Learning new bindings and sharing :-)

Recently I had some fun playing with monoprinting using paint and a gelli plate.  I printed onto deli paper and unryu paper.  This was the pile spread out onto the floor to dry.

Here's a close up of the papers.  I used a text rubber stamp, a paint comb, bubble wrap, and a cardboard tube to create designs on the gelli plate and also stamped off onto the papers using the same items.  I further decorated the papers with random text stamping with black archival ink and added white acrylic paint through a circle stencil.

Metzger watched my whole process and approved of my final designs ;-)

So......what to do with all these wonderful papers.......hmmmmmmmm............

They were PERFECT to cover binders board to use as covers for 2 new open-spine binding techniques I wanted to try after watching  a video class by LK Ludwig.

This journal is about 8"x10" and is comprised of heavy weight manila file folders.

This binding is called wrapped straps or wrapped tapes.  I used twill tape remnants to make it.  (You may remember my sewn over tapes binding used in the journal in THIS POST.)

This is a close up of the binding of the blue journal called seed pearl stitch binding, and it's done with leather straps.  Isn't it cool?  I love the way it looks!!!  This journal is about 7"x11" and the pages are of Bristol.

So did you happen to notice that I made TWO of the blue journals?  I loved playing with the binding stitch and couldn't stop with just one!  So.............................................................................

I have one to share and I've decided to hold a giveaway!!!! 

The cover is embellished with 2 hearts, some machine stitching done before I adhered the unryu paper to the cover boards, and a handwritten word - create - embellished with some doodled dots.  Leave me a comment letting me know what you would do with this journal if it came to your part of the world.  The Bristol paper is perfect for all types of wet media as I've been finding, and it would make a terrific art journal, but it could also be a journal to record your thoughts, a sketchbook, or a cool smash book style scrapbook.  On Friday September 14th I'll randomly pick a winner.  Make sure that I have a way to reach you if your comment is chosen.