Books – Page 8 – Karla's Cottage

Behind the scenes of the Nature’s Blessings Swap Journal

By Karla Nathan / October 22, 2014

It will be nice coming back from my trip to a clean studio. For weeks and weeks before the trip, I was up to my ears in the Nature's Blessing swap.

I had three tables filled with stacks of pages from the artists.

And this table set up with towers of journal covers, and a small, cleared area where I could sit and put the pages into the books.

Another table was set up for wrapping the books to get ready to ship. Then, there was a pile of packages waiting for labels by the computer and boxes of packages ready to go to the PO by the door.

And yet one more table set aside for choosing complimentary groupings.

Which is very complicated since there are two sides to each set of pages.

Of course, with soooooo many artists and hundreds and hundreds of pages, there is a huge mix of styles and the books can't "match".

Plus, it's only right that each swapper receives a variety, no one wants back exactly what they sent in.

They join a swap to get a sampling of pages back in their own books.

But, I do think that there has to be something cohesive about each book, so that there is some sort of flow as you flip through it.

I do my best to gather together 6 pages that look nice together.

Of course, with so much bounty to chose from, that is not a hard job!

I probably take way too much time doing this, but each book is special to me.

I love looking through each stack and picking out the pages that I pull together.

It is such a treat to have this bounty of creativity overflowing my workspace!

I just wish I could sell tickets to the room, to give tours of the pages. I'd be rich.

I'm sure there are easier ways to do the swaps. If I'd open six packages at a time and swap those six out with each other, keeping the other packages boxed up til I was ready for them, I wouldn't need to use a whole room to do this.

But I just don't think the results would be the same. I like piecing each book together, with as much care as each artist put into their own pages.

I hope the artists love the books they receive as much as I do.

And I want them to know how much it means to me that they trust me with their creations.

There is some beautiful work here, isn't there?

Amazing amounts of detail…

Lush and lovely supplies…

Adorable whimsical thoughts…

Layers of loveliness…

Innovating ideas…

Charming charms…

Little surprises…

Pages and pages of pretty!

Are you impressed? I know I am.

Thanks again to all of my swappers! And to those of you who had to drop out and ordered a blank book to fill up with blessings at a later date, a big thank you. That was kind. Making dozens and dozens of book covers, white washing and tying on charms, took me weeks to do. I appreciate my time not being taken for granted. It was nice of the people who signed up, but couldn't finish the swap to still purchase the book that I had taken the time to make for them.

Abundance

Books, swaps

By Karla Nathan / October 8, 2014

My pal, Angie, and I decided that we needed a junking day out.

Before we left, I showed her the wonderfulness of the Nature's Blessing Journal pages that were taking over my studio.

Tables and tables filled with pages.

And there were towers of empty books waiting to be filled.

I'd made up a blank book for her as a gift, and she asked if she could make pages and join the swap. After seeing the studio filled with the amazing art, she couldn't resist!

And it takes forever to put this many books together, so she had plenty of time to make pages. I was so glad she joined, she has a lovely, vintage style.

And when she delivered them, she brought cookies!!!!!

How could she resist wanting to have some of this gorgeousness of her own? It's remarkable to see it all in person. I often am overwhelmed by the mass of creations and wish I could share the experience with more people. In person, they are quite something.

Here is one side of the pages for the first book, all laid out and ready to be tucked into the covers.

Here is another set.

When I am working on sorting the pages as they come in the mail, I try to arrange them on the table in groups that look pretty together, so that when I pull out six to tie into a book, I chose from the groupings, hopefully creating books with pages that are complimentary to each other.

Here is the flip side of that last set.

I'm trying to get photos as I compile the pages. But I don't think the photos do justice to them. You almost have to be here to soak in the abundance. Kind of like seeing the Grand Canyon instead of seeing a photo of it.

Here is another set.

And its flip side.

By the way, if you are in the swap and reading this, don't freak out and think I am way behind. I write my posts in advance, sometimes I'll write five or six in one quick setting. I whip out a few when I'm in the mood and postdate them like bad checks.

I'll be in Florida and New Hampshire for a while and plan to have lots of Blessing pages to share with you while I'm away.

Want to make your own journal? I have step by step lessons, in this tutorial for $15.

Here are a few more pics of the books for the swap in progress.

An art journal made from a vintage prom dress and a cabinet card

Books, Dew Drop, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 29, 2014

When I made this book, I had no intention of making a book. Sometimes that happens. My son and I decided to clean out the fairies' closet. Sugarwings was a dedicated dresser upper (and still is) but had outgrown many of the play clothes.

Dewdrop, enjoys dress up tremendously, but is picky about her ensemble. She has one or two faves and will not try on anything else.

So, we decided to donate 5 bags (yes, an outrageous amount of dress up clothes!!!!!) from their stash to a thrift shop so other little kiddos could pick things out in time for Halloween.

Most of the stuff had come from thrifts anyway, so it was kinda like taking them home again. Or just borrowing them for a bit.

Anyway, in the closet was an old prom dress that I've adored since I bought it at a garage sale a few years back.

Here is Clover wearing the dress a couple of years ago in a photo from another album that I made.

When I saw the gown buried under a pile of fluff and nonsense under the bed, I decided to reclaim the it for myself. And HAD to go and make a book, right then and there.

I transformed an old cabinet card into a book, with a simple little trick and this lovely fabric. Most of the books I've done for the tutorial aren't sewn, and this one isn't either.

But in cutting up the dress, and using existing seams, it looks like a sewn cover.

Of course, I had to use some vintage wallpaper too! And I just happened to have the perfect shade of old velvet ribbon to add to the book.

This book is for sale. All of them will be, as soon as I get them listed in the Boutique. I've not done it yet, even though I have tons of photos to use. But I have been selling some through enquiries by people who have seen the pictures.

This one will be $55 if you are interested, just email me at karlanathan@sbcglobal.net. (postage included in the US) sold, thanks for all the interest!

Or, if you'd like to make a similar book yourself? Directions for turning a cabinet card into a journal are available here.

How to make an art journal

Books, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 24, 2014

I sure made a LOT of journals as examples for the tutorial!

What started out as a basic class about how to make a book cover, turned into a whole pile of books to use as examples for different styles and variations of the basic book.

I was so involved with making one book after another, that my poor dogs started to feel desperate for attention in the studio. Dorothy had to insert herself into the photo session to get me to notice her this day.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that the photos weren't all about her.

The workshop also ended up with design ideas for the interior of the books too, and different ways to add closures. But mostly, it shows step by step instructions to build a basic cover and make the signatures (pages) all in a easy, no sew way.

(But I did add a couple of sewing options, for those who don't find sewing machines to be torture devices).

And once I had the basic steps down, I realized that they could apply to any number of projects, with some variation on the theme, and a few simple tricks.

So, I started turning photo albums, vintage books, and cabinet cards into books too.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased this $15 class, and for the great feedback! I've put a lot of time into the prototypes and process, it's wonderful to hear from people who are reading the blog, that they like the posts.

Here is a little video with some of the books you'll find described in the class.

Stacks

Books, swaps, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 18, 2014

The covers for Nature's Blessings Journal swap are ready to be filled. And the pages are pouring in. There are boxes stacked on my porch from the mail lady every afternoon.

Here is a sample book I made up, and filled with my own pages, just so I could see how nice they looked filled and fat.

Are you a fast crafter? If so, you still have time to make some pages over the weekend to enter the swap. They are due to be mailed on the 10th, but I just realized that is a Saturday. I'm letting the swappers know that Monday the 22nd is fine for a mail by date.

There are also swap journal books with blank pages for sale, if you'd like to buy a book to fill yourself. $30 includes postage in the US.

Or, if you'd rather make your own book, in the style of the Nature's Blessings Journal, or from a vintage photo album, old book, or even an antique cabinet card folder, I have a new tutorial available here.

Creating art journals- a new tutorial

Books, Tutorials

By Karla Nathan / September 6, 2014

In this class, you will learn how to build a basic art journal from scratch, using card stock, canvas, and chipboard. I'll be offering a no sew and a couple of stitching options too.

After you learn how to make the book, I'll show you how to use the same techniques in some different styles and how to employ them to alter an existing book two different ways plus a couple of ways to redo a vintage photo album, and a transformation of an old cabinet card too.

As a bonus, once your books are assembled, I'll have some romantically inspired tips on creating closures, and some ideas for getting started on the interior pages too.

Included is a section about doodling, and some hand drawn doodle pages for you to print and add your own color to. Coloring a page like this is a good learning tool for creating a page of your own.

Plus, remember how much we loved to color as kids? It is every bit as fun as an adult!

EXAMPLE

All steps will be written out, plus illustrated with large photos, that also feature steps written onto the pictures. The instructions are complete and ready to read at your own pace, and are available for an unlimited time. I've had my blog on Typepad for over 7 years at this point, and have no plans to stop in the near future. This tutorial, along with the other classes I've taught will be available as long as I have a Typepad blog.

Each segment will be a seperate blog post. You can easily find what you are looking for by accessing the category list on the right hand side bar of the blog. Just click on the title on the side bar to take you to the post you want.

I've also included lots of scanned images from my vintage collection for you to print and use in your own books.

When you purchase the class, PayPal will send a notice to me, and I will contact you with the website address and password within 24 hours.

Here is a button for the class if you'd like to display it on your blog.

The class is $15, and you can purchase by clicking on the paypal button that you will find on this site.

Thanks!

More Nature’s Blessing Journal Swap page examples

Books, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / August 22, 2014

I've been working away on the book covers for the Nature's Blessings swap, but I really should be more factory-like as I do them.

But I just can't be!

I glue some papers… iron some canvas… cut out some angels (oh my, there are a LOT of little feathers on those wings!)…White wash a few covers,well, you get the picture.

If I had a lick of sense, I'd do all of one step, then move on to the next step. Instead of having odd numbers of each step finished.

Then, of course, I need to take breaks to make some interior pages of my own so I can join the swap too! (this one features a crepe paper ruffle trimming a pocket made from an old advertising card.)

This page is backed with a page about gardening taken from a 1800s French magazine that I bought from Gwen for only $1.

Over that, I added a bowl of apples cut from a Victorian scrap album. And lo and behold, I actually was able to pull it out! Have you noticed how fantastic the glue usually is in those old scrap albums!??? Oh my goodness, what did they use for glue that is still holding so darn tight over 100 years later????????

I want some of that glue! But I think getting it involves rendering hooves, or something and I am fresh out right now.

The apples and the illustrations from the French gardening article made me think of harvest time and canning up nature's summer abundance to eat all winter long. So, I found the word "abundance" in an old dictionary and cut it out, then glued it to a piece of summer green, velvety ribbon.

The ribbon is only glued down at the sides, so that it became a towel rack to hang a tiny, vintage dish towel on. That seemed to complete my thoughts about canning summer produce, old kitchens, etc.

Whoever gets this page, can take the mini dish towel out for some other purpose, or keep it in the book. The page is fine either way, because the French text underneath is pretty dang cool.

I love that stuff.

Sorry, this photo isn't real sharp. It is old, lined, stationary paper with a rose on it.

I trimmed the top in more French magazine paper, some velvet and a flower. Plus some lace across the top.

Each of my pages has a little something peeking out from either the top, bottom, or side. I think that the book will be so much fuller and prettier looking if the swappers have embellishments that are protruding to show outside of the book.

Like the sheer flower petals showing from under the nest on this page.

People have asked me if it is okay to use fabric or something other than card stock to make their pages. I really want the pages to be card stock, for ease of putting the books together. But, like on this page, you can use other materials over it.

This is card stock, with fabric, that I have sewn on. The center is more French text (thanks, Gwen!!) that will be a pretty back ground for the book's soon to be owner, to glue a photo or momento over.

It isn't too late to join, if you are interested in making some pages of your own. Or you can purchase an empty book, ready to fill yourself. I've sent out quite a few of those already, and we are up to almost 75 swappers. The more the merrier! We will have a lot of variety in the pages. I'm so pleased to have a good turn out for this. I know it is a bigger swap than I've done in the past, commitment-wise.

Packages are starting to come in the mail, but I won't be opening them yet. As boxes arrive, they go into tubs, stacking up until almost time to start filling books. It's much easier to keep track of hundreds pages if I keep them in their original packages till I need them.

Also, I am working on a book binding tutorial. So far I have photographed and written instructions for 3 styles, I want to add at least 3 more before having it ready to market. Details to come.

Nature’s Blessing Journal Swap page examples

Books, swaps, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper

By Karla Nathan / July 27, 2014

I've been so pleased with the sign ups for the Nature's Blessing Journal swap! Thanks to those of you who have joined in! There is plenty of more space, this is an open ended swap. I'll just keep making books until I have enough.

Some of the swappers were asking for more detail on how the pages go together. So, I thought I'd snap some pics of the ones I've started myself as examples.

There are a LOT of pages to make. But as I said, at least half need to be usable for the new owner. Such as the one on the right, above. That page is nothing more than journal paper with a border at the top and the bottom. The one on the left is one that I finished myself. (Although, there actually is some space for writing a note, if the person who owned the book wanted to use it that way)

Here is the basic start of each "folio" (single sheet of paper that makes 4 pages when folded).

Fold a piece of card stock in half, decorate each of the four sides.

I will put 3 folios together to make a "signature".

There will be 3 signatures per book, made up of 6 sent in by 6 different artists, and three fresh, blank pages from me.

The book will be used as a functional journal. So, I'd like to see at least half the pages open to be used by the person who receives the book. Like the page on the right here, once again, I've used ledger paper. This time, it is accented with lace trim and a single butterfly.

Since the six folios (24 pages) you send in will go to six diferent artists and you will receive artwork from six different artists. You can make each of your six exactly the same, or do each in a unique way. What ever you like.

The page on the left didn't save any space for future use, but is a completed arty page.

Another way of making the page useful is to add an envelope to hold memorabilia.

My envelope got a bit of foof with some hand drawn daisies that match the paper I glued it to.

Pockets are good to have in a journal too. On the left, not only is there paper that can be used for writing, there is also a pocket to tuck away tidbits in, like the vintage envelope I've added.

The page on the right is covered in pretty paper (I used wallpaper scraps) with a vintage postcard stapled down in the corner, then trimmed in lace.

I've tried to add lace or ruffles on at least one side of each folio, so that when it is added to the stack of signatures in the book, there will be pretty trims peeking out the sides, top, and bottom of the journal.

Please feel free to add lots of trailing ribbons, laces, etc.

On the right hand page, I've added a fluffy millinery bloom to stick out of the top of the book. And the page on the left has luscious, old trim down the side. That page is from a text about flower origins, and has a couple of cherubs and a hand drawn border, leaving the center open in case the person who gets this page in their book wants to glue a photo or something to the center.

Here is a very good example of just how simple making the pages can be. Both of these pages are just covered with wide crepe paper, with a trim at the bottom. (I'll be foofing the one on the right a bit more, I just wanted to show you the basic.)

So, pretty background paper, plain or fancy, a bit of trim or lace, and that page is done, ready for the owner of the book it goes into to embellish it up as much as they want.

This is for my book, so I added a tinted coloring page, to illustrate an option for finishing a plain page.

Everyone gets a page to color and add to their book however they'd like. I'll show some coloring tips in a future post.

These pages are both examples of "usefulness" . The blue one is open to be finished by the book owner in any way she'd like. Photos, notes, scrap glued onto it, etc.

The patchwork wallpaper page has a pocket from an old post card added and it is filled with vintage grafting paper.

These also show some of the variations on the theme. What do you feel nature has blessed you with? Here, I am saying that fluffy kittens, sweet birdies, and flowers are something I am thankful for.

Plus, I found this poem about Spring to add to the page. To me, the changing of the seasons is a magical time of year.

Please feel free to add 3D items, this book should be thick and rich! With lots of trailing trims, like this old lace I've used.

Here is another way to create a space for writing. I've used washi tape to secure a stack of old paper into a tablet shape.

On this page by Beth, she even glued down a mini notebook.

See how pretty it looks on her page?

And oh my! Loook at this one that she did. You open up the cabinet card folder and have space inside to add your own picture.

On the left page, she has add clear envelopes with simple tags for the new owner to finish, and on the right, she supplied a pretty piece of paper to write daydreams or plans on.

I found myself extremely attracted to pockets when I made some folios.

Note that the center of each page is left plain so that I can punch holes to tie the signatures into the book?

I'll show some more examples later on, as well as some more coloring page tips. The finished pages aren't due till Sept. 20th. So you still have time to join if you haven't already. Or you can order a completed, blank book to finish yourself, instead of swapping pages.

Feel free to ask any questions. And more info can be found here.

A Journal of “Nature’s Blessings”- a book swap for you to join

Books, swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 18, 2014

It's time for a new swap!

Here are the details of what I'll be including and making for the swap:

*Two covers, front and back, with a canvas spine.*

*The front cover will feature an image of a concrete garden statue angel from my own artwork.*

*It will tie shut with velvet ribbons.*

*I will use high quality, and vintage supplies, along with scanned wallpaper from my collection layered with a printed poem by Emmerson. *

*Each book will have a millinery bloom from my garden of floral hats, lovely ribbons, lace, vintage wallpaper, and each cover will be individually white washed by hand.*

*The book will be made up of 3 signatures of 3 pieces of card stock. You will send 6, I will supply 3 blank pages for you to finish as you'd like in your own book. This makes a total of 36 pages. *

This will be a functional journal, for you to use for notes, pictures, doodling, memorabilia. So, at least half of the pages created by swappers will be simply finished to allow you space to use in the book. Such as stationary paper, ledger paper, an envelope, lined paper, plain paper, etc. Borders, headers, or decorations can be added, but the page should still be usable for the new owner to fill in for themselves. (examples below)

*Nature themed charms will be tied with a bundle of ribbon, lace, and twine to the ribbons and lace that I bind the book with.*

*I will be including a hand drawn "doodle page" for you to use in the book if you would like. (as pictured)*

The drawing was done on a collage of papers from old books, one is a German book about birds from 1817. Color it as you'd like with markers, pens, etc, and glue it into your journal.

*The book title is printed on a soft, old, damask tablecloth.*

*No two book covers will be exactly the same, since I am using so many vintage elements. *

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Here are the guidelines, if you'd like to join:
1-The theme is nature's blessings, any interpretation you'd like- plants, flowers, gardens, animals, angels, birds- it's wide open to your view of what you love and feel blessed by in nature.
2- Size is a full page of 8-1/2 x 11 card stock, folded in half to make two 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 pages with a crease in the middle.
3- Please use card stock. Add anything creative over it, but the base must be card stock, so that I can assemble the book. Please keep the fold ONLY card stock and clear of embellishments so I can punch the holes.
4- Make 6 folded sheets of card stock front and back, So that means 6 pieces of paper/24 sides total. This sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that this is a journal. AT LEAST HALF of those 24 sides, need to be usable. Lined paper, pockets, old stationary, envelopes, etc, something that the new owner can write on, tuck things into, or add to. This is a functional journal. (please check out the examples below) The rest of the pages can be decorated to your heart's content, but do please keep half usable for the book's owner. (or more if you'd like, but at least half)
5- Feel free to add trailing lace, and other pretty trims that peek out from the covers of the book. The more trims, laces, and ribbons, the prettier the over all look of the book will be.
6- Sign your work, add your blog name if you have one.

8- LEAVE ONE INCH ALONG THE CENTER FOLD EMPTY, no 3-D items along the fold, so I can punch holes. Decorate the crap out of the rest of the page and goober it up as thick as you'd like, but please leave the center 1" for me to bind! hmmm, I think I might have already mentioned that one…

To join, please email: karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Please include:
Your first and last name
Your blog name and URL (you don't need to have a blog to participate)
Your email address

Deadline
Pages should be to me by September 20, 2014
In your package, include:
Your first and last name, same as you provided at sign up
A slip of paper with your name, and address, if your mailing address name does not match the first and last name you provided, please alert me

$30 fee for USA, sorry, no overseas swapping this time. (I am sorry also, but do to the volume of books I'll be making, I am not able to honor special requests, or let you know when your box arrives. I will try to get photos of all the pages and feature them on my blog as I build the books.)

If you would like to purchase an assembled book (blank pages ready for you to create yourself) they will be available for the same price. Comes with doodle page.

Here is a button you can post on your blog for the swap if you'd like. I look forward to seeing the nature inspired pages winging thier way into my cottage!

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EXAMPLES

Here are some links to our last shared effort, the Fairie Book, if you'd like to see my style of arranging pages. I put a lot of time into sorting the swap pages together to look like cohesive, pretty books:

1- http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2012/09/knee-deep-in-fairies.html

2- http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2012/09/the-tail-end-of-the-faery-book-swap-ill-miss-it.html

3- http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2012/09/faery-book-swap-page-sets.html

Odds 023

And here are some journals that I have bound the same way I will be doing for this Nature's Blessing Journal swap:

1- http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2013/05/a-book-of-enchantments.html

2- http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2013/02/at-the-valentine-journal-workshop-and-some-free-images.html

3- http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2011/01/if-dorothy-was-a-scrap-booker.html

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These books are a different theme, but show some ideas on how to finish the pages so that they can be used by the new owner of the book.

a On the left- I've covered the cardstock with pretty paper, and added envelopes.

Left- This page has added note paper.

Left- This one has a pocket for notes.

Altered books

And here is a big selection of plain papers, with borders. Lots of space to use for the new journal owner, but still decorative and creative from the swapper.

Along those same lines, a simple, lined paper with a pretty header.

Album jan10 003_picnik

And this idea is the simplest of them all. Pretty paper, lace trim, left empty for the new owner to add a photo to.

Album jan10 004

Similar to this, plain paper to add a photo to, and an envelope with a message on the flap.

Novemeber giveaawy 005

And again, the same type of look, room to write on, and an envelope to save special things inside.

Starting the forest 011

This heart is a collage made by Lori Oles, I have added it to a page in one of my books, and by only gluing down the sides, not the top, it has become a pocket to hold tidbits.

Valentine journal workshop cougar hunt 042

These pages were done by a student in one of my classes.

For sale 61 084

Plain, pretty paper on some pages is nice too.

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Here is a detail from the doodle sheet that is included for you to tint.

And this is an example of how I color mine.

Starting the forest 010

Here is an example of a past doodle sheet I've made. It has a fairy tale theme, as you can see. I draw words and designs on an old book page, and it is copied and ready to be colored in with markers.

A nature themed doodle sheet will be included in your book for you to finish as you'd like.

Odds 018

Here is one with a Love theme for Valentine's Day.

These are the charms I will be tying to the ribbons on the binding. All are nature themed, and have been whitewashed.

And so it begins

Books, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / June 2, 2014

School is out, and Sugarwings was sorry to see it end. I've decided to do what I did last summer and take some time off with the girls for summer activities. Lots of painting, zoo time, movies, etc.

Before first grade was over, we were invited to an Author's Tea Party in the classroom to see the books each kid had written and illustrated. Since Sugarwings' illustrations are always unique (like her self portrait, above), I knew her book would be a fun one.

It was. You could see the influence Disney had on her topic too. Princess Leandra was the title of her book.

We decided to honor the occasion by dressing up for the tea party.

I wore my tea party hat and good dress.

After I saw this photo, I realized just how big that child has become. I'm trying to break the habit of carrying her everywhere, now that I see that soon, it will be her turn to carry me.

She already misses school. For now, she has offered to help me prep for our big party and the family reunion that goes along with it. After Birdsong ends, we are having a family dinner with relatives that are in town, and the grand fairies have a Fairy Tea Party Breakfast for their great grandmother while she is visiting from Wyoming.

It's starting out to be an exciting summer! Swimming, zoos, walks in the woods, arts and crafts, movies, and most likely, more tea parties. I've been collecting ideas from Pinterest for things to make, and Sugarwings and I have compiled a shopping list of ingredients to have on hand for them.

I can't wait.