NYC here we come

Got the book done! I just need to take a picture of it before I take it to NYC to give to Alex this weekend! I'm really looking forward to seeing him and I hope he likes the book! Right now I'm trying to get tickets to a couple of shows and then get packing. We haven't put a lot of planning into this trip, but I'm hoping thats not necessary. I got a deal on what I think is a pretty nice hotel near Lincoln Center and Central Park. This will be our first time staying in the city so that should be fun. Next week, its back to getting ornaments and magnets made for my next show....

More book pages

A couple more of the pages for Alex's book. I have the covers done--still being pressed. Now I just need my friend Joanne's help to poke the holes and do the sewing. I never have the right thread for these projects. You'd think I'd learn and just buy the stuff and keep it on hand. But it's actually more fun going to her studio--Paperbirds--and visiting and getting it done right! She's been out of town but will be back tomorrow. Good thing, since we leave Wednesday to go visit Alex in NYC.

Happy Halloween

I think I have all of the pages designed for Alex's book. Now I have to make a cover, and then print and assemble. I hope it works! I've done this pretty quickly and am amazed how easily it came together once I got started. And isn't that just the way it works! Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. I hope he likes it!

So, today is Halloween, and only having a 16 year old at home it could be a non-event here. But our block party is today so it might be a good time--although pretty darn cold out! I did make a tiger costume out of a gold shirt yesterday, though. I hope to get a picture of Evan in costume before the party, but that is always a battle! He's going as Hobbes, of Calvin and Hobbes. Still has to find some hair paint.

Inspirational

I really worked like crazy yesterday! It felt so good to do some creative work, instead of just printing and assembling like I've been doing for my shows. These are 2 more pages of Alex's book. I want to give him sayings that will help in the hard times when we are apart. I'm a little late on this--I did one for my older son when he went away to college. Alex is a junior now, but I guess better late than never.

As you can see, the pages are not at all the same. Just the size and the fact that I am combining lettering and text. It goes alot faster that way! Especially since I have files on my computer of background painted paper that I've done in the past. I did 7 pages yesterday and the Albert Camus one this morning. It is pouring rain outside and has been since yesterday morning so this is a good activity for me! Although I do have a few small jobs I could be working on.....

getting started

Woohoo! I got started on the book that I want to do for Alex. Talked to him last night and I am really looking forward to seeing him next week. I just hope I can get this done by Tuesday! I am not hand-lettering the whole book--just parts of each saying and then scanning and assembling it with text. I decided to make it 5 x 5 but with an extra inch for binding. The page shown above, the first one done, is the 5 x 5 page size. I think I am only going to have a saying on one page of a spread--12 in all-- and the facing page will just be background color--probably to match.

It really helped get me working just by cleaning my office/studio! Now I have a clean space to work. After seeing it posted, I think I may need to alter the color of the text....

plans...ha!

I said I wanted to take a week off and try to make a book for Alex. Already those plans seem to be unattainable... I have been stressing about my dad and so not getting anything accomplished. Was hoping to get something artistic done today or at least get my home and studio straightened and his e-mail this morning sent me into a small tailspin.....I'm working on getting out of it right now!

The photo above was taken from the gate at Oak Knoll Park, the day of the art show. I start out with something like this, and then just crop it in, and make it fit my 1.25 x 2 inch rectangle. Think it will make a good "G".

If you want me to post your name in letters, leave a comment.

Taking a week off

I'm thinking of taking a week off of doing art for shows....did pretty well at Artstravaganza , but since I don't have too many orders, and my next show is not until Nov. 13th, I may just take a break from the Sign Language Collection. I have been wanting to do a book for my son Alex since he went to college 2 years ago. We are going to see him next week..yay!..and I want to try to make a book of sayings for him to take along. So, if I get to that, I will be posting some of those pages this week. Would love to have a little down time too, but that's probably not going to happen!