Book Building

I got this much of the first section done last week. When I was ready to start, I couldn't find the original drawing. I decided that it was 12" x 12". When I cut the boards it was way too big for my liking so I cut it down to 8"x8". Of course, Chele had made book samples to fit the 12x12. That was ok as they were just a start. We think that from this first level we can go smaller (6x6) or larger 12x12. Also decided to go with primary colors, red, blue, green, yellow, etc. We can always change that too.

This was pretty easy to do. The book board was very sturdy and easy to glue. This week I will finish this level and move on to the next as time permits.

Gotta go fiddle now.

Book/Box Collaboration

The other day Rice Freeman Zachary had a connection to a video of the most incredible book and box construction that anyone could imagine. http://vimeo.com/7694315. I forwarded it to my book making friend Chele and we decided we should collaborate on a structure using books, boxes and drawers.

Yesterday she came by and we discussed many possibilities regarding structure and materials and actually settled on and idea and made "assignments" as to who will do what part as a beginning. It may only be a mock-up for the time being, but it will be a challenge for both of us.

The drawing is our first ideas for the structure.

I'm pretty excited about this as I've been looking for something to spur my imagination and creativity. We'll see where it goes.

My part, for the moment, is to make drawers and to experiment with staining different weights and types of paper for the book pages. Chele will begin her part with constructing the little books.

And away we go......................

One Year Later

Hard to believe it's been a year since I last posted. Much has happened, but most notably the passing of my wonderful husband, Jack. He fought the brain tumor for 10 months, radiation and chemo therapy. Ferry trips daily for 7 weeks to the University of Washington where we had an incredible team of doctors, but alas Jack lost the battle. However, he has gained something that we all long for, pain free peace. He's singing with the angels now and happier that ever. We, left here, miss him terribly, but knowing where he has gone makes it alot easier. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support.

Life with Jack

My husband, Jack, has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Already this has changed our lives, as you would expect.
I have started a blog for him at www.lifewithjackford.blogspot.com.
We're praying for a full and speedy recovery, but have no idea where this journey will take us. Meanwhile, I will try to continue making art and sharing it here.

Snow Again!

Here is round two of Northwest snow for this winter. Not alot, but also, not expected. These were taken last night. This morning it's raining a little and the snow is melting away.

Verksted Artist Co-op

I juried and was accepted as an artist at our local artist cooperative. I'm very excited to rejoin this group of wonderful artists. I believe they represent the best of Kitsap County and even Western Washington for that matter.

My inventory is pretty small for the moment, but as I keep working on it, it will grow.

Paper at last!

Finally. Jack and I settled down the other day and made some paper. It is an interesting task. When the pulp goes in, I'm never certain what will come out. This time I'm able to use a little more than half of the paper we made. The rest will eventually go back into the "vat" and be resuscitated. My favorites are the ones with "botanicals". I also did some with gold leaf in them. You can't see it in the pictures, but they are really pretty. Hope to do another batch in the coming week.