Studio Time - Part 2 (photo heavy post)

The box contains a lot of more-or-less 14" strips of Dumpster Diving segments ready to be pressed.

(Note of explanation - my iron is plugged into the same power strip as the lamp on my pressing table - if the lamp is on, the iron is on and when the iron is off the lamp is off - and the quilt on the wall was made by Wanda Hanson)

It took a couple of sessions but all of those strips are now pressed flat and ready to be sorted and sewn into more blocks for DD12 - Confetti.

I also pieced the backing for Inglenook.  

Now the top, the batting, and the back are rolled onto pool noodles ready for pin basting.

I don't think I've mentioned it here on the blog, but I signed up for Fodder School 3 (you can read all about it HERE).  

My overarching approach to FS3 is to learn as much as I can in order to move my own projects/ideas forward (unless the instructor's project completely captivates my attention).

This month's project is creating a bespoke coptic bound book.  I started off in one direction then completely changed my mind (huge surprise) and have chosen a different path (more on this once the book is assembled).

That shift in direction left a stack of prepared signatures without a home - so I used a small cardboard box and made a cover (front and spine shown above).

This is the back cover and spine.

A peek inside the front cover . . . 

And a look at the inside back cover.

(I plan to leave the cardboard edges showing as part of the journal's overall vibe)

Here are the prepared but still unattached signatures tucked inside the cover.

All of the black and white pages in the signatures came from a thrifted book on architectural drawing technique.

I plan to use a version of long-stitch bookbinding (another first) to assemble this journal.

Then, when inspiration strikes, it will be ready for collage to be added.

In August, I mentioned playing along with Francisca's Flowers Magic Art Fest 23.

I had plans to make two different journals but after watching all of the videos, absorbing so much new information, and letting things gestate for a while I am not going that route.

At the very end of September, I happily chanced upon this wonderfully intact thrifted 5-ring binder/book . . . 

And now my ideas have coalesced into actual progress!

I've covered the front/back of each of the 17 tabbed dividers and spent several happy hours sorting/prepping papers to become the pages (still more work to be done but that's okay).

I even found the perfect way to (1) cover up the divider pages' printed tabs and (2) actually use pieces from the snippet roll I made.

For now I plan to leave the cover itself as it is but, to no one's surprise, that could change in the future.

* * * 

Lurking in the background are three more five-ring binders that will eventually become more scrappy, eclectic journals.

I enjoy working on the pages before they are added to the journal and the flexibility of a binder makes the arranging process even easier.

SO many possibilities . . . 

Quiltdivajulie

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"Art is literacy of the heart."

Elliot Eisner