Travel sketchbook, Art exchange oh my!

A custom sketchbook for a friend who is just about to begin her summer travels to far away lands that are close tot he heart. It all began with me lusting over one of her paintings and asking if she would produce a small version of it in exchange for a handmade book, tuque and wrist warmers. The two latter items have been half produced, but their seasonal timing is a bit off.. I will have to hand those over later.

This book cover is truly a delight, it is 100% silk with a printed photograph of a forest by Mazi Javidiani, a fellow alumni with more talents than I can count. When I saw his photograph, I knew right away I wanted it to be on a book cover. Initially I was thinking on semi-glossy paper but then the opportunity to print it on silk presented itself and so I went forth with it! The soon-to-be owner of this book had chosen a different fabric for the cover but I happened to have the silk when I met up with her and she fell in love with it too:) And thus is the result of such a story.

I hope to perhaps one day design my own book fabrics for covers..

Art/Craft swap!

I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to exchange a measly handmade sketchbook for such amazing art prints by the extremely talented Nicole Bilodeau, an ex college comrade who has gone on to make beautiful art.

Today we met at Ben&Jerry's to exchange goodies and stories. I hope this sort of thing happens more often, I'm already starting to think about dedicating a whole wall to display art I've collected!

I got all of this:

for this:

ain't I lucky??