Remember when I said I was working on a new book that required vellum? Well, I’m finally getting back to this book. For this I’m using a tacket binding method which requires that the vellum strips, which have been soaking in wheatpaste, go through the holes in each of the signatures. Not an easy feat I must say. Here’s a picture of the work in progress.

After the strips are brought through, then I pick up the book spine and work them through it. I’ll weave the strips through the slits I made in the spine so no actual sewing is required for this book. When the wheatpaste dries, the vellum will pull together and there’s the binding. Here’s what the spine is starting to look like:

I love that the strips have this wild look to them. It took me about two hours to work through three signatures so I still have quite a bit of work left on this book. And, as I’m getting closer to adding the last signatures (I have about three left) it becomes harder to add them to the spine. Things get a bit tight there.

Once the spine is done, then I’ll add the covers. This is a big book too. I normally prefer to work on smaller size books but this one I hope will become a scrapbook, so I needed lots of room for pictures, journaling and ephemera.

In other bookbinding news, I am also working on some coptic journals which I hope to add to the shop in the next couple of weeks. Coptic journals are becoming my favorites. The binding is pretty and they are sturdy. Here’s a picture of one of the ones I finished, which actually won’t be making it to the shop as it has a big boo-boo. A good learning process and hey, I was able to salvage the book so I can use it.

Sorry for such bad photos but I was in a rush. Once the projects are done I promise nicer pics. Now I’m off to relax with some good books as my back and arms are a bit tired from a long day of bookbinding.

I’ve finished a couple of books but haven’t had a chance to do write ups on all of them. I guess, I’ve just been too busy starting new books. heh.

I did get a chance to write a little bit about Blue Sky July by Nia Wyn. While I don’t read memoirs very often, I thought this one sounded good and I wasn’t disappointed.

Nia Wyn is excited about the birth of her baby but a few months after he is born, her son is diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. The doctors give her a worst-case scenario but she struggles and devotes her life to finding ways to help her son achieve even the smallest of breakthroughs.

“They call it ‘brave’ to be the odd one out. They say that they couldn’t cope and couldn’t do what I do; they say that they don’t know what, if anything, would pull them through. Mostly, when they talk to me, they say they ‘can’t imagine what it is like.” This is a very honest and moving account of a mother’s love for her child. I hope you’ll give this one a chance. Here’s the full review.

So, what have I started? I finally picked up Secondhand Smoke by Karen E. Olson and I’m already half way through it. Gotta love that Annie Seymour. For all you fans, did you know Karen’s fourth book in the Annie Seymour series comes out this November? Mark your calendars for Shot Girl. I have to catch up!

What else… Oh, I did make a quick stop at the library to drop off some unfinished books. I hate it when that happens don’t you? You’d think that would keep me from taking out any new books, but no, not me. I did show some restraint though and only walked out with one, Mercury Under My Tongue by Sylvain Trudel, and the latest issue of BookPage.

Finally, don’t forget to check out the latest and greatest from Estella’s Revenge. The September edition is up and has some great book reviews.