I’ve been working on this sketchbook for a few weeks now, finding homes for all the tiny samples and scraps of painted paper and fabrics. At the same time I’m in the process of preparing to write a new course on mixed media/collage in sketchbooks, and I find it helps to actually make the thing you intend to teach.
I made the very simple sketchbook, using cartridge paper and some handmade cotton rag paper – it’s just sheets of paper stacked, folded in half, and stitched along the spine. The wrap around cover is cotton rag paper and it ties with some hand-dyed cotton tape that wraps around the button. Mixed media sketchbooks often become quite bulky because of all the inserts and layers, so it helps to bundle it up like this.
Sketchbooks are sometimes regarded as preparation for something larger, but I tend to see them as valuable and inspirational objects in themselves. I see them as a place to collect abstract thoughts in the form of shape and colour, and also as a place to try different colour combinations and design elements. Some of the designs in this book may or may not become larger works, and if they don’t then it’s enough to have them as they are in the sketchbook.
Here’s a quick flip-through. The pages are about 9″ x 6″ ish:
And a closer look (details are in the captions beneath the image):
I don’t often write in sketchbooks like this one, but I do sometimes like to add a few words of text. I have an old poetry anthology that I cut up to make found poems. I know some people have strong feelings about cutting up books, but I only ever use very old books that have missing or damaged pages. The text serves to remind me of what I was thinking when I made the image, and sometimes it might also suggest the title of a larger work.
I like the way samples in different media can support and inform each other. The top sample on the page below was made by collecting and layering fabric scraps, and then the lower image is a collage inspired by the stitched sample.
As I’m currently taking a temporary break from Instagram, I have a bit more time to focus on structuring the new course. It generally takes a month or more to put one together and I’m still at the thinking-it-through stage, so there’s a fair way to go. But watch this space.
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I love this idea Karen! I’m collecting ‘bits and pieces of fabrics and papers for mixed media, and experimenting with layouts etc.. seeing what you have done I have an idea for my own book, thankyou for the spark which has ignited my imagination x😀
have fun! 🙂
Love it!
I tend to keep my stitched samples separate from my paper/paint/collage samples, unless they are prep for the same project. Looking at your book and reading the explanations, I think I should try putting stitch and paint samples together more often.
I really like the way the different colours and textures of paper and fabric interact with each other
Amazing sketchbook 💙💙💙
thanks so much Pam 💙
Your work is beautiful and very inspirational. I loved looking through your sketchbook.
thanks so much, Kim
I love (hand) sewing on paper and have done it for years, but have not yet been brave enough to introduce fabric into my personal equation…yours is beautiful and inspiring so maybe I will get there eventually 🙂
thanks so much, Naomi. Conversely, I hardly ever stitch on paper so maybe I will try more of that 🙂
I like the idea of this mixed media book. I love paper and materials together. Thanks Karen!
I do like a bit of mixed media 🙂
I love your collage book so much! I can’t wait for your workshop to be ready. I will be definitely signing up for it! Thank you for the inspiration
lovely! thanks so much, Ana
There’s a lot of lovely and intriguing textures and ideas there!
it was certainly a lot of fun to make 🙂
Hi Karen, I’ve been looking for something like this in a class form. Since I believe you are one of the best hand stitcher’s I came across, who better to take from.
I had kinda limited myself I. Your blog/classes cause you had that whole mail thing and cist too much$$ and was slow. I have recently purchased things from U K and no problem, but I’m not sure if she uses regular post or a carrier. Please keep me in the list for this it looks wonderful😊❤️
thanks so much, Helen. It costs £10.60 to mail goods to the US or Canada, so yes, it is quite expensive – but the postage is the same whether you buy one item or twenty so it does even itself out over multiple purchases. It usually takes a week or two to reach the US, sometimes a bit longer for Canada, but I have very little control over that. I’m sorry that it didn’t work for you. At least the classes and the blog are online and therefore instant access 🙂
Oh my goodness! Can’t wait for this course to be ready! Looks amazing!!!!
thanks so much, Michelle. At the moment I’m thinking several mini-courses (painting collage papers, making a sketchbook, making stitched samples etc) like a pick-and-mix rather than one huge course – how does that sound? There’s such a lot to show and tell with this one 🙂
Vraiment très réussi. bravo !
merci 🙂
Such a beautiful way to showcase your work Karen and once again this results in a lasting piece
thanks so much, Mags – yes, I really like the way you can use sketchbooks like this one to inspire further work in the future
What a great way to start the day…being inspired by one of your beautiful new artworks! I’m currently enjoying working through your Intuitive Stitching and Little Landscapes courses and now I’m looking forward to this new course as well.
how lovely! Thanks so much Kathy, you’ve made my day 🙂