads look awesome, how fun! Hope you get your kitchen finished soon although you have a very positive attitude about it and you are right. Sounds like you are going to have a very FUN$ Birthday, and well deserved it seems with all the changes going on. Have a great WOYWW week! Rasz #102

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  28. What a busy week, glad the kitchen has at least a cooker now! The book is looking good too. Hope to see you at Ally Pally. I'll either be with Sue Wilson on the Rubbernecker stand or in the main demo area. Thanks for visiting yesterday. Hugs. Oam#48

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  29. Being without a working kitchen is hell - you THINK you will like eating out all the time but then it gets old FAST. I am rubbish at coptic stitching, but your book is looking fab. Love that warm colour. And it's has been almost COLD here the last week so anything warming is going to make me smile :)

    Happy (now my internet is back) WOYWW!
    Mary Anne (5)

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  30. Super book making, really must have a go sometime, thanks for the visit this week BJ #81

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  31. Craft shows have a tendency of spending your money but it will be money well spent and think of the enjoyment you are going to have with new supplies. You deserve it and keep telling yourself that, OK. Where about is your daughter going to be studying over here is it in Melbourne if so I could always catch up with her for you. Anyway great book you are making and glad to hear things are progressing with your son, one day at a time.

    Hugs Eliza & Yoda 52
    Belated WOYWW

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  32. I've never tried to book but your's is just lovely and sweet paper beads how are you going to use them ? Happy Late WOYWW Nikki 6

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  33. I Couldn't find your on that link but I went back a few posts on here and found something truly amazing. Gorgeous
    Famfa 15

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  34. The book is looking wonderful, Julie Ann... look forward to seeing the full piece. Am so sad, as I had planned to go to Ally Pally, and it would have been Sunday - but house-clearing and crafty deadlines are just making it impossible... Hope you have a wonderful time!
    Alison x

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  35. Your book is looking good....Have a wonderful time at Ally Pally.. I go the April show each year...as I spend too much too attend both...lol...Hugs May x x x

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  36. Ooh, I've always wanted to try a book myself but there is never enough time. Yours is looking fabulous already. Bummer about your cupboards but as you say, you will appreciated them more when they finally arrive. Cool beads too. Sorry I'm so late, life is nuts around here as I have my friend from England here (she's emigrated at last) and we are going around looking for a house and car etc for her, great fun though. Have a great week.
    Von #44
    P.S. Is your daughter thinking of doing art in Queensland or down south of Australia?

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  37. Can't wait to see the finished book Julie Ann! I am going to be at Alexandra palace on Sunday - Hope to see you there...I assume you will be one of the many people grabbing all the new items at the PaperArtsy stand?! Lots of love Laura xxxxxxx

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  38. Love the beautiful colors on your notebook, Julie Ann. Hope you enjoy the craft show and HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!!! :)

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  39. Wow a super gorgeous book started and all those beautiful paper beads, I love making them but haven't made any for ages. Wow Australia that will be such an awesome experience for your daughter and I'm so glad that you're getting loads of information on Aspergers. A birthday trip to Ally Pally how awesome will that be. Glad you have got your kitchen almost there, at least the essentials are in. Happy Woyww hugs :-) Kezzy xxxxxx

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