The best things in life ....

Whilst visiting family near Bristol recently, I asked the owner of a gift shop if she would sell me a couple of her paper bags which had caught my eye and she generously let me have them for nothing. I suppose it's difficult to put a price on a couple of paper bags but it was a nice gesture.
This is what I made out of one of them - First the paper bag -


which became a book cover.



This one is A5 size, the crumpled paper was painted with watered down acrylics and a stamp pad run over it, then bonded to vilene and a painted grungeboard key added, the flaps were made by bonding fabric to the vilene and then all stitched together. I love books!

Bartering books

A visit to Barter Books ("one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Britain") left our bookshelves somewhat lighter - we came away with only one as a result of the "barter" but still have cash in the drawer so to speak. It's always a delight to go to this old railway station in Alnwick even if it's only to sit in front of the real fire with a cup of coffee and browse.



After that a quick visit to Morpeth station which yielded some peeling paint - a possible future textile?

I love books!

I love books! I love the smell of new books especially! Do you find yourself opening a new book and having a good sniff? I have always loved reading, maybe something to do with the fact that there was no tv or other distractions when we were young (I'm making myself sound ancient here!) and maybe the fact that my dad was a librarian had an influence. I remember my first visit to Blyth library to choose a book and being bitterly disappointed that the assistant chose a book for me thinking she was doing me a good turn!
Anyway, the tenuous link is that I recently made some covers for some sketchbooks! All sold!


Have a good weekend!