Construction has begun of my travel journal for Lisbon. I have a general idea of where I'm heading with this. A book of scraps. Papers and envelopes I've been meaning to use, but haven't. Let's see what else I can round up.
Bits of fabric. Red thread to stitch it all together. No duct tape.
Paper sewed onto paper. Stacked up to make one fat signature. The covers? I don't know yet. I'm leaning towards a red folder I found in the trash last year in Italy while walking down our hill in Praiano for dinner. It was dark. The moon was full. My sister waited for me while I rummaged. I carried my treasure to dinner, then back home, then across the Atlantic, back here to California.
I feel like the woodcarver who brought Pinnochio to life. Only a red folder is hardly a puppet. But still, if I give it a new life maybe it will start to talk! Oh someone please push my off button. In these first days of silence after months of non-stop chatter my mind hasn't hushed yet. I'm inventing new languages in my sleep and talking to giant animals. Last night 3 giant chickens climbed in the window and laid 3 enormous eggs in my bed!
The End.
Your journal looks sensational, even in its infancy.
I'd like to see a journal page of your giant chickens and their enormous eggs.
Posted by: Tinniegirl | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:18 AM
What will the giant eggs hatch? I wonder?
Posted by: lilylovekin | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 04:48 AM
The dreams remind me of Jan Svankmajer's version of Alice in Wonderland (which I watched last night). Speaking of, have you seen images from Tim Burton's http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56475
That red thread is an inspired bit.
Posted by: susan w | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 06:29 AM
Technical questions: you are attaching these various papers to loose sheets of the Fabriano cold press paper? Adorned front and back? How will they be joined to the yet undesignated covers? You don't fold them, do you? Or do you?
(unconventional question form)
Posted by: susan w | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 06:37 AM
susan, papers, envelopes etc. aren't attached to anything but themselves. no fabriano paper is involved - too bulky. i'm sewing various things onto the envelope & paper pages. these get folded and a simple seam up the middle. voila! a signature is born.
Posted by: mary ann | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 07:25 AM
The travel journal looks fantastic! The red folder sounds like the perfect cover....and I wouldn't worry about those dreams. Just make a big omelette with those three eggs!!
Posted by: Janet | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 08:10 AM
hell, don't stop the chatter
it's utterly charming.
it's like being a sparrow
sitting on your shoulder
eavesdropping on your
roller coaster mind.
a lovely ride
Posted by: magpie | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 08:42 AM
The journal is looking great. I'm anxious to see the finished product! BTW...are you scrambling or frying those eggs??
Have fun in Lisbon - I'm envious!
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne Myers | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 08:53 AM
I ALWAYS go through the trash at Kinko's. People toss the coolest stuff. My last foray got me a few pictures of mannequins with wild hats. Go figure.
Posted by: Lorraine | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Did you make an omelet? :D
Posted by: elizabeth | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 11:31 AM
You could sing that post title to the tune of "White Christmas" - "I'm leaning t'wards a red fol-der". I think the heat is affecting my brain - I'll be dreaming about giant chickens next.
Posted by: Stephen du Toit | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM
The journal looks simply Smashing!
Love the direction.
Oh, if only you could hop over the back fence and share my collage and paper collection...if only......
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:42 PM
i love love love your blog, your enthusiasm, your humour, your stencilling and collages. and i miss your little kiddos and their chatter even though i don't even know them. you're doing a GREAT thing bringing the journal making to them at such an early age. i had an aunt who gave me art supplies every year starting at age 5. i owe her SOOOOOO much. enjoy your trip to portugal! look forward to hearing all about it.
Posted by: girl next door | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 01:31 PM
those papers remind me of sarah fanelli (illustrator) and how i wish my sewing machine would do that stitch!!
Posted by: kate heshan | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 01:46 PM
oh this looks like your best travel journal yet. yummers!
oh and I just nominated you for a blog award.
http://burdart.blogspot.com/2009/06/premio-meme-my-first-blog-award.html
Posted by: francie | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 03:24 PM
I'll take my travel journal in yellow please. You did volunteer to make one for me if I carry your bag at the airport right? My only request is to include some bits of the stuff from London which were inside the giant eggs.
Posted by: Sister! | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Oh luscious! I could use a visit from three enormous chickens laying eggs in my bed tonight. My dreams have become so forgettable these days. Do send them my way please.
Posted by: Tina | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 08:17 PM
You stitch with style! Love that red stitch. Yer kiddin about the eggs, right?
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 11:21 AM
This looks great already. Imagine how amazing it will be after the trip???
Posted by: Seth | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 09:36 PM