Christmas gifts

Just a quick post to say Happy Christmas! 

I made a few of my presents this year, including this...

A5 journal using some of my favourite florentine paper. 

A couple of things

I love the papers here in Tuscany! Made this little book yesterday, experimenting with this paper. I have lots of ideas for this paper. 

I was asked by a friend to alter the cover of her bible and make a slipcase to keep it safe when travelling. 

I love the paper she chose, I'm planning a few projects with this too! 

Here's the finished book and slipcase. 

Steve McCurry

Wow, today I went to see this incredible exhibition of Steve McCurry's photography. 

I came away so inspired. His photography is incredibly powerful, the chaos/dizzy room was almost overwhelming, showing the destruction humans have caused around the world. 

This portrait of an Italian in Rome is just Italy for me. 

Sometimes they just don't work out...

Books can be tricky things, I get an idea of how the finished book will be, and sometimes they just don't work out,

Yesterday I bought some fun paper with images of Tuscan towns, I had so many ideas about the books I could make with it... Turns out it's not all that easy to use! 

This book is a work in progress, the cover didn't fit the text block... So now I have to rethink it....

I'll let you know how it progresses. 

Time flies

It feels like forever since I've been able to work on a book, I have all these ideas that keep bubbling up and no time to try them!

And with the beautiful weather we're enjoying in Siena, I am spending a lot of time outside. I feel I've got to make the most if this sunshine and warm weather! 

It is starting to feel more autumnal now, yesterday was the first cold morning! 

I'm sure after this week I'll be able to settle down and make some books... 

But at the moment siena is so alive and there are so many things going on locally... 

We went to an olive oil festival...

To Orvieto in Umbria...

To the Tea Room...

Exploring Siena with new friends 

And I've moved house! It's been a busy time and I'm looking forward to being able to make more books again soon....

Piazza del Campo - Siena's living room,

 Piazza del Campo is one if my favourite places, whatever the time of year, whatever the weather, there is always something happening here, it's always a beautiful site. 

From the balcony of my hot chocolate bar 😊

People gather here, to sit in the sun, read a book, eat lunch, children chase pigeons or play games

In the evening the atmosphere changes, the tour groups have gone back to Florence and the Sienese come out to play. 

Even on a rainy day, this is a magical place. 

A place to meet up with friends old and new

Where Siena celebrates, art festivals, contrada celebrations, the chocolate festa - my favourite; and this day a celebration of Urban Trekking with a balloon, guided walking tours and special events around the town. 

At night music plays, people gather

And, of course, it's the home of Il Palio, the biggest Festival of them all!

For me it's the best place to relax, people watch, soak up the autumn sunshine. Every day I see the Piazza del Campo and still I love it, I love it's surprises, to see a bridal party come out of the Palazzo Publico, just married and the crowds cheer and clap!

And now, it's a beautiful day, might just be time to wander down to Piazza del Campo, and see what will surprise me today 😀

Rainy day plans

It's a very wet rainy day, a huge thunderstorm is sitting over Siena! 

So it seems like a perfect day to settle down and make some books!

Funny little book

It's a gorgeous day here in Siena and I have been out and about most of the day, but I did buy some paper and glue, so was able to finish this little book.  

The idea has been floating around in my head for a while now, so it was good to get it made. Didn't turn out quite how I wanted it to, but I think I know what I did wrong, so if I make another it should be better!  

Back in Siena

There may or may not be much about books on here for a little while... I'm back in Siena, just arrived today and it feels like I never left. Love this town! 

The British Library

Yesterday I took advantage of the rain to seek out books.... At the British Library. 

What a great entrance!

Selection of books on display in the King's Library, I could have stood here for hours admiring all the beautiful books!

I loved the exhibition outside the centre for conservation, all about restoration and conservation of sound and documents. I found it all fascinating! It is absolutely incredible what can be done to repair paper and parchment. 

Last minute project

I am meant to be packing... Tomorrow I am going to London and from there to Siena on Monday.

But instead, this morning I decided to finish working on a book, so have spent a couple of hours cutting, sewing and gluing... Now it's in the press and I'm hoping it comes out well so I can give it as a gift. 

Catching up

Today I've been catching up on my bookbinding class. There were a couple of books that I didn't get finished during class, so today I met up with Diana, my teacher, to work on those.

This morning I worked on Coptic Binding. 

This book has three different Coptic stitches, my favourite is the two tone, zebra one at the top. 

Then this afternoon, I made a sample text block showing 8 different styles of stitching... 

It was good to practise the different stitches, but quite tricky to have them all on the one text block.

A useful learning tool, and reminder of stitches for the future.

From the top of the photo...

Kettle Stitch,

Unsupported French stitch or Link Stitch

Split leather 

Tape. 

Double cord

Wrapped cord

Recessed cord and 

Single cord binding. 

Hot from the press!

My nervous wait is over! 

I shall take more photos later to share, but overall I'm pleased with the result. 

Waiting...

It's a nerve wracking time right now, I have finished my uncle's book and it is in the press! Now all I can do is wait until tomorrow to see what it's like when it comes out! 

So I am folding paper as a form of stress relief! 

While the glue dries...

I'm waiting to be able to work on the next step of my uncles book, so while the glue is trying I have been experimenting with adhesive free binding. 

Today's effort  is vaguely based on a Coptic stitch with added French link stitches (the herringbone stitch). 

This is some of my favourite paper too, I was given it by a bookbinder in Siena who prints it himself. He uses it in his shop to wrap the books when they're bought. 

Still going strong...

Although it may not look like it from all my non-bookbinding related posts lately, I am still working away on my Uncle's book. ( no photos as it doesn't look very pretty at the moment... Don't want to scare him!) 

And today I decided to make another very quick notebook, using up some of my paper collection! Yes, I have a collection already of pretty papers! 

So, this is a basic case bound pamphlet binding, using leftover wrapping paper. 

It's pretty small, I'd say handbag sized, approximately 10cm x 15cm (4 x 6 inches). 

Rather than using thick board to make a hard cover, I used thin card, so it's almost like a paperback cover. 

At the Circus

I love Gifford's Circus and try to see their show every year.
 

The show is traditional, and family oriented, a few ponies, a chicken that sings and fantastic acrobatic acts! 

Escape to the country

After my whirlwind trip to Birmingham on Monday morning, I drove down to Devon for a few days to celebrate Mum's birthday.

This was the view from my window when I arrived on Monday evening

And this is the same view Tuesday morning... Hopes for a brighter day! 

Have you ever been to Sharpham Vineyard? It is part of the beautiful Sharpham Estate and has a lovely outdoor cafe. We had a delicious lunch here overlooking the River Dart.

Yesterday we drove over to the stunning Saunton Sands Beach, famous among surfers and kite surfers. It was rather a windy afternoon, so there were plenty of kite surfers around.

It's such a beautiful place, I hope to go back some time, but for now I'm back home and back to the books!