Blog Posts

Environmentally Friendly!

28/8/2018

Although we have only watched one of the episodes of 'War on Waste', the show has really focused our attention on what we do every day and how much plastic we use.
I made these bags (very light weight) to cut down on the number of plastic bags we get at the supermarket and the markets. They are the same size as the plastic bags we used to use for fruit and vegetables. The sewing is a bit dodgy but the functionality is just fine.
We have had only positive reactions to them with most shopkeepers saying what a good idea it is.
Very happy.

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Gestural Writing Workshop

19/8/2018

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When I attended a gestural writing workshop run by the Canberra Calligraphy Society I found it difficult to "let go" sufficiently to create broad free strokes with my pens. I suspect that I have done too much traditional calligraphy to find this easy.

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Caterpillar Stitch

12/8/2018

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In my last post I showed an example of Keith Smith's decorative spine stitching. This made me very interested in what else I could do with this type of bookbinding. From there I bought several of Keith's books from his website. Keith replied to me very quickly and sent the books the very next day. What a lovely experience.
From one of the books I attempted the caterpillar stitch (not really a caterpillar - too many legs) but you get the idea. I love it. The directions were very clear and easy to follow. I will experiment with a caterpillar that is a bit more lively next time.

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Case Binding with Decorative Stitching

24/7/2018

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On Saturday I attended a fabulous bookbinding event put on by the Canberra Craft Bookbinders' Guild. Vicki and Nicky guided us lucky participants through the techniques of making a case bound book that opens flat with decorative stitching on the spine. The decorative stitching is from one of Keith Smith's bookbinding manuals.

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Teeny Tiny Writing

8/7/2018

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Lately I have been experimenting with teeny tiny writing. It is good fun but can be hard on the eyes!

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Alice in Wonderland Dos a Dos Book Challenge

3/6/2018

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The Canberra Bookbinders' Guild have a challenge every year. The last challenge was to make a dos a dos book. I had a lot of fun with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass. The photos didn't come out so well.

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Exhibition 2018

12/5/2018

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The theme for this year's Canberra Calligraphy Society exhibition was reflections. I had a little bit of fun with that.

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Weathergrams

29/4/2018

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As part of the 2018 Canberra Calligraphy Society exhibition two friends and myself collaborated on a piece called Weathergrams.
Llyod Reynolds, a renowned American calligrapher and professor developed the idea of Weathergrams as a fun way for his students to practice calligraphy.
He was inspired by the Japanese tradition of attaching paper prayer slips to branches of trees and then leaving them to weather in the elements.
He said that Weathergrams should be hung outside where the touch of wind, rain, sun or ice leaves the graphic qualities of a faded leaf and starts the Weathergrams journey back to nature.
Reynolds had specific instructions for constructing his Weathergrams.
In this collaboration with Carol and Sue we have adapted Reynolds idea of Weathergrams trying to keep to the spirit of his original idea while writing quotes and words that appealed to us personally on recycled tea bags.
We made over 100 Weathergrams altogether!

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Christmas Card 2017

9/12/2017

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After a very slow start I have finally managed to design and finish a number of Christmas Cards. This is better than previous years when I haven't done any at all. I am using my favourite Neuland script.

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Gelli Printing

2/12/2017

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I spent a lovely day a couple of weekends ago at a workshop run by the Canberra Bookbinders' Guild. The workshop was Gelli Printing and concertina bindings.
Gelli printing is essentially mono-printing without a press. It can give some very exciting results.