Betty Or Bettie?

The Child's World First Reader, published by Johnson Publishing Company, 1917

Oh to be young and conflicted as to the best spelling of your name.... B-E-T-T-Y or B-E-T-T-I-E? And now Miss Betty Doris Winn's reader has found its way to my studio.

Chimera Collage

Chimera, original collage on old children's primer cover

I read somewhere recently that September is National Literacy Month. We always have a couple of read-aloud books going with Lizzie in addition to our own individual books. This week we maxed out our 50 book limit at the library. hah! Guess that's the way it goes when you home-school. Patrick and Lizzie are reading the newly released Sky Pyrates Over Oz. Lizzie and I have just started Little Women (we're on chapter 4 of 47). Patrick and I are both trying to read this book (at the same time) and keep stealing it back and forth. Lizzie just discovered the historical fiction books published by American Girl (thus our maxed out library card!) and I've been listening to the original Grimm's Fairy Tales while I work in the studio at night. I'd love to hear what you've been reading!

Secret Garden

We've been reading aloud the adventures of the orphan Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden. This little lady seemed to like the story too. 

The Pot & The Kettle

The Pot & The Kettle, illustration by Rhoda Campbell Chase

I found this gem of a fable tucked inside a first grade reader from 1917. Sharing it today just 'cuz I'm dragging my feet getting started with the week. More about its origins here.

Follow The Dots

I picked up this dot-to-dot workbook at the Eastbrook Antique Mall on our recent trip to Montgomery, Alabama. Volumes like this are irresistible with their sweet graphics and pencil markings--every image has been carefully mapped out by small hands years ago. The book was published by Cupples & Leon of New York in the 1920's.

Mended Pages

More often than not it is the imperfection of a thing that makes it special. When I'm browsing through old books for collage material the pages that have flaws are the ones that stand out to me. Whether they are mended, scribbled, torn or stained these blemishes are what I seek.

All images gleaned from The New Beacon Primer by James H. Fassett. Illustrated by Blanche Fisher Laite. Published by Ginn & Company, Boston, USA, 1921.

Book Quilt

Insects, hand stitched collage book 'skin' quilt

Finally got around to photographing the book quilt I shared with you last week. This patchwork of frayed book skins represents many different volumes....a French dictionary, children's primers, a physiology textbook, various science books, a guide to insects and a bible story book.

A big thanks to those of you who shopped at my Spring Sale! If you're reading this and missed it I'll plan to keep the coupon code active 'til tonight ;) Coming up this week are two 'wall doll' assemblages and a group of April art blocks.

Quilt In Progress

Working with bits of book skin's to create another quilt like the ones I patched together last year. If you follow me on Instagram these are old news ;) It's such fun to have immediate feedback there...like the sage advice to use a thimble while stitching! Check back later this week for the finished quilt.

Breakfast Collage

Breakfast, collage on old book cover



I've created a short time-lapse video so you can see this collage take shape one piece at a time. Picked up one of these so I could mount my phone directly over my workspace. Hoping to make more process videos to share with you in the future. Have a beautiful weekend!

Tethered

Tethered, original collage on book cover with single thread

Thinking about connections…from our first physical bond through the umbilical cord to the expansive global communication network we've labeled the internet. We are tethered to others and to our environment in our actions, thoughts and memories. We continuously tug, knot, fuse and sever these ties.

Night Rider

Night Rider, collage on worn arithmetic book cover

Rock-Paper-Scissors

Rock-Paper-Scissors, collage on old Lippincott's Physiology book cover

We play rock-paper-scissors all the time in our house to make decisions on this 'n that. It's an ancient game of strategy and such fun trying to psych out your opponent ;) Wanna try your hand at it? Play against the computer right here.

Magic Show

Magic Show, original collage on Ms. Lazzelle Hamilton's old reader

Looks like a book cover collage is the only piece I managed to complete this week. The new art blocks are coming along nicely and I promise to have them in the shop on Monday. Have a beautiful weekend.

Exit Row

Exit Row, original collage on dog-eared book cover

Monday thoughts...it feels like a Monday...this winter is endless...must drink another cuppa...don't forget the laundry...tomorrow is Tuesday...Friday is Valentines. Exciting thoughts huh?! I'll be back tomorrow with one of several new assemblages that are almost ready to share.

Whale Trail

Whale Trail, collage on old physiology book cover

Yes, I know it's a dolphin. Inspired by Lizzie's current gaming obsession...Whale Trail.

Devil's In The Details

Devil's In The Details, original collage on Bobby's old book cover

Just sayin'.

Book Skin Quilts

Bee, book skin art quilt

 Little Folks, book skin art quilt

In my attempt to use all the parts 'n pieces of old books stashed away in the studio I've stitched together these mini art quilts using salvaged "book skins". The subtle coloring of the cloth bindings on old book covers enticed me to see if I could remove the cloth from the book boards and....voila!....a new collage material.

Also....a little reminder that the Spring Sale continues in both shops 'til midnight on Sunday.

Studio Tidbits

A delightful pile of treasures arrived this week from the studio of artist Elizabeth Rosen. Lizzie and I had great fun unwrapping all these wooden bits 'n cuckoo clock parts. We entertained ourselves for some time playing around with various arrangements and pausing to share on Instagram of course ;)

Elizabeth's shop is a wonderful mix of carefully selected goodies for the mixed media artist and her own magical assemblages, paintings and mixed media work. Be sure to browse her shop when you have a minute--you're certain to find inspiration!

And...here's a peek at my work table this past week. I got a hair brained idea one night and started "skinning" my pile of old book covers.

The "book skins" are currently being stitched up into a pair of small art quilts. Hope to have them finished up next week to share with you. If you're on Instagram, you can find me there as 'sushipot' (duh!). Then you can see these tidbits from the studio faster than I get around to blogging 'em.

Basket Case

Basket Case, original collage on book cover

The interior of a physiology textbook circa 1920's:

(Carnivorous) eats flesh.

(Omnivorous) both.

(Herbivorous) vegetable eater.

(Inebriate) after you get the habit of drinking.

And that's what Miss Edna Kirchner wrote. I added the basket case bit.

Divisor Collage

Divisor, original collage on scribbled book cover

I love opening old books and finding their interiors full of scribbles. Discarded schoolbooks are more often than not filled with these treasures. This is the back cover of a State of Kansas, seventh grade arithmetic book from the 1930's. It was used by a kid named Bernie at one point in time.