While you're there, go to the galleries of my course-mates, Su Marsh and Carolyn Davy, as well as that of our tutor, John Barron.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
photo gallery
As previously mentioned, I went on a photography holiday in the Andalucía region of Spain in May. The agency has put up a few of my photos on their site. Click on the photo below, and it will take you there.
While you're there, go to the galleries of my course-mates, Su Marsh and Carolyn Davy, as well as that of our tutor, John Barron.
While you're there, go to the galleries of my course-mates, Su Marsh and Carolyn Davy, as well as that of our tutor, John Barron.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
mini-books
A month ago, I had my niece over so we can try out the supplies I bought and make some mini-books. When we opened the papers that I'd bought, I wasn't that happy with most of them. But, since that's we had, we had to work with them. We made 4 books each.
This is the first book I made (though this picture doesn't do it justice). I like this paper -- it makes me think of the ocean.
For my second book, I used different papers for the covers -- same pattern, but different colors. I added the jewels to the front cover to make it pop a little.
By the third book, there weren't really any papers that I liked anymore, so I came up with this book. I started with purple paper that had silver stripes, but the stripes were too bright, so I covered it with flimsy white paper. But then the glue showed too much, so I put the darker purple paper (a shade of purple that I actually like). I added the silver butterfly since a) it matched and b) it needed a little something in the box. I decided to add a fastener to this book, using a string of sequins from a Mardi Gras-type mask that I wore one Halloween and that had already fallen apart.
For the fourth book, I decided to try out the kit for the bigger books. Since I really didn't like the other papers, that's when I brought down the papers I bought in Thailand. These are the front and back covers.
I have to say that I really liked having the kits. We didn't have to bother with cutting, so we just had to focus on what to do with the covers. It's definitely an easy way to get started. And it made us feel so productive to be able to make multiple books. Here are all four of my books together:
I don't quite know what to do with the insides though. So, for now, they're all still blank.
This is the first book I made (though this picture doesn't do it justice). I like this paper -- it makes me think of the ocean.
For my second book, I used different papers for the covers -- same pattern, but different colors. I added the jewels to the front cover to make it pop a little.
By the third book, there weren't really any papers that I liked anymore, so I came up with this book. I started with purple paper that had silver stripes, but the stripes were too bright, so I covered it with flimsy white paper. But then the glue showed too much, so I put the darker purple paper (a shade of purple that I actually like). I added the silver butterfly since a) it matched and b) it needed a little something in the box. I decided to add a fastener to this book, using a string of sequins from a Mardi Gras-type mask that I wore one Halloween and that had already fallen apart.
For the fourth book, I decided to try out the kit for the bigger books. Since I really didn't like the other papers, that's when I brought down the papers I bought in Thailand. These are the front and back covers.
I have to say that I really liked having the kits. We didn't have to bother with cutting, so we just had to focus on what to do with the covers. It's definitely an easy way to get started. And it made us feel so productive to be able to make multiple books. Here are all four of my books together:
I don't quite know what to do with the insides though. So, for now, they're all still blank.
Monday, August 8, 2011
paper
A couple of years ago, I was in Thailand. I knew that one of the things that Chiang Mai is famous for is its handmade saa or mulberry paper. So, I visited an out-of-the-way vendor. I wanted to get some paper to use for paper arts and to use for raffle prizes. I got a lot of sheets. None of them ever got used for the intended raffle, and it wasn't until this weekend--when my niece and I were making books--that I finally got to look through the bunch again.
This is the bunch. The sheets are all pretty thick. In this first picture, the paper on top is white with gold threads.
Leaves and petals are common design elements for these papers. Here, you can see it in light green and cream.
As I mentioned, I had intended for some of these papers to be used for a raffle. So, I bought a few that have designs that could basically be framed for some instant art. They all involve elephants. Here are some of the details of the various designs.
Some of the papers have text on them. I believe these are Burmese and Thai, respectively.
Purty papers, don't you think?
This is the bunch. The sheets are all pretty thick. In this first picture, the paper on top is white with gold threads.
Leaves and petals are common design elements for these papers. Here, you can see it in light green and cream.
As I mentioned, I had intended for some of these papers to be used for a raffle. So, I bought a few that have designs that could basically be framed for some instant art. They all involve elephants. Here are some of the details of the various designs.
Some of the papers have text on them. I believe these are Burmese and Thai, respectively.
Purty papers, don't you think?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
supplies
On Friday, I received the supplies I ordered. It was very exciting. Here's what the box looked like when I opened it (like you really needed to see it):
Here are the contents of the box:
The smaller book kit is bigger than I thought it would be, but that's okay. The purples in the purple paper set were not as deep as I'd like, but I'm sure I can do something with it anyway. I really like the blue/green paper set. And I sure bought a lot of glue. I'm thinking that I might still need an x-acto knife and cutting mat, even for these kits, but maybe I can make do without. We'll see...
Other than opening the box, I didn't get a chance to touch these, though. (I was too busy trying to catch up on sleep.) Maybe next weekend...
Here are the contents of the box:
The smaller book kit is bigger than I thought it would be, but that's okay. The purples in the purple paper set were not as deep as I'd like, but I'm sure I can do something with it anyway. I really like the blue/green paper set. And I sure bought a lot of glue. I'm thinking that I might still need an x-acto knife and cutting mat, even for these kits, but maybe I can make do without. We'll see...Other than opening the box, I didn't get a chance to touch these, though. (I was too busy trying to catch up on sleep.) Maybe next weekend...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
a start
When I got the stuff I ordered from Niko, I said that I was hoping that it would be the start of being more creative. Of course, I had really already started getting creative earlier in the week with the making of Dora's recipe book. And, last weekend, I purposefully went to the farmers' market to do a photo shoot. So, what I'm really hoping is that I make time to be more creative.
Writing the first two posts on this blog (first published in my other blogs) was a step towards being more creative. I've really been wanting to get back to writing -- both the more casual/fun blogging and the more serious academic writing -- so it's good to be able to put something down again. This morning, I decided that if I'm going to get more creative and want to document it, then I'd need to make a new blog. I know I don't really need yet another blog since I'm pretty bad at keeping them up-to-date, but it's a psychological thing, a commitment (even if it ends up being short-lived). And anyway, the creation of a blog--with the personalization of design elements--is itself a creative act. So, here we are.
Also, this morning (actually yesterday morning, since it's now past midnight), I ordered some basic bookmaking supplies. I had been looking at them the previous night, but I didn't commit to purchasing them until this morning. I had decided that I would go with pre-cut materials for accordion books so that I wouldn't have any excuse to get started right away (well, one less excuse anyway). As with any shopping, I got very excited and carried away and wanted to get all the basic equipment for both glued and sewn books. But, as I saw how much it was costing (and on the advice of my friend), I decided to only order the materials that I would actually need.
I ordered:
My goal with getting these stuff is not necessarily to get all fancy, but just to get myself started. This is why I chose to go with the kits first. Once I really get into it and especially if I find that I really have the time to do it, then I can try to get more complicated. Wish me luck!
Writing the first two posts on this blog (first published in my other blogs) was a step towards being more creative. I've really been wanting to get back to writing -- both the more casual/fun blogging and the more serious academic writing -- so it's good to be able to put something down again. This morning, I decided that if I'm going to get more creative and want to document it, then I'd need to make a new blog. I know I don't really need yet another blog since I'm pretty bad at keeping them up-to-date, but it's a psychological thing, a commitment (even if it ends up being short-lived). And anyway, the creation of a blog--with the personalization of design elements--is itself a creative act. So, here we are.
Also, this morning (actually yesterday morning, since it's now past midnight), I ordered some basic bookmaking supplies. I had been looking at them the previous night, but I didn't commit to purchasing them until this morning. I had decided that I would go with pre-cut materials for accordion books so that I wouldn't have any excuse to get started right away (well, one less excuse anyway). As with any shopping, I got very excited and carried away and wanted to get all the basic equipment for both glued and sewn books. But, as I saw how much it was costing (and on the advice of my friend), I decided to only order the materials that I would actually need.
I ordered:
- 2 sets of accordion book kits (2 different sizes) -- only includes chipboard covers and inserts
- 2 kinds of adhesives -- Yes glue and PVA
- glue brush
- awl -- I don't really need this, but I got it anyway
- bone folder
- lots of decorative papers
My goal with getting these stuff is not necessarily to get all fancy, but just to get myself started. This is why I chose to go with the kits first. Once I really get into it and especially if I find that I really have the time to do it, then I can try to get more complicated. Wish me luck!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
farmers' market
Last Saturday, I decided to do a photo shoot at the farmers' market at Wilson Park in Torrance. I had gone there the previous Saturday and spent too much money. So, I thought I'd go again and kill two birds with one stone -- get some shopping done & get some photography practice.
Last May, I went on a photography holiday in the Andalucía region of Spain. It was the first time I really took manual photos. But I haven't touched the DSLR since then. Hence, the idea to do a photo shoot at the farmers' market.
I'm definitely still a newbie at it. I'd kind of forgotten what basics I learned from my holiday. And it didn't help that I was eating and shopping while trying to take photos. But at least I purposefully went and did it.
So, here are my photos from that day:
Last May, I went on a photography holiday in the Andalucía region of Spain. It was the first time I really took manual photos. But I haven't touched the DSLR since then. Hence, the idea to do a photo shoot at the farmers' market.
I'm definitely still a newbie at it. I'd kind of forgotten what basics I learned from my holiday. And it didn't help that I was eating and shopping while trying to take photos. But at least I purposefully went and did it.
So, here are my photos from that day:
recipe book
Eudora Loh, a colleague of mine, retired after working for the library for 36 years. Last week, a week before her retirement party at our department, I somehow became in charge of creating a present for her. We had a joint retirement party (5 librarians retiring at the same time!) a few weeks back, and the organizers of that party were already giving her a memory book, which included contributions from people throughout the library. I figured we couldn't really do the same thing, especially since many people in our department already contributed to that one. I was too tired to come up with anything new and, since the idea of a recipe book was mentioned, I thought we'd go with that. But I couldn't quite let go of the memory book idea so I decided to make it a combination recipe/memory book.
I thought this was going to be simple--people would give me recipes, notes, pictures, and all I'd have to do is cut and paste. Not! Being the perfectionist that I am (well, when it comes to certain things), I had to have a template and, since I was making a book, I had to format it so there's room for the sides where it would be bound (basically making mirror templates). I also had to make the recipes look uniform. Then I had to categorize the recipes somehow and add pictures -- of the food and people.
It took me at least 25 hours to do it, but I'm really proud of how it turned out. I had really wanted to make it into an actual book with a thick cover, but I just didn't have the time (not that I really knew how to do it, either). I ended up using card stock for the covers & bound it together with ribbon. Here is the final product:
On the upper left corner of the picture is actually a binder that Dora can put the recipes in should the recipe book prove too flimsy or difficult to use as is. Here is what it looks like inside:
That's one of the recipes I contributed. I actually made that for one of our departmental parties and that's an actual photo of it.
We gave the recipe book to Dora at her dessert party on Wednesday, and I have to say that she really loved it. She said that a recipe book they had made for someone else is a staple in her kitchen, and she knows this one will be as well. Since it contains pictures of people in the department, she said that she is sure to remember us every time she uses it.
No one else had really seen what I was doing with it, but they were all quite impressed. So I'd have to say it was time well-spent. And it really got my creative juices going...
We also went creative with our banner. Instead of buying a generic banner, we decided to use the same template that I used for the recipe book and printed one letter a page. Then, we strung them together with ribbon. I got this idea from something I had seen online, but it was my friend's idea to use the template. And she printed and strung it together. Here's a picture before they were fully strung together and hung up (since there is no other picture of it by itself).
Dora also really liked the banner. In fact, she loved everything about the dessert party. What's not to love, right, especially now that she has the luxury to truly appreciate every little thing?
Postscript: I saw Dora again yesterday and gave her the book jewelries; she thought they were perfect. She also said that she read the entire recipe book, especially the notes that people wrote for her. She still loves it, of course. :)
I thought this was going to be simple--people would give me recipes, notes, pictures, and all I'd have to do is cut and paste. Not! Being the perfectionist that I am (well, when it comes to certain things), I had to have a template and, since I was making a book, I had to format it so there's room for the sides where it would be bound (basically making mirror templates). I also had to make the recipes look uniform. Then I had to categorize the recipes somehow and add pictures -- of the food and people.
It took me at least 25 hours to do it, but I'm really proud of how it turned out. I had really wanted to make it into an actual book with a thick cover, but I just didn't have the time (not that I really knew how to do it, either). I ended up using card stock for the covers & bound it together with ribbon. Here is the final product:
On the upper left corner of the picture is actually a binder that Dora can put the recipes in should the recipe book prove too flimsy or difficult to use as is. Here is what it looks like inside:
That's one of the recipes I contributed. I actually made that for one of our departmental parties and that's an actual photo of it.
We gave the recipe book to Dora at her dessert party on Wednesday, and I have to say that she really loved it. She said that a recipe book they had made for someone else is a staple in her kitchen, and she knows this one will be as well. Since it contains pictures of people in the department, she said that she is sure to remember us every time she uses it.
No one else had really seen what I was doing with it, but they were all quite impressed. So I'd have to say it was time well-spent. And it really got my creative juices going...
We also went creative with our banner. Instead of buying a generic banner, we decided to use the same template that I used for the recipe book and printed one letter a page. Then, we strung them together with ribbon. I got this idea from something I had seen online, but it was my friend's idea to use the template. And she printed and strung it together. Here's a picture before they were fully strung together and hung up (since there is no other picture of it by itself).
Dora also really liked the banner. In fact, she loved everything about the dessert party. What's not to love, right, especially now that she has the luxury to truly appreciate every little thing?
Postscript: I saw Dora again yesterday and gave her the book jewelries; she thought they were perfect. She also said that she read the entire recipe book, especially the notes that people wrote for her. She still loves it, of course. :)
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