Stitching & Linking

I finished one of my journals today, the one with the pink cover which everyone seemed to like, and wouldn’t you know it – I mess up the last signature I was binding. The thread is pretty thick and the paper isn’t so thick so when I was tugging the thread tight I guess my super, duper bookgirl strength came through and the paper tore. I was able to salvage it but I was bummed out. Don’t worry I’ll show you a picture of it too but I want to finish my blue journal as well. Hopefully no boo-boos on that one.

Aside from the bookbinding fiasco, I was pretty tired today. I think the muggy weather we’ve been having got to me and I couldn’t seem to settle in with my books. Tomorrow though I’ve decided to spend the entire afternoon at the bookstore and hopefully catch up on my reading… I know, I probably shouldn’t go to the bookstore as I’ll be lured by the new books but I’ve made up my mind. heh.

So for today I’ll leave you with some links on some cool things I’ve found recently:

  • Thanks to Matt, I found out about the Lit Flicks Challenge hosted by The Bluestocking Society. Movies and books – what’s not to love? I am very tempted…
  • Photographs that capture people all over the world reading. On Reading has just been reissued and I want a copy of it, don’t you?
  • The latest Borzoi Reader has me adding some new books to my reading list. I especially want this one and this one.
  • What Book Got You Hooked? This campaign invites book lovers everywhere to join First Book in sharing the joy of great books with the children who need them most. At its core, the campaign celebrates the profound power of the picture and chapter books we can never forget and the critical role they play in developing a lifelong love of reading. Share the memory of the first book that made reading fun for you and then help get more kids hooked: vote for the state to receive 50,000 new books for children in need.

That’s it for tonight. I’m off to try and get some reading and hope to post on book finds & reading progress tomorrow.

...Read More

In Progress

I’m currently working on some coptic stitch journals and wanted to show you the covers in progress.

bookcovers

The pink paper I believe I got from Paper Arts a while back and the blue paper is an Italian print, a recent acquisition from Paper Source.

I love the look of coptic stitch, it seems so simple but it’s so lovely. I had used this stitch before but it’s nice to revisit it and do some things a bit differently. For example, I set the holes for the threads at different intervals to create a different look. Once I have the journals assembled I promise to show you more detailed photos.

Off to dream about some other books I want to make.

...Read More

One Down

I did it – I finished a challenge! Last weekend I finish reading Skim by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jilliam Tamaki which counts as my 6th choice for the Graphics Novel Challenge hosted by Dewey.

I had a lot of fun with this challenge because although I had read a few graphic novels before, this challenge served to open my eyes to just how varied the genre is. I read books about Paris, Mexico, Victorian Scotland, slave owners, teenagers and even demons. These books all had their unique artistic styles and captivated me in their own way. I learned that just like any other fiction novel, if the story is strong I’m going to read it. The art is just an added bonus.

Here are the list of the books I read. Not all of these were on my original list but I’m glad they made their way to me. You can click on each title for my review of the books. Unfortunately, I forgot to add some of these to the Graphic Novel Challenge blog but hopefully you will also check that out if you are looking for more recommendations.

I was curious about the books that were not written and illustrated by the same person. I wonder how those collaborations came about… Did someone have the story first and seek out an illustrator?

Anyway, I enjoyed all of these but I have to tell you my favorite was One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry. I would recommend all of these books but that one in particular really got to me. I have since been on the look out for more of her books and have a couple waiting in my stacks.

So this was a very fun challenge and I thank Dew and everyone for participating and sending me suggestions. I really relied on those when I made my list. The best part aside from meeting other fellow readers of graphic novels, is that now I do wander the aisles in the library or bookstore in search for new graphic novel titles.

...Read More