Resuming an Old Handmade Sketchbook

 So, I finished my other sketchbook, except for a couple of watercolor sketches that need a bit more work, and in looking for one of my new sketchbooks, I found this little handmade book that I made back in 2012 that hasn't been used since 2015.

At the time, we were having to take my father-in-law to the doctor a lot and I spent a lot of time in waiting rooms, so I made this small light weight journal to keep in my purse to sketch in while I waited. I also read in my Kindle a lot, plus I had another small hardback bought sketchbook that I did most of my sketching and note taking in. That explains the long gaps in the dates!

The cover is made from soft unstretched artist canvas, which I stenciled and layered paint on, and I punched four eyelet holes in the edges for decoration and to tie together with waxed linen thread for bookbinding. It measures 6"x9" closed. 

It's been so long that I don't remember what kind of paper I used, but it's a bit thicker than regular paper and is an off-white color. It has two signatures of five 18" long papers folded in half, and they are bound with a simple pamphlet stitch using the same waxed linen thread I used for a tie.

The first four pages are from 2012, and the fifth page is from 2013. 

People I saw in the waiting room that I found interesting

A mandala kept me busy for a whil

Doodled a quote that I saw somewhere

Another mandala practice

Ok, I did a quick loose watercolor sketch in it this morning from imagination, using leftover watercolors and a large brush. The paper does not work well with wet watercolor, and it buckled some. It might be ok using dry brush watercolor, but it seems to be more suited for dry media. Not great, but at least I was painting! 

I had to photograph it because it wouldn't fit on my scanner, being a 6" x 18" long double page spread. I also couldn't make the photo on here bigger, because it wouldn't fit on the published page. Anyway, it's a start on getting my mojo back! Ha!

We are still iced in with very frigid temperatures, but thankfully, we have what we need, and are doing ok. Day #8 with the aftermath of "Fern".

Hope you are safe, warm, well, and creating beautiful things, wherever you are! You don't have to make things perfect to enjoy making them...