Good evening readers.

As promised, here is my review of The Bookbinding Guy Video Workshop.

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Frankie Ridolfi is a man after my own bookbinding heart. In his new video, The Bookbinding Guy Video Workshop, he states what I’ve been saying for years, that you don’t need any special tools or equipment to make books. That you may already have what you need sitting around the house.

From the site, “There’s a reason this ancient craft has been taught through apprenticeship—the best way to learn is to watch someone and then try it yourself. In this spirit, The Book Binding Guy Video Workshop passes the secrets of quality book making on to you.”…”High-quality doesn’t have to mean high-priced.  For less than the cost of one hand-made book in a retail store or a one-time bookmaking class, this DVD teaches you to make as many books as you like. The tools needed are common and inexpensive—you probably own many of them already.”

The book that Frankie teaches us how to make on his DVD is reminiscent of the traditional style bindings found during the late 19th and early 20th century. Frankie puts his own spin on the binding technique for this classic binding. They have leather spines with raised bands and decorative paper covers. Each step in the binding process is broken down into manageable parts and his method of binding has made some of the harder tasks, such as adding leather to the spine area and headbands, easier for beginners to master.

One of the things that I like about the video is that, instead of just talking to the camera, Frankie teaches us while he is teaching a student. 

When you open the case for the 90 min. DVD the first thing you’ll find is a quick start guide with tips for getting started. On the DVD, Frankie breaks the bookbinding process down into five parts. He starts off with a description of the tools and materials needed to start your book. He walks the viewer through the basics of preparing the paper, sewing the signatures onto cords and preparing the block. In addition, he includes instructions for sewing headbands onto the block and using leather for the spine of your book.

As an extra bonus, Frankie includes a PDF on the disk of bonus items and information. The PDF includes resources such as materials suppliers, checklists for tools and materials, a step by step cheat sheet of the process as well as a printing primer that describes how to setup and print text for binding into a book.

You’ll definitely want to read all the supplied materials and watch the video all the way through at least once before starting the project.

The DVD is $39.99 and can be ordered directly through the website or as a download from filmbaby.com.

The easy to follow step by step process and Frankie’s even paced and relaxed style of teaching make this DVD perfect for anyone brand new to bookbinding as well as someone who is looking to add a few new skills to the ones that they already have.

I give this DVD tutorial .

(Please note: All photographs featured in this article are copyright of Frankie Ridolfi.)

Good morning readers…

The weather here in the burbs has been warm and sunny the past couple of days. Luckily we’ve not had any rain so the folks that were affected by the tornados have a chance to collect thier belongings and clean up without worrying about bad weather.

I’m still busy playing catchup this week. A few more Chameleons went out to thier new homes yesterday. They’re getting nice reviews from new owners.

I’m working on my ideas for my swap book that’s due out on the 15th.

I found a pair of pink Timberland boots at the thrift store for eight dollars yesterday. They are in almost new condition. I have been looking around for a pair of shoes to paint on and I think these will be perfect. (Note…it’s the odd artist part of my personality that wants to do this.)

Of note…

Check out these instructions over on the Layers Upon Layers blog for making a leather look felt. It’s definitly on my “try it” list.

Sue Bleiweiss has got a new online mixed media journal class starting up on June 9. I wish I could afford to take it. It looks really fun. For now I’ll just have to oogle the really cool books that she posts over on the blog.

I hope everyone has a wonderfully creative day!

For a little while anyway.

Good morning readers.

I’m back from the final exam abyss. I feel like I have been in park mode the past two weeks preparing final projects and for exams. It’s all done now and I feel that I did pretty well.

As promised, here’s a few pics of the big honking book and box that I did for my Visual Arts Foundations class.

The box houses both the book and the set of boards that we made throughtout the semester.

The book is approx. 14.25″ wide by 11.25″ high and 2″ thick. The binding is a modified stiff leaf structure. The book and box are covered in Onasburg cotton with a leather spine on the book and the same leather used for the straps on the box.

The block was created first with matboard and tyvek and the printed pages were mounted to the block pages. Then the whole thing was trimmed before covering. I had to break out my plough to trim this baby as it was too big to fit in the guillotine.

 

I wish I had taken some photos during construction but I was too busy just trying to get it done. It took three days of almost continual work to get this put together. I learned alot things as I was putting it together. I’ll post about it in a thread over on the forum in the near future.

You can find instructions for the basic stiff leaf structure in this book.

Now that school’s over for the summer, I’ll be concentrating on cleaning my workspace, finishing up some tutorials that have been on the backburner, adding more accessories to the Chameleon page and preparing for a few art shows this fall.

I’ll be updating the Chameleon order page with new scans of leather and lining color examples. I’ll also be offering them in vinyl as well as imitation leather for those folks that prefer something other than leather.

I’m now in the process finishing up a few custom Chameleons that will be going out in the mail tommorrow. I also did a preliminary watch of the Bookbinding Guy’s DVD. I’m planning on watching it again this afternoon (have to wrestle the TV away from other members of the clan first) and having a review out the first of the week.

Here’s a photo of a custom custom Chameleon I made recently for a client. They wanted a Chameleon with a flap.

I added the pen loop inside so that the pen is protected by the cover.

Of note…

I got an email from one of the new Chameleon owners, Pascal in France. He sent a few photos of his Chameleon on an adventure in the desert (Ouarzazate).

He promises to also send along some sketches from his trip. Very cool!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Hey there readers…

I just wanted to stop in and let you know that I’m three fourths the way through finals with one more on Thursday then I’m free for a few weeks before the summer session starts.

I spent the weekend working on the “big honkin book and box” for my Visual Foundations class. I don’t have pictures yet. I finished it up late Sunday evening and delivered it early Monday morning so I didn’t have time to set up for photos. I get it back tommorrow so I’ll get some photos then to share with you all.

I also wanted to thank those that wrote asking if I was affected by the recent tornados. Thankfully we weren’t affected by them her in Virginia Beach but they were only about 25 miles away. Way too close for comfort. It’s a very rare occurance in this area. We do get a warning once in a while but this is the first time that I know of that they have hit in such a big way here.

I received The Bookbinding Guy Video Workshop in the mail yesterday and am hoping to have a review for you this weekend. I’m looking forward to viewing it.

In the middle of the finals melay I had a guestbook to bind for a client and several custom Chameleons to make. I’ve been a busy girl.

Can anyone tell me why a good percentage of brides to be want their guestbook covers in black? And they always want black even if their colors are blue or pink or something else. Yes, it can look elegant but black silk/linen covers pick up every spec of dust within ten feet. With so many beautiful colors available it always makes me wonder.

I hope everyone has a great evening.

Good morning readers.

The weather here in the “burbs” is absolutely wonderful again this morning. Spring fever is starting to overtake my senses and I’m ancy to get my final projects finished so I can go outside and play.

I’m also looking forward to the end of the semester because I have a ton of ideas swimming around in my head. Especially ideas relating to the Chameleon Notebook. I’ll be uploading new leather photos in the next week as well as photos showing various lining and accent color combinations. I will also be posting information about new customizations and accessories that can be purchased for your Chameleon.

Of note…

I’ll be reviewing the new bookbinding DVD on learning to make elegant journals by the bookbinding guy, Frankie Ridolfi.  From the site “It’s easier than you think. Anyone with a creative spirit can learn to make an impressive book. In this 90-minute DVD, Frankie Ridolfi reveals a simple, step-by-step process for creating elegant journals with common tools and affordable materials. From your very first book you’ll add classic features rarely seen today. Make unique gifts or give the Video Workshop to artists in your life!” Look for the review sometime in the next week or so.

You gotta love a site with the word Bohemian in the title. (One of my favorite words) The site, The Bohemian Revolution, has a nice writeup on making your own Moleskine type books and TJBookarts got a mention. I’m all for “making life groovy again” by making more books.

I hope everyone has a great day.

Good morning readers.

The air outside smells fresh and green this morning. All the neighborhood critters seem to have spring fever, including my dogs. Last night while I was out feeding the ducks, I counted no less than 9 brown rabbits running around the front yard. They were everywhere. It seems there was a population boom over the winter in bunnyville.

I just thought I’d drop in with some words of wisdon as I am learning a few things while I working on my book project for school.

• Tyvek makes an excellent lightweight hinge material. It’s also earth friendly when you recycle old mailing envelopes.
• It’s ok to change your mind on what materials you are going to use as long as the art supply store doesn’t close before you do.
• A calculator works wonders when you’ve forgotten elementary math and figured that a 32″x44″ size matte board will yield 8 - 11″x14″ pieces so you bought only two when you needed 16 pieces. Ummm…no. It’s back to the art store for you.
• Take a break every now and then and do something else that needs to get done.
• There is life after final projects. Just not this week.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Good morning readers.

I’m hitting the ground running this morning. My school project book pages are almost ready to print. I’m still vascillating on what type of book structure to make. The pages are 11″x14″ and will need to be printed individually. I’m thinking a stiff leaf structure would be appropriate but I have other ideas roaming around in my head. (That’s what usually gets me in trouble. )

Patrick, over at the Scription blog, has written a nice review of how he uses his Chameleon. Patrick is a person after my own heart as he loves stationary, pens and collecting blank books.

If you haven’t been over to the book arts Flickr site in a while definitley surf on over and check it out. There are a bunch of new books postings there. While you’re on Flickr, take a look at what some people are doing with thier Chameleons.

I hope everyone has a great day.

Good morning readers.

I have created a new group for Chameleon owners over on Flickr. It’s a place where you can post photos of your modified notebooks and handmade refills as well as photos of your notebooks in action. Things such as your books hanging out at the cafe in town as well as any art work that you may have done in your refills are quite acceptable.

Come on over and show us what you and your Chameleon have been up to.

Please note that you are also welcome to join the group and post photos If you’ve created your own version of the Chameleon Notebook.

It dawned on me late last night that this coming week is the last week of class. I’m not prepared at all. I still have a book to finish and a box to put together and exams are the week after. Holy cow!

I better get working!

I hope everyone has a great day.

For you new Chameleon owners, I’ve added some new stuff to the customization page. Also, if you have any ideas to share, please send them along and I’ll post them on the page.

Good morning readers.

I’m busily plugging away at my final project for my foundations class as well as working on a few custom order books

One of them is a new Chameleon that will be on it’s way across the globe this afternoon.

It’s made of a wonderfully soft leather and lined with light grey felt with red accents. Just a note…all new custom Chameleons now come with optional pen loops and monthly calendars.

I’m also working on a custom guest book for a wedding. There’s lots to do today.

For you local readers, I’ll be doing a demo at Jerry’s tommorrow (Sat. 4/19/08) from 1-4. Stop by and say “hi” and take advantage of the extra discount that you can get on bookmaking supplies while I’m there.

I hope everyone has a great day.