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2014-03-28

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We might just as well admit it - we're all hoarders...! ;)
No piece of ephemera or paper is useless.
Are you one of us? :)
Today we present a gorgeous piece by France in which she put some leftovers to beautiful use...


I love to make journals. Out of good watercolor paper and some 2 mm. cardboard for the covers, using Coptic binding to finish it off.
But, let’s face it: the watercolor paper never has the exact size needed, so I always end up with those leftover strips of high quality watercolor paper. I just can’t get it over my heart to throw those away. And that’s a good thing, because they make wonderful little mini books!


This one measures 4,2 x 9,2 cm as I simply folded the leftover strips in two without altering their size. I covered the cardboard with fiber paste and painted it with Green Moss, Mallard Green and Golden Monarch Silks. I added touches of black gesso and Vintage Photo Distress ink on the edges. The inside of the covers are finished off with Kraft cardstock.

 
To make the wooden frame work with the colorized cambric fabric and plaster strip, I lightly burned it with a torch. The nail is a real vintage rusted one, I adhered it with red metallic wire to the frame, then glued everything down with gel medium.


Coptic binding might seem very complicated, but once you have the hang of it, it’s pretty simple. Search the internet to find a tutorial that works for you, there are so many!
Now you know what to do with those left over paper strips. One more reason to hoard stuff… ;)))

Materials from Mixed Media Place:

 

16 comments:

  1. This is an absolutely amazing little mini book! I love the color and the texture of the cover and the use of the left over papers! It is such a great idea! I would love to see the inside of the book too! Thank you for sharing this beauty!

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  2. NICE! the green really makes this piece outstanding!

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  3. Oh my goodness, that really is 'mini' - how cute! The rustic & rusty look is great & the green makes it stand out.
    One day I might even understand what you are talking about with techniques .. Lol. Tfs France :))

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  4. That shade of green rocks! So beautiful and the texture is awesome! I love your little mini book :)

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  5. It is actually a reason to hoard, so you can make beautiful projects like this one !
    Corrie x

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  6. It's a mini work of art! Love France's use of color and texture.... now I want to save all my scraps for minis.

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  7. This is absolutely gorgeous--every single detail! Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring as you do. You make all things seem possible. :-)

    Merilee

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  8. Beautiful!! (as always :) )

    Search youtube for Sea Lemon; she has some tutorials on coptic binding, and other methods of making books, that are simple and very easy to understand.

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  9. I love this! Such delicate work! The greens are perfect too. Beautiful, beautiful!

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  10. Totally stunning! You never disappoint France :-) xx

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  11. What an absolutely stunning project, France! I love it!

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  12. France - this is mindblowing!!!!

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  13. WWOOWW!!! It took my breath .... fantastic, beautiful!!!!!!!!

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