Tag Archive for: coptic stitch

Barn Raising

I’ve been busy in the studio creating a new book. It features the history and reconstruction of the Long-Graham barn owned by the Northcoast Regional Land Trust in Freshwater, California. I didn’t have a fixed idea of what the book would look like when I started but it has evolved into a vessel containing memorabilia about the history of the barn. It’s a kind of miniature barn. I will be sewing it together with sticks on the spine and the sections contain pockets, foldouts, etc. I love making this kind of book: history, local materials, creative challenges, and s a snapshot in time. For now, here is a sneak preview! I still have time to add more memorabilia. The historical research has been fascinating. I found the 1880 Census records of the Long Family and listed below them were about 15 Chinese immigrants who were there to work on the railroad – I’m assuming the Freshwater Railroad. All Chinese were forced out of Humboldt County in 1885 and my Dutch ancestors arrived in 1890 to jeers and taunts on the Eureka dock; they were in native dress with clogs. The was not a proud moment in our local history.

After sewing it together, I still have time to add memorabilia. Research never ends.

Title Page

Title Page

Photos

Photos

Map of Freshwater

Map of Freshwater

Matchbook Book in a Pocket

Matchbook Book in a Pocket

Straw Paper, Articles from Local Newspapers, Blackberry prints

Straw Paper, Articles from Local Newspapers, Blackberry prints

Redwood Boards from the Original Barn (1910)

Redwood Boards from the Original Barn (1910)

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Redwood Journal

When I headed to Nebraska this Fall I had already committed to making a book for the Humboldt County Library Foundation auction to be held December 5 at the Ingomar Club in Eureka, California. I had an idea of what I wanted to make and I brought an abundance of materials along so that I could have choices. I love working in my studio in rural Nebraska; I’ve  done some of my most creative work isolated from people, phones, and internet. I had almost completed the book when I discovered that one of my favorite artists Karen Kunc was offering a class in boxmaking in Lincoln, Nebraska, and this was no ordinary box! I was thrilled to take yet another class from such a talented artist and teacher. So. I built a box for the book.


The Coptic bound book is made from old growth redwood boards rescued from the 1905 carriage house of Liz Murguia, president of the library foundation board. The apple twigs come from a 50 year old Gravenstein apple tree belonging to Sara Traphagen, vice-president of the library foundation board. The book structure was inspired by another wonderful book artist and teacher Margo Klass.


The thread is heavy natural flax, the pebble comes from the Mad River Beach, and the sections inside were constructed  from German Ingres paper wrapped in eco-dyed papers.


The clamshell box is covered with linen book cloth with recessed niches for eco-dyed papers on the front and spine.


When the book and platform are removed a tray is revealed which can also be removed. Whoever wins the bid on this can write in the journal and store their treasures in the tray. This is a fairly large box (9″ x 7″ x 4.5″) and I have plans to make a series of smaller ones. I’m always surprised by the completed project as I never know what I will create when I start out. I love the mathematical and logical ways of putting things together but it’s the unpredictability of the artistic opportunities that are the most exciting. Here is hoping that the auction brings in lots of money to support the purchase of non-fiction books for children – this year’s project.

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Coptic Stitch Class

Our OLLI class Book of Words: Coptic Stitch was officially completed last week but as we usually do, we assembled at Humboldt Coffee and Chocolates for “debriefing” and sharing. As always, it’s a privilege to work with such talented and daring people. Adding a window to the cover was optional but everyone wanted to make them and really, in the end, this feature really made the books more personal. I learn so much from all of them. The following photos are from the class or followup. Enjoy!

The following photos were taken during class. The first hour was spent decorating a large piece of Arches Text Wove paper. For color students used everything: stamp pads, watercolors, acrylic inks, acrylic paints, pens, colored pencils. There were some very creative mark makers too: handmade stamps, interesting brushes, sticks, and a helix style lightbulb!

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Many books were finished during our coffee session. These photos show some of the sewing taking place. We used a double needle Coptic stitch. The second photo shows how creative these students can be—it was too dark for Joan to see so Darcy used the flashlight on her phone to assist. Funny!

 

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AND!! These are the books that are finished.

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Judy’s Book: Family

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Denise’s Book

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Azalea’s Book

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Pat’s Book

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Pat’s Book

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Cheryl’s Book: Welcome

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Darcy’s Book

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Gisela’s Book

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Joan’s Book

If you couldn’t attend the coffee gathering, please let me know if you need help finishing. Most books took a mere 15 minutes to finish. If you did finish, would you send me a photo and I’ll include it. THANKS FOR ANOTHER GREAT CLASS. GOOD JOB.

Donna has finished her book and sent me a photo. It’s never to late to add your photo!  Nice work and great colors.

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Double Needle Coptic Stitch

It’s time for the last book arts class of the HSU OLLI Fall 2015 Semester!

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Course Description:

Explore the written word as an art form as you create pages for your small book. Bring your favorite writing or drawing tools — pens, watercolor, stamps, or colored pencils — to decorate the pages. The structure is sewn using a double needle Coptic stitch. The cover will include a small window. The book will be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and would make a wonderful gift.

Prerequisite: “Book Arts: The Basics” or an introductory book arts class elsewhere.

Day & Date: Tues. & Thurs., Dec. 8 & 10

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Fee: OLLI Members $65

Class #: 47546

Location: HBAC

Supplies:

Basic Toolkit: bone folder, cutting mat, small cutting knife, small sharp scissors, metal ruler (bring 25″or 36″ if you have them), bookmaker’s awl, two #20 or #22 tapestry needles, PVA glue, glue brush, book press (or heavy book or brick), wet wipes, beeswax, glossy  magazines for scrap paper.

Materials: mark making supplies (stamps/stamp pads, watercolors, colored pencils, markers, or acrylic ink), cotton embroidery thread (or linen thread) in color of choice.

Provided: Arches Text Wove and Mat Board, Stencils

See you soon!

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Margo Klass at Newport 2015

Margo Klass is one of my favorite books artsts because of the way she works with wood, the care she takes with detail and bookbinding  principles, and the  Japanese feel of a lot of her work.  I’ve been lucky to have taken three of her classes at the Newport Paper Arts Festival in Newport, Oregon. She is an exceptionally good teacher: patient, well organized, so very talented. She spends her time in Alaska and Maine and makes books as well as altar pieces and box constructions. I’m hoping she will teach at Newport again this April!

I made the book below during her April workshop;  it uses sticks from Maine and wood from Alaska. The text block was created with torn Hannemuhle papers. Attaching the sticks was challenging but practice makes perfect and I managed to complete the book. The closure loops were made from fine leather from a  repurposed woman’s glove and a fossil is embedded in the cover. The tie  is braided waxed linen thread. I love workshops that are a cross between an art class and shop class—love those electric
drills.


 My daughter is a serious surfer and beach lover. The following book was a gift for her. Most items are from the Redwood Coast where she grew up. The covers are redwood, sticks are driftwood from Clam Beach, stones are from Stone Lagoon. This book combines ideas from two workshop of Margo’s. The books I love the most are tactile, made of natural materials, and uusually have a rustic look. This is certainly one of them.


This has been a very busy year because of the number of workshops I’ve taken. I’ve neglected my blog. I’m going to catch up! Next: my 10 days in May at  Ox Bow, Saugatuck, MIchigan

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Finished Product

The wedding guest book is finally done. The covers were drilled and sections assembled in California; coptic stitch was sewn in the car (mostly in Nevada on I80); and the headbands, rocks and redwood stick were attached at Horsecreek Ranch in central Nebraska. The bride and groom used the bed of a vintage pickup to display the book—their wedding was at a “farmette” in Colorado—it was perfect. Oh. The bride and groom are both geologists, hence the rocks. I truly loved making this book and have several more in the works. Stay tuned.

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Car Workstation 2

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We had to make an “emergency” stop at Raley’s in Winnemucca, Nevada, to purchase small plastic dental floss feeders (see light blue loop on the inside of the left cover). While sewing the Coptic Stitch for this book I realized that the holes that are drilled diagonally from the edge into the first vertical hole (cannot see in the photo) were crooked enough that I couldn’t pass the needle and thread through. After trying to straighten the path, use a small needle, and threading with no needle, I remembered those little handy floss feeders I use to keep openings of my tiny glue bottle sealed. They worked! So, these little things are now a permanent part of my tool box. I have finished the Coptic and tomorrow it’s on to the headbands. The wood is black acacia (thanks to Rollie) and the blue paper is handmade flax paper from Minneapolis. The other holes in the front cover are for a surprise.
PS. Somewhere on the floor of the car are two size 22 tapestry needles, toasted almonds, and three dental floss feeders.

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Car Workstation

With long travel days and a need to work on a book I’ve decided to create a lap workstation for the car. I purchased the least colorful lap desk—hard to imagine that the others were brighter—and put together a little kit of threads, needles, prepunched sections and boards that I can store by my feet. The drink holder on the table is perfect for storing needles and scissors. Of course, I cannot be without my iPod. To the right, on the dash, I can store my piping hot coffee.

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So, how’s it working? I’ve lost one needle between the seats and can sew without stabbing Rollie in the eye while he is driving. I also decided to go with 6-needle sewing against my better judgement—one needle would have been easier to keep track of but the need for longer thread has it’s disadvantages. I am sewing a wedding album for a dear friend. I will keep you posted.

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Star Book

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This Book Is a Star!
This spectacular book, when closed, looks like any other book. But when it is opened, the pages pop out and form a star. This book will have board covers and will be sewn using double needles (beading optional). The double-page spread lends itself to artwork or photos. Variations will contain tunnels or pockets. The basic skills of gluing, folding, measuring and cutting, and long-stitch sewing will be covered. Appropriate for all levels.
Basic tool kit needed: bone folder, sharp pencil, metal ruler, cutting mat, glue stick, sharp scissors, small cutting knife, awl, double-stick tape.
Materials needed: Cardstock – 4 sheets each of colors A, B and C (solid colors); 7 sheets of color D (solid or printed); 2 sheets of pliable, decorative paper; beads for spine decoration; 1.5 yards of linen thread or cotton perle embroidery floss; 24 inches of ribbon.
date ………. Tues. & Thurs., Feb. 4-6
time ………. 1-5 p.m.
fee ………. Members $45/nonmembers $70 (27726)
place ………. Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, Eureka
instr ………. Michele Olsen

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Stab Binding: Side Bound Book
Stab bindings are formal bindings developed over hundreds of years in Japan, Korea and China. There were variations in the number of holes used, as well as the sewing pattern. Stab-bound books lend themselves to journals, scrapbooks, guest books, and gift books.
Basic tool kit needed: bone folder, sharp pencil, metal ruler, cutting mat, glue stick, sharp scissors, small cutting knife, awl, double-stick tape.
Materials needed: 15 sheets of text-weight paper (i.e. colored copier paper); one sheet strong, pliable cover paper (at least 15” x 15”); lightweight decorative paper (at least 8 1/2” x 11”); several yards sewing material (linen thread, embroidery floss, string, raffia, or ribbon will work) and needle to accommodate choice.
date ………. Thurs., May 1
time ………. 1-4 p.m.
fee ………. Members $55/nonmembers $80 (27727)
place ………. Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, Eureka
instr ………. Michele Olsen

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Coptic Stitch Practice

I had a three day workshop coming up with Daniel Essig so I thought it might be a good idea to assemble another book using the coptic stitch—hoping my fingers would remember what to do. I used scrap wood from my recycled wood stash (from my husband and his woodworking friends) and thought I would sew the book with one type of stitch, then cut those out and try another type of stitch. As usually happens, I got way more involved with the project than intended and ended up with a nice little book. The sunflower is a heat transfer with color smudged into the wood. The little metal frame is glued on with scientific jargon underneath. I am sending the book to a dear friend and her name and mine is burned into the inside back cover. I can always find more wood….

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