Friday 17 February 2012

Tulkinghorn Page, Austen Love, Rebound Disney & a Knitted Journal

I've been watching re-runs of the fantastic adaptation of Bleak House (by the even more fantastic Andrew Davies) & here is a page because horrid Tulkinghorn, played by the wonderful Charles Dance, reminded me of something I need to do in circumstances that are out of my control.
In my large A3 sized journal due to the urge to get messy with mica
I've never talked about my love for classical novels & period dramas on this blog before, though I may have mentioned I'm a history geek, but it's what I threw myself into as a teenage girl. Still to this day my prized possession is a 30p copy of Pride and Prejudice that I brought at a small antiques shop when I was eleven, on a rather boring family camping holiday, but guess what??? I survived the holiday!!!
Later that year Andrew Davies' version of P&P came out & I, along with all the ladies that were much older than me at the time, swooned at the sight of Colin Firth. Soon I'd read all her novels, novellas & letters (which survived) and since then I've followed Jane Austen's footsteps EVERYWHERE, even to all the places that are not even connected with herself, but where her novels have been filmed (beautiful houses, villages etc). I decided to go to Winchester to study, not because of the university standard but because it's where she lived and is buried (and as she is buried in the Cathedral I graduated in front of her). When I was 22 I brought myself a second (but another vintage) copy of Pride and Prejudice from the small bookshop at her house in Chawton, the first having fallen to into at least 3 pieces, and vow to buy myself a new (to me, but old) copy every 11 years from a special connected place.
Perhaps this is where my love of vintage ephemera comes from? I dunno but I recently found a bunch of old vintage Disney books that are in much need of love - having been subject to kiddies & crayons etc - so I'm transforming them into useable journals, with a variety of papers inside but also with the whole book still preserved in the original reading order.
The binding is a simple spiral bound and it is a easy, practical way to keep something old and precious in a required modern item. This book is available in my shop, but why not give it a go yourself if you have any damaged or unloved old books around?

Finally I want to show you this journal, which I've been hinting at when I've shown you a couple of completed pages within, and that I have made with my Grandmother's knitting & a ton of old beads:
I know some of you lovelies have already seen it as it has been uploaded nearly a week now but here is a video I have made of this journal, so you can see it yourselves and how it was made, as I talk about the stitching and give my tips for bookbinding with soft fabrics etc and also the second half is a speed process of creating the first art journal page within it.
Wow what a long post, I'm very sorry I'm not usually this bad, that's what happens when I don't post when I say I will (yesterday in this case) something builds up like a science lab experiment till I'm bubbling over lol. Linking with Paint Party Friday & Studio Sneak Peek, come join some of the most awesome artists in blogland :) Much Love, Jennibellie xx

34 comments:

  1. Swoon Colin Firth, yes I do. Lots of Jane Austin lovers in the world. I like the binding on the Jungle Book too, your knitted homage to your gram and the heart made out of buttons is so sweet. xox Corrine

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  2. Oh, oh, oh...I want to go through the kids' old books and comb through garage sales now to do those disney journals!!! Plus just thinking about following Jane Austin around!!! Then you end with that textural, beaded delight - I have a box full of papers and euphemera in the home office/art studio all inspired by your link-ups!

    Have a great weekend!

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  3. Loving both your beautiful projects. Happy PPF and have a great weekend, Annette x

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  4. Now that's what I call a title!

    I really like the large journal page, and it kinda sums where I am at the moment too.

    As for the books, we're finding all sorts of old books as we're clearing out, so they're going to the craft shop to be sold, so people can tear them apart and recycle them :)

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  5. Wonderful art and journals. I haven't seen the show you were talking about but now I really want to!

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  6. Your grandmother's knitting journal is really cool! Very unique and personal. I have to tell you...I was here earlier and read this post and intended to leave a comment... but for *some* reason I jumped up and put on my DVD of P&P instead!!! (It helped me get thru that silly page I was having trouble with, so thank you!) Happy Happy Weekend to you :)

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  7. It is a truth universally acknowledged that you are a very creative and talented lady, and I hope possessed of a good fortune...

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  8. What a lovely story behind your Jane Austen fascination! And so cool to create the eleven year tradition. I think my favourite is Emma, (I've not read it -heathen!- but I've seen a few adaptations), and I have a very old copy I bought from a charity shop years ago, which is also falling apart. Unfortunately I don't have the skill at bookbinding that you have, so I'm not touching it until I feel confident to re-bind it.
    I love the re-bound jungle book - brilliant!
    xx

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  9. A long post!!! Oh no, it's lovely and chatty and full of coolness! So...now I'm going to have to delve into Austen, ashamed to say I never had, but oh dear, I was going to work on my "JenniBellie inspired" journal this weekend and then make some "JenniBellie inspired" foil beads and then......Okay, reaching for the chocolate, always helps me decide and the little foil wrappers would look sweet as a background page!!!! (Thank goodness it's the weekend)

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  10. You have so many creative and beautiful projects.
    That kniting with the beads is so wonderful and personal.
    Happy PPF!
    Sheri Cook
    Happy Horse Studio

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  11. LOVE P&P and Colin FIrth, and love how this Jungle Book looks too! so cool!

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  12. Beautifully written post and art!
    Super-inspiring!! :)
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  13. I love period dramas and all those books as well, and though I love Austen I am a huge Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell reader... North and South is my favourite and I have read it and watched it so many times it is a bit sad really... love what you are doing with the disney books and the video is fab as always.. xx

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  14. Oh I love the button heart! SO sweet! :) And I love the background of that first piece. It is beautiful... such pretty colors! :)

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  15. Wow ! Lots of wonderfully creative work ~namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy PPF ^_^

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  16. I love Pride and Prejudice too, and have all the versions! Even the Indian one which is kitschy! My son always teases me about it because ever since he was small, he sees me watching one version or the other! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  17. I am fascinated by historical movies and series, too. I've read a lot of Jane Austin and seen almost all the versions of all the movies from her books, I think. ;)

    Love the re-cycled children's book and your grandmothers yarn squares cover. What a keepsake!!

    I didn't think your post was long, either. When you are excited and have things to share--hey, could be even longer as far as I'm concerned! :)

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  18. Love taking vintage children's books and 'sprucing' them up...such a sweet knitted/buttoned/beaded journal...purchased an adorable little 1915 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book in a FAB Winchester bookshop...love Jane Austin too! Visited a friend who was a professor at that University and of course had to visit Jane. Thank you for sharing your creative gifts with us. Aloha.

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  19. Very cool antique ephemera. I bet those Disney books are worth something! Your knitting and beads is very nice. Happy PPF! :-)

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  20. your long post is totally fine because there is so much to see and appreciate! thank you for sharing,
    hugs, peggy aplSEEDS

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  21. What a beautiful painting. I am a sucker for those BBC adaptions too. And old books in need of a loving "retirement home"? Shelves full of them.

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  22. Very nice. Great idea too.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  23. You are soooooooo creative.
    Love everything about this, your posts, videos, and sharing your wonderful talents with all of us!! :]

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  24. I really like your delicate A3 page. I think that the mica lends itself to delicate work and soft colours.
    The knitted book cover is brilliant.
    Loved the video too!
    xx :)

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  25. LOVE the patchwork knit & beads journal cover!

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  26. I always love coming here and finding all of your great creations ! They make me smile :0)

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  27. Love the video and how the journal cover turned out. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  28. Beautifully created with a touch of whimsy...adore this style of work. So inspiring !

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  29. I love that old stuff too. But...have you ever seen "Lost in Austen" ? I found it hilarious to see a modern day girl getting mixed up in the world of Pride and Prejudice. If you haven't you really should see it sometime, it's out on dvd. Unless of course Austen is holy to you, than you would consider it sacrilige, haha.

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  30. Too precious... everything about this post makes me smile... your love of history, your beautiful work, and especially your journal with your grandmother's knitting. Your creativity always floors me. So glad i came for a visit. xoxo

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  31. i love this! jungle book is my favorite disney movie!

    on an unrelated note, have you seen this-- http://laughingsquid.com/hypergraphia-artworks-on-used-coffee-cups-at-the-flatiron-building/

    i saw this story and thought of you because i know you do so much amazing stuff with upcycling in your art. i thought this was kind of a cool concept and the visual of them hanging in the window was pretty stunning. just thought you might like to see it! :-)

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  32. Oh, Colin is terrific isn't he? :) I love Jane Austin too and I am amazed and delighted at your hobby of visiting all things related to Jane Austin. The "Watch and Wait" is wonderful and I am in love with the background pattern. I have so much fun visting your blog and channel. Please note that I posted today on my blog about my little neice and her friend. Remember the story I told you about? I posted their work that you inspired:))

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  33. You have a lot going on girly!!! They are all wonderful!!

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  34. YouTube says the video is no longer available, on both your blog and via YouTube webpage. What happened to it? I was really curious as to how that journal was made

    Erika

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