By Popular Demand

How to rebind the Arthouse Co-Op sketchbook


Okay, so I didn't have a clue what I was doing, I will just point this out up front. I took it & ran with it, keeping my fingers crossed that I didn't destroy it beyond repair :D


I cut out the threads holding the pages in place, & took them out of the papers.

I set most of the papers aside, keeping one as a template for the original holes

I took a bunch of cardstock (15 pieces), folded them in half, then laid them flat again. Using the piece of paper I set aside, I put it on top of each individual piece of cardstock & marked dots where the sketchbook was originally bound down the middle.

I used a needle to poke holes in each piece of cardstock, where the marks were, then lined them up as best I could, put the cover on top, & sewed it all together with some thread. I doubled up on the thread through the needle (just like as if I was sewing cloth or something), & went through each hole twice (mostly... I ran out of thread & patience about 4 holes from the bottom, so I figured it was good enough)

A lot of the holes didn't line up & had to be re-made as I went along, & it was a LOT of hard work... I broke a lot of needles trying to push them through... I ended up with my boyfriend helping out with a lot of it because my fingers were so sore from pushing needles through (they hurt for a few days after as well)

All in all, it took me about 10 hours divided between 2 days to finish, & it was a pain in the ass. But I know if I sign up for this project again (which is VERY likely), I'll probably do it all over again

If anyone has any tips that would make it easier, I know I'd love to hear them (& I'm sure I'm not the only one!!!)



Also... Ubuntu & I have made piece & are staying together for the children mutual dislike of Windows XD

T Is For

Completely by accident, the most recent 2 pieces I finished for my sketchbook both start with "T" :D
Tapirs are adorable, & I love me some tea!

2 more for the sketchbook

I finished 2 more pieces - 1 last night & 1 today. It's amazing how much I can get done when my computer isn't working (maybe I SHOULD keep Ubuntu on here... it's letting me be productive because it's such an unco-operative piece of crap)






Heh, to tell the truth, the main reason I drew the picture of me drawing was because I wanted a new icon for Livejournal (as well as the other places I hang out) XD

Finally, an update!

It's not that I haven't been finishing any art, it's just that I've been really busy; too busy to upload in fact! So now you get it all at once!
This is my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project. It's nowhere near done, but I'm happy with the progress I'm making
the theme is 'Happy Thoughts'

The Front Cover


& the back


Me & Sal watching the clouds roll by

Mmm, tasty tasty bento! I love food that looks pretty :D

I love sunsets - I used memories of walking in the woods behind my grandmothers house when I was young for this picture

I've always liked turtles - I don't know why, I just find them cute :D

I love tiger lilies! I think they're my favourite flower. & I love drawing on coloured cardstock, as it looks like oil pastels

Mmmm, sushi. I'm sensing a Japanese theme in this book :)

I drew this when I realized that it didn't all have to be serious. I'm actually having more fun with it now, now that I'm drawing absurd things too :D Absurdity makes me happy XD

One of the few dual-page pieces I'll be doing. I'm going to try to draw on both sides of the pages, but a) I use pencil crayons which means if I want to draw on both sides, I'll have to get a spray fixitive so it doesn't rub off on the other picture, & b) sometimes I use sharpies for large sections of black, which can be seen on the back of the page. I'm thinking maybe little doodles or something on the back of the pages & full finished pieces on the front of the page.

Who doesn't like cooking (especially marshmallows) over a campfire?

Again with the Japanese culture :D

Although this may not look like it belongs in a 'Happy Thoughts' themed book, this thing has brought me so much happiness. I picked it up at a second hand store, & when I got it, it didn't have the second eye coloured in. What you're supposed to do is make a wish on it, & when the wish comes true, you colour in the second eye. If it doesn't come true by the end of the year, you burn it & vow to work at obtaining your wish in a different way.
My wish had been that I would finally be happy. Sal came into my life, & I got to colour in the other eye almost a year ago. :D Darumas (& Japanese culture) have always intrigued me