I have recently discovered the art of coptic binding, and have taken a liking to it.  A great way to use up recycled papers that would otherwise end up in the trash, and useful too!  It's gotten a bit to the point where I have more journals and notebooks than I could possibly hope to use, but I enjoy the binding process, and it's a great craft to bring with me for something to do when I get bored.  At any given time I have a crochet hook and ball of plarn, or a needle and paper in my purse to do a little crafting on my breaks at work or while I wait for friends...

Here is one of the books I have been working on lately, along with it's new owner....

This one is made out of the cardboard CD covers from a CD I bought recently:

I have also been making books from old records, although I have no pictures of those ones to share as of yet.  My next book making endeavor includes neon coloured floppy disks (anyone even remember what those are?!)

Wow, it has been so long since I have updated this blog... The last post was in January, and it's almost June!  I have been too busy crafting and working to write about all that I have been doing, but finally, I have an update to share with you.

There has been much crafting happening in this last months - I have been melting crayons, crocheting plastic, binding records, and all sorts of other fun things.  I am on a "make trash beautiful" kick, and enjoy searching for new ways to transform old, worn out, or useless items into something beautiful and/or functional.

My most recent art project was a canvas piece inspired by something I found on Pinterest... I have an addiction to that website - it might be time for a Pintervention... But alas, I took an idea someone had posted, and tried it out for myself.  A glue gun, and old canvas I repainted black, and some cheap crayons that I got at the Reuse Center, when combined, make a beautiful work of art!  A masterpiece to inspire me in my future crafting endeavors entitled "Create"

Step One: Glue Crayons to Canvas

Step Two: Add Heat (I used a hairdryer)

Step Three: Beautiful!

Art!  And Writing!  How I have missed thee!  However, I have some new art to share following a full day of card making with a dear friend of mine!  Each card piece is hand cut and hand stamped with love, and held together with double sided tape.  And of course, because a card is not complete without an envelope, each card has a matching hand stamped envelope accompanying it.  I am looking forward to many more card-making sessions in the future to create more of these hand-crafted beauties!

Be Still...

So, I haven't been doing as much art lately as I would hope, but I did get a chance to paint a little bit about a week ago.  My new gecko friend is made of wood and lives on my wall, constantly reminding me that sometimes we just need to be still.  Sometimes it's OK to just hang around and stare at the mess of my room.  Sometimes, it's OK to just chill with mismatched skin (or clothes) and enjoy life, because the One who has created us has also commanded us to take the time to "Be still, and KNOW that He is God."  He can do all things, and sometimes I just need to accept that and let God take control.

So anyways, here is my newest art piece, the latest addition to my collection - my Gecko.

Summer of Altered Books

I mentioned many months ago that a group of artistic and crafty friends were getting together to "improve" some old books.  I am happy to report that the plan worked - mostly... and the love of altering books has stuck!  Our final swap was just last week (or was it two weeks ago? - I cannot be expected to remember, my brain is full!) and I can now post pictures of the books I worked in - that is those books I remembered to photograph before handing off to the next artist in the swap. 

 The following pages are from Dawn's book, entitled "Dinner in Paris."  Now, I love Paris, but artists were instructed to take a journey, to explore the world, and to stop for a snack along the way.  In this book I travelled to Alaska, where I enjoyed a lovely meal of the Baked Alaska (the recipe is the red, pearl lined paper tucked behind the eskimos).

Enjoy the fresh, icy air, some skating and snow carving, or perhaps watch a dog sled race...

Just be ready to move cuz I am yelling "Mush!"

I have no idea why blogger insists on making all of my photos sideways, but alas, I cannot figure out how to change these settings - if anyone knows what I am doing wrong, HELP PLEASE!

I seem to have misplaced the digital files for the other books I have worked in... I will be on a search and return later with updates.

~Peace!