Let's Say YES to Books and Fabrics!

Assalamualaikum and Hello all,
It's Monday and I'm ready to rock the desk! 

I've experimented a lot, lately, with papers, board and all yummy fabrics that I've collected so far. I just can't get enough time to blog about these all. Fabrics are totally inspiring me to do more than just covering my books. It's a good thing and I'll treat that as a therapy! 

I'm sharing handbound books that I made using crafts papers, binding thread, board, and fabrics as the book covers, also with elastic band as the closure and cute charm as the bookmark. Experimenting phase are great time to mix and match patterns, and try to create good looking books.

These are A6 handbound books with elastic band closure, from front (above) and back (below) view. I love the stars and the houses, that's why I use them a lot in my book project. Yeehoo!

“Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself"

~ George Bernard Shaw ~

I made these too, earlier and I realized that I forgot to attached the book closure. My bad, but that's why I call it experimenting phase. A lot to practice and a lot to get used to -_-

“You don't love someone because they're perfect,

you love them in spite of the fact that they're not” 

~ Jodi Picoult ~

Oh by the way, I always use polka dot fabrics in my project. They're simply my best choice when I get stuck, boring or confused. They're always adorable. Don't you think so?

From top: COPTIC STITCH, KETTLE STITCH and FRENCH STITCH

I bet you can see the differences between all stitches, from the picture. But you can read more, HERE

All shots are taken somewhere at Kampung Bagan Buaya, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang. I enjoy snapping pictures here, on a classic wooden bench. How I miss my old bench that was once my favorite place when I was a child. It was a cool village, with small river, goats and chickens around. I really hope you enjoy all pictures, 'cause I really put my full effort into it, YEAH ^_^

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life”
~ Mark Twain ~

Before I end my post, I'd like to share some old pictures (part of my journey as a bookbinder) that you may find on my Instagram and FB page. They're maybe old, but they're inspired me everyday. I hope you enjoy!

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

For more random pictures of my journey, you may follow me, get updated and stay connected.

That's all for now, have a blissful Monday!

Thank you.

My Special MADE: Long Books!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t and hello everyone,

I'm glad that I can finally blog about these two, my favorite long books!

“Long books, when read, are usually overpraised,

because the reader wishes to convince others and himself

that he has not wasted his time.” 

~ E.M. Forster, Aspects of the Novel ~

The one on the left is covered with black-brown-letter paper and the other one is covered with blue-white polkadot fabric. The books are special because both books have different covers on front and back, We mix & match patterns for the book covers and that was one of the best, exciting process! Special stuffs are totally for special MADE.

It's PAPER versus FABRIC this time >_<

I used kettle stitching with butterfly knot for both books and they have a very nice stud-leather as closure! Despite of using cotton tape for the stitch, I used the leather piece of same colors instead.

I enjoy taking photos outdoors, and take advantage on beauty of nature, but below are some of the indoor pictures that I could share with all of you.

The books are really tall, aren't they?

I'm sharing some of my early related posts that you may find on my Instagram and FB page. You may LIKE & FOLLOW me to get updated, as I always use both sites as the main platforms to announce, promote things and updates!

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Post by Blissful Kids and Crafts.

Can you spot the pencil cases next to the books? YEAH, I made it too! (I'll blog about that later, yeehoo!) Oh, by the way, I cut the leather piece to a nice size and shape so that when you close the book and 'seal' it, it leaves a little space to fit your favorite pen ♥

That's all for now. I hope you enjoy and have a blissful day!

Thank you.

Exclusively a Handbound Organizer!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and Hello everyone,

These are series of handbound books, using Long Stitch binding, made by all bookbinders: Yogee, Michelle, Ms.Goh, Samantha, Honey and others at Fabric Fanatics. I love all different colors of books, and all nicest colors of thread showing here (^,~)

The Long Stitch binding involves sewing directly through the covering material and the stitches are visible on the spine. I love the simple/ordinary look of the basic long stitching, giving more masculine appearance and the butterfly pattern gives feminine look to the book.

"The beauty of the Long Stitch binding style for me is it's simplicity and robustness.
Also you need very few tools to make this style of book"
~ UNKNOWN ~

Mrs.Syam also taught us how to make the DANGLING using the extra leftover thread. The dangling works as a bookmark to the book and it can be made by using metal charms, cute buttons, beads and e.t.c.

Oh I made the red one, with special MADE FOR YOU charm (^___^)

I think that's all for now.

Thank you very much and have a blissful day.

Bookbinding Workshop by LittleSyam: A Dream Come True

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and good day,

It was 2 years ago when I first heard about LittleSyam. It happened when I suddenly interested in binding books and I asked about it to one of my favorite crafter, Asma Ahmad of Simple Rhyme. She recommended me to learn bookbinding from a very talented, professional bookbinder, LittleSyam. It sounded so impossible for me as I've never been to any event after having kids. So I spent times learning from blogs, youtube and even pictures of her books inspire me much. 

I believe that it is far a way better learning things from a real GURU than learning from screen even there's so much tutorials we can get online. I waited so long to have this opportunity and with help of my dearest husband, I finally got here.

The Bookbinding Workshop by LittleSyam was held at Fabric Fanatics, The Summit, USJ. Other than holding workshops for crafts projects, Fabric Fanatics offers beautiful craft fabrics, sewing craft supplies such as buttons, laces, bag accessories and you can find almost everything related to handmade crafts there.

Me with my dearest bookbinding GURU, Mrs.Syam. She's simply the best GURU, a very happy-go-lucky and positive person, of 20 years experience in bookbinding and other crafts.

Standing from left: Ms.Goh, Jenny, Husna and sitting from left: Yogee, Mrs.Syam and me (^___^)

I joined Kettle Stitching slot for first day and a slot takes 3 to 4 hours depending on situations and on. I can't afford to take both slots per day and I think I'll come back next time for the other, InsyaALLAH.

"Don't chase for money, money will come to you eventually"

~ LittleSyam ~

Yeay! A happy face after she gave me a certificate claiming that I'm officially a bookbinder no.698 (^___^)

"Bookbinding balancing my life. Even when I kisssd my son, I can feel the electric static on my face and yes, I think I've had enough of computer work and bookbinding allows me to do things using my bare hands"

~ LittleSyam ~

I really love KETTLE stitching with BUTTERFLY pattern and Mrs.Syam also taught me how to make the DANGLING using the extra leftover thread. The dangling works as a bookmark to the book and it can be made by using metal charms, cute buttons and etc.

Working with new friends, Ms.Goh and Jenny

Kinds of thread used for bookbinding. I was introduced to many types of thread during the workshop and it was a good chance for me to get to know materials more than what I read online.

Happy faces of all dearest (^___^)

Managed to bring my husband and kids visiting Mrs.Syam at Fabric Fanatics the next day after.
Oh, she blogged about us all too, HERE

With Kelly, nice person behind Fabric Fanatics

Another bookbinding session with these amazing people on second day of the workshop. I did really enjoy Long Stitching with LittleSyam and meeting new faces again. The session took longer than I thought because there were a bit of tricky part, binding with the leather sheet. Mrs.Syam had been so nice, she guided us all the time and we were so comfortable working with each other.

Long stitching shape's coming. YEAY! You can't imagine how my heart's pounding real fast, starting the very first stitch to the end. I was so excited and happy that I finally doing things that I only see on pictures all this while.

Standing from left: Samantha, Ms.Goh, me, Nana, Mrs.Syam, Mrs.Linda, Honey

and Michelle sitting next to Yogee in front of us all.

I did really enjoy both Kettle and Long Stitch session, plus it's a great chance of making new friends. Thanks all so much, this is my 1st workshop that I attend in this 4 years, after getting married and having kids. I can't believe this is real. Thanks dear Fairuz Affandi for being so supportive! You really made my day!

I think that's all for now, wait for my next post ya!

I'll show you books that we all successfully made during the workshop.

Thank you and have a blissful days ahead.