Tuesday December 2, 2025

A Summer Side Quest

This August, out of the blue, I had a frenzied episode of bookmaking.

A few years ago, I swore I had bought my last bottle of polyvinyl acetate glue for the foreseeable future. But obsessions can be unpredictable, and by late July this year conditions were perfect for me to stay up until 1:00pm or later on consecutive work nights making some books.

Not the healthiest decision I’ve made this year, but I’m happy to reassure you that I’m sleeping more lately.

Today I’m going to share just one of these books.

Chronologically, this project came after my collage journal from July, a multitude of decoupage and glass magnets in the spring, and the collage cards I made back in February.

In preparation for getting back into painting (watercolor to start), I did a complete assessment and reorganization of every piece of paper I have. When I’m in between projects, cleaning and consolidating helps me plan my next move.

Along the way, I came across an oversize spiral-bound sketchbook from college that was less than halfway full. I hadn’t used it for drawing but as a scrapbook for all the photocopies of paintings I had taped on the walls of my studios at CIA for inspiration. It also had other random notes I had made or found.

I look at sketchbooks as a journal that represents a specific time in my life. One thing about me is that I need to fill a sketchbook before it goes into storage. The thought of all that perfectly good paper going unused doesn’t sit well with me. After ten years, I knew that I was never going to go back into this big sketchbook and use it.

Sorting through all my materials, I also came across cover boards from a couple hardbound books I’d sacrificed to the collage gods.

Somewhere around then is when I got inspired.

So, a breakdown:

The first thing I did was tear all the papers for the text block in half and then folded them in half again parallel the grain. Most paper has its fibers running in the same direction (this is the paper’s “grain”). When you fold the paper parallel to the grain, you’ll get a clean crease and the paper will lay flat.

Next, I grouped the papers into signatures (sections) of three nested inside one another. Then I stabbed my holes down the middle of each signature and sewed them all together with waxed thread.

Next, I clamped the textblock in place, being careful to create an even arch. This makes the book aesthetically delicious and also alleviates stress on the spine. Then I glued the spine with PVA and a layer of handmade paper for extra strength.

While this was drying in the clamp, I made my headbands and started preparing the cover boards.

I decoupaged the boards with an old map, old dictionary pages, and some tissue paper I bought at Dollar Tree. The end pages are made from pieces of that same map and from a lovely 1959 Golden Book Children’s Encyclopedia (may it rest in peace).

I fashioned an elastic and button closure for this book, too—something I’ve never done before!

What will I draw in this book? When will I start using it? I don’t know! But it’ll sit on my shelf until I’m ready for it.

Once this book and two others made from watercolor paper were born, the Bookmaking Spirit left my body and I was ready to move onto the next project. I have no idea when she’ll come again, but I’ll always be happy when she does.