DECEMBER DAILY 2015: Album Foundation

It's not that "time of year"; but I am so excited to spend the holidays with Tony and document each moment. Thus, I jumped right in! Who knows... Maybe the stores setting up the holiday decor already have me in the spirit. 

I wanted to make my own book but with pockets. I grabbed a few packets of 6x8 clear pockets plus a few pieces of wood strips and fabric and an old card. Each page was taped together to another page or item in different tape (washi, masking or duck) then grouped together as signatures. 

I then grabbed an old hard cover book and pulled out the pages. (Save these..they make great use for mixed media). I snagged the book for a deal at an antique store. Such history and character ...love antiques. Especially ones for $2. 

Longfellow's most famous poem is probably "Paul Revere's Ride".  I remember having to memorize this in Mrs. Nielsen's class at good ol' Elm Tree School (yes, I went to a country school with a class of 5 until 7th grade?!?!) Believe it--- It happened. 

Ok, I digress. I did a book binding technique I learned in Kate Thompson's class and then secured it in place. 

I plan on using either holiday music sheets or pages from Longfellow's book to cover the ribbon. 

I opted for a book to cover the outside binding as it didn't go well with my covers I created. 

The pocket pages stick out of the book but will be covered when I adhere the cover pages.... 

Which is my favorite part of the entire book already. Julie Fei-Fan Balzer did a similar technique for an art journal...so I did my own spin for the holidays. 

I took an image Ashley G made and altered a few aspects and traced it onto the wood cover. 

And then just began wood burning my heart out. 

Note: do not set iron when cooling on anything it can burn. Lesson learned. 

I used the point for smaller details but soon discovered the ball point attachment was much easier to maneuver. I used the Creative Versa-Tool. 

I added a small silver embellishment with an angel near the title. And then found a design to use for my back cover. I love being able to embrace and incorporate my faith. 

I still need to change some aspects but it is a phenomenal start!!  

I added watercolor and some metallic paint to elements and sealed with tar gel. The "G" is a metal letter. 

I wanted to incorporate simple zen tangles in the process to learn another side to doodling. 

So far, so good!

Update: added details to interior covers.