YardGirl Creations

The task of the day was to clean up. All I had to do was sort through the excessive amounts of card stock and put them in their assigned color coded packs and return them to the shelf.

Instead, as I looked at them I could feel my brain getting hot like a cell phone left on the dashboard of a car in the summer. I started thinking about how I have way too much card stock – true. How I need to get rid of some – also true. Then I started thinking about the types of books that I dream of making and these pieces would ever get used. They weren’t the designs I desired for those projects. Then it happened. I pulled up a chair. It was all over. Cleaning up was no longer in the picture.

I sorted the paper and played with color combinations and wondered what I could make from them or if I’d just donate them to Scraps even though I’d just purchased most of them just a few months back. I began to subconsciously fold them. The problem is card stock is thick. Most people use it for covers not the inside of books. I’d never need that many covers. It wasn’t even double-sided. One side was colorful and the other side was stark white. Should I try glueing them back to back? The idea of punching through several layers of card stock to sew them or even imagining what it would be like to turn such pages had me moving toward creating a donation box.

I started to think about all the book making books that I have in my library with little flags sticking out of the pages with techniques that I was determined to try but still hadn’t had the time. The lightbulb came on! It was just like in a cartoon. It’s time to try tab binding. I sat down and let the tv run, only half listening to a cult documentary (my favorite genre). I was in the zone. The result was actually super cute.

I’d created a 6″ x 6″ journal that could be used for mixed media and all sorts – with only glue! None of the pages are plain white but they are not so overwhelming that you’d not be able to write or draw on them. None of the pages are shiny, so you can use any type of paint or ink. Even markers would not bleed through to the other side because the pages are doubled, and it lays flat. Did I mention it’s SUPER F___KING CUTE????? I did my thing! I’m proud of my little creation.

I know I didn’t invent anything new but the idea came to me. It was not something I saw on Youtube and copied. So my pride is justified. I saw a problem and I solved it.

Now I have a new project that I am into – only slightly obsessed at this moment. So I think I’ll make a little series of these books. Not sure what to call them yet.

I can’t believe I didn’t record making it. This is the type of thing friends tell me is social media fodder. I’m still terrible at social media. When I get an idea I jump in. I don’t think of pulling out the camera. I’ll record making the next one. I think this could also be a great project for my art classes since the required materials are simple.

I think I’ll make a small batch and do a launch for them all at the same time. Having more followers would help but that’s all a different topic for another day. Today I’m on a creative high. Check out my baby.