Greetings Dear Unravelers and Happy Last Wednesday of September!
The months have reached the point where they just race on… and too darned fast if you ask me! I find it almost impossible that there are less than 100 days left in this year!
It’s been a slow making week for me… I have knit a bit on the Mystery Gnome (I am very behind, but I have yet to peek at any images from those further along than I am! I like prolonging the mystery!) And I made some progress on my September Socks… and I am admitting that I won’t likely finish a pair this month (but I am going to try my best to surprise myself!)
Stitched, which was not as easy as it looked in the video. I will purchase a curved needle before I make another book!
I did manage to stitch the signatures of my book together and I figured out a work around for not having any c-clamps. I did have a couple of sturdy scraps of wood and zip ties FTW! I began the glueing process yesterday… the waiting time between glue layers might have been hindered due to the humidity, but I got it done! Today, I am going to try and add a pocket to the front inside cover and call it good! I enjoyed this process very much! What a great way to use all those big sheets of watercolor paper…so once this book is full look for more handmade books in my future!
Just one more layer of glue to go!
Mostly, I have been working on “Puppy Proofing” my house. Sherman chewed on nothing… ever… but I am not expecting the same from a new puppy! We leave for Erie in a couple of weeks and when we get back we go to get that puppy! My “Fall Cleaning” list has expanded quite a bit and yes… I am feeling a bit behind in all.the.things!
The reading this week has been delightful though. I finished Pilcher’s September and I really enjoyed spending some time in Scotland with Violet and her (very) dysfunctional family. I did not think it was as good as The Shell Seekers (but could anything be better than that?) But Pilcher writes about flawed characters and allows them to work out their struggles on the page for the reader to “come along for the ride,” as it were. I also finished a book that Bonny put on my radar… Sing Like Fish. I really enjoyed this book that taught me so much about how fish “sing”… and Kingdon goes far beyond whale song. It was fascinating!
Bonus… it was a very good week for Book Mail! I got my copy of The Gnomes of Grimblewood AND Leaf, Cloud, and Crow.
The best book mail!!
I was very much feeling the deepest sorrow at starting the “final season” of The Comfort of Crows but now I will be able to continue on in December! Dearest Margaret has set up Leaf, Cloud, Crow beautifully. She invites you to a deeper relationship with the nature around you… as in, you don’t have to leave your backyard! She includes some suggestions on “how to pay attention” and each week has a beautiful quote to help inspire your writing. There are both lined pages for writing and blank pages for drawing. And the artwork, which is gorgeous, has been done by her brother, Billy Renkl. If you loved The Comfort of Crows and want to immerse yourself in the world of your backyard, Margaret has made it amazingly easy! I plan to use it together with Comfort of Crows… because, somehow, Margaret’s essay for each week always finds a commonality with what is going on in my backyard.
And I feel like I am working on setting a part of my journey for making next year… yes, there will be more gnomes! I like this idea… small, portable projects that don’t require swatching or ‘fitting’! Ha!
And there you have my week! What about you? What are you making or reading this week?
As always, if you wrote a post to share and want to join us as we Unravel our making and reading… please leave your link below! All are welcome!
I am not sure if I will post again on Friday… it really depends on how much I get accomplished on my list! If not Friday, I for sure will see you on Monday!
I’m so looking forward to puppy photos!
Wow – I can’t believe you MADE a book! I love how you used what you had and it all came together!
And that is a delightful pile of books. Enjoy all of your gnome knitting!
I must have been busy when you wrote previously about making books – will have to scroll back sometime. I’d lay bets on the next one being ‘a best seller’
There looks to be a fantastic sheen on the ‘brown/tan’ yarn you are using for the socks – or is just me? Also cables…one of my favourite stitches. And what fun….the year of the gnome is coming up
I have learned that I need to wait to see how each mystery gnome looks before I buy the pattern, and I have bought this one because I’ve seen it finished and love it! Of course, I expect your version will improve on the original!
I’m still reading September and am not even halfway through, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter — I’m just enjoying my time with it!
Your gnome is progressing and I think they will be waiting patiently. Your September socks look rich and fall-colored and I bet they will be waiting patiently, too. I love your bookmaking and binding, and especially you cleverly making your own C-clamps. And your book mail; it would be hard not to drop everything and dive right in. I can’t wait to see that adorable puppy!
I am so tempted by the book of gnomes.. so tempted. I just love the muted colours you choose for yours. What are you doing to me? Looking forward to meeting your new puppy. I have had two dogs myself, and I don’t think I could go through puppy fettling again.
Super cool book, Kat! I made a coptic bound book earlier this year (maybe last fall, even?) and I loved the process — but it made me feel ALL thumbs-and-no-fingers. (And that curved needle really does help.) I should have made another right away . . . to practice my skills. But I didn’t. So my next one will be like my first one, I’m sure. Anyway. Your book looks great – and I can’t wait to see what you put inside. (And I think I’m as excited about your new pup as you are . . . ) (Well. Probably not. But I’m pretty dang excited.)
I’m very impressed with your book making skills, Kat! Hooray for puppy proofing, it’s going to be so fun and having a puppy will bring you so much joy, I think. I’m enjoying September a lot but I think my favorite of Pilcher’s will remain Winter Solstice.
Genius workaround for “clamping” your book!!
Your book looks terrific. I like book-binding/making but it doesn’t feel as calming to me as stitching or needlework. I have a book, Cover to Cover, that I find is a good resource and I’ve been meaning to suggest it to you. If I can I”ll add a link here. I hope to get a copy of Leaf, Cloud, Crow.
Sorry, this is an Amazon link because it was quick. The book on bookmaking:
https://www.amazon.com/Cover-Creative-Techniques-Beautiful-Journals/dp/0937274879/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V2J2GUJKYZ3L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0mfTrk4miIFaXhwMFYYjNQm_FnUg1UZ1n_01WQOXHpC0sxt4OzxD0sQMAvLsUhDgO_eosKcNNcl-kWsLFCZqpZSMT7J4h4xZlxQs0mYhXwQK2ytzMS9cE9G5ajqObTBn1DFbz5TXhzDIdWF-5mzdJ2S8o8vkfFwWBMc7pwslEA6rvNtzCKJUKYJrqZ3LvZpAcUmp_FPO_EA_1193qpVBOTyy8EyocJmmbtS2pbPoYfI.zSsv3gtT0cYuJymX1npyCgOOHqZ2l8NDw-Vabuq7xnQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cover+to+Cover&qid=1727644579&s=books&sprefix=cover+to+cover%2Cstripbooks%2C166&sr=1-1
I am so excited for your puppy!!! look at your book – GAH! It is lovely!!