The Pamphlet Stitch

Some time ago, there was a comment about the Pamphlet Stitch. It is a super simple little stitch; perfect for binding just a few pages together. I love it because it makes it so simple to make a bunch of little "on the go" journals. If you don't know the stitch, here is my latest YouTube video demonstrating it.

For these books, I used:
Awl, bone folder, 2 binder clips, waxed linen thread (although for small sized books you could use embroidery floss), 1 piece cardstock (mine is paste paper), 5-8 pieces of assorted paper (graph paper, lined paper, brown paper, white paper, etc.)
The nicest thing about making these little books is that, once you have the tools and materials out, you can make a bunch of them. Use them for small gifts, by inserting some quotes or pictures or bundling them with a set of pencils and/or pens. Or tie a bunch of these small gems together with a bit of ribbon for your favorite journal artist.

Or a trade!! Oh my goodness! A little trade would be fun! Perhaps after the perfect storm of holidays, parties and exhaustion has passed? Shall we?

Mixed Media Self Portrait Journal Page

Yet another video! This one is on making a self-portrait journal page using collage, crayon, inks and watercolor.

I wanted to do a follow-up video to Susan Cohen's wonderful self portrait journal pages.

A little story: Some time ago, I was teaching a class of teenage girls and announced that we were going to make self-portraits. Oh, the groans! "No!", was the general outcry. "I don't like to look at my face."

So, OK, I could see this was going to be a battle I didn't want to fight. I suggested that we leave the word "self" out of the mix and just do "portraits." That met with approval and enthusiasm.

So I'll suggest the same to you. Relax. Draw an egg shape or a circle and put a couple of eyes in there, follow up with a nose and a mouth. What color is your favorite shirt? Do you have a pair of earrings that you always reach for?

Kindergarteners have no trouble drawing people. They draw everyone without a care in the world. Play with this as if you are 6 years old (why should they have all the fun?).

Gently let go of the judgements.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Watercolor Journaling

Yea, yea! I'm cleaning up my studio and unearthing some really old trash. My goal is that by the end of August, I'll have been through all my boxes and done a bit of painting: the walls - bone white and pear green trim - happy-making, light and fresh.

So I took some time from sitting on the floor sorting papers, which was nice to have the space to do, and made a video on beginner watercolors: making a rainbow. It was pretty sweet to have the tripod so I could use both of my hands this time.

Hope you all enjoy.