Monday, September 7, 2015

Binding A Deck Of Cards Into An Art Journal

If you read my last blog post, I took a wonderful class from Seth Apter, where we painted and collaged a deck of playing cards. During the actual class, I was only able to finish 10 cards, but this weekend I completed the entire deck (minus one - my deck only has 51 cards, I bought it from a thrift store).
It was so addicting collaging each one. I used a mini deck of cards, which made completing each card just a little bit quicker.
Below is a picture of the back sides.
Seth didn't bind his cards together, but I felt I would loose one if I didn't. So I used a modified Coptic binding technique that I made up to bind the cards together.
After binding, the book is about 4" long - very thick!
 I used black waxed thread to bind the cards together.
There's not many binding techniques for binding single sheets together. Normal book binding is done by creating stacks of folder papers called signatures.
I really like how it came out and now don't have to worry about loosing any of the cards. I can also turn the pages and lay them out flat, which will allow me to journal on the back sides of the cards. Seth's idea was to journal once a week on each card - filling up an entire year with one deck - so clever!
Here's some close up shots of the cards...
I sprayed a clear coat on top of the cards. I like the finish and it really protects the cards and makes it sturdier for binding too.
That was such a fun project. Thanks to Seth for a great class and Andrea for hosting it in her wonderful workshop, A Work Of Heart!

Happy Labor Day!

17 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness….these are fantastic! Each one of these cards is so
    fun to look at and a work of art! Love how you binder them all together. I like
    the typewriter washi tape cover….perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your cards turned out beautiful and I love how you bound them together. I like the girl with the red roses on her hair. How do you journal the back side, if there is paint on it? Do you add a piece of paper so you can write on it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seth suggested we can use a white pen - I think that will be a great idea.

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous!!! I'm doing Seth's workshop in november and will definitely be trying to bind them like yours!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your collages are fantastic. What are a great piece to display and play with... thank you for the inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fantastic! It has taken me a year and a half to get around to finishing all of my cards since I took that class from Seth. Yours are fantastic, and I love the way you bound them!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'll be doing this class in a few weeks in the UK. I'm looking forward to it. I was thinking of binding them together too.Yours look amazing. I love every single one of them :) Michelle x

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are beautiful!! I have many completed projects that are perfect for this binding style. You have inspired me to try the coptic stitch. Thanks for sharing this amazing project!

    ReplyDelete
  8. In looking at these further, I just love how the black paint draws them all together. May I ask how you did this? Did you paint both sides the same, with black paint, then the other colors on top? Thanks much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We covered both sides with black gesso as the base coat, my first time using it. But basically we did paint both sides the same and added colors and textures on top.

      Delete
    2. Thank you! I keep forgetting that gesso comes in black. I love how you used it here!

      Delete
  9. Connie those are adorable cards. And I love how you made them so they are altogether!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous! I just started making art journal cards.

    ReplyDelete