Exiting the Rabbit Hole

After Rabbit Hole - Day 2, I had a couple of book binding projects underway, and one more that I had planned but not started. Before diving into the next rabbit hole (the darkroom project) I thought I should finish these up lest they languish unfinished. I don’t expect my clients to get antsy (some don’t even know that they are clients) but I needed some closure.

Book No. 1

This is the first finished book. Bound using the Sewn Board Binding Technique, and covered with artwork from an old Yosemite calendar by Jeremy Collins. This one’s been claimed by Yakuta - deservedly so, for all the mess I’ve been making at home these days.

I tore the paper to size for this one (instead of cutting it) and left the top edge untrimmed. Something to play with more in the future.

Kabir’s Album

Mana wanted to create a little family album for baby Kabir, and I jumped at the opportunity. Albums are a bit more complex, requiring you to create more space within the pages to allow for photos to be pasted in. Otherwise the whole book would fan open once the photos were pasted, and nobody wants that. This was achieved by sewing the pages with alternating tabs that serve to create thickness at the spine while leaving empty space for photos. You’ll see. Ooh and don’t miss the lovely double-sided endpapers!

This was also one where I used the same piece of material for the breakaway spine and the cover itself, which I think does add a touch of class (and makes it more album-y).

Anukta’s Notebook

It’s nice to have friends that still use notebooks. It’s not so nice when these friends leave SF and move to Germany. So naturally I made this SF-themed notebook for her. I first picked the endpapers, and then doubled down, using the same theme for the front and back covers as well. More is more.

One of the features (or flaws - depending on your perspective) of this style of binding is the exposed stitching in the middle of the endpapers.

Saisha’s Sticker Book

It would be impossible to make Anukta a book without making one for Saisha. Especially when she needs a sticker book. What’s a sticker book you ask? Exactly what it sounds like! The cover here is a poster from one of Jerry Pinto’s children’s books, and seemed perfectly fitting for the purpose at hand. I think Jerry himself would be proud.

Alia’s Sketchbook

Finally, here is a sketchbook for Alia’s birthday. I better get it mailed quickly so it can reach Australia in time! Special feature here is the cut-out in the front endpaper. Sharp, I know.

So there you have it. Most of the materials for these books came from my new favorite store - SCRAP - where you can purchase all kinds of leftover art supplies, paper, cloth etc. for pennies. More than the cost savings, it’s a source of inspiration because you come across all these materials that take you in directions you wouldn’t have gone otherwise. Anukta’s notebook with the SF prints is an example. Also, mega cost savings. And good for the environment.

Here, Yakuta is helping me pick out a complete set of letter stamps (the ones used in Saisha’s Sticker Book).