Making an X Book

Hi

In this post I wanted to show how I made this little book using one

 folded sheet of paper.

This was made from one of my painted papers.

 I am working on the inside at the moment and will share it another time.

This little book is called an X Book.

I'm sure you can find instructions for making these little folded books 

 on-line, however, I found this technique in a book called

'Making Handmade Books' by Alisa Golden.

Begin by taking a piece of paper (this one measured  23cm x    )

Fold in half lengthwise

.

Again into quarters.

Make sure to make the folds sharp using something like a bone folder.

Then fold the edges back on themselves to make a concertina shape.

.

Open it up and cut along the crease I have highlighted here with a black pencil line.

Now it should look like this.

Folding back over to look like this.

Then squeeze the two ends together and fold around to form the cover
.

Once folded you can leave as is but I prefer to apply Matt medium

 to the back side and re-fold and adhere the pages in place.

I hope you will give it a try. Its a good way to use those painted papers.

Thanks for visiting.

XXX

New Goodies

Hi

Joining in again this week with Paint Party Friday.

I have two small works to share this week.

The first is a small watercolour on handmade cotton rag paper.

I also used water based Crayola FineTtip markers for finishing touches.

The second is just a little sketch in coloured pencils 

which was done in a bad light while I was watching the television last night.

I may use this as inspiration for a larger mixed media painting.

This last weekend we paid a visit to The Lake District and called

into the Derwent Pencil Museum where I took the opportunity to

 pick up one of these from their shop.

(pencils not inc.)

When I am using my coloured pencils I have a habit of accumulating a stock pile

 of pencils on my table which sometimes end up rolling off onto the floor.

This is something that you don't want as you can end up damaging your pencils

 by breaking the core inside the wood casing.

This Pencil Buddy is a quick and easy way to store your pencils while you work and

 you can see how it's unusual design works over on The Art Gear Guide. 

 A great place to check out great reviews on lots of art products.

I also picked up this 'retro' pencil case. The pencil was your ticket into the museum.

As a bonus, when you made a purchase you also got a complimentary box

 containing two  Derwent Graphik pens.

I was so pleased as I was in need of a fine liner pen and the 

Graphik Line Painter is a great discovery. They come in lots of colours

 and are now on my long list of must haves.

Another thing on my list now is a circle punch after using this circle cutter

 to make some circles from some of my painted papers

.

I particularly like these cut from baking parchment.

 Thanks for stopping by.

XXX

  

Paint Party Friday.

Hi

Just stopped by to share a quick post for Paint Party Friday.

This post is photo rich so hope you like what I've been up to since last time.

I have completed another page in my Coloriage Wild colouring book

 by Emmanuelle Colin.

I love this book!! 

I have also finished a couple more tags.

and I have playing around with some paint and handmade stamps

 to create some painted papers.

Thanks for stopping by.

XXX