I made a book.

 

So I made a book.

A few people suggested making an anthology of the pieces I've written about Doc to give him for his birthday. I felt that was kinda vain, but thought it might make a neat present for Father's Day. A week early perhaps, but I'm bad at keeping secrets for very long. I'm rather proud of myself for this little project. I definitely want to make more of them. I had to drop some cash, but the price tag won't be so much now that I have stuff to work with. I also got some coupons from the store, so that will help too.

 

I found a kit of sorts when I went to Michael's yesterday - I guess it wasn't really a kit since it was more like two pieces of thick cardboard to use as a book cover and back, but it was what I needed. The main reason I've never tried my hand at making a book is because I've never been sure how to create the outside to hold the pages. I also got some binder rings, distressing ink, a blending tool, decorative keys, and some tags to decorate the cover page above a little bit. The bluebird in the center was made from one of my existing stamps and distressing ink.

 

I didn't choose blue and brown for any particular reason - I just liked the colors and thought they would look good together. I picked up some plain white cardstock and hoped I'd be able to make neat cuts and that I would be able to print on that. Worked out beautifully. I think I'm going to get some more ink - it's kinda expensive, but I really like the results of working with it.

 

I ended up using 12 pages, single-sided. Mostly poems, but I threw Superimpose in because that started the whole thing and I still believe it's the best thing I ever wrote. I didn't use everything I ever wrote about Doc, but most of it is there. The stuff I left out was either too long, or I didn't like it enough to include. And I only had the 12 pages, but shhhh.

 

I think he was rather touched by the gesture. Said it was one of the nicest things he's ever received.  I really am happy with this little project. I can't wait to do another one :)

I also made a little gift for his wife for the book she bought me. I picked up some nice cookies and some coffee from Tuesday Morning. I don't know anything about coffee, so I was kinda guessing, but I figure everyone likes vanilla. And if you don't, then we can't be friends =P I'm with Doc though - I'm more of a tea person. Coffee is too bitter for me.

Still stuck on what I'm going to get him for his birthday. If I can find one, I'd like to get him a handheld chalkboard. They moved our Drama class from the usual room, and as annoyed as it makes him, he's excited to be in a room with an old school chalkboard. I watched him today, and he was carrying a piece of chalk almost the entire time. I think it would be a neat little idea.

Before the Year Ends

 School things:

• Annotation Project for History of the English Language
• Unknown Project for History of the English Language
• Study up for Algebra Final
• 10 page paper on Italo Calvino
• Make a resume
• Complete Self Assessment and Reflection for Career Perspectives.
• Will probably have to write a paper on Hitchcock for Film as Literature
• Probably won't have any other Finals though.
• Keep working on radio project with Minnick, don't forget about the 12th.

But the semester is nearly over, so I'm going to need some new projects to take on soon.

•  Make another hollow book. I think I could do much better on the second round. Though I doubt I'll be able to get the edges clean.
• Fill a bottle full of origami stars. I haven't folded any in quite a while, not since I filled up the last bottle. I even used up my entire backup stash.
• Flash fiction contest - I opted not to do one during NaNo because, you know, class and finals and holidays, but I really do new to come up with a decent prompt. I've been suggested "vintage," something taking place in a diner, a Catholic confessional, and instant and unspoken love.
• Write way too many postcards. I've been slacking on putting things in mailboxes. I'm going to need more flash fiction stories.
• Make a card for the deviantART Holiday Card Project. Make multiple if possible because I'm such a mail whore and hate hoarding stamps for very long.
• I really want to try that melted crayon thing. It looks pretty cool and super easy.
• I should really make use of that origami kit that I got for my birthday. I still suck at folding paper though - you have no idea how truly terrible I am at making anything more complicated than a Lucky Star.
• Collect some leaves. Find something to do with them.

Also, make more use of Netflix. Dad wants me to watch Once Upon A Time so he can have someone to talk about it with. I've got a bunch of anime to catch up on myself; I've got Serial Experiments Lain lined up and will be going for Kino No Tabi next. Maybe an action series after that.

I've even managed to read most of the books I've had lying around. I feel so accomplished.

Vertigo

I gave Minnick the book I hollowed out today (well, yesterday now). I fail at keeping things under wraps for very long. I think he liked it. He smiled a lot about it anyway =D Hopefully he'll make use of it. I'd like to try another one in the future, but I need a break from cutting pages for a while.

Meanwhile, I got watch my first Hitchcock film tonight. Vertigo. Probably my favorite movie of the semester. Not going on my favorite movies list or anything, but I did get more into it than I thought I would. I still don't care much for suspense, but I'd be willing to try out more Hitchcock films.

Hollowed Out

It's messy, but I'm proud of myself. I had to glue things, measure things, cut things, draw things, paint things, buy things - probably the most complex project I've ever taken on.

The cutting was the most difficult part, especially around the corners. I can't make a straight line to save my life. I'm happy enough though. I likely would have made it worse if I tried to smooth out the edges too much. Best to quit while you're ahead and all XD

I went with blue and gold because it IS a present for Minnick - his school colors were blue and gold. I don't know if he'll pick up on that when I give it to him, but it seemed like a good choice. I haven't decided if I'll do anything to the back or not yet.

It's not super big or anything, but it will hold the postcards I've been writing for him. Much better than a folder.