Sunday, November 15, 2015

Love Paris

I started working on a few wee books for my first Christmas Craft Fair, and have stamped some with my new hand-carved stamp. I had it made yesterday in Chinatown by a brilliant artist. The stamp, also called 'chop' is small and this guy doesn't use a magnifying glass...and, he works without glasses. He carves directly into the stone! The chinese character ideagram means 'return' which I chose specifically because of the meaning as it relates to the cycles of a year. We return to the same place but see it differently, with new eyes. Snowflakes are discovered anew each year, for example. Nature returns. We return. All return.

The red cinnabar paste takes a bit of time to dry. So while I'm waiting on it, I started to make pages for a new little stack of books (small stack as I work so darned slow.) I started gathering the supplies and materials together and came upon a colour picture of the Eiffel Tower and that stopped me in my tracks. I knew I had to make a wee book in honour of Paris and that led to hours and hours of finding supplies, garnering ideas in my head and hands on cutting, stamping, sewing, pasting, embellishing; I'm still at it so who knows what else will transpire. I work with an idea in my head, but my hands as they work on the item, always do their own thing. Which is always a surprise to me, and always comes from my 'muse.'

So instead of making a small batch of books I'll be making one book about Paris. So it goes.

I glanced up at one point and realized my work desk was a sight to behold. A flurry of activity. I bet most of you work like this. Here's a few photographs:


The cinnabar paste is drying.

 Pages are folded and awaiting selection.

 So busy these days no time to replace dead flowers in vase on my work desk.

And no time to pack away Halloween decorations.

Here's a few reference books on my work table.

Well it is time to get back at it! Hope you are all well and enjoying yourselves. Talk soon, I hope, sending love to all, Norma

7 comments:

  1. I like the idea of returning to a place with fresh eyes. Your idea to make your books about Paris is wonderful. Love the size of them...they look like they would be wonderful to hold. Good luck with your project Norma...and I love your work desk. It looks like you've been...working!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am completely charmed by your tiny books. How wonderful that you had your cinnibar stamp made, i like the meaning you were inspired to express. Wishing you a wonderful show.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are deep into the throws of creativity, Norma. There will always be time to tidy up, just not now! Love your books. xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful, love your whimsy art. Good luck with your project! :)

    Laura xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. oh yes such beautiful little delights you share. I am enthralled by the lovely stamp what a delight to have it handmade for you. I too love its meaning. And as for the dead flowers... I often enjoy them just as much (perhaps more) in their dried state as when they are fresh. All the best in 2016 to you and yours. xo Kim

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Ms. Norma... If you still have the skull beads (a.k.a. knee bones) and ever want to get rid of them, let me know at writeit101@gmail. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ooooooooooooh! show us your paris book, would you? those tiny ones look so promising too, did you sell them all?

    now, if you like, show us next weekend? check out here and feel free to participate. you are so invited!! n♥

    ReplyDelete

Your comments make my day! Thanks for dropping by and we'll see you soon, I hope, *smiles* Norma

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...