Debrina's Book - Through the Eye Glass

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"

Copyright 2009  -  D.Price-Ewen

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.