Beating the heat...

It's 100º outside today! Same as yesterday, when I had absolutely no energy. Today, I am trying to beat the heat by being focused on something.....and that is my etsy site. I have two now, and I am about as good at keeping them up to date as I am this blog! I have such good intentions! Today I listed 4 or 5 new pieces of art work on my new Build A book etsy shop and did some revisions and reorganizing. I'm excited about this project but not doing a very good job of getting the word out about it. So, I think I am going to try to add it to my facebook profile.

I thought this artwork was rather appropriate for this posting, but I guess only because I really want this season of the hottest summer ever to end, and for fall to begin!

I love this 5 x 5 art

I just love doing these 5 x 5 inch pieces of art! They use a little calligraphy, some art paper that I've made in the past, and sometimes photography and it's just fun to put all the pieces together and make them look good. I hope they look good to others! It would be nice if I could eventually sell some....I'm trying to get enough done to offer in books on a new etsy site. I'm thinking of calling it Build-a-book. But I will also offer the 5 x 5 prints by themselves or in frames. I think a grouping of a bunch of these would look cool on a wall as well. Just need to keep creating.

new 5 x 5 art

I've finally got my office organized and started back to work on some art for my small book idea. I really enjoy doing these little pieces of art. I need to get enough done to start an etsy shop dedicated to my special order books.

The book is bound

The book is bound and already in Alex's hands. I hope he liked it. It is always hard to tell with sons--they don't get excited about much. But I had this leather, and made the covers, took it all to Joanne's studio where she let me use her drill to make the holes. The rest was easy---just a rubber band and a twig--which she provided! Thanks, Joanne!

The trip to NYC was great. And I got tons of new letters. Still have to crop them etc, but hope to post some soon. While there, I got a call from a woman who wants a name frame sent to NYC! So I made sure I had New York letters especially for her order. It was fun, but I think I drove my husband and son crazy....

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....

Somerset Memories Article

First page of the article:


My article titled, "Marian's Memories", just came out in the Dec/Jan issue of Somerset Memories! Just got it in the mail yesterday and it was so cool to see! Looks like there is a lot of great work as always... You should pick up a copy and check it out!

Marian's Memories in Somerset Memories

From the calligrapher side of my life:

I heard last week from Somerset Memories Magazine that they liked the article and files I sent them of my book about my mom's memories of growing up in St. Louis in the 20's and 30's. I had entered it in the Remembrances column of the magazine and they like it and want to use it--maybe for a feature article. This is a first for me! I hope it actually happens, I just shipped it off on Friday. Have no idea when it will get in, they work so far out. I will post if and when it actually happens!