Coptic Journals

Another one of my obsessions is making these small Coptic Journals. I carry one with me to sketch ideas and make notes. I love them because they lay flat when opened. I bring this up because I have to temporarily stop knitting and prepare to teach a how to class on the 15th at ArtWorks Gallery. Letting go of my needles is hard for me even though I love making handmade books. Since it is a two hour workshop I have alot of prep work to be able to use my time wisely; so besided making a detailed handout, I will cut, sand and cover the boards for them. I use my own painted paper and then once in a while I find handmade or marbled paper that I just must have so I buy it and convince myself I will use it on a special project. Needless to say I have as much paper as I do yarn. They will spend most of the two hours preparing their signatures and sewing the book together. Patience is a virtue with this project.
For me, it has to be a fiber thing. I also have my advanced students make their own journals. It's the first project I do with them upon our return to school in August. Concentration is a pre-requisite to get the stitch down. Once they get it they take off. One of two things will happen, they will hate doing it or love it so much they become addicted and can't stop making them. For me, it has to be the size just of the project. just like I am currently obsessed with baby hats. There is something intimate about these two obsessions of mine.