Thursday 15 April 2010

A wonderful two days


What a great two days I have just had at Frances Pickering's 'Books to Cherish' course at Art Van Go (That's the links over and done). I am totally pooped, even though I have been sitting down most of the day! So this post is just a quick over view, with some very poor photos I'm afraid. Several people on the course said they were going to visit my blog this evening so I want to give they them something to look at. First I must say that  being able to handle Frances' books was a terrific opportunity. They were all delicious and over the two days my favourite changed, you need to look at her web page to see them. I was totally hooked and bought all the necessary materials. I will be going through the process in the next few days to cement it in my brain, so I will share it with you. Where to start?

Well here is Frances demonstrating how tactile our books should feel - perhaps not a very flattering photo, but showing her passion for her art.

This is the cover of my book - painted onto cheap copy paper with transfer dyes and ironed onto pelmet vilene  then waxed with acrylic wax to stabilize the colours. It is now ready for some stitched embellishments.

Here Frances  is showing us how to  shape the edge of the vilene with a soldering iron. You can also use it to make holes in the cover.
Next we tore some heavy duty lining paper into pagers and left them to 'marinade' in Brusho water colour wrapped up in polythene.
After they had been wrapped up for an hour or so, we dried them off with a hair dryer and gave them a quick iron. 
You are then ready to stitch your book together and start filling it.

This is the finished outside with a button and cord fastening.


and here a couple of pages - not finished by any means - it is a long term project.
Here are some of the other member of the group's work-

15 comments:

Leenie said...

Wow! Lots of work and a great result! Thanks for the show and tell.

flutterbycrafter said...

Wow, from me too, these look fantastic, and sounds as though you had a brilliant time.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Thanks for sharing the course Jill, it looks such fun. I've loved looking at the photos of the books and making process. What a great way to spend those two days. Best wishes, Lesley

Marigold Jam said...

Sounds like good fun - love that book and look forward to learning more about it later.

Jane

Unknown said...

Fascinating. I'm looking forward to watching how this develops. Thanks for sharing Jill.

MILLY said...

This looks like you had a great time. I too will look forward to seeing it develop. It is inspiring to be with others, in a creative environment, yet each person has their own ideas.

Paula Watkins said...

Love your blog Jill. You have perfectly summed up the wonderful two days we had. Paula x

thekathrynwheel said...

Wow, that looks totally fab. Wish I could feel it! Kate

LAC EMP 2020 said...

I knew you'd have a great time and the book is fabulous. Love the idea of transfer dyes on pelmet vilene and you've reminded me I need to restock with acrylic wax - my must have art supply from Art Van Go! Shall be so looking forward to seeing this and other projects progress in the coming weeks. I bet your head is buzzing with ideas so have a good rest this weekend before you spring into action with them! Lesley.

webb said...

The pages with the flowers - embroidered? painted? - are gorgeous. I could lick the screen to taste that turquoise!

Sandra Hall said...

Its SO gorgeous Jill! The thought that popped into my head as I was looking at your work was 'I can't wait until she brings them (the inner pages) alive' I know you will and I can't wait to see them.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Your book cover is beautiful :) Think I can hear my vilene and transfer inks calling me hehe
Anne x

menopausalmusing said...

Wowee!!!!!! I don't "get" how your blog posts seem to slip through my "net!" and why I seem always to be playing "catchup"......?????

Anway, I am glad I have checked back because this is one GLORIOUS post! How exciting ..... Must google this pelmet stuff ........

Tania said...

Hi Jill, its Tania from the 'Francis Pickering Day' Just wanted to say what a great blog and like Paula said, you explained the day perfectly.
Love your book, it looks so good!
Maybe see you on another course????

Chrissie said...

Didn't you have fun and I love the colours in your book - lots to think about and follow up from this workshop I'm sure. Must investigate pelmet vilene ...