Thursday, December 23, 2010

Make a box for your 5x7 inch sketchbook pages

ready for the sketchbook challenge

step 1  step 2
I created a box pattern that would hold my 5x7" watercolor pages. (email me and I'll send you the pdf of the pattern.) I used rosin paper for the box, gessoed it and painted it with acrylics.

step 3
I used a couple of stencils and spray gesso 
step 4
One of my hand carved stamps, and added some color.

step 5
I collaged the other side of the paper, and added color and then spray gesso again.
Cut and fold to assemble

step 6
I glued the sides with heavy gel medium and paper clipped them to hold in place while drying.

step 7
I reinforced the lid by using an awl to punch holes, and used hemp string.

step 8
Stitched up the four sides on the lid.



little book (front) little book back
Then, I made some little accordion fold books, using my unfinished artwork as covers and painted watercolor paper as pages. 

ready for the sketchbook challenge
Everything fits in my journal page box!
ready for the sketchbook challenge
Interiors of the little books, painted with watercolor.
ready for the sketchbook challenge
My 5x7 inch watercolor paper fits just fine!

ready for the sketchbook challenge

35 comments:

  1. those little books are a nice size and I love that box!

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  2. Fantastic project! Your box and journals are fabulous.

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  3. This looks like a great project to get involved with...love your little box and those books you made!

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  4. Beautiful and you made it look easy!

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  5. You're getting me motivated. I may try this project!!!

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  6. I need to go and make a box RIGHT NOW. Thanks for the great inspiration. Hugs,

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  7. WOW! Now I feel inadequate! I will have to get omre organised before 1st Jan 2011. Some really lovely work.

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  8. I love the idea of having a box to contain both books and single pages. The box is lovely!

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  9. Thank you for sharing this....Love it...

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  10. I am soooo very excited aobut this project!!! Love your box and I must invest in some rosin paper. That would make great boxes to contain stuff in the studio as well. God knows I have tons of STUFF!!!!!

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  11. The box turned out great....a fabulous idea for storing those loose pages! I actually made a simple box yesterday for an entirely different reason.

    I'm looking forward to the project also but I'm not organised at all. I think I'll be flying by the seat of my pants ~ :)

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  12. Splendid!
    MF

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  13. Is there any preference in what type of watercolor paper we should use for this project? I would like to try it!

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  14. you are so ready.. wow... U are way a head of me... I hv my 5x7 pages ready and my watercolors ready to go... having a special box is a great idea!!!! xo I'm looking forward to taking part!

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  15. love the idea and looks like fun to motivate me with ideas.. Rosin paper, I don't need 167 ft. of it.. any thoughts on other type of paper to make the box. More fun than buying a box and painting it.

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  16. What a brilliant idea. Looking forward to 1st January to get started.

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  17. I want to be a fly on the wall of your brain! HANG ON! We are having creative gale wind forces!

    Merry Christmas!
    jojo

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  18. Really gorgeous project, Jane!!! Merry Christmas to you and your hubby!

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  19. I signed up for this challenge. Can't wait to get started! The box is divine. You are an inspiration to us all.

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  20. Jane what wonderful paper and box! Sure looks like you had a ball doing this. Can not wait for Jan 1st to come.
    Want to wish you Happy holiday's and a Happy New Year to be coming soon.Thank you so for all the things you have had on your blog and the on-line classes.
    Linda

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  21. You have sooooooo much energy and creative juices. I think I've got the juices but no energy!
    Loved your card, even though it got wet in my leaky mailbox. The sunniness showed through. You are such a special couple.
    Sorry I didn't get it together for the card making party this year, but will plan something for later.
    The box and the little journals are lovely.
    Merry Christmas to you and Don.

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  22. So much enjoyed this post I just had to say thank you for the inspiration. Your work is amazing.

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  23. This was an impressive post! I am almost ready. The Man and I will be going t the Yoga Retreat place this week. I will return just in time. But I am not making anything special to journal IN for the project. Great job, Jane.

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  24. I love rosin paper! I use it to cover my table when working with encaustic waxes. Great idea to make a box out of it. I'll be emailing you for the PDF! Thanks for the great organizational idea!

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  25. I LOVE your boxes AND your little books! I so want to do them - they look like they would even make great gifts!

    I've hardly done anything artistically the entire month of December, I'm just dying to get back into my 'studio' so I am really looking forward (though I do have a LITTLE bit of fear) to the sketchbook challenge!!!

    Kim

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  26. Hi Jane: I was just wondering if you've ever seen this method of folding a sketchbook? I've tried it with a sheet of 14"x17" paper and it comes out to approximately 3-1/2" x 4" and if you square the page off before folding & cutting or tearing... I like to tear mine because I love deckled edges!

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  27. http://ninajohansson.blogspot.com/2008/01/fold-simple-sketchbook.html is the link, not sure why it didn't show up in my previous comment

    If it doesn't show up, email me & I'll send you the link for a cool folded sketchbook by Nina Johansson

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  28. I love the idea of working on single sheets. I think I'll give that a try.

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  29. I looked into buying some rosin paper online - the shipping is prohibitive. Can you give me an idea of the weight/texture of it in comparison to say, heavy craft paper? Otherwise I may have to make myself trek to the local testosterone city, otherwise known as The Hardware Store....


    edie

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  30. @Edie,
    a trek to the hardware store would be worth it. Rosin paper is good for so many things! However, I'd say 90 lb watercolor paper, with collage and paint would be good, or 140 lb.

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  31. Hi Jane! You are so not Plain Jane! Your artwork is amazing and very inspiring!! I love those journals, the colors and G-d willing am planning to join The Sketchbook Challenge. Thank you for sharing your talent!

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  32. Beautiful! So inspiring..

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  33. I love every part of this. It's all beautiful. I will email you separately to take you up on your kind offer of a PDF for the box.

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