Pulp Redux

Kim's final contribution to Alicia's book-The museum of forgotten things.

2011-07-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

It's finally finished! I've been flat out in the studio for some time now finalising the piece for Alicia's book, "The Museum of Forgotten Things". Well fear not it hasn't been forgotten, just required such a vast amount of time to finish it! In accordance with the agreement to keep much of the last of these pieces to ourselves for the present (as they will form part of an online exhibition in the near future, more on that later), I have only posted a few images for your viewing pleasure.

What I can tell you about however is the story.

Alicia's book came with a tale to start us all off and each of the participants in the collaboration has built on it.

From Alicia we have the story of Hester. Hester has recently passed away at the tender age of 97. In the notice of her death recorded in the local paper, attention is drawn to the fact that Hester's husband Richard died in somewhat tragic circumstances years before in a fire that broke out in the barn on their property. Amongst Hesters belongings are diary pages where she confesses to causing the fire that killed Richard. It is also noted that Hester's remaining relatives are a sister and niece by the name of Anna Trumble.

On to Deb's contribution to the piece and we find out Hester has had a lover! You old dog Hester! LOL! Deb does a fabulous job of adding to the piece with lots of fun interactive bits and pieces that you can pull out and touch, making support pieces for the story for the museum.

Now to Lisa Sarsfield's contribution and we find out about a child, or two. It seems that Hester finds out she is pregnant after the death of Richard and has a child, a little boy, Thomas who perishes in infancy. Not long after this Hester engages in the affair which Alicia alluded to in her original story with a young man named Hans. The affair peters out but leaves Hester with a child, a daughter named Charlotte, who she gives up. Hester is filled with regrets but believes the child would have a better life, and so we move on to Lisa Jurist's piece.

Lisa's gorgeous work focus's on Hester and Richard's relationship. The love the two obviously shared so deeply at one time and the sins of Hester in committing Richards murder. You see Richard was having an affair and Hester caught him, hence the scene in the barn and the fire that results from Hester throwing her lantern in anger at Richard. It's a brilliant piece Lisa, one of the best I've seen. No-one does mixed media collage quite like this lady!

And so it comes to me. Where do I take this story and how to wrap it all up?

Enter the book of secrets.

A sneaky peek from inside.

Mixed media fun with copper wire, beads, fabric and resin papers.

secret pockets, fabric leaves, and a few images on transparency as well.

I'm going to leave you all hanging. (I'm so mean!)

If you want the goss and a few more images from the piece you will have to jump over to my blog to catch up.

I can't wait to show you all the whole kit and kaboodle, as we say here,
but it will have to wait for the big reveal coming soon to an internet connection near you Ha!

roots beneath the layers: a peek at alicia's contribution to lisa j's book

2011-05-27T14:25:00.001-07:00

i am finally nearing the end of the first half of my last book, "roots beneath the layers", in the pulp redux collaboration. this is lisa jurist's book and i have LOVED working on it. thankfully i'm not done yet, but felt i should post a few photos to satisfy our wonderful viewers' expectations (we've been WAY too quiet in pulp-land)!

because i was the last person to work on lisa's book and will not have to send it overseas, i took the liberty of including lots of natural bits that i collected from around my yard and neighborhood, and some farther corners of the state of oregon and washington. all bits and pieces have been hand-picked and hand-dried by me, with the exception of a few of the twigs. AND, i hand-stitched every little bit of this -- not a single machine stitch included.

think of my contribution of alice in wonderland collides with nature, a sprinkling of steampunk, a potential hint of taxidermy and many, many secrets. looking at the sides of the pages reminds me of walking through a forest as a young girl.

"alice", the girl in this image, is on a secret door. i've been working on this for a very long time and just last night my husband realized the large compartment under her image was there. i thought that was pretty funny that he didn't notice it until now. other secret nooks and crannies hide in the pages too. i hope lisa can find them all.

to see more photos and some of the secrets, check out my blog: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com

x

Lisa Sarsfield's contribution to Debrina's book

2011-05-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

A fossil find for Debrina's book. How exciting to find this at the local rock and mineral club rooms! More pics on my blog. http://lisasarsfield.blogspot.com/

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Pulp Redux Collab had bitten the dust given how quiet it;s been around here! Things are not what they seem! We're all busy in our own corners of the globe but we've decided to keep the last chapter under wraps..for now! So here's a few peeks of what I've been up too and there's a few more peeks over on my blog. This book is nearly finished so watch this space!!

Debrina's Contribution to Kim's Fragments, Vestiges and Remains...

2011-01-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

My contribution to Kim's Book - Pulp Redux

Full page spread - Pulp Redux (reversible - the page folds again to reveal the other half of the Scottish Flag, the St George Cross)

Here we go girlas! Not much but enough to make Kim happy, hopefully!! I'm using my new walnut stains, acetate and specially bought fibres, fabrics and paper for my contribution. E.g. the baby, above, is printed in sepia on acetate and then mounted on a playing card with the most delightful, beautiful filigree pattern on the back (more of that later). You can remove the baby from her pouch/envelope too, btw! ANYWAY, to read all about my contribution, click HERE!

What precious little thing is in that envelope?

Ahhhh...an unborn baby: the promise of hope and a new start in life. Children were often born on board ship on the way over to our shores or shortly after landing.

Kim's final contribution to Deb's Book

2010-12-06T23:35:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished my contribution to Debs book for this collaboration and it has been nice to branch back out into the metals again!

The piece centres around a late 1800's love story provided by Deb.
Enter her heroin, Maude, who after years in a loveless marriage has thrown off the shakles and finally taken up with her true love, Damien. The two have been off sailing the globe on the holiday to end all holidays but you know the story can't end there!

Ah yes the idyllic blissfulness of new love must finally be put aside as life has intruded (as it inevitably always does) on our lovers.

When we last left them (curtesy of Alicia's contribution and diary records for the pair) our two starry eyed lovebirds were enjoying the sights and sounds of Egypt.
(Half their luck! Do they need a baggage handler, I am available, LOL!)

Enter life, sigh!

Fear not intrepid followers, all is good, no really it is!

I'm not going to ruin Maude's hard fought for happinesss now am I? Naaa!

I thought it might be fun to find out a bit about our Damien though, after all the man had some sort of life before Maude's entry...

and so...

Tada!
(Yes I know you saw this pic before but this is a wrap up folks! Stay with me here).

Okay, now young Damien has a job... of sorts, he's an up and coming anthropologist with an interest in cartography and archeology...

so there! All in all a rather exciting career in up and coming sciences for the times!

I decided that we needed to hear what Damien had to stay at this point of his life so the piece focusses on his viewpoint.

Damien has been offered a position in South America (as you probably guessed from the previous post!), and so the two lovers are off on a romantic sea voyage to Yucatan.

Now here is one side of the piece for Debs book. Its a brass book structure attached to what will be the page of the book. The pages are quite a heavy duty construction not paper as of course they wouldn't hold up to this sort of abuse.

There are hidden pockets... I love creating things in unexpected places!

On the reverse side of the page...

Damiens journal which picks up the story threads and relates his side of the tale.
Each item on or in the journal is discussed in the journal and relative to Damien's tale.

There are secret niches here too!

If you want to know more you will have to pop over to my blog to see the rest, ha!
(Just click on the highlighted writing it will whisk you right over!)

Gotta leave ya hanging folks, LOL!

So now it will be posted away to the lovely Lisa Sarsfield for her final contribution. I can't wait to see how she will finish off the story.
Wow Deb, it's almost home!

Lisa's final contribution to Alicia's book - The Museum of Forgotten Things

2010-11-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

I've completed my work in Alica's book and it has now departed

for Australia where Kim will work her magic in it.

For my contribution I've chosen to focus on Hester's wretched tale

of betrayal after discovering her husband in an adulterous affair.

an amalgamation of layers and tatters including victorian textiles,

found rusty metals, wood, vintage text and books,

silk, antique lace, cabinet cards and bindings...

front and back cover pages

inside spread

to read more go to my blog

http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/

Kim's contribution to Debs Book- Through the eyeglass

2010-11-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

I have almost finished my piece in Debs masterful creation 'Through the Eyeglass' but thought I had better update you all on the goings on.
Debs piece revolves around a central character, Maude. Now Maude has had some heartbreak in her life. After recovering from what appears to be a loveless marriage, Maude was finally free to return to the love of her life, Damien, and the two have been travelling the world happy to be back in each others arms again at last. Oh, I can hear all your little hearts fluttering already. But...
(You so know there has to be a but don't you.)

Somethings popped up!

Now don't go gettin all defensive thinking I'm ruining Maude's perfect life now she finally has her man here.

It's just that life has a way of sidetracking us all just when you think you have it all worked out!

And so...

On to the latest doings in the life of Maude and Damien.

Now Damien did have a life before he teamed up with young Maude you know!

And so now...

There's something about a map...

a little travel to parts unknown...

and the remains of a civilisation...

and there's a brass book...

So, will you come with me to...

If you would like to catch the rest you will have to pop over to my blog for the finer details :)

So far that is...

alicia's final contributions to lisa s's book: labyrinth (part one)

2010-10-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

i've finally finished miss lucky dip lisa's book, labyrinth. by the time you're done with this post though, you may hate me. ;)

front of my little bundle of pages, including a brass X i purchased from seth apter's etsy shop... i'm putting one in each of the five pulp books. (click the images to see enlarged versions.) what you're seeing is a little labyrinth book tied to the top of the bundle of pages:

here is the book all alone. if you would like to see the inside of the book and additional shots, you may do so on my blog HERE and HERE. in the spirit of labyrinths, i'm going to make viewing this a maze of potential fun (or probably annoyance).

once you open the top, you see this... a fabric/fiber collage with a paper collage, labyrinth and quote on top of it, and on the right, i just cheated. lisa mentioned that she liked a collage i recently did so i recreated a similar one for her book. maybe not a literal labyrinth, per se, but in my opinion nests are one of nature's many labyrinths.

detail of the quote/labyrinth page, stained and aged all purdy with hand made dyes (100% natural, of course) and coffee:

under the paper collage, a labyrinthy nesty bit (can you tell i went as nesty with her book as i did labyrinth?):

detail of the collage...

here is a peek at the back page...

if you want to see the rest, head on over to my blog: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com

(see, told you i was sending you through a maze...)

Fragements, Vestiges and Remains- Lisa Sarsfield's contribution

2010-10-10T00:35:00.000-07:00

Page 1, dedicated to the Maori

Page 2, dedicated to the missionary who befriended both parties.

Page 3, dedicated to the British.

The King's movement v's the Queens.

This is the BATTLE OF GATE PA.

I'm on a roll! Here's some close ups of the work I've been doing in Kim's book. It's all very "New Zealand!"

My theme is the Battle of Gate Pa and you can see the rest on my blog. http://lisasarsfield.blogspot.com/

Kim's contribution to Lisa J's book-Roots beneath the Layers

2010-09-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all, well finally I have the piece for Lisa's fabulous book finished! There's lots going on here so let's take a look shall we?

Welcome to...

The Descendents of the Dragon!

This piece takes a small peek into some of the background that lies underneath modern Chinese culture and beliefs. The term descendents of the dragon is one in which chinese people have long used to refer to themselves. The culture of the world's oldest continuous civilisation is rather a large and impressive one. In researching chinese cultural history I wondered at what beliefs and practices had changed over thousands of years. In the end I had so much information I had to hone it down to something useable within a book confine and also consider the support material required to do justice to the concepts I wanted to depict. What eventuated here is just a small sample from a very large bag of possibilities.

To begin a set of doors.
I love the idea of opening a door and being transported to some place else.
The door design is taken from one in the forbidden city.
Under the door is a page describing the background behind the concepts of the piece.

We'll skip that and over we go and...

Meet Long, the chinese dragon.

The chinese dragon is symbolic of strength, power, and good luck. It is frequently depicted with a flaming pearl under its chin. The pearl represents wealth, good luck and prosperity. The five toed dragon here was used as a symbol reserved exclusively for the chinese emperor. The dragon is constructed from layers of fabric paper and sits on a piece of yellow satin. Much richer in person than it looks here (which is very washed out, trying to beat the glare from photography is difficult) yellow is regarded as the centre of all colour and was able to be worn only by the emperor. The flame is made using strands of silk fibres.

Opposite the dragon is the key book. The book is the depository of the remainder of the piece within the book structure.
Here it is attached to the structure.

and again free of the confines.

Constructed of small quilts which are sewn together to form pages of the book, the key book is made from a variety of fabrics including silks, satins, cotton, a few man made pieces and silk brocades. Each item used as an embellishment here and the colour of those items has been chosen to symbollically support the concepts of the page on which it sits. The beads used in the book are a combination of lapidolite, amethyst, coral, freshwater pearls, seeds, bone and wood. Each page also has a quote attached, chosen to support the concepts of the page, although those concepts may be a little obscure by western standards. The quotes, all except the last page are pieces of poetry. Poetry in chinese culture is regarded as the pinnacle of literature and none is more highly regarded than Tang dynasty poetry. Many of the pieces used here were written by Li Bai, a master of the art form from the Tang period. In an effort to also support the book concepts all the paper used here was sourced from China. Modern paper was developed in China in around 105AD and is considered one of the four great inventions of ancient China.

Onto the book .
The first page depicts the Jade Emperor. The picture is a transfer onto a piece of very fragile vintage silk. I admit to a few heart stopping moments during the transfer process, but yay it all worked in the end. Black and blue are the primary embellishment colours here, black representing the heavens whilst azure blue is considered to be the colour of the skies under heaven.

On the opposite page a representation of the bi disk. Bi are a circular disc with a central circular hole. Bi date back to the neolithic period of chinese history. Originally produced from stone, mostly jade, other examples have been found produced from agate, rock crystal, quartz and in subsequent periods glass. Bi produced in later periods were decorated with ornaments. The size, shape meaning and symbolism of Bi changed over millenia and was accorded different meanings and valuations under different dynasties. The original function and significance is unknown as it predates written history. Bi were frequently found buried with the dead and are considered a sky or heavenly symbol. In the Zhou dynasty (1045-256 BC) Bi discs of defeated forces were handed over to the victor as a sign of submission. In later dynastic periods bi discs have been used to indicate an individual of moral quality and have served as an important symbol of rank.

The disc used here is made from polished agate. The colours of yellow and brown are associated with the earth.

The next page shows a piece of silk brocade depicting the lotus. The lotus is one of the eight auspicious symbols of the buddhist religion and symbolises purity, beauty and perfection. The small round beads on th page are lotus seeds and are carved with the face of the Buddha. the larger bead shows a hand carved lotus flower and comes from Tibet.

On the opposite page, the Pan Chang knot. Chinese decorative knotting began as a form of folk art in the Tang dynasty. Popularised under the Ming and Qing dynasties it flourished until the end of imperial China where the art was almost completely lost. This was exaccerbated by the perishability of the materials used in the art. A resurgence of interest in the late 1970's ocurred when focus on preserving knotting artefacts of the Qing Dynasty became the focus of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. The piece displays a Pan Chang knot. Also known as the endless knot the Pan Chang is the eighth auspicious symbol of the Buddhist religion and signifies harmony, success and constancy. It is thus a token auguring long life, happiness, continuation of the family line, prosperity, abundant financial resources and friendship of deep and lasting affection. No wonder it is so well regaled in chinese culture. The page decoration colour here is red symbolising good luck and prosperity. The beads including the branch shaped piece are all made from coral with the exception of the bamboo piece inscribed with chinese characters pertaining to good luck and fortune.

The next page relates to the introduction of coinage in chinese society. Chinese coins were produced by casting rather than struck with dies as in most western currency. They are valued for their reflection on the rise and fall of the dynasties in which they were produced as well as for the beauty of their calligaphy and the patinas they produce. Although a number of types of materials have been used in Chinese culture as monetary exchange, the term coin usually refers to the round coin (qian), knife mooney (dao) and spade money (bu). The two coins here are of the round and spade types. The spade coin was produced during the era of Wang Mang (10-14 AD) in the Xin dynasty, while the round coin is from the Tang era produced under Li Yuan (reign title T'ang Kao Tsu 618-626 AD) The distinguishing colour used here is purple depicting metal. The beads are lepidolite and amethyst.

The last page represents silk painting and literature in chinese culture. Silk painting dates back to the Neolithic age approximately 6000 years ago and was developed long before the use of paper. Chinese painting is generally divided into several groups based on form, technique and subject. The material here depicting the image of five men is an ink and wash painting on silk and is a fragment from a long horizontal scroll which originally measured over three and a half metres in length. The scroll depicts the story of Shi Hu Zuan or the Water Margin. Also known as the Outlaws of the Marsh (there is some variance in translation), Shi Hu Zuan was written in the 13th century and is regarded as one of the four classic novels of chinese literature. The story relates the tale of Song Jian and the 108 outlaws who comprise his band of renegades who fight corruption and injustice. The renegades come from all levels of chinese society and eventually seek refuge at Mount Liang and the surrounding marshlands. The tales are supposed to have a basis in historical fact and indeed there is record of a Song Jian and his band recorded in the official histories relating to the Song Dynasty. The five men here depict five of the outlaws of Song Jian's band. Due to water damage (not caused by me!) the coloured wash has bled at some stage but the depiction of the figures in ink is still clear to see. The quote on this page is a translation from the chinese novel.

As you can see there is much symbolism attached to the items used in the book. In order for viewers of the piece to understand these elements I decided to create a scroll, made from linen, paper and silk, onto which I have put together the background of the piece and is designed to be read in conjunction with the viewing of the key book.

Reaching over two metres in length (although only approximately 15 cm high), the scroll was too large to place within the confines of Lisa's book structure and so I have made a bag of red silk and black satin to house the scroll. So now the book has it's own wee doggie baggie to carry around with it, LOL!
Here's a look at the finshed items. Lots of glare from the painted doors, silk and satin, sigh! A photography nightmare if you are camera challenged like me!

This was quite a fun piece to do.
I loved working on the piece and I hope Lisa likes it too. It's quite a bit different to the other work in the book so far, but different is good, Right?
Well now I'm off to package it all up and it will be winging it's way to Alicia in the next few days.
For now onto the next book!

alicia's final contributions to deb's book: through the eye glass (part 2 of 2)

2010-07-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

i have finally completed deb's book and found the time to photograph it. here are a couple of photos of the completed book, and you can see about three times more on my blog: altered bits

if you missed the first post, you can view it here.

i reshot a few photos of the color because it looked a little too pink before. this is a more accurate representation.

previously, i had not revealed what was in this lower compartment on the main page because i hadn't finished it.

it's an owl... because deb loves owls.

actually, an owl necklace. i am NOT a jewelry person so it looks like it barely made it through those hundred and fourteen or so years... but the thought behind it was sweet, i hope.

the back page is a huge ol' pocket that houses all of the paperly things they collected along their travels.

here are the items: altered postcard, a map, a photo or three, something else...

the backs of two of the items. i had a lot of fun fashioning that wax seal out of paint and... wax.

i'll be shipping this off to kim the moment i find a box large enough -- and that is my quest for tomorrow.

Lisa Sarsfield's contribution to Alicia's book- The Museum of Forgotten Things!

2010-06-21T02:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am on a roll! part 2 has just been uploaded to my blog. Thought I had better get it done while I'm still home! Not that it was a chore...lol

I've FINALLY updated my blog with my finished work in Alicia's book. Thank you for you patience Alicia!! It will be heading off too Lisa J asap! The complete update for this posting (part 1) is on my blog.

Update: April 20.

I'm nearly finished! here's a sneak peak of the lastest posting over on my blog:)

Alicia's book. Update April 6 2010

Hester's diary...well just the cover at this stage but it's a great start!

You can see the rest on my blog http://lisasarsfield.blogspot.com/

Here's the first 2 sneak peaks at the page I've been working on in Alicia's book.

My son sooooo rocks for finding the blue jeweled hairclip for me! You can see how it all fits together over at my blog.

alicia's final contributions to deb's book: through the eye glass (part 1 of 2)

2010-06-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

so sorry but this is going to have to be a two part installation, part two being posted in a day or four.

i am finally pretty much finished with deb's book "through the eye glass". i had initially come up with several ideas, but the day or so before it arrived she asked me "where are you going to take damien and maude?" oh... hmmm. i hadn't thought of that. so gears shifted and plans changed... except this one.

"page" one has two doors. a top door that opens from right to left like a book, and a door at the bottom that opens from the top down (shown in a previous post). the contents of the bottom door will be revealed later as it's still in the works.

debs likes "tiny details" so i tried to incorporate as many tiny things as my patience would allow... like little tiny silk flower knots.

and little tiny crackles on the petri dish i incorporated into the page...

the petri dish lid is another door, that opens once you unsnap the lion's head pull that you can just barely make out on the right.

inside, you see a cameo of maude's profile. you'll learn more about this later. this piece an (of course) be removed from its petri dish enclosure.

the cameo piece itself opens up to reveal a sweet little heart -- an obvious symbol of love. :) it fits the story, promise.

on the back of the cameo piece is another wee pocket with a note from damian. leave me alone about the handwriting please and thank you. :) i worked for FOUR HOURS to have male victorian era handwriting and failed, so gave up.

open the whole top door, and this is what you see:

on the left, a collection of tickets and such, with a scroll of sorts beneath.

detail of the scroll closure:

the scroll...

it unrolls to be about 22 inches long and is a series of diary entries that tell of their travels and all that they collect along the way. there isn't a treasure in the box that you'll have to wonder where it came from... well, maybe one or two but that would be intentional.

the other side is a treasure box. (debs! you asked me "can you sneak that wee frog on there? -- i did!) this is a collection of things from around the world that will be revealed in the diary pages.

the locket opens to reveal damian. yeps, i stole that photo from lisa's photo of what she did in this very book. we need a wee bit o' consistency, right?

i had a huge amount of fun making the hinges for the top (the lace is very stained and the metal rusty and patinaed in a gorgeous way, but you can not tell here for some reason.

oh, here you can, kind of:

next post will be a quick follow up of what's in the bottom box, and what the back is all about. i may do a video as well so the flow of the book is more obvious. peek back soon.

Debrina's Contribution to Lisa Sarsfield's LABYRINTH...

2010-06-09T03:46:00.000-07:00

Lisa J's contribution to Kim's book Fragments, Vestiges & Remains

2010-05-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

I've finally finished my piece in Kim's lovely book. So far all of the participants have created a piece based on a historical event in their homeland. For my part, I've used the extraordinary photographs of Dorothea Lange to assemble a piece about the midwest migrant farmers in the1930s...a time of hope and despair when the worst drought of modern American history struck the Great Plains. I've also used some quotes from "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck as his novel is based upon these people and their stories.

This is the spread as it appears in Kim's book. On the left I've created a collage out of an 1800s quilt remnant and used vintage and found hardware for a timeworn appearance.

I've made a small book with Dreams to Dust stamped on the cover and a quote within. The book is constructed of recycled materials.

This is the top of the second page where I've constructed and album that fits within the book. You can see by the paper clips where Kim gave us each a block of pages to use. I tore the edeges of my pages and stained them so they would layer up as with age and create depth. Speaking of depth.. sorry Kim but your book is now hugely thick from my addition as it is impossible for me to create anything even remotely flat!

The album.....suffering and resilence.

Photographs of mothers with their children as there is no stronger sense of determination

found than that of a mother fighting for her children and family.

Flip the pages and the next spread on the left and then the right.

close up of the last page...

The photograph on this page is raised up on a block as is the photograph of the steer skull.

When the book is closed they fit into each other like puzzle pieces.

For additional details click here.

Debrina's contribution to Lisa S' book: Labyrinth

2010-05-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

The House of Indigo was all that she knew...

Her childhood began and ended here...but one knock on the door...

or a peek through one of its numerous windows....

...would reveal a labyrinth of rooms and hallways, antechambers and vestibules...

To find out more about the House of Indigo,

CLICK HERE

a drop of pulp: alicia's initial contributions to deb's book, through the eye glass

2010-04-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

i'm being a bit intentionally obscure on my post because i want debs to be at least a little surprised when i'm finally finished. but, i haven't posted in awhile either so feel i should post something.

so, without further ado, here are some photos i posted on my blog yesterday, as well as a few more showing what i did last night.

this piece is not complete, obviously, but it's a vintage lace covered glass-like dish of sorts with a lid. next post you can see it's purpose, but the glassy front felt eye-glass-esque and befitting for the title of the book.

this is a handle of sorts that serves a purpose that will soon be revealed.

just a bit of detail -- some crystal beads.

detail of another part of a page (told ya i'm being obscure!):

more pretty little beads. these are from the 1940s and are ever so pretty and somewhat shiny.

replicas of late 1800s train tickets, proving that the lovely couple (see deb's previous posts if you don't know what i'm talking about) got out and about in the world.

part of a collection of mementos and trinkets collected along the way. this button is from one of her dresses. i got two of them from my mum years ago and they were actually from the late 1800s, right when the story takes place. i couldn't resist splitting the pair so deb could have one in her book.

another peek at some of the treasures...

if you can tell me what this is, i'll give you a buck (close up detail of something special).

part of a pocket. i am not in love with this yet so i will either add to it or recreate it. i keep vacillating about this piece.

i made this out of candle wax, an old chinese coin, copper paint and a baby wipe. it's part of a collection of goodies to go into the above pocket.

a glimpse of a portion of the front of what the above wax seal is on.

i'm not sure where yet, but i MUST use this eye-glass looking lens. it has a five on it which represents the five of us who are working on each others books. such a lovely old lens!

that was my previous obscure post from my blog. last night, i got lots more done... and will show things a little more "finished".

this is the camio shown above that fits into the round glass-like "box" shown above. okay, it's a petri dish. shhhh. i've aged vintage lace, ribbon and fabrics. around the edge, you will see little metal "bits". these are pins -- like the kinds used for sewing. i had to cut them in half with wire cutters as they were initially too long but i wanted some extra detail around the edges. i think i'll add more.

no project is complete (for me) without a wee bit o' crackle! you can see it WAY better in the enlarged version of this photo.

sometimes i get my heart set on something without thinking. i aged these old hinges for days in vinegar only to find (once they were perfect) that they were way too big. whoops! i'll use them in another project of course, and have already come up with an alternative idea for this.

this is a special little bottom part on the main page:

...it's the top of a compartment, hinged with leather from a vintage dress (it wasn't mine!) and old metal bits. i made this box out of foam core and lots of other things and part of the lid warped. it will be fixed and flat by the time i'm done, thus less "gappy".

the flap door opens up to reveal a pretty little black velvet lined compartment, but i'm not going to tell you what will be living in the compartment yet.

with any luck, i should have this completed within the next week or so and will have LOTS more photos and perhaps a video too -- debs is such an inspiration and had the most fantastic idea. it will help to reveal how things unfold, move, etc., i think.

Debrina's Finished Contribution to Roots Beneath the Layers

2010-04-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Debrina's latest update....Roots Beneath the Layers....

2010-03-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

Heavenly....

Reality...

Before the chains of the well lead to ....

Hell

(note - since this photo, a skull has been added to the lower blue panel)

Lifting the shroud....

The tree....finished...pages turn to reveal the pages shown above...

Layers and...

layers...

Ok, lots of lovely photos, but I better fill you in now on my thought processes to date. Last time I posted about this book, I talked a little about the Anglo Saxon belief in Yggdrasil - the World Tree. This mythological construct comprised of three parts: Asgard - the Upperworld (Heaven), Misgard or Middle Earth (our subconscious existence) and Hel (Underworld) see my last posting for more detail on this.

When Rome invaded Britain, it also brought with it Christianity. Christianity by-passed the Anglo Saxons for some time, however. Then, during the early Dark Ages, it slowly began to break down the resistance of the upper echelons of society and many conversions took place. Incredibly, and maybe somewhat surprisingly, the Saxon belief system was not lost during the conversions; instead, it was assimilated and in a sense preserved. In my pages (the first three you see) - I have tried to illustrate this assimilation and evolution.

These last photos, below, show how I have begun to look at these Anglo Saxon constructs in more detail...

So, the shroud photo to the left of the tree will develop more to reflect this....

Love Debs

Kim's final contribution to Lisa S. 'labyrinth' book

2010-03-22T02:56:00.000-07:00

Or how to avoid importing a biohazard!

Further research into New Zealand's importation of living or once living items has caused me to reconsider my pages for Lisa's book.
On reflection I realised that in order for the book to continue on it's merry way without risk of rejection by customs I needed to rehash my piece in Lisa's book 'Labyrinth'. Determined to keep with my theme of exploration of natural labyrinths in nature, I opted for a little makeover and have finally finished it all!

Welcome to the labyrinth of the Tree.

A year in the life of a tree.

Spring and the unfurling of new leaves and the contrasting colour of new brown bark.

Of course the cabinet remains, but more of that later!

On to autumns golden decay and the inner structure of the leaf revealed.

Summers green dress...

the page spread.

Underneath...

the living tree

and a pocket to place items gathered from nature.

The bones of the tree revealed by winters cold breath.

and the page opened out.

But, then there's the cabinet door...

Where fossils have been created to display the wonderful natural labyrinths found in nature.

And you can still touch!

The full page spread as it appears in the book.

If you would like to read more about all the juicy creative details, jump on over to my blog.
I'd love to see you there.

Lisa J's Final Contribution to Deb's Book: Through the Eye Glass

2010-03-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

These are my final additions to Deb's book which is

now in the very capable and creative hands of Alicia.

On this page I've created a Victorian mourning theme...

Tin type photo in an old watch glass mounted on a bit of book cover.

Part of the fun of working this page was finding the right combination
of blacks and charcoalsso as to create layers and depth.

Optical lense with a steampunk style assemblage built on top

to resemble pocketwatch. Time waits for no man...

A pleated pocket created from black silk and lace.

Black lampwork heart (not my work) with nails driven through

and wire assembled nest..which is my creation.

You can see the cream lace from my first page peeking out around the sides...

A side view which shows my first page on the back side.

This is going to be one very thick book when it is finally

bound but...probably not a challenge for the brilliantly talented Debrina!

Visit my blog at http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/

for more details about the story behind the page.

Now it's my turn with Kim's book: Fragments, Vestiges and Remains so stay tuned.

alicia's final contributions to kim's book: fragments, vestiges & remains

2010-03-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

i am pleased to say that i have completed my additions to kim's book, fragments, vestiges and remains and it is currently en route to lisa j. you can read more about it on my blog: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com.

around the glass door on page one (see this post for more details), i've added beeswax and acrylic to the copper tape edging i did to give it an aged look and make it a wee bit less coppery.

another view:

i LOVE how kim's glass bottles with scrolls in them work so well with my page too:

here is that page in its entirety:

it's not really this red in person, but i had a mishap with some red alcohol ink that i was using on a different project. as it turns out, i love it. phew!

the page was a bit top-heavy to i cut off the bottom and added a stitched and embroidered pieces of black linen to the top to even things out. i love the contrast in texture of the different fabrics:

at the very beginning, i wanted to find five elements that i could use one of each in everyone's book so there was that one, simple element that matched in each of my five book contributions. i found these elements in seth apter's etsy shop. thank you seth!

here is the whole completed second page in the book:

and the spread of both pages in the book, all ready to go:

i am just loving the side view of fragments, vestiges and remains!

i forgot to take photos of each of the books within the book: the diary pages behind the photo of della on the "white" page and the history of the portland underground under the trap door on the "black" page. maybe i can con one of the girls into taking some for me. assembling those were part of the most time consuming aspects of the book, but so much fun! the pages are aged with instant coffee and made to look very old. they look pretty darn cool if i do say so myself.

i now have deb's book and have already started in on it: though the eye glass. so check back soon as i'll have images to post.

Round 3 - Debrina's Contribution to Lisa J's book

2010-03-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

I've chosen to play with Lisa's title, "Roots Beneath the Layers" to explore the shamanistic beliefs of my European ancestors. I've chosen Yggdrasil - the World Tree - as my focus for this round. I first learned about this cosmological structure in Brian Bate's "The Real Middle Earth".

My pages fold up into a nice neat signature of 12 pieces (see above illustration). 3 is a universally magic number and Yggdrasil comprises of 3 parts. I want to concentrate on each part separately, so with some witchery stitchery, I have constructed a 3 part layout to my segment of pages.

The first part is the upperworld - Asgard - where light, elvish beings, the gods, goddesses and the deities reside. If this sounds reminiscent of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, you'd be correct. Tolkien was fascinated by Saxon mythology and drew his inspiration from their cosmological and mythological constructs.

The book unfolds to reveal the rest of the tree...the underworld (the lower part of the tree is hinted at with the quote above - this is not stuck down yet; nor are these white pages finished...much more layering to do...).

The middle part of Yggdrasil is revealed. Midgard is the real middle earth, the spiritual world of living beings, such as animals, plants and human beings. I will be using the pages to the left of the tree to illustrate these realms as I am describing them here.

Finally, Yggdrasil is revealed in its entirety - Niflheim (Hel) are the roots of the tree. Here is the Underworld, where Nidhogg the dragon sleeps and the dead reside. Hel (Christian root word for Hell- scuse the pun) is the powerhouse of the subconscious; inhabited by underworld entities that we may fear but where we may also obtain our greatest source of potency.

So Ya Wanna Touch!- Kims contribution to Lisa's book Part 2

2010-02-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

Last time I left you we were in the labyrinth with the Minotaur!

If I left you feeling a little anxious last time about what would be following that post, well then relax. This time we're going for a wee walk with mother nature.

It isn't everyday you get told you can touch, now is it?

This section of my contribution to Lisa's book relates to man's constant use of nature as inspiration in art.

How we view it, reproduce it and the inspiration it provides us.

i have woven in a little copper wire...

Some found poetry...

a little celtic knotwork...

made to look like old plaster...

Some items from my garden...

and...

a wee doorway to...

open if you dare...

and inside...

the labyrinths of nature...

caught and captured in a resin heart.

and yes...

you really can touch!

If you would like to know more about the story behind these pages pop on over to my blog for the inside scoop!

Roots- Beneath the layers. Lisa Sarsfield's contribution.

2010-02-13T23:13:00.000-08:00

My contribution so far to Lisa J's book "Roots- beneath the Layers"

This is the first completed part of my spread in Lisa's book. I have done a full blog post on my blog "Lucky Dip" which you can see here.

Second update: 18 Dec 2009

The rest of this new addition can be found on my Lucky Dip blog.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Update #3 Jan 07/ 2010

Apologies for the small photo, for some reason it won't enlarge! It may be me, it's time for me to go to bed!

You can see the rest of the newest addition on my blog. I've been having fun!

Feb 7...New update added to Lucky Dip blog. You can see it here.

Finished book sneak peek just added! I am done!

I kid you not when I say there are a LOT of new pics on my blog but alas it is only a tease until I have the time to do a proper post. What are you waiting for? Go peek!

PS: Thanks Alicia for the date tip!

alicia's initial contribution to kim's book: fragments, vestiges & remains

2010-02-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

although i am not entirely done with the first two pages of kim's book, i felt i should post an update nonetheless. when i finish the remaining page(s) i will post a few more updates of these.

first and foremost though, i must apologize for the illusive and evil little white string that found itself in almost all of my photos. where it came from, i do not know! how i missed it is an even bigger mystery.

because ms. kim has shared a bit of history of where she comes from, i felt i would share a bit about mine... though the darker side of portland, oregon, usa, as it felt more appealing to me. the very short story is that portland has a very dark past -- the portland underground or shanghai tunnels as they were called. able-bodied men were kidnapped and dropped through deadfalls (trap doors) from bars, saloons, opium dens, whore houses, etc., housed in underground cells, then sold to ship captains into "white slavery". women were also kidnapped and sold into prositution or sold overseas into slavery as well.

this is della. she was one such girl who was kidnapped and forced to live an undesirable life of... undesirable stuff. i don't want to give away the whole story as some should be a surprise to kim once she gets her book back.

the copper frame around the glass door will be covered in beeswax and carved into and painted -- like i do my wee apothecary bottles. if you enlarge the above photo, you'll see that there is a wee bubble in the glass that looks like a tear, which really fits into the story.

the little glass door opens to reveal della's photo. behind that are her sister's diary pages about her disappearance. the book pages aren't entirely attached yet but will be by tonight. and that string is gone now. grr.

you can see dell'a pocket watch that fell from her pocket when she was kidnapped. there are wee diamonds inside but one came loose when she dropped it so it floats around in its case.

on the bottom of the page, a photo of the family house and an older photo of della are tied to the page. you'll have to read the diary pages to figure out how an older photo of her was obtained.

behind the photos is a heart, sewn on by her adoring little sister who misses her like mad since her disappearance.

on page two, you will learn the history of the shanghai tunnels and portland underground.

at the top of the page, i've fashioned a pocket for photos of the tunnels and cells from 160ish years ago. two rusty old nails are threaded through he pocket for no real good reason other than that i thought it looked cool. ;)

basement walls were knocked out and doors were added to create an intricate network of tunnels and cells beneath buildings, streets and sidewalks. the nicer of cells had a single chair in them. grated metal doors kept the captives locked inside, and the only light offered was from an occasional lantern.

(dang illusive string again! -- below) the bottom part of the page looks, to me, like what i thought it would feel like to be snatched and thrown into the dark and dank places below the lovely city of portland. things are more rusty than they appear in the photo.

on the bottom of this piece is a handle -- sort of a deadfall on the actual page. a hatch, or trapdoor.

open the door to read a more complete history about the portland underground.

and beneith that, an old map from the mid 1800s of what downtown portland looked like from a semi-aerial perspective.

the remnants of portland's infamous history of the shanghai tunnels and the portland underground are still with us. the stories have lingered, along with the rubble, the trapdoors, the secret entrances and the catacombs that still extend their presence beneath the sidewalks, streets and buildings.

tonight i will get happy with wax for the frame, attach the diary to page one, do some stitching on the bottom of page two and put these pieces into kim's book permanently. more photos coming soon.

Debrina's finished contribution to "Alicia's Museum of Forgotten Things"

2010-02-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

Page 1, above...

Note how much the book has changed since I first began it...

Pages 2 & 3

Pages 4 & 5

Page 6 - the exhibits box with accompanying notes

Close up of exhibits

Detail of barn

Hester in her youth (ghost effect intentional)

Detail of Notes page

To find out more about the story behind the work, come and visit me over at Debrina's Diary.

Pulpy Happenings

2010-02-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hello lovely visitors, so happy to have you drop by!
Things are hotting up around here! All of the Pulp Redux players are busy getting ready to post our books out on Feb 22nd and then the next round can begin. Wahoo! How exciting is that? This has been a whole lot of fun for all of us so far and this is just round 1!
If your wondering what's happened to each of the books please scroll through our posts, we've been adding updates to the bottom of each post so although it may not look like a new post it may well contain a new and juicy photo...you can also find links to our blogs in the side bar.
Happy Creating:)

The Heart of the Labyrinth-Kim's contribution to Lisa's Book

2010-01-12T23:46:00.000-08:00

From ancient Greece...

in an age of myths and legends...

From a time when there existed mythical beasts...

fair maidens...

and heros ...

comes a tale of deceit and forbidden love.

Enter the labyrinth...

and beware of what dwells within.

Lisa's book for the Pulp Redux collaboration is themed Labyrinth. I must admit the theme sparked off so many ideas I had trouble settling on just one, so in true women's fashion decided to do two! After all two must be better then one right! Right! LOL!

The first part of my contribution outlines the ancient Greek story of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur.

The sea God , Poseidon sent to King Minos of Crete, a beautiful white bull to be sacrificed in his honour. Minos however on seeing the beautiful animal decided to keep it and sacrificed another in it's place. Poseidon was so angry with Minos that he cast a spell upon Minos wife, Pasiphae which caused her to fall in love with the bull. Pasiphae unable to resist the spell mated with the bull and the offspring of their union was the Minotaur. The Minotaur grew to be so ferocious that Minos ordered a prison to be built to confine the Minotaur, and so Deadalus his servant, constructed a labyrinth which was so complex that none who went in were able to find their way back out, and the Minotaur was cast inside to remain forever.

Many years later, the Athenians who were at war with King Minos, killed one of Minos' sons. As punishment to the people of Athens, Minos called down a plague on the city. Only by agreeing to send to Crete each year seven youths and seven maidens would Minos lift the plague from the city. The youths and Maidens sent to Crete were cast by Minos into the labyrinth and there were devoured by the Minotaur.

In the third year of the tribute, the Athenian Prince Thesius, determined to end the slaughter of his people, and volunteered to go as one of the sacrificial victims where he vowed to find the Minotaur and destroy it. On arriving in Crete, Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos and Pasiphae saw Thesius and fell in love with him. She provided Thesius with a ball of string and bade him to tie one end of the string to the entrance to the labyrinth on entering, and in so doing he would be able to find his way back out again. Thesius did and within the heart of the labyrinth he found the Minotaur and killed it, fleeing Crete and taking with him the youths of Athens and Ariadne.

The tale although tragic ( I always feel sorry for the Minotaur!) is an interesting one and I rather liked the idea of it's being a part of the book.

Here's a look at one of the pages as it appears in the book.

The pages are constructed using black velvet and a heavy matching furnishing weight fabric.

I rather like the dark look all that black added to the tale!

So that's the first part of my additions. The second section is entirely different and sets quite a different mood entirely!
More on that soon. Some things just take ages to dry properly!

Lisa J's contribution to Deb's Book

2010-01-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

For the past month I've been working away on Deb's brilliant and imaginative book "through the looking glass." Along with her amazing artwork, Deb has composed a charming love story in the form of a journal entry written by Maude to accompany her book.

Maude's story begins in January 1896 with her leaving London to meet up with her secret lover Damien in the city of romance. Her husband has recently passed away leaving Maude a substantial fortune. With this inheritance, she purchases an eye glass and sets off to see the world with Damien. Maude's pretentious husband never would have married her had he known of her impediment. What Maude sees on her journey is up to us...

For my part, I've created a page inspired by Victorian style that portrays passionate devotion between soon to be united lovers...

photos of Maude and Damien

reveals a removable calendar from 1896

and a secret desire...

her locket...

her desire...

letters..travel plans..more secrets?

Debrina's Contribution to Alicia's book...

2010-01-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

January 02, 2010

Latest updates!

Hester in her youth...

The barn that burns down and Hester's daughter..

Just some badges that I'm working on...

The starfish that brings out love...this will be suspended with white thread from the hole frame...

The story unfolds...

Hans...

2009 Update

The compartments and their tell-tale findings...

Well, if you know me well, you'll know I like to launch myself into any new project with speedy aplomb. So, without further ado, let me introduce to you the start of the next instalment of Alicia's Pulp Redux book, The Museum of Forgotten Things.

I've picked up where Alicia left off. Hester, our main character, has shut herself away in her house after murdering her husband (this part of the story is Alicia's invention and is told so well by Alicia using various invented documents in her book - you'll see these in due time as you each get a turn at the book). Thus, Hester's house, like her mind, has become something of a museum and a prison...there are things in it she'd rather forget but can't. However, although Hester has become a recluse, this does not prevent her from taking many a secret lover! So, although a part of Hester's life is lost forever (Paradise Lost) she has gained a new one - albeit tainted with grief and guilt but also coloured with secrets and passions.

Now a bit about what I've been up to. Well, as you can see in the picture immediately above, I have made good use of an old Cigar box that I purloined from the Sanson market for only two bucks (!) this weekend. Perfect! It fits the format and size of Alicia's book perfectly. I love the fact that it's Jamaican and that one of my favourite stories in the whole wide world is Jean Rhy's Wide Sargasso Sea. Hester reminds me of the mad woman in the attic (Rhys' story is a spin on Jane Eyre - from the point of view of the first wife). In Jane Eyre, the mad woman in the attic tries to burn down the house. In Alicia's story, Hester uses fire as a means of dispatch. Of course, I'll say no more here, lest I give the whole story away!

The front of my page looks like this - I've used crackle paint (Ranger's Black Soot - thanks Alicia for sending me a bottle!) and a range of metallic paints. Heavy duty watercolour paper was used to get a really awesome thick texture that I then took to with my red colouring pencil. The result is pretty specky if I say so myself. A secret hides under the door and the black void of the front cover will contain an illustration.

The book opens from right to left to reveal a hidden compartment. The lid of my cigar box (the right flap) still needs work and I plan on putting a vignette on it. To the left is the lid of the compartment. Let's open it up, shall we...

Crap photo this one, but it gives you an idea. Little compartments will be carved out of the book I have placed in the compartment. The book, as mentioned earlier, is Paradise Lost, though I'm still deciding about that. I may yet just make a series of frames for the compartments. Anyone got any tips on how to carve nice little boxes out of the book?

I'm really proud of this paper lining the box! I hand dyed it myself and I love the way it has come out all marbled like that. This is the secret compartment area. Like I said, I'm still undecided about how I'm going to frame the forgotten artifacts I have. Nor have I gotten any closer to a solution as to how I'm going to allow book binding to happen, since the box opens right to left instead of left to right. Give me time, I might do the whole book within a drawer thing yet. Lisa S - that video you sent us needs to be up here. I love the whole idea of a book within a drawer within a box thing!

Alicia's book arrives! I open the box to find...

Now, just a quick little post about the receipt of Alicia's book in the post. Here are the photos I took. Hopefully I haven't conveyed some of the trembling excitement I experienced when opening the box. If the shots are fuzzy or shaky looking, at least you know why! Lol!

I feel like Howard Carter as he opens Tutankhamun's Tomb!

What is this???

A book is revealed!

Is there a story contained within?

Ooooh, a couple of diary entries and an obituary. Hmmm....

Fragments, Vestiges and Remains -Kim Updated

2009-12-21T00:41:00.000-08:00

I guess you all thought I'd completely fallen off the planet by now, but no just at it full on in the new studio!
Honestly, moving, what a hassle, and trying to find everything! At last I have my book done and it will be off to Alicia, (who probably has no hair left after worrying if I will ever finish it, and we can't have that cause bald for ladies is NOT a good look!!!).
Well enough about that let's move on and take a peek shall we, while I fill you all in!

Under the cover a little fabric play...

Yes, good advice, don't lose anything Kim! The words sit on a pillow of textural fragments. Under the cheesecloth, zillions (cause I just looove that word, LOL) of fabric threads from assorted projects that I have kept over time.

On the opposite page...

something for us, the contributors to the book.

Five sweet little cherubs (just like us really!).

Underneath I have constructed a chatelaine.
Okay I can hear you all going what??? from here!
In past times a chatelaine was a collection of chains which women would attach to their belts to hold the household keys.
In this case it will (hopefully!!!) contain a token from each of the participating artists. Something that reflects the friendship that has arisen from this collaboration together. For my part I have added a key and a token that says friendship, representing the keys to our friendship together.

But wait there's more...

The page opens up to reveal, a little suprise...

An additional section for the contributing artists. Five small hand made books, one for each of us to write in.
I thought it would be nice to hear from each artist about their work in the book. Here we can talk about our piece, what's behind it, or how it developed, maybe add a small picture of ourselves and to sign the work here. Each little book is constructed of a suede outer cover and watercolour paper and hand bound. The other inner page shows a picture of five birds and says 'the song of the five chicks'. Well that would be us, five chicks collaborating together in our books and our song is our art.

So, now onto my contribution to fragments, vestiges and remains.

This piece has been coming for some time. I don't mean in how long it has taken to get it done, more in it has been a persistent nagging thing in my head that just demanded to be done. Funny how that happens sometimes.

The piece is about the Anzacs and Gallipoli. For those who don't know, Gallipoli, in Turkey was the scene of a catastophe that resulted in huge loss of life to all participants on both sides during the first world war. For Australians and New Zealanders it forged a bond that remains so strong it has never left us. Anzac is an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, but the word has become such a part of our culture and has such significance attached that the acronym was dropped during the war and was awarded status as a word of its own. On April 25th 1915, Australia, New Zealand, England together with it's colonial troops from India and the French attacked Turkey on the beaches of Anzac cove. The next few months saw the cream of the nations young men die in a futile attempt to take possession of a strip of land they would eventually leave a few months later, after the deaths of thousands of men from both sides. Almost 500,00 men from both sides lost their lives in a campaign which ended some 9 months later and resulted in a win for the Ottoman Empire. It changed our nation. Australians entered the war having implicit faith in the dominance of the English Empire. We came out the other side a nation forged in war and have never forgotten the lessons since.

Anzac day is a traditional holiday here. Thousands march each year and even though the numbers of original Anzacs have dwindled to a few old men, their sons and grandsons march for them each year, maintaining their place in the parades. It is a touching sight.

And so onto the piece...

A map dominates the left side of the page...

The piece is a reflection of a number of real men's lives combined into one. In researching the war records of the Anzac soldiers I came accross the military papers of Pte. Francis William Edwards. Pte. Edwards joined the 1st Australian Lighthorse in 1914 at the age of 22. After training young Francis shipped out with his comrades to Egypt then onto Gallipoli. He lost his life there in May of 1915.

I have collected copies of Pte Edwards war records and added some items that would have been typical of a soldiers belongings at the time. Photographs of some of the lighthorse regiment are included, (many thanks to the Australian War Memorial for their pictures which are reproduced under a commons licence), although I can find no pictures of Francis himself anywhere. I have included items to represent those listed in his personal belongings and which would fit into the piece, it is after all a book (which is beginning to bulge out now!).
Also included here a diary I have constructed which reproduces a few entries made by the original soldiers in their own diaries from the war in Gallipoli.

On the opposite page a dedication to those lost Anzac men.

The words are not my own but were reprinted from a newspaper of the times in approx 1917, I think! I can't name the paper it came from as I don't have those details, but I think the words spoken so eloquently then, are just as poignant today.

Under the flap another window which reveals the Ode.

The Ode is recited at every official Anzac memorial service held today.

Opposite the Ode is a fragment, a piece of a letter to represent the thousands sent from home to those boys at the front.

And under that a small piece of our flag.

The remains of a nations beliefs, shaken and reborn.

And a picture of an unknown Australian soldier from the period. This young man lost his life too.
(The picture is courtesy of the Australian War Memorial and is also available under a commons licence.)

A young man chosen to represent many other young men.

I could not resist this young boys eyes. He could be Francis.
At least he is here.

So now the book will be on it's way, winging across the world to Alicia.
I can't wait to see her contribution and those of the others as it travels around. Of course their input will be different again as I haven't constructed a story to this book but instead want it to reflect lots of different fragments of things. When it finally returns home to me, I have reserved a final section in the book to add something else of my own...

but you will have to wait for those remains a little while longer.

Alicia's "The Museum of Forgotten Things" - Debrina's Contribution

2009-12-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

Update:

The compartments and their tell-tale findings...

Alicia's book arrives! I open the box to find...

I feel like Howard Carter as he opens Tutankhamun's Tomb!

What is this???

A book is revealed!

Is there a story contained within?

Ooooh, a couple of diary entries and an obituary. Hmmm....

Lisa's Labyrinth Book, ready to go!

2009-11-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

From the beginning...

Cover page with niche and circuit board.

Inside front cover. Title page and "Woven" page.

Second page, entanglement and intricate. I wasn't quite happy with the blank area above the nest so I took care of that and the update version is shown below!

Following the "Intricate" page is the sign in area which is made from pages of a vintage photo album and embellished with a collage from the Pulp Redux collage series I did. The piece of paper under the copper/wire piece is a note to all the artists.

Above: Each signature has a few pages of blank paper at the beginning to be used as Visual Diary pages by the artist whose signature that is. This is my VD page, I forgot to photograph the other one! Doh!

Below: Already filled to overflowing, my book is now ready to go! Other posts on this blog relating to this book can be found here.

This is so much fun, thanks everyone for your wonderful feedback and to our visitors please watch this space! New work will be added as each artist recieves a new book to work on and this is promising to be a great collab! Wahoo!

Debrina's Book: Through the Eye Glass (Finished)

2009-11-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

"Through the Eye Glass"

by Debrina (D.Price-Ewen)

November 2009

D.Price-Ewen

Lisa's Book: "Roots...beneath the layers" final

2009-11-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

final update before my book heads out in the mail:

The last page and inside back cover

This piece reflects the art from my Grandmothers era.

Circles were a common element in this style.

Older family photograph and the second half of the poem
"The Layers" on the outside back cover.

The first half of the poem is on the inside front cover.

Side view with unfinished layers to be completed as the book makes it rounds...
Right click on any photograph for details.

Alicia's Book: The Museum of Forgotten Things, almost ready!

2009-11-15T22:40:00.000-08:00

i have made some new additions to my book and gotten new photos taken. i have a few more pages to complete (three of which are started) and may or may not post those later. one of them does not fit the "museum of forgotten things" theme, but rather is a tribute to us five ladies working on the book and it's flight around the world. i also have yet to finish the cover, but should be doing so tomorrow.

page one is finally complete: charlotte. her page has some things i'd gotten from lisa j. and debs. i wanted to incorporate as much of everyone as i could into my pages, even though you'll be doing your own pages too... just felt right.

the top waxy-charlotte part opens up so you can read the charlotte poem:

page two is also complete and one you've seen lots of already so likely isn't too exciting. also, i lost my real dude photo that is supposed to go into the frame so rather than sew the frame on now i kind of glued it in a more temporary fashion so i can replace him later. whoops! supposedly that's a real diamond that i glued onto the flower. i don't really care for diamonds but i liked the little sparkle it added (i can't believe i of all people wanted something "sparkly"!).

page three is barely started and i'm not finishing it until the book makes its way back to me next year (primarily due to the fact that there will be bones, and such), so i SHOULDN'T post it, but i am. i sewed the pages together to form a folder of sorts and it will be stuffed with goodies later. this is more of a personal page and probably doesn't seem "forgotten" to most, but the super succinct reasoning is that i always wanted to be a forensic chick. that's a real dental x-ray and there is really dna on the slide. this is a funny shot -- during my very last stitch on this page, my needle broke.

i have to add some fabric to the page behind this piece, and a hinge, but here is a better shot of page six:

the top piece opens up to reveal another image (then the bottom piece will be hinged to open another time, revealing something else, but i'll save that for later peeks too). recognize some of the fabric, lisa j?

11/16 update:

this is page 5 -- there are 5 of us playing -- the nest has five little crystals in it -- the book, like the bird, is flying around the world... just a little tribute page that doesn't fit with the theme, but i don't care. ;)

and a couple of peeks at the new page four (old page four is now page six) -- a glass tube and broken glass watchmaker vial from the late 1800s with fabulous little pieces of paper from debbie, and on amazing fabrics from lisa j:

this looks cooler in person -- a spider web i made and sewed onto fabric before rusting it.

this page makes me thankful that i don't often sew. i sustained numerous injuries including a self breast needle biopsy, a needle under a finger nail and a hole in my thigh (accidentally sewed something to my jeans). i should stick with paint and paper. ;)

Lisa's book: Roots.. beneath the layers

2009-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is my first update. As you can see the book is much thicker now

with the addition of the inside cover and first page:

Now when you open the book this is what you see...

The inside front cover has the first half of the poem "The Layers"
by Stanley Kunitz, a poem about the journey of life. The photograph
is of my grandmother as a young girl covering her face...
appropriate to the concept in the poem about our

changing identities past and future. The second half of the
poem will be on the inside back cover of the book.

The first half of the poem...

On the second page I've created a fiber art festival of textures and layers
using natural and vintage fabrics, wool fiber and silk sari ribbons.
There are five spears of white turquoise...each represents a participant
in this collaboration. The turquoise is also symbol of friendship.

I've created a sandwich of fabric and fiber layers in which
the spears are rooted. On an organic level... a layer is defined as a
stem that is covered with soil for rooting.

I designed the nest from mulberry bark, fibers,

silk and linen thread and egg shaped turquoise beads.

The wood piece on the far left is another remnant from a printers tray...

the same used to create the frame around the photo on the opposite page.

This piece was added to keep the pages from getting crunched together.

Here is a close up view of the texture. This was created by
sandwiching eight layers of fabric together then stitching and slashing

the fabric to reveal all the fiber layers.
All the details on this page have been hand sewn.

Now onto the back cover...as the exchange deadline is closing in...

alicia's book: the museum of forgotten things

2009-11-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

11/05 UPDATE:

i added new, thick pages (foam core) so there will be more room to play in. that's what the above page is made out of. will send along the ribbony stuff for the sticks. here are some side shots, even though the twigs aren't all cut.

sorry again for the crap photos. i'll really replace them soon but i got a couple emails wanting peeks so... here are some bad ones. ;)

i will be cured by tomorrow and will work on finishing pages and taking great photos (with the camera on the proper setting and with the room light on this time, haha).

p.s. i've used some goodies i've gotten from lisa j and debs. it felt sooo right!

10/21 UPDATE:

i'm pretty behind on updates, i think! since my last post, i have added some things to my book. i lined the outer cover with black handmade banana leaf paper (which the top piece will be affixed to once i'm done) and the inside with red velvet... kind of like a museum exhibit.

the pocket will be sewn into the back at the end in case anyone wants to sew on any sort of little trinket while they have it. a note from each participating artist and or other goodies will be placed in the pocket.

i've nearly completed the second page (the bone page is first, but i have to do that afterward -- you'll see why when you get it). basically, it's a story about a lady and her life. the passing of her husband, how he died, etc. it's a totally made up story but i had to research surnames and origins, first names/origins, fonts used in 1920s publications, etc. i wrote her obituary as well as a couple of diary pages and basically confessed her "forgotten" sin -- only she never really forgot. she almost never left her house for nearly 50 years, at least not until the last 2 or 3, and really had a sad life. that's why she looks so miserable. horrible photo, i know.

here is the back of the bundle of goodies:

all spread out (feel free to untie the twine when you get it to read everything -- quite a fascinating story, lol). even the peacock feature ties into the whole story.:

all of this will fit sweetly into a pocket i fashioned out of one of the fold-down pages. the pocket, of course, will be embellished and decorated to fit with the story of it all, but i haven't gotten that far yet.

i received an email today that my dick blick order finally shipped (only placed the damn order like 8 days ago) so i'll have my black patina for the front piece soon!

next steps: bone page, medical slide page and omg, i have no idea what i will do for the forth. how can anatomy fit into "forgotten"? (wait! i forgot i had a spleen!!)

Lisa's book: Roots...beneath the layers

2009-11-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

As the fifth and final member of this artful collaboration I am

pleased to finally be revealing some progress on my book!

This is my original book...an antique photograph book
belonging to my family. It only had a few photos inside...
one of which I will be using in one of my page designs.

The cover is too beautiful to completely conceal.

My theme is "Roots.. beneath the layers"...is a common theme for me when it comes to art.

My idea was to constuct a book that is full of layered elements

which were part of something else at one time.

The wood piece to the right is the inside back of an old cuckoo clock

with part of the mechanism attached. I've attached chunks of rusty

metal pieces that I've found on top along

with a silk cocoon wired with beads.

The other wood pieces are from an old printers tray and the rusty chain

belonged to the cuckoo clock. The twig bundle on the side will be added

at a later time as I can't send them on the journey overseas.

Not being able to use twigs and sticks in this piece until it returns

to the states has provided a interesting challenge for me.

I assembled the nest from wire and beads and vintage fabric pieces.

The name "Roots" sits upon a leather strap from an old camera.

I've added the numbers 3 and 2 at the bottom to reflect a reoccuring
theme of 5 that will appear throughout the book...
chosen to represent the five artists

who are the heart and soul of this project.

The nest sits at the center as its architecture represents
the ultimate amalgamation of found elements.

The brass handle on the front from came from another photograph album.

As you can see from the side...the cover is quite bulky...

as I have a hard time working flat.

Sorry.. girls...it's not heavy though...for postage sake!

Altered book or Assemblage?

Kim's Book- Fragments,Vestiges & Remains

2009-10-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

Update #2-Covers Completed -25 October

Well I have finished the covers of the book at last, well at least as much as they will be done before they zoom off to all the other collaborators for their round the globe trip. I have more to add, a collection of brass fittings, but will add none of these items until the book makes it's final return back to me here in the land of tropical paradise. Too much postage weight!

I have added a fragment of book text.

Well I did say a fragment!

Then I filled the niche with the remains of a burned photograph...

and the vestiges of the belt buckle after its transformation...

I add a few other details...

the remnants of some chain...

all that remains of some beads I have particularly liked...

and the covers have come together at last.

So here it is...

'Fragments Vestiges and Remains'

a story about the little pieces...

Update #1 Cover Play - 21 October

Well blog readers, time to progress on.

After all the fun of burning it's time to change the colour of the covers. The deep blue isn't really what I'm after so it's time for some colour fun. After a little contemplation I decided I rather liked the boards and their aged fabric look so why not just give them a small renovation, and update their colour. Bit like one's home really. I decided to add some walnut ink, I love the oldtime feel this ink gives to everything it touches. A third of a bottle and 2 drying days later to make sure the boards and covers are completely dry,
here's the result...

Better I think. As I said it has kept the book covers natural distressed look without changing anything except the colour.

I like it!

I decide to continue with the inking fun and have dyed some fabric remnants to add to the covers.
Gotta keep with the theme here! LOL!

I have kept going with the walnut ink to build on the aged look for the covers, dying the cheese cloth and tulle to match the new colours.

Time to glue them to the book cover.

That done the drying is now underway.

Time to work on some embellishments.
This was originally a very ugly belt buckle, but like everything else it's had a makeover and will go over the burnt hole in the front cover.

Getting there. Now to wait for the drying...

I'm sooo impatient!

Time to Start - 18 October

Okay, so finally I'm on the mend from whatever the latest round of nasty virus is and it's time to blog some art, Yay!
I am so excited to be a part of this collaboration with this talented group of artists! So after much soul searching and internal debate I finally decided on a topic and format for my part in Pulp Redux!

It has a title, or at least it will soon enough, LOL!

How about...

Fragments, Vestiges and Remains!

I rather like bits of things, especially anything that's antiquated, vintage or just plain old and interesting. What can I say, I'm just curious!
I rather expect you can take this theme to include almost anything you like really. Perhaps fragments of art, text, textiles, texture (drool!!!) or something a little more esoteric maybe. A fragment of an interesting person's life, or a period of time!
Anyway you decide, I am sure it will be interesting and hopefully there's lots of scope for all players to find something that interests them within the theme.

It will be a book! I rather mean an already exisiting one rather than a newer construction, which I did consider but then rebuffed as I rather thought the title of the collaboration warranted my finding an already exisiting book and repurposing it.

So here's my book.

It is 10" x 7" so large enough pages for plenty of fun. The book is an old Dutch textbook-'An Introduction to English Art'.

Here's a brief look inside.

Aren't the art pics lovely! Gainsborough Yumm!
Now I have removed approximately a third of the pages to make a little room for lumps and bumps with the intention that I will likely have to rebind the book after it finally makes it's way back to Oz. Sorry girls but the lovely pics constituted the removed pages of the book. I decided they were too good to waste and will keep them for inclusion in other projects, but I rather think one or two may end up in Andrea's book somehow! I decided to keep the book bound this way so participants don't have to pay for the extra weight of bindings in the postage at present and I will just sort it out at the end. The book has been divided into six sections to accommodate everyone which means that after trimming the pages everyone has approximately 15 pages (30 if you count both sides) each to play with. Not too many but the paper is quite a good thickness and sturdy enough for some quality play. This will also stop the postal weight and costs being too prohibitive, at least I hope so!

So now it's time to do something with the books covers!
As you can see it's a board and cloth bound book, navy blue colour.
Might have to change that I think, but first, the heavy duty alterations.

Chop, chop, wow book boards are tough going to cut!!!
A small hole to create a recess in the cover.

And now those of you that know me, know I can't resist a good burning...
so guess what's next...

Burning, yay, (the fire bug's at it again, LOL!).

I have burnt the cover and first few pages to create a shallow niche in the front of the book to create a new title.

Here's how it looked after the burning session.

Getting there! Now maybe it's time to do something about that blue colour...

Debrina's Book - Through the Eye Glass

2009-10-14T03:27:00.000-07:00

Update #6

Finished portfolio cover - I'll get a less fuzzy photo up tomorrow hopefully

Beginning of page 2 with feature window (hmmm...I need to lower that bottom right stud...)

Window feature open (yes, I definitely need to fix that stud!)

Page 1 will remain a surprise - you'll see it when it comes in the post!

Update #5

Portfolio - stitching commences (with a cup of tea for fortitude)

I've been so busy doing other projects since my last update (altered matchboxes, aceos, atcs, an art exchange, my exhibition pieces and mail art) that I actually had to put the book aside for a little while. Now that these things are out of the way, I've had much more time to solely concentrate on our project. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this project, but I also don't like unfinished business.

Stitching finished (yay!)

So, a lot has happened since I last posted. Firstly, the portfolio got a good going over with paper, paint, dye (lots of texturising you could say) and then, finally, crackle medium. I wanted to achieve a real shabby but interesting cover: antiquated and a bit Victorian Sci/Fi. The herringbone stitch (above) isn't just decorative - it has a practical purpose to it to. Basically it holds the portfolio together, lol!

Folded up and finished, now, the portfolio looks like this:

Finished portfolio

The writing is of course, the title: Through the Eye Glass.

Here's a close up:

Close up of eye piece and title of book

Now I'm working on my pages of the book. I've manufactured an eye-glass (one of those old fashioned ones favoured by the Victorian gentlemen) by busting up an old pair of doll's spectacles and attaching a silver chain. I've also found a photo that represents my invented heroine, Maude Newton. Maude's a recently widowed 32 year old, who's found a new lease on life. With her husband dead and buried (oooh that sounds so callous), her newly found freedom and small fortune have afforded her a trip around the world. Also with the money left to her by her late husband, Maude has invested in an eye glass. Maude's always had poor eyesight but out of vanity refused to wear spectacles in front of her husband (her husband, in fact, was never aware that his wife had poor eyesight - she kept it so well hidden). Now that Maude has her eye-piece (an eye piece is so discreet when you can just tuck it into your pocket or purse), the world has taken on a different meaning...and that, my dear artistic chums, is where you fill in the gaps!

Here's Maude (and her belated husby), her eyeglass, an excerpt from her diary (and the diary cover) and peeking through all that - the first page of the book:

(CLICK on the image to enlarge)

And here's the diary excerpt (and the first page of my book - which has barely been started) in its entirety:

As you can see, Maude is quite atypical of her generation. She's a bit of a messy pup (look at the stains on that diary entry) and a real adventuress. She's aware of societal norms, of course, and keeps up the ruse on the surface, but deep down she's a tiger!

Update #4
If you've read my other blog, you'll know that I've been busy this weekend working on all sorts of art projects, but did manage to fit my book in too. I've decided NOT to bind my book until you guys have finished doing your thing to it. That way I can accomodate it's new thickness (eg, any dimensional work you guys do). My plan is to create an encasing for it - a bit like a portfolio cover that opens up to reveal the book (see the one I've mocked up below). I have set the eye piece onto the top part of the portfolio (the flap), just to set the theme and I will use this mock-up in the final version of the cover. In the meantime I am starting to work on the first two pages - you each get two opposing pages to play with. I've also set a margin (which you can paint over but must not embellish, as that will be where I bind the book. Anyway, don't panic with all these "instructions". I'll put a set of notes in the parcel before I send it off!

As you can see, the brown cardboard is the inside of the portfolio. It will latch together when folded up. Currently it fits "the book" quite snugly, but it will need to be remade in order to accomodate the actual book as we build it up with our artwork. If you blow this picture up larger, you can see where the margins are for binding. I've also alternated the page layout so that the circle is not in just one place on every page...

Ooooh and the miniature book is for each of your autographs and a little vignette that represents you as an artist: be it your work, inspiration or your muse...

Update #4a
OK...so here's some more pictures to help clarify things:

Here's the eye piece...

Open the top flap...

then the bottom flap...

Open up the book and turn the pages.

I've thought some more about the hole placement. I'll let you decide in which position you want to have it. You just need to flick the entire page over. I hope you experiment with it. Also, the portfolio is temporary. It will only be enclosed in your parcel to inspire you and tickle your fancy. I think it's really important for us to see each others work up close and personal...so you can hold it, touch it, sniff it, look at it...etc. That's SO important don't you think?

Update #3
Not really an update as such; more inspiration. Look what I found at Brian Dettmer's Book Autopsies

Update #2

"Through the Eye Glass"

Ok, I am so darn excited about this project that I just haven't been able to stop thinking about it in the last 48 hours! I'm zinging with creative zinginess and it's so bad, I'm not sleeping that well...ha ha. Look at the time will you: 11:30pm (NZ) and I have to get up at 6.30am tomorrow for work! But I just had to join in the fun and post my theme!!!

Well, I had the most amazing photographs of the work I'd done on my book to date (as in just this evening), then my camera died. I hate my camera...it's old and cruddy and I want a new one. Damn it, I need a new one! Problem is I'm as poor as a pauper right now...so for the time being, these photos - taken on my cell phone (yes, I know, tragic isn't it?) - will have to suffice.

I promise you I will beg, borrow or possibly steal a camera before the week is out, so that I can match the standard of photography you guys are doing (Lisa, your close up is astounding).

Ok...so here's my theme:

"Through the Eye Glass".

I made my eye glass out of cardboard, paper, metal, plastic, and laminate. I've dyed and painted the circular cardboard frame to give it its rusty metallic colour. The book is made from scratch (hand bound) and is tiny (1.5" x 2" or 4cm x 6cm). This book accompanies the larger book (the board book I'm busy gessoing), which the eye sits upon. The larger book still needs a lot more background paint to get it nice and opaque. The cover will be aged and antiqued with crackle then painted an off-white, almost cream, colour...
My head is still whirring with ideas...my heart is beating a bit too fast as I write this...if I don't die from a heart attack tonight from the sheer excitement of this project of ours, I hope to do MUCH more tomorrow.
Nighty night everyone....

Update #1
Ummm...yes, well, I kinda have started mine already, Alicia (LOL!)...how did you know? I've just put on the first coat of gesso....can you see the bear peeking through?

This book measures 6" x 7". Postage here to the States and Aussie is not cheap - so I haven't gone huge. Just kept it small and lightish.

Lisa's Labyrinth Book

2009-10-12T16:51:00.001-07:00

Update 7, Nov 2.
Well here they are, 2 completed spreads in my book. I am not planning on doing any more than that or there won't be room for you guys! lol. I still have to do my last signature which will hold some swap pieces.In between each signature is a piece of paper which I have glued in which will act as each persons VD page/Notes/Sign area or what ever else you want to use it for. Also, just because I have done a page to interpate the definition of Labyrinth dosn't mean you have too...just what ever comes to mind when you think of Labyrinth!

Update 6. October 27.

My finished cover. Its not perfect but over all I am happy with the result. I used wax to fill the niche and set the circuit board into it. It's settled a bit flatter than what it looks here. Sure hope my book dosn't encounter any hot places on it's way around the globe though!

Update 5
Ok, so here's the cover nearly finished. The foam board was covered with pva glue and gold tissue paper and then it underwent a treatment of indian ink and watered down gesso until I was happy with the look. The copper foil was eventually found and bought and as you can see it looks great around the niche! Great advice:) The book cover itself was red so I rubbed indian ink onto it using make-up pads. I still need to stick the circuit board in proparly...

The pic above makes my book look reallly fat and I am only posting it here because I love it:)

The photo below shows how the foam has gone and bowed on me BUT I think I've taken care of that with a liberal does of glue and the use of my flower press! (Bottom pic.)

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Update 4
Ok, so here's what I am playing with at the moment. My son is a 'pull it apart to see what it's inside' kinda boy. He's after the motors and lights from things and I occasionally inherit bits of copper wire and circuit boards. I stopped getting them from him because I wasn't using them, I just like them coz the look pretty! Anyway, today one of them got put to good use and I cut a niche from foam board to put it in for my books cover. Isn't it beautiful and jewel like? and the maze pattern is just perfect for labyrinth! As you can see I've cut the niche a bit crooked (!!) so I will need to figure out how to fix that...maybe I am going to have to cut the whole thing bigger now and then some how fill in the 3mm gap I will have? Doh!
Also, I am going to fix this foam board to the cover of my book, am thinking of using PVA but not sure if it is durable enough? Any suggestions of what glue to use? I have also done a bit more inside my book but that will be another post as the kids need to be picked up from school very soon!

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Post 3.
This book is in my mind, thoughts and dreams 24/7 lately so I am so pleased to have had 3 whole hours to play today and an hour yesterday! I am loving the way it's coming out so far. I've done most of my 'title' page too (not photographed yet) and you can see a teeny peak of it in the top photo. The weaving thing had the last minute addition of the beads which slide along the cotton a bit like a abacus but in a different direction. I love the rythmn of them as you slide them along. The word 'entanglement' became quite literal at several points today but this has been such a labour of love it's hard to put down! I am sure you all know the feeling!

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Post 2.
I am being bad,very bad. I should not be here doing this post or playing with books but the urge was to strong...I just finished tying the last kebab stick to my page, they will form the framework for a weaving of threads and papery things. The back of it is the photo below. I left the thread tails long so they'd tangle but I may tie things on to them as well...my thoughts are still thinking!

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Post 1

It's not much compared to the trillion and one ideas I have for this book in my head but here's a sneak peek at my books begininngs! My theme is Labyrinth. Not as in David Bowie Labyrinth but as in the dictionary definition of the word "intricate and tangled, windings, entanglement" which to me describes anything from a nest (suprise! suprise!) to intiricate celtic work and old vintage letters....in the days of sloped and curly handwriting not computer fonts!Anything that is interwoven, bound or maze like... I look forward to seeing how everyone else translates it when this book moves around each player!

What you see here is my book (an old novel) divded into signatures for each player (my husband is drilling the cover for me later so I can add another) and a sneaky glimps of 2 of my bound pages.