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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Collaboration Book 3

It's been ages since Susan and I have seen each other  - so it was lovely to spend the day together today catching up, talking, designing and exploring our next collaboration.

A while back Susan had the inspired idea to make a book of envelopes.  My brain was way off track and it took ages for me to grasp how we could do it and then the ah ha moment hit me and I was totally into it!

At our meeting/discussion a month or so ago we decided that we would choose rectangle and square envelopes and we gave ourselves some maximum dimensions. We decided that we would use an earthy palette (no black or white). We decided we would make two of each envelope style so that we each had one. That way we would both start with the exact same base materials and we could take it from there.

Thru the week, we both weakened a wee bit and decided to include black and white as options!  Once we started talking and displaying and sharing the papers we had both collected, our strength returned and we rejected the black and white notion (altho we held onto it for a future something or other; they were too divine).

So here are the rejects...



As we held the various papers and turned them this way and that, we talked about the size and the nature of the envelope each would make. The collaboration was very much in the making - the choosing and the deciding on the structure of the book.  We decided on 11 envelopes and over the course of the day added in another two, because we liked them so much! Flexibility is one of the keys to collaboration I think.

Here is the palette of papers we decided to work with - some of Susan's and some of mine...


With some lovely close-ups...


And the basic template or shape of our envelopes cut.


We agreed which envelopes we would stitch and which we would glue/tape, and we basically prepared them all so that we can take them away and work into them and onto them.

Here I am beginning to think about what I might use for stitching...


Susan had brought a couple of brown craft paper envelopes with her on the first day to show me what had got her started; so we are including one of each of them in the set.

We each have plenty of thinking and work to do - making work to go into each envelope; working out what story we are wanting to tell and how it all holds together.  I expect it will be a fascinating outcome! We have also given ourselves a longer lead time for finishing them as there are probably now 13 little art pieces we need to include.

Here is where we got to today - a stash of hand-made (mostly) envelopes, waiting to tell a story.



So yet again, the process and approach take a different direction with this book. The collaboration is all at the beginning in jointly developing the size, structure and materials for the envelopes.  We will each take the same set and make them our own; no swapping or returning, simply setting the scene in a collaborative manner; and then letting each other take off.

It feels like we have begun a lovely adventure!

19 comments:

  1. Oh what a lovely cache of papers. My favourite palette too! I look forward to seeing more. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks so much Robyn - the colours are really nice and I hope I can do the papers justice.

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  2. Well, this is very exciting indeed! I love envelopes. They are a little container that can hold a whole universe. I have made 2 envelope books and now I am excited to do so again. They are labors of love as you say Fiona, since the envelopes usually contain a piece of art. I love the rich textures and colors you have chosen. I am looking forward to seeing your progress with these gems. I have a pinterest board of envelopes...
    Wishing you many happy hours with your book making.

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  3. And P.S. Thank you for not having us go through the agony of word verification!

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    1. Thanks for your joyful understanding and excitement Leslie! I think there is mystery and magic with envelopes - what they reveal; how they contain things. I am really looking forward to it.

      I have found not too much spam since I turned off the verification thingy - so much easer all round and no drama for me to pop the spam in the bin. Go well.

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    1. Thanks Connie - the papers are pretty special aren't they?

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  5. I really enjoyed this post with its note of your adjustments as you progressed to the completion of the envelopes. I am really curious now to see how you will bind them into a book, especially as you have the rectangles and squares. Are the short sides of the rectangles the same length as the squares' sides?

    How lovely to come up with contents for the envelopes too. And of course the papers are all so extremely scrummy!

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    1. Hi Olga - thanks for leaving me a message. We are not sure how loosely we will interpret the word 'book' in this instance; and the binding will be very interesting! None of the sides are the same; so we will need to use our imaginations to pull it together into a coherent story.

      Like you I love the papers, as well as the notion of the things the envelopes will contain. Go well.

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  6. I could eat all those papers...delish.

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    1. I think I used that word a few times myself to describes those papers Jo - very yummy indeed.

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  7. wonderful! Beautiful textures, tones and shapes. The idea of envelopes…something hidden waiting to be revealed…Oh, how exciting!

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    1. Hi Suzie - I agree! It's the hiding, revealing, and all that goes with them that will make this very very enjoyable. I am still waiting to 'hear' from the envelopes just what they think they should be but am sure it will come together.

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  8. Fiona, I've been back at least 5 times to view these scrumptious papers and end up tongue tied and drooling. The colors, textures, patterns and especially the mystery of the envelope...well, it all leaves me a bit speechless and awestruck.

    I'm loving these collaborations between you and Susan.

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    1. I know that feeling of returning often and still being in awe - happens to me at your blog! The papers are truly wonderful together - and I hope I can do them justice. The notion of envelopes is a delightful one for an exchange and collaboration I think...Susan and I having fun and it's nice to be able to share!

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  9. there's a wonderful book entitled "grandfather's envelopes". i think you would enjoy it.

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    1. Thank you India - I'll head off on a search for it now! Go well.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.