Much of a muchness

Things that make you go 'hmm'…

Two for the price of one…

I have Clara over at Fibrasdepapel to thank for the inspiration for this one. She made a beautiful book like this for Valentine’s Day, a gorgeous idea – two books in one – and as soon as I saw it, I had to try and work out how she had done it. This is my version, again using one of my photographs – in this case Arum lilies, printed on to linen bookcloth.

double_front.jpgdouble_closed.jpgdouble_green.jpgdouble_yellow.jpg
double.jpg

It reminded me of an earlier project last year to construct a book using two kinds of paper. It was for my ex’s son, a talented illustrator and digital artist and he wanted to have a choice of paper in one book for different occasions. My first attempt at this led me to make an album containing watercolour and cartridge paper. This has the advantage that it can be loaded with whatever paper you like and refilled as necessary.

album_oren_open.jpg

The new twin book, (not sure what it is called – a ‘dos à dos’ binding perhaps), has smooth cartridge paper in one side and rough cartridge paper on the other side and I chose to use the different coloured but toning, end papers and bookcloths for each spine to distinguish the two. The book can be opened from right to left on both sides by turning it upside down. It ties closed with a thin satin ribbon.

I am so pleased with how it turned out and want to thank Clara for the inspiration!

Today, I was up early and saw a beautiful pink, frosty sunrise – and we have just had a glorious deep red sunset. Difficult to photograph but here are my attempts, both taken outside my kitchen window.

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And finally…. I found this, an amusing comment on the male/female divide and with St.V’s day fast approaching what could be better…

Vodpod videos no longer available. from video.stumbleupon.com posted with vodpod

18 responses to “Two for the price of one…

  1. Rhonda February 10, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous books, as always!
    I have another little blog award for you =D
    myhandboundbooks.blogspot.com

  2. Creechman February 10, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Oh my god, the YouTube video is great.

    As for the books? All I have to say is, why don’t they cut the ribbons off those things?

  3. Diane February 10, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Rhonda – you are sweetie! Thank you so much!
    Glad you enjoy my efforts :-)

  4. Diane February 10, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Creechman – if you aren’t into ribbons or tying things up, they can always be cut off.
    Maybe it’s a girl thing but I like them….

  5. Teresa February 11, 2008 at 2:08 am

    Ooh, a two-headed book (can we call it Janus? ;) )! Guess the ribbons are a girl thing afterall because I like it too. And I love the arum lilies. Wonder if they’re related to the calla lilies of North America?

    What a beautiful sunrise and sunset, and a thoroughly lovely view outside your kitchen window!

    And such a funny video – thanks for sharing!

  6. Diane February 11, 2008 at 9:50 am

    Janus? That would be a great name for it!

    The ribbon in this case is purely functional – I thought that as it would open in two directions (if you see what I mean) it would make it easier to transport.

    Another beautifully sunny but frosty morning here again. I don’t mind winter when it’s like this!

    Glad you enjoyed the video. Thought it was appropriate, what with valentine’s day coming up….. :-)

  7. strugglingwriter February 11, 2008 at 1:31 pm

    Great photographs and I love this book. Two books in one, twice as nice! Seriously, this is pretty cool.

  8. Diane February 11, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    I once read a book by Carol Shields called ‘Happenstance’ that was like this. You read the first half of the story from a wife’s point of view, then you turned the book over started again and read the husband’s point of view. I thought it was a really neat arrangement :-)

  9. Marvin February 11, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    Wonderful website, loved the Youtube video, very creative just like the wonderful books found here. I’ll be back to check out articles posted here.

  10. Diane February 11, 2008 at 5:50 pm

    So glad you like my books. The video is fun, isn’t it? Not at all true to life (much!) :-)

  11. clara February 11, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    hi Diane!
    I love you book. And the paper is so beautifull. You are a great photographer too.

  12. Diane February 11, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    Thanks to you for showing me how to do this! It is such a great idea!

  13. perpetualplum February 12, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    Thanks for the chuckle. I always come to look at the books and every now and then I get another little treat.

  14. Diane February 13, 2008 at 10:06 am

    Glad you enjoy them – I only post them if they’ve made me laugh too :-D

  15. nursemyra February 18, 2008 at 10:49 am

    your site is just lovely. a pleasure to visit

  16. Diane February 18, 2008 at 1:09 pm

    Thank you! It’s very kind of you to say so!

  17. Kim Coles February 18, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    What a wonderful view from outside your window. Very lucky! And I added some link luv for you oon my site too. Thanks!

  18. Diane February 19, 2008 at 12:13 am

    Thanks Kim! It is a nice view…the river gets a little close to the house when it rains too much but it’s worth it the rest of the time :-)

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