Another Detour

Although I figure all bookmaking experience is related to my end goal, I am still finding projects that take me away from the direct path to creating my own book. In this case, I ordered some handmade paper through the ESTY website. It came from Ventiane, which I had to look up in our atlas. (It is in Laos.) These were great huge sheets of lovely tough paper with ferns and plants embedded. So of course I had to make something with them. I had the idea that I would like to make some little books for my daughter, son-in-law and grandson to take on their forthcoming trip to Seattle. I had seen a fascinating project at the University of Wisconsin when we were visiting our son Chris in January. Some handmade books were given to students about to embark on an international trip. They were asked to use the books to keep a log of the trip. The result was unexpected. These accounts were graphic, profane, creative and spontaneous. Stuff was stapled into them, glued, drawn, written, and folded. The books were pocket-size so they could be carried anywhere. This was my inspiration for the Seattle books. I found instructions in Peter Thomas' book for a binding that was folded rather than stitched. From those I made a practice book. Then I made two for some book baskets I was putting together for a fund-raiser for All Faiths Food Bank. Finally I made the ones for Kim, Chip and Trevor. You can see them in the photo. Inside I combined a variety of papers: my own handmade paper, some handmade Japanese paper, graph paper, and drawing paper. I stuck a pencil in the spine.
We have one more trip to Wisconsin and then I will concentrate more on improving my bookmaking skills. I have signed up for another Penland class. I don't yet know which one I will get into. I also tried to register for the Paper and Book Intensive, which this year is at Arrowmont in May. I am on the waiting list so I don't expect to attend.