Bookful for The Arrival of Winter

Dear Everyone ~

If you'd like to start your New Year on a creative high, a fresh Bookful workshop might be just the jumpstart. Bookful for The Arrival of Winter is my ninth Bookful collaboration with artist, author & dear friend Cat Bennett. Our four-Saturday workshop via Zoom will debut Saturday, January 28, in the heart of winter.

Our inspiration for this Bookful is—as Cat explains—“the short days, frosty weather, and a blizzard or two. Or maybe, in southern climes, palm trees swaying in the winds! We may well hibernate a little and enjoy aromatic hot beverages, good books, drawing and writing, and maybe a hot water bottle in bed on a cold night. And we might take walks in nature or dream of travel to warmer or more exotic places, or creative adventures, or planting our gardens come spring.”

The book structure you will make is a buttonhole-stitch book measuring 5½" x 7½" x 1⅜". The 40 sheets/80 pages will have dreamy deckled edges on all three sides. The materials we’ll use are Stonehenge drawing paper, and wondrous Wanderlust Papers for the cover, as well as for the signature embellishment visible on the spine through the window. You will also learn my “paper sandwich” technique, layering Stonehenge paper, an adhesive sheet, and a sheet of Wanderlust Paper, to make your cover.

In sessions #2, #3 & #4, Cat will lead us in creative exercises. We'll make images using simple collage and drawing with paint, coloured pencils, and marker pens. Then we’ll explore how we can combine these techniques and add words as an accompaniment. Cat will share a slideshow of work by various artists for inspiration. We’ll emerge from the class with a soulful Bookful book that tells our story of winter wherever we are.

The papers I’ve selected for the three palettes are pairings of Wanderlust Papers: Navy Stars & Blue Flora, Green Flora & Pink Flora, and Pink Flora & Navy Stars. (The first pattern is for your cover; the second is for the spine embellishments.) And if you’d like to order an extra kit or two, please feel free to call or e me.

Cat & I want to assure you, especially if you are a Bookful newcomer, that absolutely no drawing or bookbinding experience is necessary—all levels of artists are welcome. The pace is relaxed & supportive, and the camaraderie is delightful. Plus you will have four complete videos (recorded in real time) to watch and rewatch at your leisure. We look forward to seeing you soonish via Zoom!

Bookful for The Arrival of Winter

On the almost eve of the shortest day of the year, Bari