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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
Luscious leather
Posted by on April 30, 2008
I have been getting all experimental. If you have a really good memory (and have been following my comings and goings for a few months) you may remember I tried one of these woven cover bindings a while back. The last one was made with card covers, this one uses foam sheets which I spotted in my local art shop – I liked the bright colours. They are quite fun to make but the foam sheets aren’t terribly sturdy so I may try it again using leather pieces.
I bought some leather samples from Hewits, it was a starter pack and they said it would contain six pieces of various colours of leather for £37. I thought this was a bargain so I ordered one and it arrived today. It’s amazing value – there are actually 10 large pieces and they are all great colours – I am well chuffed!
I was checking out Astrid’s wonderful blog (which she writes in German and then translates into English) and she has been trying out some of the two and three section bindings from Keith Smith’s book using leather from a leather furniture swatch book. They are amazing so I may use some of this leather to have a go at some of these too. Here’s my first effort…
It’s a very simple one but I hope my future efforts will improve and I intend to try some trickier ones now that I’ve got the hang of Keith Smith’s rather complicated instructions! This is the next one I want to try…
See what I mean? :-)
It may have to wait though as I am up to my eyes at the moment making photograph albums for two friends. One is for a birthday gift and the other is for a friend who has two huge albums which she bought years ago and she now needs a third one, so I am trying to make one to match the other two. They are the largest books I have ever made so I am taking it slowly and hope to be able to show them to you as they progress. I am off to London tomorrow – to visit Falkiners for some paper and to go to Liberty to buy a birthday gift and I maybe also look for a dress for a birthday party on Saturday night.
I am going on the train as you may remember that I am rubbish at parking, so I avoid driving in London whenever possible. I have mentioned my parking phobia many times and today, I found the perfect method for successful parking in a confined space.
There. Sorted :-)
Much of a muchness 
The weaved book covers do look cool though. We have some christmas ornaments in norway that are made using a similar technique. If you are curious here is a link to see one.
http://library.thinkquest.org/18802/norbask.htm
The leather looks cool, isn’t it hard to work with though??
Fabulous use of crafting foam (I have a whole stack and nary an idea for what to do with them)!! I like the feel of those things.
mmm…leather. Those are the prettiest leather. Will you make a mini-skirt with one of those and turn heads when you go to Wimbledon?!
I don’t see how you can follow those instructions. I have trouble with a recipe that has more than 6 lines of directions.
I wish I could park a car like the lady in the video…haha!
Yay…I’m finally the first to comment! ;)
Wow.. the new creation. I like it. And I like the video as well. Will post it in my site and link back to you. Have a great day, Diane.
oooh this is sensational Diane….the colour combo is marvellous and I love the spines on both….that must take a bit of time…
I imagine that the leather will look great …terrific colours there…
I’m going to get a Mazda if that’s what they can do !!!….hilarious video…
have fun on the train and good luck with the dress buying :)
That Mazda commercial is great. I used to be not so fond of parking too, but I’ve gotten past that a bit.
I like the foam book and I bet it would look even better in leather. Really like the red leather book. Yay for red!
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHA! Do not mess with that chick when she is behind the wheel of a car! Clever and beautiful … I can relate … LOL! With the phobia about big-city parking, that is!
I too take the train whenever possible … or let TG do the driving and parking. He always lets me out “at the door” and so far he’s been real good about coming back to claim me!
LOVE the woven design! Can’t wait to see it rendered in leather!
That is such a good price for leather samples (I used to work in the leather trade … is it cow or sheep nappa? sheep is so much softer and touchy feely. Great colours though)
70s sitting here green with envy at your shopping trip … Falkiners & Liberty’s in one sitting …ahhhhh heaven !!! :-)
I love all of your work. Those leathers look quite nice.
But, forgive me…..my favorite today is the video. LOL….I have a phobia concerning parking also. I avoid all large cities as much as possible.
I am still laughing. Can you just imagine actually doing that? I would love to give it a go just to watch everyone’s reaction!!
Have a great trip. Oh wouldn’t I love to be going along with you. My daughter was in London last summer. But, as of yet in my life I have not had the pleasure.:-)
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The colors in your foam book are so fun! I can’t wait to see what you do with all that leather. I hope you have a great time supplies shopping in London. Someday I will go there and Liberty will be one of my first stops.
Hi Diane,
Ahh leather. I like it a lot! I used a filofax for some time and I think I was one of the last hold-outs of that notebook. It was made of leather and I loved the smell of it. When everyone looked at me as some sort of antiquated freak, I decided to surrender to the more popular electronic gadgets. But my filiofax served me well for years, a constant companion. If there was a fire, it was the first thing I’d save. My entire life and career was in it!
So, i wrapped it up and made sure molds would not invade its pristine surface. I also bought extra fillers just in case it goes back in style. :-) I still open it now and then just to say hello. :-)\
I’m interested to see how you weave your magic on leather, especially the blue and brown ones.
As to that woman who skillfully parked her car,she could make a fortune as a parking attendant in the Beijing Olympics. Do you collect these videos? You don’t miss a beat. Very entertaining! :-) –Durano, done!
I have some leather, but so far haven’t been brave enough to use any. I’d love to see what you do with all those pretty colors. I love the pretty bindings!
Your so clever, not only with paper and like my wife Diane said; it reminds me quite a bit about our Christmas decoration!
Wishing you a great end to your week :-)
DianeCA – yes I have seen those ornaments and you are right, the weaving is very similar! The leather is so soft it’s actually very easy to work with. Just need a VERY sharp knife and a steady hand :-)
Teresa – it is tricky following the instructions as the author seems to assume a certain competence and knowledge that I’m not sure I have yet! And you weren’t first but poor Diane CA was sent into my spam!
Dunn – glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the link!
Kim – the foam is a bit flimsy but is does come in great colours. As for dress shopping – mission accomplished!
Thanks for the updated artists list too. I dropped a spot :-(
Still 4th is pretty good too :-)
SW – red is my favourite colour too. I’m glad to hear of a chap having problems parking – thought it was a girl thing :-D
Jenny – parking is horrible – trains are horrible. I think I’ll just stay home :-)
70s – the leather is a mixture – some goat in there too I think. Shopping was indeed a fine thing :-)
Shinade – the video was funny. Not sure I’d like to try it though!
You will love London – especially if the weather is nice….
AmyH – I’m itching to use the leather but I have a busy weekend planned which is nice for a change. You will love Liberty, it’s like a treasure chest!
Durano – I love Filofax too! I have one on my desk that I don’t use any more but it is beautifully made and smells wonderful! Electronic organisers just don’t have the same tactile quality – aprt from my iPod touch which I adore. Now that is one sexy bit of kit – gorgeous :-)
Sue – glad you like the bindings, I am working on another one now. I think the leather is actually easy to work with as it doesn’t slide around so much.
Renny – thank you! I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!
70’s used to work in the leather trade!!!!! I thought she had a thick hide………. tee hee
She’s not going to be happy about this….. :-)
hi i am trying to buy the leather sample pack shown above but cannot seem to find it on hewits could you possibly tell me what you entered or how you got it or an email address to buy the pack. many thanks ellie