Five-Slot Longstitch Book with Kirsten Varga

Welcome to another bookmaking adventure with StencilGirl® and me, Kirsten Varga! This month I am featuring the five-slot longstitch book.There are numerous variations of longstitch patterns. A quick internet search will deliver a multitude of tutorials from many talented book artists. 

I was inspired to try this book structure after perusing Cherryl Moote's book titled "Longstitch Books". So, grab your bookmaking supplies, a few snazzy stencils and let's dive in!

I started by preparing my book block and that means picking out paper for the signatures. The signatures of my book are made from single sheets of heavy weight mixed media paper. Usually signatures are comprised of 3-5 sheets of folded paper nested together but since the paper I chose is so thick I opted to have just one folded sheet be my book's signature. I made about twenty of them but in the end I only put fourteen into my book. 

I colored my signatures with watered down acrylic ink after I folded them in half. I wanted to take away the black page and give my book a "weathered" look. The dried acrylic ink won't react to wet media so I will have the freedom to use many different mediums inside my book.

The cover is made from a large piece of chipboard that was part of some packaging. I painted and stenciled directly on the surface and then folded it in half and glued the unpainted sides together.

Instead of holes (to attach the signatures to the cover) this structure uses slits cut onto the spine. Then the signatures are sewed onto the cover with a running stitch. The result is a book with a decorative spine that allows the pages to open flat! 

I created a tutorial video to show you all the details! Find it on the StencilGirl® YouTube channel HERE! 

Happy Creating!

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Stencils used:

Graphic Mod Mask 3: Bubble - L865

Stone and Mortar Version 2 - S375

Abstract Grid - L850

Other Supplies:

Mixed media paper (6"x9")

Chipboard (approx 13"x19")

Acrylic Inks

Acrylic Paints

Matte Gel Medium

Craft Knife

Ruler

Scissors

Awl

Needle and Linen Thread

Bone Folder

Piercing Cradle

Chunky 5-hole Pamphlet Stitch Book with Kirsten Varga

Today's project is inspired by the December 2021 StencilClub stencil set Mix and Match Botanicals designed by Rae Missigman! I am inspired by the combination of realistic and abstracted organic shapes in her designs. I knew I could use them to create lovely layered compositions. By using gloss medium in one of my early layers I created a resist effect that allowed the stencil designs to show through multiple layers.

Making a chunky book involves a lot of folding, hole-punching, and sewing but don't let that deter you. I find it meditative to give myself over to the repetitive work and let my mind rest. Instead of a long stitch method that involves using one piece of string to sew all the signatures, I decided to individually stitch each signature to the cover using a 5-hole pamphlet stitch. The button thread I used is thin and doesn't stand out too much against the cover. You could use a thicker or more vibrant thread for a totally different look.

Check out the video below for all the details! 

Thanks for stopping by the StencilGirl® blog and I hope you have a creative day!

Kirsten :)

You can find me on Instagram!

StencilGirl® Stencils:

Mix and Match Botanicals by Rae Missigman

Other supplies used:

Watercolor paper 

Drawing paper

Dictionary pages

Acrylic paint

Acrylic ink

Gloss gel medium

Matte medium

Palette knife

Makeup sponges

Scissors

Ruler

Button thread

Needle

Awl

Beeswax

Stenciled Fold Book by Kristin Peterson

Do you get totally obsessed about your newest stencils? I can hardly wait to try them out once they arrive and the 4-Point Star and Create Face are no exception. I have so been enjoying those two stencil in my art journals! I knew I wanted to use both of these in my latest project here.

I also love making little books. Size wise, this one is perfect for holding in your hands to look through and of course, a nice opportunity to use some of my favorite stencils. And if you are not familiar with how I roll in the studio-  this little book is a good mix of all the things I love- stencils, collage, fabric and stitching.

I started with a couple of long skinny pieces of paper and sewed the two together. Covered all of it in collage and the started layering some of my favorite stencils. Some of the magic and fun for me, is the layering of the stencils.

Here is the list of stencils I used for this project:
Vintage Ledger Numbers
Numbers Stencil (I had cut this one down- so just used the numbers)
20 Color Grid Swatch Stencil
Closed Leaves
Repetition Stencil
Fragmented Line Columns
Bittersweet Mini
4-Point Star Grid
Create Face
Layers of Scallop
Pickleweed
StencilClub- Aug 2013 

Once I was done with the stenciling, I decided where to place my folds in the paper.  I machine stitched the ribbon tab and vintage gold trim onto the top of the inner pages, and added corduroy pieces to the front and back covers to add some textural feel. The soft tan color of the corduroy fit so nicely with the overall feel of my book. 

I did glue the inner pages together to help keep the pages nice and easy to open. I did add a piece of dyed polka dot fabric to hide the book folds and to provide a more finished look. To complete the book, I added my signature initials on a little fabric tab on the back and added a piece of gold sari ribbon to hold the book shut. Here is a video so you can watch some of my process and see the finished book.

Thank you so much!
Xo.Kristin Peterson (artist behind: AlteredStatesStudio)
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/alteredstatesstudio/

Megan Whisner Quinlan: April 2021 StencilClub Stencils

Although I consider myself a Mixed Media maker, I think a close second would be as a book maker as well. I actually think both making mixed media and book making go hand in hand. Often, when I get burned out working in large journals, I turn to book making. When I received this month's StencilClub stencil set, I was immediately inspired to make a book.

Accordion books are some of the easiest book structures to quickly put together. I also really love to create a book as an "individual piece" of art. I try to make each one as a themed interactive project, almost like an extended journal spread in 3-D. 

I had a bunch of 300 pound watercolor paper in large sheets that I trimmed down to a 5" x 24" strip of paper.

I used Mary Beth Shaw's watercolor technique to create a background for the sheet.

Allow the paper to dry. 

Once the watercolor strip dried, I added this month's StencilClub stencil set in random places with Dina Wakley Marine paint to match the watercolors I had chosen. This also creates a more subtle effect so the background doesn't stand out too much. 

Using a bone folder to press down your folds, fold your paper in half. Take each end and fold into the middle crease creating 4 folds. Then fold each square in half. You should have 8 equal folds for your accordion book. 

Cut your recycled box into two covers, measuring slightly bigger than your folded accordion book. 

Now is the time to decide how you want to decorate your book and what your theme will be. I had definitely wanted to add some mini envelopes and vintage Tim Holtz ephemera and tags. 

Begin to glue down your envelopes and add your personal designs and marks on your pages. 

Decorate your cover with stencils and acrylics. I decided to have a tie closure for the book, as the heavy watercolor paper made the accordion more resistant once closed. I added about 7" of sari ribbon to the back cover between the page and the cover before I glued it together. Once the front covers was glued down, I let my book press under some heavy books for 24 hours.

Join StencilClub by April 15 to receive these three exclusive stencils and accompanying video tutorial with PDF, and 20% OFF STENCILS EVERY DAY!!

Hello! My name is Megan Whisner Quinlan. I have been art journaling and book binding for about 20 years. However, I took a 10 year break from paper arts when I had my first 2 children. About 5 years ago, I came back into journaling after some big life changes, including 2 more children. Journaling had always been a part of my life, especially to work things out in life on paper. When I first started out, I really only focused on making books by hand and some basic collage and stamping. I was intimidated by the amazing art journaling artists out there who could create elaborate, mixed media spreads.  When I came back to journaling after such a long break, I decided that I was going to really push myself to learn all the techniques I had been too afraid to try.  Painting and drawing have really allowed me to find so much joy in my creative process, and I now almost exclusively create mixed media every day. I feel excited to have joined the art journaling community and you can find me on Instagram @Megan_Whisner_Quinlan or on Youtube: Megan Whisner Quinlan.

Nancy Curry: Create Piano Hinge Tag Books with StencilGirl Products

Hi, everyone! Nancy Curry here! I’m always about the opportunity to arrive on the doorstep of the StencilGirl® blog.  It is always scheduled well ahead of time and coincidentally when this was scheduled a few months ago, I had just been introduced to the Micro Art Journaling Facebook Group by friend and artist Karyl Howard.  It’s a fascinating group that I only audit, but looking at all the tiny books there reminded me of a tag book that I had put in the last chapter of my book, Texture Effects for Rubber Stamping. I quickly decided that I’d like to update the project with some favorite current processes. 

I started with the grunt work and cut out the template (4 3/4” x 2 3/8” size) and with an Xacto knife as well as the outlines of two pieces of Utopia Matte Coated Cover so they were ready. If you want to look for shipping tags, look for size 5. Then I chose some colors of  Blick Matte Acrylics and Titanium White Golden Heavy Body for both samples and found my 3” x 5” Gel Press Plate. I chose Traci Bautista’s Love Collage and placed it on the Gel Press plate.  Then I took a palette knife and added my colors, brayered the color out over the stencil and lifted the stencil to print.  

Once printed, I also pressed the other side of the paper into the plate to give it some color.  My thoughts turned to the inside of the book.  For this I chose a 2” x 10” piece of heavyweight vellum.  I used Traci’s Tropical Floral Stencil with the same process, but focused on the darker color and the neutral that was used sparingly on the cover of the book to add contrast. Once dry I took my word  (StencilClub  Oct 2018) and linear element stencils and pounced a cosmetic sponge through them with a blue/black mix of paint to add a final layer of  interest.  I set my components aside to finish drying.

I repeated the process with different colors and Nathalie Kalbach’s Art Deco Wallpaper stencil and again reused Traci’s Tropical Floral stencil for the word “wonder”. A squiggle line from my designs last October in StencilClub finished the piece off.  For those of you in StencilClub, remember that you can order past months if you weren’t in the club when they released.

Now that both sets of papers were finished, it was time to start constructing the book.  The first step was to cut the template and score the tag fronts.  I generally hole punch (1/4”) at this point or it can wait till later.

I laid out the tag horizontally with the punch hole to the right and folded to the left side to make  a valley fold and creased with my bone folder.  I then reopened the tag cover and folded at the score in the middle of the hinge holes.  I repeated this process on the other set of hinge holes, noting that both folds should be mountain folds.  I creased these as well and then checked  the hinges alignment.  I found some overlapping parts and snipped them with tiny scissors to neaten them. 

For the inside pages, I took  the 2” x 10” piece with art face up and folded into the center to create a valley fold.  I opened it up and took each side and folded into center valley fold.  The next step was to fold from the center to outside crease.  Finally, I turned the paper over and folded to the center mountain fold. You should have an accordion booklet with two center pages.  I chose to have a word on those pages, but you do whatever you want. To finish, I attached the ends to the covers (close to the spine) with heavy duty double stick tape. I’m a particular fan of ScorTape. 

To finish and stabilize, I added a hole protector to the tag and decide how I wanted to hold the spine together. From past construction, I remembered that a toothpick with beads and 20 gauge gold wire work well.  Its totally whatever aesthetic goes with your surface decoration.  TIP: I did use a toothpick to stabilize the spine while inserting the wire for that type of spine. It makes it much easier to do. During this part of the process I also added a stamped word from my line of stamps to the cover.

I really enjoyed making these tiny books.  It’s a great project to do in between larger ones for fun.  I’d love to fill them with some poetry or quotes.  Both are also loves of mine.  I hope you have enjoyed the process.

For more of my art, you can find me at nancycurry.com or on Facebook and Instagram at Nancy Curry Art.  If you want to know about future classes or art sales, head to my low volume newsletter page. 

Stencil Reference Book: A Bookbinder's Stenciling Guide

Hello Beautiful Creative People, 

Kiala back again with an idea that I think will make you smile. 

Have you ever wished that you had a quick and handy reference book with all of the many StencilGirl® stencils you've happily accumulate? 

I have that thought every time I reach for my stack of stencils. In this tutorial I'll show you what I'm doing to create a quick reference of the more than 200 stencils I own. 

This little project started with my love for cards. I thought I would make one card for each stencil I own. After making 20 of them, I realized I was going to need a container for them. That's when my bookbinding radar lit up. 

I gathered my supplies and began: 

• Stencils -- All of them!!!!
• Acrylic Paints
• Chipboard
• Paper -- I used Mixed media paper cut to 3.5 x 4 2/8 cards. 
• Makeup sponge
• White washi tape
• Sakura Gelly Roll in Black
• A piece of old art from my stash
• Crop-a-dile hole puncher
• Single hole punch
• Utility knife (for cutting your boards)
• Ruler
• Pencil

Step One: Cut Your Card

I started with a 14 x 17 sheet of Canson Mix Media paper. I folded it in half and kept reducing it to half until I had a size I liked and that I thought would give me enough of the stencil image to be able to identify the stencil easily. 

Step Two: Mask A Strip at the Bottom of the Card(s)

I used a 3/8 inch wide piece of white washi tape that can be easily removed after I stencil the image. The tape helps keep a strip of the card white so I can write the details of the stencil on it after the paint dries. 

Step Three: Stencil the entire card (or a portion -- based on the stencil). 

I like the look of having the entire card covered with the stencil (except for the strip of course). I used my makeup sponge, but you could also use spray inks for this step if you prefer. I only stenciled one side of my cards, but you could totally do a different stencil on the back. The way this book works, it would be okay to have something on the front and the back of the card. I think I may have to do that so that my stack of cards doesn't get too thick. 

Step Four: Let the paint dry and remove the tape. 

Step Five: Add stencil info to the white strip. 

I used a black Sakura Gelli Roll Pen in 06 tip. 

Step Six: Punch Holes in the Cards

I used a single hole punch for the cards and a Crop-a-dile for the chipboard. 

Step Seven: Make a hard cover for your book

I used book board for my cover, but you can use chipboard or the hard backing from an empty paper pad. Basically anything that will behave like a hard cover for the book. 

I covered my boards with an old piece of art paper that was in my collage stash. I then added the StencilGirl® logo stencil to the front cover for an added element of pride!!

Step Eight: Assemble the book

This book structure is held together by a screw post that goes through the holes I made in the top left corner of my book. I like this mechanism because it allows the cards to swing in and out so I can see them easily AND it unscrews so that I can add more cards as I accumulate more stencils. Let's face it, I WILL accumulate more StencilGirl® stencils :-). 

The screw posts can also be extended by purchasing the extension pack, thus allowing for even more cards. 

Easy Peasy!!! You've got yourself a reference book for your stencils. You can add to it periodically. It took me less than 20 minutes to stencil 20 cards -- so that's about 1 minute per card -- and that includes the time for drying and adding the name to the cards. 

You might also consider how you want to organize them. There are lots of ways: 

• Alpha by name of the stencil.
• Alpha by name of the designer.
• Numerically by the number in the StencilGirl® shop.
• In order of most used to least used. 
• In order of size of the actual stencil. 
• You could group them by which ones are from StencilClub versus not StencilClub. 
• Your own random way of organizing your stuff.

Another thing I may do when I have them all done is add in section divider cards. White cards with headings on them, like -- name of designer, stencil club section, etc. 

I'm curious to hear if you decide to make your own set of stenciled reference cards. Share your images with us on social media. 

Until our next bookbinding adventure...keep stenciling!!!

xo

Kiala

STENCILS PICTURED:

Faces in the Crowd by Jennifer Evans

Soulful Scribbles by Traci Bautista

Spring Garlic by Daniella Woolf

Flicks by Lizzy Mayne

Pixels by Rae Missigan

Primitive Wedges by Terri Stegmiller

Corrugated Lines by Lizzy Mayne

Puddles by Rae Missigan

Basket by Daniella Woolf

Basket Weave Brick by Lizzy Mayne