I had the best fun over the weekend; ignoring all the "must-dos" and "should-dos" for a day, I learnt how to bind a book.
So many threads to pull together in this story - but it starts with my daily "To-Do" lists.
I use recycled paper from the printer, then print 4 to a page, cut them up and make up pads of them. I write on them each day and then I was recycling them. But back in March last year I decided to keep a year's worth in a stack and do something with them. I think my note to self at the time said "scanned and photographed, collaged".
The stack grew over time until I had this bundle. They sat on the kitchen bench, and the odd spill occurred over the course of the year I'd say.
Another thread. Back in his youth, as part of getting through his first degree, Barry worked in a bindery, where they bound books. So when I got to the end of the to-do year I asked if he might help me bind these single pages into book, and he very kindly spent time showing me how to do it.
I had so much fun. In just one day we went from a random pile of pages to a bound book - such happiness and glee!
I clamped and sawed and glued and pressed.
Barry got all posh on me and suggested a leather spine..
And by the end of the day, still having done heaps of things in between, I had bound my daily doings for the year!
And the next day I wrote on the cover.
You can even open it and turn the pages like a real book…
I had simply hoped to somehow capture my daily doings into something - and along the way, I have learnt how to bind abook and now have a prototype to remind for when I want to do a proper one.
So many threads to pull together in this story - but it starts with my daily "To-Do" lists.
I use recycled paper from the printer, then print 4 to a page, cut them up and make up pads of them. I write on them each day and then I was recycling them. But back in March last year I decided to keep a year's worth in a stack and do something with them. I think my note to self at the time said "scanned and photographed, collaged".
The stack grew over time until I had this bundle. They sat on the kitchen bench, and the odd spill occurred over the course of the year I'd say.
Another thread. Back in his youth, as part of getting through his first degree, Barry worked in a bindery, where they bound books. So when I got to the end of the to-do year I asked if he might help me bind these single pages into book, and he very kindly spent time showing me how to do it.
I had so much fun. In just one day we went from a random pile of pages to a bound book - such happiness and glee!
I clamped and sawed and glued and pressed.
Barry got all posh on me and suggested a leather spine..
And by the end of the day, still having done heaps of things in between, I had bound my daily doings for the year!
And the next day I wrote on the cover.
You can even open it and turn the pages like a real book…
I had simply hoped to somehow capture my daily doings into something - and along the way, I have learnt how to bind abook and now have a prototype to remind for when I want to do a proper one.
What a fun project. I'm impressed by your very organised "To Do" lists as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was great little project Gina - nothing precious, lots learned and fun!
DeleteNow that is one special binding! All done very precisely and by the book (sorry for the pun) I don't know which impresses me more - the fact that you do a 'to do' list and stick to it or that they're now bound together for posterity. I wish I lived in your world Fiona. I'd achieve so much!!
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind Lesley, but precision was not really the thing! If I had known the threads would be seen I would have laid them more neatly etc etc. Still, a great little project; nothing to lose and a wonderful thing to have gained. Sometimes living in my world can be scary! But I do love a list I must say.
DeleteIt looks like you are being taught by a master!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your "tools" are tops!!
It looks like you have mastered one more skill beautifully!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks so much anna - Barry is really very handY! It was great to have his practical know-how and not just try to follow instructions in a book. We do have a lot of the right tools around as well - usually used for all sorts of other things, but happily commandeered for this - and I am full of happiness at having learnt how to make a book like this too! Thanks again.
Deleteyou amaze me: this is a fun record of a year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Velma - it is a fun way of looking back at what got done; you know how as an artist type you look at things and think they can be something else….? I was so happy it worked!
DeleteThat's really cool....and VERY organised.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo - I love it and you know, I think lists are just the only way I have organising an otherwise very scatty mind!
Deletehow cool is this!
ReplyDeleteAhh…from one list lover to another Ronnie! Imagine what we could do with our weekly, monthly and yearly lists! It's a bit of fun; but I must admit to having started another stack straightaway…not sure what they might become next year?!?
DeleteLove this Fiona, and i love your very organized list and the fact that you crossed so much off. Great way to remember a year ….with a book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz - it turned out well and is a fun reminder of the year...
Delete