Monday, August 6, 2012

Drawing Challenge Invitation [72] with the theme: "A Small Book"

In the interest of simplicity, I've edited this post so that my actual little book that I made FOR this week, appears right up at the top. I'll do a line of stars or something to separate the two entries.
I've been wanting to do a little smash style book for awhile now, and so this is the opportunity to do it. I did. This is what the muse came up with. I never ask the muse, I just follow directions. This book is the size of a regulation size a.t.c. [3.5"X2.5"] and was written by me for my daughter for her birthday. It is a little book of instruction for how to 'keep house' as the saying goes. The cover is cardboard from mouse poison and s.o.s. pads boxes. The inside contains sewn and glued pages with subjects such as: housework, lipstick, perspiration, complaining, to name a few. I figure a gal, no matter the age (my daughter will turn 41 on the 13th and has two children ages 8 and 6 yrs.) it is good to have guidance in things household. The only real illustration (drawing) done for this project is a gal in a brassiere but that counts me in as a 'drawing challenge' I'm hoping. Here's the book. [I considered hiring a 'hand' model to hold the book. My hands are so crinkly.] C'est la vie! Here's the book:
FRONT COVER:
INSIDE PAGES:
So there is my little book for this week. Remember to pop down to the very bottom of this post to click on to the names of the other players who are linked there. You'll see some really fun things! Ciao. ************************************************************************************
As long as the book can be held in the palm of one's hand, I consider this a small book. A standard 3"X5" index card when folded in half gives a cover for a book measuring 2.5"X3" and you are off to the start of making a small book. Create art on the front cover and fill the inside with nice paper that is blank and you have a journal. Of course you can use the journal to write, draw, make art.
To show you a few examples of small books that have inspired me, I will show you two swaps in which I have been fortunate to partake. The first is a one-time private swap I did with the lovely Kim. This swap was done with a love for each others' work and came about in a private email conversation between the two of us. Here is the little book that I sent to her: (It is made from one used tea bag)
You can see the entire book opened with all of the pages complete, before it is constructed. Here it's been put together and this is one page:
And here you can see the book opened:
Two inner pages are seen, and here is the back cover:
And here is the little book that Kim sent to me:
Now it is opened:
Oh how I adore the little house inside:
Another swap I did was with the talented Stefanie. She makes the most original and wonderful cigarette paper little books. Her illustration style is a work of art. My gal features a lovely polka dot frock.
This is a cigarette paper little book that I sent to Stefanie. This is what it is made from:
I can't locate a photo of the finished piece, if I took one. The cover is all about spiders. The inside is one leaf of cigarette paper illustrated with the bird and with a quote attached to the image. So there it is folks. You are welcome to come join the fun here. Just make a little book and do a blog post the coming weekend. If you are playing along, leave a comment below on this post saying that you are IN, and I'll add your name to the list and link to your blog. I am going to try a little 'smash' book using cardboard packaging for the covers...I see an SOS pad package shouting to be used...and maybe that mice poison box. Oh my!!
Thanks for dropping in, and I'll see you soon I hope, *smiles* Norma
Just for fun, I feel like giving away a little tea bag paper book to one of the players for this challenge. I will do a draw at the end of the challenge (next weekend.) I'll need to finish off one that I have already started and so I don't have a 'teaser' to show you! See you soon. WHO IS PLAYING THIS CHALLENGE? The following: Sus, Kim, Ariane, Sue, Renilde, Nadine, Barbara, Helen?, Rachel, Mano WHO IS OUR NEXT HOST? Ariane!
WHO WON MY LITTLE BOOK GIVEAWAY? Ariane!!

51 comments:

  1. Hi there Norma - with some trepidation, due to the arrival tomorrow morning of long-lost Sailor and Daughter which is going to EAT time, I am IN. (It may be a very small book indeed)! -sus

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  2. Oh thank goodness Sus!! I know you are expecting the loved ones and will be enjoying yourself and so it is incredible that you are IN. An amazing fact my art friend! Make it small; make it quick; it will be fabby I just know it. You are a trooper. *smiles* N. xo

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  3. As you know Norma I too can not resist making a small book, so count me in too! And I so adore my little book you made and are showing here! It makes me smile when I walk by it. (which I do a number of times a day)
    x
    Kim

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    1. Kim we are all in for a big treat with you joining in. YOU inspired me to choose this theme. I did 'borrow' a few of the photos that you took and I hope you do not mind. I wanted folk to get the best picture possible of your work (and mine) and not all of my photos were as clear as yours. In any event, I look forward to seeing what you do for this challenge. I'm doing something outside of the box, literally (I'm using cardboard from boxes for this project.) Talk soon, N. xoxo

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  4. This is so very beautiful!
    Norma! What a collection of amazing pretty little books... wonderful.
    I wanna try... so please, call me in.

    x Ariane.

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    1. Ariane I am kind of tickled inside trying to imagine what you will do with this. Your creative touch gives something so unique and unanticipated in your work. I love what you come up with and enjoy every second of discovering it when you post. See you this weekend! *smiles* Norma, xo

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  5. I love these little books, how inspiring! I will enjoy this challenge, please count me in.

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    1. Oh how great! See you at week's end. I think these little books are going to be very different from each other...and thus, very exciting. *smiles* Norma

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  6. Dear Norma, little jewels all these little books, so very pretty, and a wonderful challenge theme, i'll steal some time to make one, count me in please, xx

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    1. Renilde, your paint brush will work magic I bet. It'll be interesting to see what the muse comes up with. Talk soon, N. xo

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  7. Oh my goodness, these are gorgeous. I'd like to try but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to participate and display my result. ;)
    Stopped by to get acquainted with some of the "Le Mysterieux Carnival" guests.
    Looking forward to visiting.
    Marcia

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    1. Marcia, we are all not so sure a lot of the time. These weekly challenges are challenging to us all. But that is the joy of it...we get pushed further than we might otherwise have been, if we didn't attempt the task. If your muse speaks to you on this one, make something and if you even half-ways like it, come on back and I'll add you to the players' list. I'm sure we would all be happy and excited to see what you came up with. If not, then know that what you did is a stepping stone to the next thing you do and that thing will be the better for it. It's all good!!! *smiles* Norma
      p.s. I've got my thinking cap on for the 'Mysterious Carnivale' event; got a few ideas swimming around in the noggin. xo

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  8. Ill try Norma
    but my husband is having an op on Friday and I may not get a chance Ill see how i go.

    I love the books by the way they are amazing

    Have a good week
    Helen x

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    1. Helen thank you so much for thinking of us. Best thoughts go to your husband with wishes that his op goes splendidly. Surgery is so stressful but thank goodness that we have surgeons and medical professionals who take care of us. Hoping that everything goes smoothly, Helen. Please don't add to your stress load by trying to make an art piece. Unless you find your fingers forming something, with a mind of their own, which sometimes happens, it would be more than understood that you might pass on the challenge this week. Take good care, love N. xo

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  9. like i said, i'll be in, the woolf way, and i may participate 'half finished', or 'half started', whatever. but my love for the tiny little booklet will, one way or another, be honoured.
    and i CAN't wait to see all the other's efforts, because, oh, wow! a tiny library... it's a booklet dream coming true...
    n♥

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    1. I'll mark you down as IN (in the woolf way). Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Speaking of booklet dreams. My friend has an old wooden bible holder that used to be attached to a pew in a church that was demolished. She has the holder firmly attached to a wall in her living room and it is quite long. The thing is LOADED with little books, mini books, zines, artbooks, comic books, etc. You name it, it is there. All hand made by herself, and me, and her artist friends. She is artsy, her husband is a great artist, and most of their friends are musicians or artist or creative, and they all contribute. It is a mini library/installation right in her home. When people come visit, there is always stuff to look at in the way of the 'little' book. Isn't that completely awesome??? N. xo

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  10. and by the way, dear, did i mention? no, i did not! your birdy booklet is to die for! those teabags!!!!! they are so tiny vintage...! the birds are having a ball...
    n♥

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  11. norma, i'm down on my knees, your books are so very beautiful!! and the ones you swapped too! we are almost sitting on ready packed suitcases,
    the baltic sea is "waiting". so this time i won't be in that great challenge theme! have fun!! love, julia

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    1. Julia! Happy Holidays art friend!! N. xo Thank you for the words. They mean a lot to me! *smiles*

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  12. As everyone else told before - they are absolutely gorgeous, so pretty all this tiny little books. Please call me in, although I'm not so into this little things, I'll give it a try. And really love this teabag-stuff, great material too!
    Barbara

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    1. Barbara why don't you iron a tea bag flat, and pick up some pencil crayons (tea bags LOVE pencil crayons or conte crayons or charcoal or pastel pencils, and they love pastels of all kinds, and acrylic paint no matter how diluted or how strong, and water color [although the water color paint bleeds like there is no tomorrow], and micro nibs like felt pens [I can't think of the name right now], and probably lots of materials that I haven't tried yet) and see what you do. Try it out. Tea bag paper is surprisingly strong and will hold so many things. It likes to be collaged. Either as the material you collage with or the ground you collage upon. The only two things to watch out for is piercing the paper with a sharp pencil point because you've pressed too hard [I use many strokes on top of each other but with a light touch], or water which will allow the paper to tear.
      You could do a smallish illustration on tea bag paper and call that a study for illustrating a small book. Just a thought...
      See you this weekend! *smiles* Norma

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  13. These wee books are delicious!! They're gorgeous!
    I am late at joining, but I realized I have something to share!
    Love
    Rachel

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    1. A beautiful sharing Rachel. Love your work. *smiles* N. xo

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  14. Hello Norma!
    I absolutely LOVE your "out of the box" book!!! I am loaded with things to work on right now (and unfortunately can not do too many of them), but you once again have inspired me, so I have added it to my "want to make" list...for somewhere down the road. Thanks for hosting, and oops I realized too late that I should have drawn something in my little book. Oh well, next time!

    Who is hosting the next weeks challenge???
    xo
    Kim

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    1. Thanks for the words art friend!! *smiling* ~ I actually don't think we must draw something for the challenges. I try to do a 'dot' or some kind of mark with some drawing instrument when I'm working on a challenge, but the muse really, has top shelf in the say of how things go. I adore your little book that you made. N. xo
      p.s. Ariane is our next host. Fun ahead!

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  15. Oh Norma - I meant to mention, that I think your hands look great in the photos!!!.... mine on the other hand with the chewed off nails are the ones that need a hand model, but I decided long ago not to let that bother me. And of course it is absolutely fine that you used the pictures I took.

    Have a great weekend.... I am off to a friend's outdoor wedding on this wet Yukon day.

    Kim

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    1. Hi Kim! I painted the thumb nail with a pale pink in the hope that the 'veil' would kind of camouflage the wear and tear of 61 years...but then again, I've stepped out in public for many years now sans a stitch of makeup so I don't know what the deal is with the storied hands. N. xo
      Oh how nice to think of a wedding! Even in the rain. Hope you had fun...sending my best wishes to the couple. Ciao.

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  16. What a fun challenge! Oh, and thanks for the tip on how to get rid of those yuckky stains...funny!

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    1. Sue! The whole book is a tongue in cheek effort. BUT the instructions for ridding ones' clothes of yukky sweat stains is for real. This recipe works. It's kind of the kernel of the idea for writing the book in the first place. N. xo
      p.s. your post killed me. Fabby.

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  17. What a surprise... I won a little tea bag paper book made by you?!
    Fantastic!
    G R E A T ! Dearest Norma,
    I'm thrilled, absolutely excited!
    I'm screaming for joy and happyness...
    a BIG THANK YOU!

    Oh, and I've posted my little book.

    xo Ariane.

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    1. So now I'm on the hunt around here for the little tea bag paper book. I'll be finishing it off for you so in the meanwhile can you email me with your snail mail address? Talk soon Ariane! I'm looking forward to what you are giving us for the next theme. *smiles* Norma, xo

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  18. Hey Norma, have found my way to your wonderful blog via Kim Henkels.......

    Love your small book and have had a lovely browse through some of your older posts.
    I am itching to get some paint, pencils and paper out and just 'go for it' but I will just have to wait till
    I have some spare time and cross a few of the jobs off my 'to do' list.
    But you have definitely got my creative spark flaring........

    CLaire :}

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    1. Hi Claire. Hearing that I have inspired someone is just about the best music that I could hear. Thanks for making my day! And I know that you'll be making something fabulous up ahead. *smiles* Norma

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  19. you're a good wonder woman to be wanting to hand out indispensable information like this, the creative way. it makes it all so much more pleasurable. i follow you on the "no housework - make art instead" subject, do i ever! of course the rat poison cover is quite tricky....
    ;)))
    n♥
    and yes! your nail is SO clean, as opposed to mine.... hee hee...

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    1. Nadine!! In a true act of demented desperation, after YEARS of trapping mice in catch and release traps, and the old fashioned kind, and the sticky glue kind where they are stuck but then you have to pry them off (oh gad), I finally resorted to actual poison for a particularly smart fella who was driving me to distracted loss of mental balance, and the poison worked but now he is dead somewhere in my studio and it stinks to high heaven and so I am on the hunt for the carcass. I prefer the sticky stuff. The catch and release kind are the easiest but not as quick. I try to catch them before they breed. In illustrations they are so darned cute...in real life they are so damned annoying, what with the pooping and peeing and ripping of paper off of the wall (drywall if you can believe it), etc. they are not welcome in my world (reality). N. xo

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    2. no, i agree!
      our (distributed by the city concil) poison dries the carcasses out... what a shame yours should not do this...
      good luck, hey?
      n♥

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  20. wonderful "out of the bos" book! fabulous!

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    1. I had so much fun making this, I'm already planning my next one...and the next one after that. I'm thinking of doing one about how to behave on a first date, what to wear (red lipstick is always right). Of course these books are all tongue-in-cheek art books. I have a kleenex tissue box that is pink roses all over and I'm thinking that that would make a great cardboard cover for the next one. Thanks for your kind words. *smiles* Norma

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  21. dear Norma, this was such a great challenge, a pleasure to make that little book and looking at all the little beauties everyone came up with

    your present for your daughter, so adorable and touching and like Woolfie said that 'make art instead' is the best! you are an inspiration, love, x

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    1. Hi Renilde. Ditto. Your book is a pleasure to view. A piece of art that is fun and mysterious and special. Love your work. N. xo

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  22. They are all so wonderful, creative and inspiring a real pleasure to look at.
    And thanks for your teabag advice - I'll try it soon!
    Barbara

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    1. Barbara! I can only barely imagine what a treasure you'd make with tea bag paper. I hope the muse speaks to you...with tea bag paper as the subject matter...and I hope you will post your art piece when the time comes. Looking forward...N. xo

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  23. dear norma, your little books are fantastic!!! love them all!
    It's a wonderful theme - and now, back from a little trip to hamburg and würzburg, I post MY little books.
    a little bit late, but please: count me in, if possible!
    :-)) mano

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    1. Your books speak to me dear Mano! Love them. *smiles* N. xo

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  24. Norma,
    This was a wonderful thee this week. The past few months I have made many little books! I am so inspired now by all that I see!
    The book for your daughter is fantastic! Such a fun idea, original, and something to pass on for generations to come!
    The other wee books made in the trades are absolutely breathtaking. I am so crazy inspired right now! The tea bags and cigarette paper lend themselves to such delicate but sturdy texture.
    I havent been around much this summer but am so glad I joined in at the last minute.
    Also, thank you for the kind words on my book. It was very simple as I had little time and 10 to make! But the kids loved them. They actually went out with the invites along with a tip to an educational website, so the kiddos could learn a little something before they came. It was a hoot!

    Best,
    Rachel

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    1. Rachel, I found tremendous inspiration from viewing all of these little treasures, as well. I have a cornucopia of ideas inside of my head now. Have a great week, *smiles* Norma

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  25. I love the little books! Wonderfully creative and fun. Is this a club to do art work?

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    1. Hi Ms Smart! It is a group (open) headed by Ariane where someone is the host for the week (folk volunteer to be the host) and they get to choose the theme. This gets the okay from Ariane, and she posts on her blog, what the theme will be and who is the host. Then the host does a post describing what the theme will be and whoever wants to play along that week just leaves a comment on the host's post, saying that they are IN and will be posting what they have made with that theme, the following weekend. Everybody who is playing along is linked up from the host's blog and so then all can be viewed easily. If you ever want to check what is really happening with the group, just go the Ariane's blog. She's always got her finger on the pulse. This was a fun challenge, that is for sure!! *smiles* Norma

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  26. Dear Norma, what a great collection! Thank you for your gentle words about the cigarette paper book. I am always so impressed by your tea bag art work, this is so amazing and so magical! And I am proud to own one artwork (even two) of you, it found a good place in my new appartement. X Stefanie, a bit sad that I missed this fantastic drawing challenge theme:)

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  27. Hi Stef; I was signed in as my daughter. Just to say thanks for the comments and compliments all around! Bye for now, N. xo

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Your comments make my day! Thanks for dropping by and we'll see you soon, I hope, *smiles* Norma

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