The Big Beauty

I finally got the courage to take on a project I've been wanting to do for months! Not sure why it took me so long...it wasn't difficult. I rebound (or hand bound) an old ledger book. A BIG one.

Several years ago, my husband came home with a huge stack of old ledger books from his Dad's business, dating back about 50 plus years. They were gorgeous to me. Little by little I've been using them in some of my artwork. They have been such a personal treasure, because they were his Dad's and because I love old ledger pages and books.

I wanted to create a big huge journal for big huge projects and it struck me...the old journals! So I ordered big huge parent sheets of watercolor paper for the pages. They sat in my studio for a month. Happy to report I finally did it. Teesha Moore gives a good tutorial on this type of long stitch binding.  

Haven't done the cover yet...still contemplating ideas for it. I'll show you when it's done! If you have ideas I'd love to hear them. BTW the big beauty is about 15x18.

A Journal of Interest E-Zine is in full bloom. We are on our 6th project now! Here's a peek at some of the exercises so far.

  

People are still subscribing and jumping right in and enjoying themselves. Summer is the perfect time (for me anyway) to focus on journals. It's also been great seeing everyone's pages in their journals!!

Lastly, people have been emailing me asking questions about Blythe dollies. Mostly asking where to get them. I got mine on Ebay. Just to a search for Blythe on Ebay. Another adorable site for getting dollies and outfits is This is Blythe. You can find some amazing outfits on Etsy! Again, just do a search on there for Blythe. They are hard to find, but those are some great sources.  If anyone else has Blythe sources, please share!

Comments

[luckygirlgifts]

Lucky you that you got all of those amazing ledger books. Can't wait to see what your big beauty looks like when it's done. Didn't you find it a little difficult to use them at first?

[Suzanne]

If anyone is interested in Blythe dolls there's also a really informative website called Plastic Paradise that has a wealth of information. People also buy and sell dolls on there as well (you can sometimes get some deals). Here's their link http://plasticparadise.forumotion.com

Here's also a list of some online stores too http://plasticparadise.forumotion.com/island-boutiques-f5/where-to-buy-blythe-dolls-t907.htm

[Jeanne]

You were so lucky to get so many legers. I love that you rebound one of them. So wonderful. Are you going to use it as an art journal for yourself????

[Teresa]

What a treasure! - Teresa

[cherishalittle]

Beautiful!! Thank you for sharing the tutorial also - I have a half-finished journal because I needed some guidance :)

Nina

[Alison Gibbs]

What a wonderful book to create in
Alison

[Holly]

Hi Teresa,

Your new project sounds like so much fun! Happy summer to you! Thanks so much for popping by my blog... just say the word when you're ready for a custom art apron! I have been having the time of my life being an apron designer... it's just so much fun!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Holly

[quick cash advance]

The journal is classically elegant. I can’t wait to see what you have in mind for this project. Hope you can keep us updated.

[used forklifts]

Well I don’t know much about journal covers. But I‘am certain that this will be another fabulous journal. I’ll keep in touch for the finish project.

[Tiffany ~ Shabby Scraps]

I can't wait to see what you do with yours. I have one as large, and have been contemplating it's future, but am scared to use it until I have the perfect project in mind that it is worthy of!! Loving the beautiful sidebar pic of you as well. It is gorgeous! Just booked my flight to Omaha, makes it seem all that much closer!
xoxo, Tiffany

[Maria]

A true treasure to have for sure! Can't wait to see what you create with them!

[Pearl Maple]

Journals can be the most amazing creative adventures, you never know what treasures will turn up.