Bookbinding & Spiralling Energies
A hands-off approach to moving forward with creative projects...
A fresh journal is so enticing.
And, sometimes a bit intimidating.
All those blank pages seem to expect to be covered with the most insightful words, beautiful artwork & inspired layouts.
I recently made this journal completely by hand. (My very 1st!)
It features everything I've always looked for in commercial journals but have never ever found.
A slightly textured cover in MY colours with a wave pattern which I love.
I used very heavy paper (250 gm/115 lb) and alternated between smooth sheets and watercolour paper which has a nice "tooth". Some spreads will have one of each while others will be the single paper across the entire A4 space. I wanted to give myself as many options as possible.
Small pockets inside the front and back covers will hold notes and my ever present post-its and the ribbon (leftover from my wedding in 1998!) will hold everything together.
This is one of a set of bookmarks I made by photocopying other papers from my collection & using my brand new handy-dandy corner rounder!
Plus, I used a Coptic stitch to bind the book, so that it lies completely flat. Now, THAT was an experience. I’ve been sewing for decades so after I watched a YT video on this technique, I thought I was good to go… not so much. Hmm…
Using the curved needle and trying to hold the signatures (each group of folded pages) straight as I sewed definitely stretched my skill set. It was a strange sensation to be all thumbs and I had to go back & review the video at least a dozen times!
Initially, I expected to finish this book in a couple of days. How hard could it be? Fold some paper, glue some covers, sew through the holes, et voila! In the end, the project stretched over several weeks. I didn’t work on it constantly, but still, I was WAY off in my estimation. And, I enjoyed every minute—even when I kept dropping the book off my desk as I fiddled with the long waxed thread!
She is finally complete and now... I've been telling myself that I don't know where to start!
As I was working on this book, I decided that I'd use it for some advanced colour studies and sketching but
I still hesitated.
Sitting with this and allowing the awareness to bubble up, I finally know what it was about...
I'm a good artist and an excellent colourist, so doubt wasn't hampering me.
I've been hanging back because I've been looking outwards lately-working on building my online shop (which will open soon), promoting a recent Creatrix Gathering (which was amazing, btw😊) & sharpening my brand.
I've been in the "Convey" phase of my Creatrix Spiral, which is about sharing my work with others.
The FULL moon was just yesterday and now, finally, I feel my creative energies gently shifting from "outwards" to "inwards".
Ahhh, it feels so good when my creative tides shift. My mental drive to move forward & get working in my journal is finally syncing with my spiritual energies. I've moved into the "Collect" phase and I'm ready to gather my ideas and start making them real.
I designed the Creatrix Spiral a few years ago. I use it to track my creative energies AND allow my brain & nervous system to relax when I just can’t seem to move ahead on a project. It’s not procrastination, it’s simply that my 3-D & spiritual energies aren’t on the “same page” at the moment.
What a relief!
No more pushing myself to keep going or ignoring uncomfortable signs from my body. Finally, I’m OK with taking my hands off the “steering wheel” and waiting until I feel fully centred. Naturally, while this is going on, I don’t sit idle, staring out the window (or at a blank page). I go play with another project which is drawing my attention.
Then out of the blue, my desire to work on the first project suddenly ignites. It’s a result of cosmic timing, my physical timing &/or the project’s own energy which has finally built to the point that it tips over into the next phase.
When this happens, whoosh, everything falls into place like magic.
If you’ve ever found yourself, sternly soldiering on with a creative project or spinning low-vibe “lack-of-commitment” thoughts in your head, try sitting back and communing with your project.
It has lots to tell you, if only you’ll listen.
P.S.
If you’d like to know more about my WISE Ways model & how the 3 spheres—Life, Craft & Work, come together as you practice the Art of Clear Creativity, take a look HERE.
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P.P.S.
Oh, AND, if you have a different POV, had an AHA moment while reading or would like me to delve deeper into something which I’ve mentioned today, please leave a comment. Let’s have some fun!