Friday, October 03, 2008

bambook

I bought this 2" by 31/2" bamboo (real or fake?) box somewhere, sometime in the past.

I thought it would make a nice box for a little book to rest in. I've always wanted to make a decorative book in a box.

It took me three tries to cut and measure the paper correctly so that it would fit in the box. I finally resorted to looking up how to measure properly in a bookbinding book: More Making Books by Hand by Peter and Donna Thomas. After that I did it right.

I decorated the accordian folded papers with acrylic paint.

This shows the two sides and the way I imagined it would rest in the box. However the picture is sideways. I forgot to "save" the change when I turned it in the Picasa site and I'm going to leave it.
I rubber stamped this quote on the pages. "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." Picasso. I was tired when I stamped and did it wrong which I have to correct. I wrote "Dust washes from the soul...." I'm not really satisfied though with the way it rests in the box so I may just put the accordion between two book covers and do something else for the box.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! Don't give up on it. It is really wonderful.

Andrea and Kim said...

Suki, what a wonderful box. I can see why you would want to use it as a base for a book...how I love that idea! I also love the idea of the quote in the book, too. While only you can make the call, I think the idea is really excellent. I also adore the colors you have chosen for the pages of the book! They really bring a lot of umph! to the bamboo.

Super Cool Project, Suki!

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Great idea. also love the colors. This is why I never do any painting when tired. I always feel I have to redo it.. arrgh. :))

Anonymous said...

Art washes from the soul.........I love your bookbox.

Mim said...

What a clever idea. I have a million cigar boxes that you can have to make into wonderful art.

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is a great idea!

And I love the self-portrait too.

Katiejane said...

I love all of this. The box is great and the pages are wonderful. I wish I had time to work on things like this. Wish I didn't have to make art on the fly. Oh well.
I agree with Kim, love the colors.

sukipoet said...

Annie, thanks for the encouragement. I think I've thought of a way to make it work more like I'd like by adding on a couple more pages so the quote isnt buried in the box.

Kim it is a fun box. Wonder what was in it originally?? I have seen such books in boxes and other containers. Really arty ones. So this is my first try. I do like the colors too. Oh, I just looked up and saw the gorgeous quarter? moon.

Cris, it is easier to make mistakes when tired. But also, sometimes I am more creative when tired as my left brain is turned off and wild ideas outflow.

sukipoet said...

Thanks Britt-arnild.

Mim, really do you have cigar boxes?? If you are serious I'd love a few. They make wonderful cases for books and also for assemblages.

Thanks Rebecca.

Thanks Katie Jane. Now lets hope I can replicate the colors for the additional pages I want to add on.

Kate Robertson said...

I love that box. Your accordion pages look really great. I have one of those Japanese fold out mmoleskines that I want to do something with. Your piece reminded me of it. Thanks for all th nice comments on my blog. I haven't done a self portrait yet. I will do one sometime this month.

Kate

Lynn Cohen said...

A very cool idea...and I admire your stick to itness to get it just right. Love the painted pages/accordian style and the stamping of the quote.
You are so talented and so full of great ideas Suki.

sukipoet said...

Welcome Kate. I've see pics of those accordian moleskins. They look nice. Thanks for stopping by.

Lynn, you are too kind. I know myself well. I often attempt failed tasks any number of times. And you know what most often I figure it out. Of course, I'm not trying to figure out brain surgery.

marianne said...

Lovely idea, it looks like bamboo to me.
Beautiful pages inside!
Beautiful quote, sometimes a mistake can mean somthing so why not leave it that way.......

Natalya Khorover Aikens said...

what a great book! i love it!

Anonymous said...

"Bambook" - clever word you invented!

sukipoet said...

Marianne, true sometimes a mistake works out better than intention. I am almost done with the book. Just need to decorate outside of bamboo box.

Thanks Natalya.

Chewy, fun to invent words isn't it?