I was happy to find an old shopping bag that had one color pattern on the inside and another color on the inside, as I figured that would make it easier for me to fold. I thought that this was a great class and I am reasonable happy with my project. I found it helpful to steam iron my bag before beginning in order to minimize the pre-existing folds. I had a wee bit a trouble in turning in the first and last pages into the triangular pocket on the end papers. The front went in smoothly, but on the other side I felt it was to bulky. I decided to add my own modification by omitting this step. Instead I used some old washi tape to tape down the endpapers and I also made little functional pockets from some extra rectangles of scrap paper and washi tape. The book was a little floppy for me, so I sewed down some of the pages, I just winged it, maybe I should have planned the sewing up a bit more. I think that I will use this book as a doodle sketchbook to experiment with some acrylic paint pens that I just got, so I made a doodle monster with acrylic paint pens on scrap paper and put him in the front pocket. Finally, I used one the the ribbons from the bag handles to tie the books closed.

 

For my my second bag book, I found an old Bloomingsdales bag.

Again, I did do one small modification. I did not tuck the first page into the inside end page, instead I sewed the end pages closed with a simple zig zag stitch on my sewing machine while adding inside little pockets. I did not sew the center spine on the one as this book seemed not to need that and I liked the idea of being able to accordion out the pages for larger spreads. Overall I am happy with this project.

 

 

 

For my my third book, I used an Kiehl’s brown bag. Originally I planned for the Kiehl’s graphics to be on the outside of the book, but I didn’t end up liking that result. So I unfolded the book and refolded inside out to the original conformation. What I did like about the Kiehl’s paper is the paper, the paper is slightly thicker and better quality than your average brown bag. I was pleasantly surprised how well the paper handled watercolours, gouache, fountain pen, ink and wash and acrylic paint pens. I have been hesitant to use expensive art papers and having a free sketchbook loosened me up to just have some fun. Thank you!