New Sketchbook! and What's On My Workdesk

This is what is on my work desk lately:

Work desk, kitchen table, art studio, couch... wherever!
To make my new sketchbook, I took a variety of painted papers, scraps and blank paper and cut them to size. Then, I cut a piece of thick black board to fit the sketchbook.  I bound the book on either side, so it opens up to a four page spread!

Did you know there is a weekly blog feature by Stamping Ground where people share what is on their workdesk?   There are lots of artsy craftsy things going on with those participants.



I bought a spiral binding tool!  I was like a kid at Christmastime with this thing. It is the Zutter Bind It All.  I bought mine from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon, so it was only about $38.  I figured it was a good investment, considering I've been taking stacks of papers to the copy place to have them bind my things for about $5 or $6 each time.  So, if I bind about 8 books it will be worth the price of binding them at a store.  Plus, it's just so much fun!  It took a little finagling to figure out how to punch the holes quickly and evenly.  But, now I think I have the hang of it.  I thought if it was easy I would take it to school to bind kids' sketchbooks, but it is too time consuming to punch all the holes and bind a book together.  It is not a quick process, but the punching and binding is a satisfying process.  So, it will be for home use.


This was an old (like 10 years) greeting card I made that I cut in half and bound in the book.

I added some fun ephemera into the book.  These two I bought from Etsy.

Paintings cut up and bubble prints on the right.

I cut up this painting and added it to the book.  It was just sitting in my closet anyways.  Scrapbook paper in the middle..

The page on the left is from a very old book about creativity.

Cut up ink painting on left and creativity text from that same book on right.

Painted backgrounds and cute illustration.




These papers were made by laying fabric, ribbon and doilies on a color copier. 
Julie Balzer has a weekly blog feature called Art Journal Every Day which you should check out if you are into art journaling.

17 comments

Danielle said...

Love your pages-especially the one made on the color copier. Dani#26

Unknown said...

Thanks for your inspiration :)

Judys Lace Creations said...

Love the new binding tool.I have one, but just never use it!!I must!!
Judy #20

Julia Dunnit said...

The book is fab..I love that the pages are also memories and given new life from sitting in closets! Iagree about the Binding for school..it takes a lot of concentration and you have to go slow...I couldn't possibly get it right for a class full!!

Tracy said...

Stunning journal, thank you for sharing x

kay said...

your journal is fab,have fun with the bind it all
have a super woyww
kay #82

Netty said...

Loving the idea of a 4 page spread and the pages are beautiful and interesting, x

Claire said...

i always love to see folks' sketchbooks and yours is super-duper!! four pages in each spread!! brilliant design!!
happy WOYWW :)
no. 67

Trish Latimer said...

Cool book! Will be fun to see what you create on the pages!! Trish #10

Unknown said...

Thanks for the inspiration Marcia - fab book. You have just given me an idea for storing my lads art work from years gone by - two sides, two boys! I don't have a bind it all but I know a few pals that do! WOYWW Hugs from Helen 19

Anonymous said...

Fun summer colors in those pages, good stuff. xox

Craftychris said...

What a fabulous Journal! So much to see. Have fun with your new toy! xx

505whimsygirl said...

Oh, I love your pages! You've been very busy. I can tell school's out.... enjoy your last days before school starts up again!
Happy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay #31

Amy E said...

Wow...what an amazing book!!! I love the pages inside! I never thought about laying goodies on a color copier to get patterned paper...brilliant!


I'm having a giveaway, open worldwide this week. Come check it out if you get the chance!

Amy E. #30
scrapthissavethat.blogspot.com

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Fun new toy! Love the variety of pages in your new book.

Carolyn Dube said...

What a fun book!

Teddi said...

marcia, i like seeing how you combine pages, & elements. :)