Suminagashi is a gorgeous type of paper marbling invented in Japan over 1,000 years ago. I wrote a post a while ago when I taught a suminagashi marbling class at Clark University and you can see every step of the process. Basically you float rings of black sumi ink (I really like using this Yasutomo brand [...]]]>

Suminagashi is a gorgeous type of paper marbling invented in Japan over 1,000 years ago. I wrote a post a while ago when I taught a suminagashi marbling class at Clark University and you can see every step of the process. Basically you float rings of black sumi ink (I really like using this Yasutomo brand sumi ink)on water with calligraphy brushes (these inexpensive  calligraphy brushes from yasutomo work well), alternating with “white” rings of water mixed with dispersant – the “white” is actually just the color of the paper underneath. The woodgrain effect comes from the rings pushing closer and closer together and thinning out. Then you lay a piece of paper on top and pull the print! Each session of suminagashi yields just one print, so they’re all one of a kind.

I sewed this journal with a type of binding called chain stitch or coptic stitch. I’ve been doing this type of binding the most because I like that you can make the covers completely separately from the inner pages and just hold on them until you’re ready to sew them onto the filler pages with waxed linen thread.

I love Washi Tape! A friend from Japan sent me a huge care package of washi tape, a thin Japanese masking tape with designs printed on it ( you can even get washi tape on Amazon)- I used the tape to create this pretty striped pattern on raw book board, and then sealed the whole thing [...]]]>

I love Washi Tape! A friend from Japan sent me a huge care package of washi tape, a thin Japanese masking tape with designs printed on it ( you can even get washi tape on Amazon)- I used the tape to create this pretty striped pattern on raw book board, and then sealed the whole thing with a thin varnish so the tape won’t peel up. The stitching pattern is new too, a variation on coptic stitch (no idea if it has a name, I kind of made it up) that I sewed with waxed linen thread. That white circle is my embossing seal but you can’t quite make it out in the photo.

You can see more photos of this book on my Red Striped Washi Tape Journal photo set on Flickr.

These blue chart journals are always a huge hit at craft shows – before my Christmas fairs this year I made at least 10 and they all sold out! The bathemetry charts I used are underwater topography maps and show the elevation of the sea floor – the local NOAA office was going to recycle them [...]]]>

These blue chart journals are always a huge hit at craft shows – before my Christmas fairs this year I made at least 10 and they all sold out! The bathemetry charts I used are underwater topography maps and show the elevation of the sea floor – the local NOAA office was going to recycle them but offered them to me first – of course I snatched them up!

I sewed the journals with a type of binding called chain stitch or coptic stitch. I’ve been doing this type of binding the most because I like that you can make the covers completely separately from the inner pages and just hold on them until you’re ready to sew them onto the filler pages with waxed linen thread.

I made this book specially for a friend who went traveling around the national parks out in the West and wanted to document her trip. I wanted a woodsy feel so I went with raw book board – I also did a little hand-drawn woodgrain pattern on the inside with black and gold pen.

The animals are [...]]]>

I made this book specially for a friend who went traveling around the national parks out in the West and wanted to document her trip. I wanted a woodsy feel so I went with raw book board – I also did a little hand-drawn woodgrain pattern on the inside with black and gold pen.

The animals are all hand-cut and glued to the cover, with a protective varnish seal. They’re all animals that are found in and around the Rockies, like grizzly bears, white tailed deer, big horn sheep, coyotes, mountain lions, pine martins and hawks.

The inside paper is 100% recycled French speckletone. The sewing is a type of modified coptic stitch and was done in red waxed linen thread. You can see a few more photos in my Rocky Mountain Travel Journal photo set on flickr.

I live in a tiny town next to the ocean on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and one of the perks of living here is that I know plenty of people who use nautical charts day to day and so I have lots of fun creating things out of charts donated my way. This is a very special [...]]]>

I live in a tiny town next to the ocean on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and one of the perks of living here is that I know plenty of people who use nautical charts day to day and so I have lots of fun creating things out of charts donated my way.
This is a very special REALLY one of a kind book because what you’re looking at is the ROUGH DRAFT of a bathymetric chart – the aniline purple ink leads me to believe it’s a ditto duplication of a map in the process of being made – it had some pencil notations on it suggesting alterations. You’d never see this today now that we have computers! Now it’s in the hands of one of my friends, who I hope will fill it up with lots of writing and drawing!
Coptic Stitched with waxed irish linen thread – approximately 4.5″x6″
More pictures of this book in my flickr photo set : Rough Draft Bathymetric Chart Journal

Come to the charming village of Woods Hole, Thursday, November 29 from 10 – 4 for a holiday craft fair, festival, [...]]]> Hi all! Here’s a list of my Holiday Craft Shows for Ruth Bleakley’s Handmade books and Stationery (plus my alter ego Concertina Press!)

MBL Holiday Bazaar

Thursday, November 29, 2012
10-4
Swope Building – Upstairs
5 North Street, Woods Hole, MA
free admission

Come to the charming village of Woods Hole, Thursday, November 29 from 10 – 4 for a holiday craft fair, festival, bazaar sponsored by MBL at the Swope Center. Featuring one-of-a-kind treasures from talented artisans and crafters. Bring a quarter or two for the parking meter!

Woods Hole Renaissance Faire

Saturday, December 1, 2012
10-3
Community Building
68 Water St, Woods Hole, MA
free admission

Local craft fair with singing, wreaths and a wonderful “Tea House” selling sweets and teas. Free Admission, ample nearby parking – bring some quarters for the meter.

The Holidays at Highfield Hall

Fridays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, Noon – 7pm
Saturdays, Dec. 1 and 8, 10am – 4pm
Sundays, Dec. 2 and 9, Noon – 4pm
Historic Highfield
56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth MA
$5 admission (includes 2 free raffle tickets!)

The magnificently decorated mansion will delight the senses, from holiday trees aglow to the sparkling sounds of live music and tantalizing smells from the Highfield kitchen. Talented local florists have joined forces with energetic Highfield volunteers to create magical memories for all. Stories, crafts, sing-alongs and demonstrations throughout the day mean fun for the whole family.

Our popular gift gallery will again feature a selection of artisan-made wares and small art works for holiday gift giving. (*note* I won’t be there in person, but you can buy my cards/stationery there!)

Hatchville Pottery Holiday Kiln-Opening

Saturday, Dec. 15  10am – 4pm
Sunday, Dec. 16 11am- 3pm
Hatchville Pottery
494 Boxberry Hill Rd, East Falmouth MA
free admission

Potter Hollis Engley opens his newly-fired kiln Saturday morning at 11, with warm pots coming out immediately. Many more pots available in the gallery, and five other craftspeople selling the things they make. Jewelry by Kim Collins, books and other paper goods by Ruth Bleakley, handblown glass by Bryan Randa, pottery by Lois Hirshberg and Kim Medeiros, locally-roasted coffee beans by Mike Race. Free eggnog cup to the first 20 people who arrive Saturday morning. Potluck lunch at 1.