Sunday, September 27, 2015

Dreams are seldom black and white


Dreams are seldom black and white.  It's a truth and also the title to one of my scrappy journals.

Here are three completed journals that I've not had a chance to scan until now.  The covers were made using various techniques.  The one on the left was made from an extra large man's shirt, and the tie, which had been part of the shirt, was put through a bleach bath to change its color.  The cover in the middle was made from my hand dyed flour resist fabric, and the cover on the right was made from snow dyed fabric.  Each of these books has two signatures.

Today, while I entertain company I had forgotten I invited to lunch, I will show the first signature of the scrappy journal I call "Dreams are seldom black and white."  To create the words, I ironed a piece of white cotton onto wax paper, then cut it to size and ran it through my printer.

The idea behind a scrappy journal is it's artsy enough to prompt you to fill it with fun art or words of your own, but not precious enough you don't want to use it.  Many of the pages contain wonky sewing, while the covers are meant to take abuse.  It's meant to be used, not put on a shelf or framed.  The inside front of this journal houses a pocket made for holding ephemera, tickets, notes, or other things you will probably add to the journal as time allows or the spirit moves you.

The back cover has a place to keep your pens and pencils you will use to fill in the pages with your own thoughts and visions.

This is page one.  I'm not going to explain too much, because you would probably prefer to scroll at your own pace and not stop to read what I have to say.  However, if you have questions, please ask.  And remember.  I will leave the answer on YOUR blog because I don't expect you to have to return to see the answer.  If I feel it's relevant to all, or if several ask the same question, I'll answer it for everyone when I show the second set of signatures later in the week.





This shows what was hidden behind the envelope.  Part of the tag peeks through, but it's best seen through the window in the scan above this one.





 














The page on the left is the last page in the first signature, while the page on the right is the first page of the second signature.

These books take forever to make, so I try to sew a page or two each day, even if I have no time for anything else.  Thanks for looking.  I hope you found enjoyment in at least a few of these pages.  If this is the first time you've seen one of my scrappy journals, now you know what I'm talking about.

14 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Your scrappy Journal is fantastic. You have packed it with wonderful ideas, quirky sewing and fun pictures. It looks like it should have taken forever. Great that you have recycled as well, that makes it even better in my eyes. Well done on completing this wonderful project. Did you really forget about your visitors? I though I was the only one who managed things like that! Hugs, Valerie

Divers and Sundry said...

Wow! I can see how that would take forever. I love the stitching.

Linda Gibbons said...

I love these scrappy pages! Are the basic signature pages paper or fabric --or both --?
I finally got my old sewing machine up and running--and am slowly re-learning how to use it.

froebelsternchen said...

WOnderful pages in the dremas are seldom black and white journal...wow.. I can imagine that it tooks forever to sew and compose all that pages!
Wow...
Your covers are super!!!

That can happen if an artist is in flow... forgetting visitor...lol!
oxo
Susi

Halle said...

Love the quote! What a wonderful scrappy journal... I was just thinking today about these type of journals. I've yet to actually create one even though they fascinate me. I do use the one you made me when I get the urge to write on a personal level...things I don't share on my blog.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous scrappy journals. My dreams have never been black and white, more like amplified technicolor, ha ha. xox

johanna said...

one of my favorite Posts, elizabeth!!

love the title, but also the recycled Cloth for the cover! i also collect every Shirt of my husband - may i confess i even take the decisions at buying new Cloth considering their second life (and on some Shirts i thoroughly watch the elbows coming through... for having another Little treasure in my stash;))

the bleaching Thing is on my list since i started rusting this summer, but didn´t manage to try it so far. and the ice-dying (seen on another blog a while ago) also seems to be very fun! great results you achieved!

i love the way you are building your Journal. yes, sooo time consuming (i have an UFO at very early stage laying here... oh, where?). but so fun constructing Little pockets and such. i like These sewings that Need not to be straight lined (accommodates me very much). a photo here and there - just fine and adding interest.
These are the joúrnals i could page through over and over!

thanks for sharing and have a great week!!
xox

johanna said...

hi,
i read the links you sent me about snow dyeing... love the results, like both Color combinations but i´m with you: mottled is better:)

Nancy said...

You have been very busy at your machine! These are wonderful pages and covers. you're right about the time they take, but oh, what fun. Love all the wonderful papers and images. Well done!

Krisha said...

Being a "glue" person, I know how much labor THAT would take. I can't even imagine how long it takes to do all that stitching......even by machine!

All the page turned out great, so many details that I like about each of them........and of course all the recycling that goes with them. Very clever E!! I remember all the dyeing adventures of the fabrics, but using the shirt and tie........genius!

TwinkleToes2day said...

What wonderful books you created. So much texture to enjoy and the wee pockets, the fabrics you chose and dye ideas. Such inspiring work from you, I enjoy seeing it all :D

pearshapedcrafting said...

This really is fabulous! Love the colours you have combined with the images and sewing! You are sure to enjoy using it! Chrisx

Dreaming of Vintage said...

I LOVE your journals! Beautiful!

Dianne said...

Oh fantastic dear E!! Brings back great memories of the famous Scrappy Green Journal you sent me...I do so love it, and have to leaf through it every so often. You have a real talent for putting these pages together with just the right amount of quirkiness, color, stitching and humor. Especially adore the envelope bits, pockets, and tags or cards. Fun stuff! Great post!!