Book-in-A-Day 35: It's In the Bag

Title: It's In The Bag
Structure: Grocery Store Bag Recycled Book
Dimensions: 12 H x 9.5 W (including the handles)

Video of my process.

Well this was another experiment in building a structure. I don't think I'll call it a failed attempt since I actually enjoyed the process and because I like some aspects of the book. 

For example, the grocery bag paper is wonderful for journaling. Once you have the paint and the gesso on the pages, they become these amazing canvases waiting for your thoughts and artwork. The texture of the raw bag provides a magnificent surface for playing. 

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First page spread

Detail of first page spread

I really wanted to combine content that would speak to the way Damon and I shop/eat. We are pretty simple people when it comes to food. We just want clean, healthy, food that we can rely on to keep us energized both creatively and physically. So I took that idea and basically created a grocery list of the things we buy most often (if not every time we visit the store). 

Page spread 2

Detail of spread 2

Of course I had to throw in a poem and some journaling. In all honesty, I wasn't happy with the last spread for most of the time I was working on it. I was trying a new style that didn't include my favorite symbols -- circles and dots -- but it wasn't really doing it for me, so I went back to what I know and love and once I did that, it got a little better. I still think it's a bit busy, but every time I look at it, I like it a little more. I think I was using colors that I typically don't use together and that may have been the other issue. 

The fold out flap with the poem

Page 3 with some journaling

Like most of the books I'm making for this year-long project, I think I would do this again when I have more time to dedicate to it. I find that what I really want to do with these books is figure out which ones are reproducible in a way that feels authentic to me -- who knows, maybe that is next year's challenge :-). 

I'm looking forward to what next week brings. Stay tuned! 

If you're watching the videos, I'm honored! If you're making the books, I'm intrigued, so please share here or on the Giving Hands Creative Community site.