All That White and Red II

This was a commission from a dear lady, who asked me to make a book from her son's wedding pictures. It was a mixture of portrait and landscape shots which she had selected and had printed out. I didn't want to do just a regular book and the pictures were beautiful and I felt it would be a shame to just keep it in a book only to open when you want to see it. Since the pictures were about 8 by 12 inches, I told her that I would make the book into a concertina so that not only can they keep it as a book but also able to pull it out as a display.

In theory it was a good idea.

I just had to find the courage to make it.

I'm glad I went with my gut instincts. Here's one of the two books I made.

The book when closed

I kept the front simple, with details coming from the sash of satin organza ribbon across with the bow and little red roses hanging from skinny white satin ribbons with silver details on the side. I used chiffon with silver dots throughout the book to add sparkle and glitter.

Book partially opened

As you can see, it opens up like a regular book with pictures of a beautiful wedding couple. The bride was so pretty and her dress was beautiful, I used her as the inspiration for the books.

Book/Album when opened and displayed

I used the red roses on ribbons at the side as accents and they add colour as well as pick out the bouquet of red roses the bride has. Took me several hours just to put those roses on. In total for the three books I used almost 80 roses.

The pictures are recessed so even when shut they do not touch each other and are not glued down. The only thing that's holding them in place are the ribbons at the corners. That way they can choose to move the pictures around or change it for a different set of images.

The landscape version is the same as well, only when you stretch it all out, they better have enough table space for it.

All in all, the client and husband was blown away when I presented the books. She was so happy I got an extra tight hug from her when she was saying thank you. The books have flown off to Europe as Christmas presents for the wedding couple, and I hope that they feel the same way as their parents did when I presented them the books.

At Work & All That White and Red

This is me, at god knows what time in the morning. There I am trying to figure out a placement for all those red roses and ribbons. I moved into the living room and took over the dining table. I needed alot of space for this. I lost sleep doing this order but well worth it.

And after no sleep and working straight into the night and back into day, I came out with two 16 inches by 12 inches album books and I made the smaller book as a present for the client.

To be continued in the next post...

Books from the 2nd Bookmaking Class

Don't they look great? Totally different from what the first group did. Not going to do night classes again unless it starts at 6 in the evening because we ended quite late. It was a good night none the less.

Wearing black helped, I'm my own background when I was explaining a couple of things to them. You can see Jacq industriously taking down notes in the notebooks I provided for them.

This was the spread for the night, simple but yummy...

Fresh strawberries, Cherries and Clementines with Vanilla Creme

Ferreo Roche Chocolates

Three Cheese Platter with crackers

(Almond & Apricot Cream Cheese, Tasty Chedder, Blue Cheese)

Smoked salmon with olives

Two types of Malay Desserts

Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate & Water

For more pictures of the class, click here.

Someone Is Lucky & The Class Last Night

The contest was narrowed down to two, Lubna from Singapore, or Doda in UK. After much deliberation and consulting with the various panel of judges, it came out that DODA IS THE LUCKY ONE with her entry...

I so covet this notebook most fair.
I would fill up it's pages with flair.
How I'd love this most gorgeous creation.
For I know it would bring inspiration.

The poetry did it.

Since Lubna came a close second, she's getting something too... as soon as I get around to making that something.

The class last night... I had a last minute cancellation so there was only four. Only had an hour to prepare before the class started (was attending an early Christmas gathering in the afternoon) but my cousin and I had already done the set up and all that was left was the refreshments. We just finished when the students started arriving. One of them brought her daughter so my significant other was doing the babysitting while the mommy was busy making her book.

The class went well and everyone couldn't believe how time just flew by because they were having such a good time. The books produced were beautifully decorated. I would show you pictures but they're all with Jacq since we were using her camera. When I get them from her I'll post them up. Everyone was so into making the books, that they bought extra kits to try at home. I need to make more kits now.

Thank you Kay, Pek Ching, May and Jacq for coming last night and hope to see you all again. My wonderful other half for the impromptu baby sitting service and my cousin Wina for assisting me.

There are two spots for the class on the 21st December since I had two cancellations. If anybody is interested, just drop me a line.

In A Rush... There's A Class!

I didn't know I was going to have a class today. It started off when Jacq asked if there is one anytime soon because her friend who came down from KL is in town and would love to do it too after she saw the book Jacq made and Jacq wanted to make another book as well. So I kind of said" ...Well, I guess we could an informal one just for you guys keeping it casual, and how about on so and so date?". I got a 'possibly' as an answer. It wasn't a definite yes so I didn't think much of it and went off hashing (long hash, knee deep in mud, up and down hills, some people got lost, it was dark by the time we got out of the jungle)

Anyway, the next day I got a text saying they just met Jacq that morning and learned there will be a class tomorrow (ie today) and asked if she could join in. That caught me by surprise, well, long story short, I have a full class tonight and been preparing for it since yesterday. I got a function to attend to this afternoon and so hopefully the only thing I need to do is prepare the refreshments when we get back. 

I've put together a lot of kits last night and made two small books for last minute gifts I need for this afternoon, and I now have to make a bunch of small notebooks for the workshop tonight.

I wonder what the energy of this class is going to be like...

Today is the last day to enter the book giveaway contest!

The First Bookbinding Class

It was a great session, a small and intimate group. Everything was prepared and provided including refreshments (yummy food) and all they had to do was bring themselves. By the end of the session, everybody left feeling satisfied, happy and very pleased. Not to mention the other freebies I threw in as well. Best of all, they asked when the next class is going to be, so I'm planning the next stage to continue the particular binding method they had learned.

Another beginners stab binding class will be held on the 21st December, for the moment all the spots are already taken. I'll keep you posted if a space opens up. If there is enough of you interested, I can do another class on the 25th December as well, providing you're not too occupied with it being Christmas and all, for me it's a public holiday that I get to rest from work. Just email me and let me know and I'll send you the details.

In the mean time, enjoy the pictures! Link is on the left bar up top.

There are 3 days left before the book giveaway contest ends on Sunday...

Proud Students

(L to R: Jaq, Alina, Intan & Zana)

Everyone's proudly holding their masterpiece.

More pictures soon.

Pop Up Hearts On Black

We (My H and I) just had our anniversary and to commemorate, I made this for him. The idea has been playing in my head for ages, and finally broke free of its chains and controlled the hands to make 'the book'... weelll... it's the prototype really... and it worked!

With the help of this book...

I knew of this book when I used to work with Ron King when I was a student in uni, and I love love love pop ups. But back then being a student, money was a bit tight and I only managed to get my hands on this book several years ago, it cost a pretty penny (in this part of the world) but it was worth it.

Gotta plan a book for Valentine's next....

Class Is Full!

Oh fantastic, my stab bound book making workshop is all filled up! It will be a fun weekend. I've just planned the menu for afternoon tea, and it will be nice and cosy. I just need to double check on the tools and equipments, prep the space, and pack the kits. I have to prepare some books to show and pony up on the history behind the particular binding we're going to be doing.

I'm going to be so busy between now and Sunday...

PS, there is 10 days left to enter the book giveaway contest...

Are You Feeling Lucky?

It just so happen, there is this little blue and orange book, that requires a good home to go to because all of it's other cohort has gone off to various places after their graduation. One of it's member had gone off to become a poet, where in its life time will be filled with original poems. Another had gone to become an artist, it will be filled with sketches it's owner would have decided is worth putting on paper. Another fellow member has become a personal diary, where it lives a double life and the twin is filled with words of inspirations and thoughts and dreams.

What does fate have in store for this blue and orange book? Ready with the matching orange glitter pen attached on its spine, slightly different from the crowd it hoped to be. Little windows to peek into its soul mayhaps? Proudly displaying the exposed binding that holds the content of its inside, showing it's vulnurability yet strength to face the world.

An opportunity has risen! Lo, and make haste, write in what dreams and aspirations the book can turn into in your posession in the comment box. This book will travel over land and water just to be by your side.

Two weeks this will last, and at the end of two weeks it will be decided to whom the book will go to... The contest is closed! And winner is announced!