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a page from...

 

my book I started making in the workshop in France.

Any excuse to draw a skull really....

a to z...book making

Perfect weather,a converted walnut mill in the south of France and five whole days devoted to making and filling books...that was how I spent a week of my holidays. It was as idyllic as it sounds- a well balanced and mixed group of characters, picture perfect countryside and an inspiring tutor.

 the studio- L'Espace

Les Soeurs Anglaises in the Dordogne region played host to the book art workshop run by Rachel Hazell. It was a beautiful place to stay;generous,charming hosts who created an idyllic space in which to relax and work, exceptional food ( a cook book is in the making ) and an inspiring studio workspace.To top it all off,I had a room with its very own bath that looked out over the terraced gardens across fields to the nearby village- bliss!

 
the view from my bath

 

A few mornings, I managed to get myself out of bed for an early run along quiet roads and back again, in time for a long soak in the bath before breakfast.

 A' warm up book' -day one

Between, running, swimming and eating, I managed to squeeze in a little book making...

The theme of the workshop was Dictionaries and Definitions: A Personal A-Z.. The workshop outline promised that we would learn 'unusual and beautiful bookbinding techniques, with humour and the luxury of time to experiment".

That last bit about the 'luxury of time' sealed it for me - for me the week was about spending as much time as I wanted on each stage of the book. Nothing done quickly or just for the sake of filling the pages: the focus was on the process rather the the finished product.

  Final book in the making

 

 

small furry things....

 


...his real name was "Mus musculus" but to his friends, he was just plain Sid....

( I have recently discovered that I can draw mice. Quite Useful)

a weakness for packaging...

I almost couldn't bring myself to open the package. I was quite happy with it exactly as is.

 Glad that I did though.

My new friend and constant companion.

Now I just have to bring myself to make a mark on that first page....always the hardest part.

sometimes...

it's not about finding the momentum to get started that is hard.

It's deciding which way to go...

it's not easy being green....

Bit of paint chip fun.

rusty vs. vintage?....

 

I've been hoarding this lovely old card of safety pins for a few years (thank you, Aunty Jane)...finally a chance to use one.

A mixed media postcard swap had me a bit flustered for a few days. It's a while since I've had the chance to do one and the first one I made just didn't feel quite right. On the second attempt,I kept it all much simpler and stripped back.

A bit of safety pin love. What would we do without them?

(Incidentally this is one well travelled card of pins...made in England, shipped to Australia, sent back to the UK with my bits and pieces and now once again on it's way to Australia......)

outgoing trees...

Something that should have been in the mail two weeks ago....but finally all wrapped and ready to be posted. I hope once Tara opens her envelope that she will forgive my tardiness.

I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last I saw of these trees....

an aerial view...

of a walled garden.

Not a real one.

Not yet, anyway.

esme...

I think there might be text somewhere soon.

Maybe. Or just more trees.