Patty Van Dorin

nipping at your tail

took a little break today for some silly fun in the "down the rabbit hole" altered book 

Pushing the Envelope - on line class

The last of the finishing touches have been added to my newest on-line class called "Pushing the Envelope".

In this class, I will teach you how to construct this unique book made from security envelopes.

 

This is a great recycle project, the books pages are made with security envelopes. How unique is that! Each envelope features a top loading pocket that holds  additional pages that are removable.  This book would make a great journal, scrapbook, memory album, travel journal or recipe book. The possibilities are endless.

Made with the simplest of supplies, you will not want to stop at making just the one book.

Class Supply List

- security envelopes (14 were used in the class example book)

- cardboard for covers

- glue (Mod Podge or White Glue)

-foam brush (for glue)

- glue stick

- twill tape or grosgrain ribbon or fabric or leather

- waxed linen thread (an alternative would be a strong heavy thread)   I have a large selection of waxed linen thread in my Etsy shop

- 4 brads (plain or decorative)

- needle (large eye tapestry or upholstery needle)

- awl or Japanese screw punch

- bone folder or kitchen spoon

-X-Acto Knife or box cutter

-self healing cutting mat (or a thick stack of magazines)

- paper scraps, old book pages, ephemera, decorative paper

- photos or embellishments for journal

- scissors

- ruler (for tearing paper)

- wax paper

Optional Items

- sewing machine

- sandpaper (just a small piece)

- decorative paper clips

- clear packing type tape

- rubber stamps and ink

- fabric scraps for embellishment

- paper punches

- staples and stapler

- double stick tape

-decorative tape

 

Class Details

• registration for this class is open – when payment is received, I will send an email with log in and password information. Please make sure your email is not blocked
• you can start any time you wish and will have full access to this class blog until 12/30/2012
• this blog format class contains

- 16 page pdf with detail instructions, step by step photos, tips and techniques

- 19 high quality videos

- 12 printable downloads of paper, collage sheets and photos

• question, answer and comment support

 

Sorry, this class is no longer available

a bucket full of rusty stuff

worked in this journal 

the other day, I counted and there are 9 journals I am currently working in
I am not a linear person and like to skip around in the different books
 
who doesn't love a good pie
chicken pot pie
coconut pie
apple pie

it's all good

Yesterday was such a nice day, I set out with my bucket to look for neat rusty stuff

this was my favorite of the pick
it would be good for the cover of a journal or maybe into another assemblage book
 
in addition to a bucket full of rusty junk, I came home with a stack of wooden cigar boxes

no idea what so ever what I will do with them but I just sense a project will form soon
 

deep dark SECRETS

this is the journal I curl up in bed with
it is my biggest secret
rarely do I show pages from it
that is changing

remember this text book from grade school, forget about it - you are probably too young
anyway, this is the journal that keeps me company everyday
it isn't pretty
it isn't artistic
it is just a journal

I have been in a bad habit of only showing my "pretty" pages from the visual and art journals
but in this book it's just what it is
a diary type of journal that says - I WAS HERE, this is ME and this is WHAT I WAS DOING
mostly it's just mindless doodling, notes and random poor sketching
but isn't that what our days are all about
so DON"T hesitate in starting a journal, don't get all hung up on making perfect pretty pages

just start right NOW, make your own life story book 

and in other news

seven jars of Lemon Suck canned and ready for tea  

btw, that's not me with the grocery cart of beer, I was doodling while waiting in the check out line
   

who turned off the heat

it has been cold as all get out, here in the heart of Texas
good days to stay inside and work in the studio
a few new journal pages

AND soon I will be offering a new on-line class

Sorry, this class is no longer available

it is nearing completion and details will be posted right here on this blog
AND there will be two more new classes available in the very near future

stayed tuned and keep warm

Detectives and Cowboys

  
just one photo can capture a story and I can become lost in them for hours
this gathering of young children is one of them
-so why is there just one cowboy
-where is his horse
-what was the little detective boy anticipating that he was perceptive enough to bring a magnifying glass to the party
-certainly it is a party as everyone is dressed in their finest
-do you think the party was for the girl center back? she seems to have a spotlight on her
she looks so very angelic but maybe it's a disguise, notice how her arms and body are clearly to the front even though she is in the back row
-there are at least two people in the foreground, notice how one group is looking at the photographer and the other group is looking off to the side.
-maybe the cowboy's horse was doing tricks next to the photographer

 
and that's what I have for today's journal page

getting close to finishing this journal with the last page approaching very soon