New look for the Fall Craft Shows

I have been hard at work creating new table coverings for my Fall shows. I found some awesome Marimekko fabric at the Crate & Barrel Outlet and combined it with some linen curtains from Ikea to create the new color scheme: linen and green.

This is my sister Lee's super Bernina sewing machine. It was a joy to work with but I must (sigh) return it to her this weekend.

A close-up of the muted tones in the Marimekko fabric. There are also some vibrant greens.

The Ikea linen curtain turned into a table covering with a border of the Marimekko fabric.

I'll have two of the linen table coverings and one of the Marimekko. I think I need to add a linen border to this and a linen table runner. This is my first sewing project since third grade! What do you think?

Tax Treaty Books - Made by Moonlight Bindery

Yes, Moonlight Bindery has entered the international tax treaty field! The handsome books you see in this photo of the signing of a tax agreement between The Cayman Islands and New Zealand were bound last weekend by yours truly. The photo is by my talented photographer friend, Suzanne Behsudi.

I took loose pages and created a double fan adhesive binding. This style of binding is called for when you want the pages to lay flat and you don't have much margin to work with. Here is a great step-by-step guide from Indiana University.

Etsy back to School Voter

One on my Lego books was nominated for the Etsy Back to School Voter.  Today (Sunday, August 2nd) is the last day to vote.  Please cast your vote here:  http://www.etsy.com/storque/etc/vote-which-notebook-would-you-take-back-to-school-4505/

Just click on the green Go Vote button in the storque article to vote. I really appreciate it!

Crafty Bastards

I am thrilled to report that I have been chosen as a vendor for this year's Crafty Bastard. It was a tough competition this year - 120 slots for 480 applicants. The show is Saturday, October 3rd, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Can't wait - it was so much fun last year.

Felt

My Filz Felt order arrived and I am so excited! I decided to try three 18" squares of the 3mm felt. The plan is to cover photo albums (large and small) with the felt. No boards just straight felt on the albums. The felt is sturdy enough and photo album paper is also quite thick so I think this plan will work. Stay tuned...

Here is a shot showing the felt thickness. It is great stuff! I have seen this in Europe for years and am excited to see that is available here in the States as well.

DIRT - The Book for the Exhibit

I have been working on this oversized book for the artist Margaret Boozer. She does amazing work with dirt. Her exhibit, Dirt Drawings, is opening Saturday, June 27th at the Katzen Arts Center at American University. The book will have photographs of dirt to accompany the exhibition. This was a very interesting project both because of the scale of the book (25" X 40") and materials used. The covers are made from Dibond - street sign material - so they are super durable and will not warp.

Just to give you the scale of the book this is my eight year old daughter holding the finished product.

I love the way the light picks up on the stamped silver title - lower right hand corner. It reads simply DIRT is 30 pt. Optima.

If you have a chance stop by the Katzen Arts Center June 27-August 16.

Washington Folk Festival

I was a vendor at The Washington Folk Festival last weekend at Glen Echo Park.  It was a lovely two days - not too hot and no rain!  This was my first ever two-day show.  The craft vendors were in the bumper car pavilion.  My neighbor were Marla Rudnick, who makes AMAZING silver wire knitted jewelry, and Janet and Claudia of LotsAKnots two friends who knit, weave, crochet - all things textile!

I had a little help from my daughter Claire for a few minutes.  However, the carousel and various fun activities beckoned!

Here is my booth set-up - Three tables and lots of vintage luggage filled with books.  I liked it but want custom fit tablecloths that go to the ground!

My husband took this funny picture of the "Art Car."  I like the motto - "Drive Art and Live."