Since Amy's den/library is currently undergoing some changes (i.e., paint decisions and no furniture) she set up tables in there and made a classroom for today. It was pretty deluxe because we all had a table to ourselves, and she had every book binding supply we could have wanted.
Pretty much the only part of the process I could handle with confidence was gluing the paper onto the covers. I'm a notorious glue spazz, but know how to do it so that is the only part that made me feel like I had any skills whatsoever.
Michelle took this picture of me gluing the paper to the book board cover. Even if I don't end up retaining any of Amy's good information, at least I learned how to miter corners today!
Hannah and Michelle caught on much quicker than Diana or I. Every time I thought I had the steps down and could successful recreate them, I would walk 4 steps over to my chair, sit down at my spot and promptly forget what I was supposed to do. It was humbling and frustrating!
The sewing part was a bit complicated because of the up, down, over and around sorts of steps. It's probably not that tricky for a quick-learner, but it gave me grief. At one point I had to go stand on the front porch and take some cleansing breaths because I was suffocating in my own inadequacy.
After like 6 hours we finally finished! These are our finished books. (LtoR) Mine, Amy's, Hannah's, Michelle's and Diana's. There were no major screw-ups, and even though I struggled to learn, I enjoyed the process and am excited about the possibilities. I just don't think I'm ready to attempt another one without Amy, except for the gluing part.
We had to take a self-portrait at the end of the day right? You can see the rest of the pictures here.
We were happy to be Amy's demo class crowd, but I think she could teach to much bigger crowds. She has some serious skills and a lot of passion for book binding. It's a cool talent to have. Thanks Amy!
**Have you ever attempted book binding?
Do you have a hard time learning new things?
What would you use this kind of book for?
What kind of class would you like to take?**
Do you have a hard time learning new things?
What would you use this kind of book for?
What kind of class would you like to take?**
20 comments:
What a treat! I read about Hannah doing that today and was hoping you would post pictures (she said you would) Your books turned out great! Isn't it hard to sew through card board or do you not have to do that? At any rate this is something I would love to learn. What a great thing for a gift. Hmmm Pink Christmas ideas??
Woo hoo first to comment. I think it's been months since I have gotten this spot :)
oh so cool!!! I would love to do a "class" like that...taught by a friend, even better!
oh this is a fab idea for the bloggers reunion-- our gals hosting classes! WOW!
there are so many classes i would like to take some day. card making, the acordian books i have seen, this book binding sounds really neat. knitting, basic sewing. for me some of the fun of a class would be the sharing of ideas and the space (and peace!) in which to work
so fun!
Amy did have a great setup for us. I can't believe you grouped me in with Hannah as far catching on! I too seemed to forget what Amy had just shown us by the time I walked back to my seat. I really enjoyed the process, though, the finished product, and especially the getting away from home part! (I'm up because Eva has been screaming since 4:15. And she did it last night until 10:00.)
So cool to have a friend with a talent like that to share. I liked the photo you had of the finished product, all of the books lined up.
I would love to take just about any sort of class that is for me only - sewing, photography, etc.
On a different level, I really want to return to school to work on my PhD but that will wait until Luci and Griffin are older. That is a serious class committment!
Michelle, I just read your comment - Luci was my 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. screamer for 2 years - I sympathize!
Amy's set up was so great- I mean a whole table! Even those who tend to spread out didn't use all the space! I love that it took 6 hours- heee. One of the many advantages of doing it as a group! I hope she decides to teach other bindings :) I am addicted and have already been looking at things online- thanks to her trusty resource list. I am so anxious to do another one. Michelle's book was my favorite! Look at that paper...
As far as other classes I would want to take...just in the arts area, I would like to take a calligraphy, painting, photography, and quilting class.
those books are beautiful! I would love to learn how to do that someday.
wow...those look amazing, what a wonderful turnout. I laughed at your expressions during the night...indeed your book turned out beautifully. Well, I worked at Book Repair at BYU for a couple of years, so that in itself was indeed a blessing and something I will cherish for ever. I keep thinking I can bind now my town and country magazines...funny Alf worked there too and he just fixed some of the kids books that were torn apart. A class I would love to take now Ca
Calligraphy and oil painting
That looks like sooo much fun! I saw her post about this, and wished like anything that I lived in UT! I'm not exactly anywhere close out here in CT! I think the books look gorgeous!
Very cool. Maybe now you could set up some type of on-line tutorial for us to learn how to do this?! :)
Lucky you! I would love to learn something like that. The possibilities once you know how are just endless! That was great of Amy to have such a great setup for you guys. The books turned out so beautiful!
I have so many things I would like to learn. I really just need to start taking some classes. It's hard to just jump in and do it, though.
Wow that looks like so much fun!
How nice to have a day with your friends and learn something fun!
Very beautiful- how nice of Amy to teach & share with everyone.
These are gorgeous!
I LOVE that you guys did this. I would love to have been there. And your books all look phenomenal. I think Carlo is into something. It would be fabulous to have a blogger reunion weekend with some little classes showcasing some of the fabulous skills that are around.
I love book binding. I hope she will teach another class when I come to town again. I'm sure you were not inadequate- the books all look fantastic.
The books turned out great! What a fun and creative project.
The books look really cool. Sounds like fun. What are you using your book for?
Very, very crafty. Perfect group to do something like that. Amy seems like a kind hostess.
Oh, I wish I could have taken that class. I love to learn things like that. Very cute books.
What a great description: "Suffocating in my own inadequacy." Love your writing!
I have nver attempted book binding but it sure looks like fun. YOu did a great job! What are you going to put in the book. Is it a journal or to put pictures in?
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