So I spent last night finishing up my most recent Steampunk journal while re-watching a 3rd-season ep (or is it called season 2 now?) of Primeval (well, “listening” to it, anyway–it’s not easy sewing a book while watching tv, even just a pamphlet). This journal’s a bit different because I broke out of the brown/black/copper color scheme I’d been focused on and tried something quite different…

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I had an epiphany today and I don’t have them too often so I figured I should share it. I’ve been working on various ways to make the Steampunk design elements (mostly metal) work with book board, paper and leather and I think I’ve found a solution.

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Normally, I would write a post highlighting the book or doll I’ve made and give a few details (or a ton of details) about how I made it. This time I thought I would share some thoughts on the photos I used in listing this item, instead. There will still be lots of lovely images showing off the new book, I promise.

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Our Etsy bookbinding team is holding a holiday event from November 27 through December 5, featuring a giveaway. The most important question is, of course, what’s being given away? The answer? A most excellent selection of prizes–three gift baskets featuring nine (9) prizes in each basket and two $30 gift certificates to be used at the participating shops. There are 23 shops involved in this, all with some beautiful journals and book-related offerings. How do you get involved? Simply buy an item (or several) from one (or more) of the participating shops. For every $10 you spend in one of the shops, you’ll get an entry into the drawing (if you spend $30, you get 3 entries, for instance). This is a terrific way to take care of your holiday shopping and possibly walk away with some goodies for yourself. For more details, check out our team blog post with specifics, as well as links to the participating shops.

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I’m very excited to announce my inclusion in a recently published book called 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew by Garth Johnson.

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So I made my first Steampunk journal and posted it on Etsy yesterday. It was a challenge for me but fun and satisfying to complete it finally (took me quite awhile to engineer this one).

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Come join the summer fun as members from our Bookbinding Etsy Street Team grill up some yummy prizes. The Virtual BBQ Scavenger Hunt starts tomorrow and runs through midnight EST on Monday, August 3. One lucky participant will win a $30 gift certificate good at participating BEST shops on Etsy. For more info, check out the details on our team blog.

What better way to enjoy a BBQ without the calories!

Some of the other ladies on the Etsy Bookbinding Team (BEST–Bookbinders of Etsy Team) were discussing how they have maps on their walls and every time they sell a book to someone in another country, they add a pin to their map. Now, while I love this idea and I really would like to have a map on my wall (I’ve always wanted to have a big old antique-looking map on my studio wall), I’ve never had the wall space for doing this.

From a 1923 Map

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