Logo 1000en1blog

Everything about paper, bookbinding, news flashes, creative ideas, a bit private and much more…

Categories

home Nederlands English

19 Nov 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Finally in the open

I am so enormously proud I can finally tell that my advent calendar is featured in the Passie category in the Christmas issue of ariadne at Home. It's a calendar I have been working on with great pleasure. If you turn your hobby into your job it's also nice every now and then to bind and make boxes just for yourself. And perhaps my experience as a teacher encouraged me a little bit. Filling the calendar with gifts, carols, poems and beautiful Christmas stories is no problem when you have 15 years of experience as a teacher.
Last weekend I had a (birthday) party and was I allowed to show my family and friends the article. The (exchange) vase was a super surprise ♥
The day of the actual shoot was such a marvelous experience and
a great day. Thank you Linda van der Ham (Production), Alan Jensen (photographer) and Nicolette Kuijlaard (text) for this wonderful cooperation!

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

16 Nov 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #25

Number 25 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. I will complete this project with a tradition from my youth. On Christmas Day there was always one book gift for my sister and one for me under the Christmas tree. I want to continue this tradition. This box is therefore tailored to hold a book. The stars are laced on the box with silk embroidery thread.

And I'm also very proud to reveal that my Advent calendar is featured in the upcoming Christmas edition of Ariadne at home. Today all subscribers of Ariadne at home will receive their copy of this edition in their mailbox. And as of Tuesday it will be available in stores and I will tell you more about it.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

13 Nov 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #24

Number 24 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. With this number I would also like to start a new tradition. Guusje and I love to be together in the kitchen and box #24 therefore is made for a nice cookie mix. On December 24 we will bake delicious Christmas cookies. This cookie mix is made by the sweet sisters from Lovelies. They have a range of unique & delicious sweets, candies and cookies that are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat! If you would like to offer something very special and super tasty during the holidays, please make sure you visit their website.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

9 Nov 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #23

Number 23 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje.
Years ago I bought a similar swirl at the Paper Biennale in Rijswijk from a Danish paper artist. In the picture of the font cabinet in the previous Advent blog post, you can see it hanging.
With the help of Guusje's grandmother (Sander's mother) I quickly mastered how to make the swirl. A box with a small gift is attached at the bottom of the swirl.
And today is my birthday, so a swirl is very appropriate on my blog.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

8 Nov 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #22

Number 22 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje.
A special box with a special story. I bought this closure at a very cosy Christmas market in Munich from a friendly gentleman with all kinds of handmade buttons from animal antlers. Something you will not just run into here in the Netherlands. So this closure was lying around for quite a while in a drawer in my studio and has now a special usage. Attached to the closure is a wire with small stars threaded and on the lid of the box I once more pressed golden stars with the foil press.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

5 Nov 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #20

Number 20 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. Christmas is all about memories, so where can you keep them? Of course in a hand bound album. On this sparrow I pressed little stars in my favorite color with my foil press. It was only while making number 16 that I stumbled upon my lead stars again. Apparently they were hidden in my font cabinet.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

30 Oct 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #19 and #21

Number 19 and 21 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. Until now, there was very little to snack in the calendar.
In our house we have several mobiles hanging around.
So a miniature mobile needed to be included too.
In these boxes there is room for Christmas candy, cookies or other goodies. There are three of us at home so for every one of us there is a box from which one can take something delicious every now and then.

And do you notice the stars in the background? This is a sneak preview of the magnetic board.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

26 Oct 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #18

Number 18 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. This is one of my favorites. During the heat wave this summer I made this box with a bow. The bow is imprinted with the foil press on both sides with blue dots. Can you imagine: outside temperature above 30 degrees and me working with the foil press at 112 degrees? The inside of the box is also imprinted with the same shiny dots.
And for the first time a gift in the calendar! The wrapping paper is specially designed for this calendar.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

P. S. I did want to provide the link of the website I came across for the DIY bow, but I cannot find the source anymore.

22 Oct 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #17

Number 17 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. A picture frame is also a product that cannot be left out in this advent calendar, of course with the little lady!
In the picture frame you can see the first sketch Marloes de Vries made of Guusje. The great final colored version is in our living room, really beautiful! Marloes did catch who Guusje is so well! It is so special to see how she managed to create a remarkable pencil sketch resembling Guusje. The first sketch is also dear to me and earned a spot in the advent calendar.

The picture frame is lined with vintage linen and paper I brought from San Francisco. And using the foil press I imprinted a blue heart. The inside of the picture frame contains two secret hatches in which a Christmas story can be hidden.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

15 Oct 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #16

Number 16 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. Another essential that cannot be left out in the advent calendar: candles.
The inspiration for this book came from a DIY "little booklets" in a magazine of the Stichting Handboekbinden issued in 2011.
I elaborated on it and put two glass jars with candles into it and punched extra holes in the pages forming small stars. A book for candles was born! I drilled the holes with perhaps the most ingenious tool I have in my studio: the screw punch.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

6 Oct 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #15

Number 15 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. A writing / drawing book can also not be excluded from this series. This is a small hand-bound booklet with sewn center fold. The closure is made of thread I had once bought in the textile museum in Tilburg. A place from my childhood! I grew up in a house full of weaving looms, because my mother followed a four-year degree in Ghent and often visited the Textile Museum in Tilburg.
The button had been laying in a clutter drawer for many years, waiting for a special project, and finally after all those many years its destiny became clear!

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

1 Oct 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #14

Number 14 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. Only 7 weeks to go as my personal deadline is November 15th! That leaves me two weeks to complete the calendar with all the small gifts.

You can make concertinas in different ways. This concertina has a small edge at the bottom, in which you can place your most beautiful Christmas cards.
And that “You've got mail” card? Another one from Miss Honeybird.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

25 Sep 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #13

Already number 13 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje.
This is actually a drawing folder, but in miniature format. Making an drawing folder was actually one of the dreaded mandatory assignments for the bookbinding exam. While in a large bindery, I had to crease the flaps of the folder right there.

Now I have my own creasing machine and creasing a piece of paper is just a breeze ;-)
The handmade paper heart comes from far away, all the way from Japan. A dear friend of ours is a pilot and one of his distant travels he and his wife bought me the paper. Thanks Ellen & Mark, I have cherished this paper for a long time in my paper cabinet and only now I have cut a small piece for this book in the advent calendar.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

13 Sep 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #12

Number 12 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. Of course my tags should not be left out in the advent calendar. The ones you see are very special and large tags! They have a secret compartment at the back in which I can slide a poem, story or song. And as of now I can also offer gold rings for the tags. I bought the dotted brown paper years ago in San Francisco.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

4 Sep 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #11

Number 11 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. This time a concertina. See how the angels and buttons shine a beautiful light on the concertina. Also in this booklet a magnet is attached on the back side. This way it can be clicked on the magnetic board. This little book will feature several different Christmas songs, with the absolute highlight:

♫ Dieren in 't stalletje,
wees toch eens stil.
Hier is een klein kindje,
dat slapen wil.
Boe zeggen de koeien,
dan zullen wij niet meer loeien. ♫

Scope in English:
Animals in the barn, please be quiet. There's a little baby that needs to sleep. Rhyming the animal's name and sound, all the animals promise to be quiet.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

26 Jul 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #10

Number 10 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. A small book containing three envelopes sewn inside.
These envelopes will hold three Christmas wishes and on Christmas Day, the book will be on the table with menu cards for starter, main course and dessert.

I bought the paper years ago in San Francisco, so it is very dear to me; while the coins were already waiting for a special project for even a longer time :-)

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

11 Jul 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #9

Number 9 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. While I was making the little ring boxes I couldn't resist making a similar box for the advent calendar. A little box for a little gift for a little girl (who thinks she's already very big!)

Meanwhile, in between finishing all my orders, I am still working on the other numbers and they are getting more and more enjoyable! I'm even setting up a dreaded piece from my bookbinding exam in mini format. The final piece #25 is already finished, but of course still top secret.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the posts about Project 2013.

20 Jun 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #8

Maybe not such a spectacular box, it's a smaller version of #2. But it is specially crafted for a gift I cannot write much about (yet).

For now, it is a convenient box to store the bells I recently bought in Munich. I found them to be such a perfect match! The linnen ribbon, which for now is holding the number cards, will also hold the Christmas ornaments: a bell, a tiny Christmas ball, a little angel ......

P.S. if you look closely at the picture top right you can see that the bottom is covered with special material. I have it in several little structures and also used it for the CD case of #3.

6 Jun 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #7

Number 7 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. Can you imagine, nine tiny compartments covered up to the bottom? Very fun to make and off course possible for larger boxes as well.

I made this box for December 7, when Saint Nicholas is on his way back to Spain and we can calmly start decorating the house for Christmas. That includes fun coloring (free) printables (nowadays you can find such nice ones on the Internet). They can be coiled and placed within each box. I secretly hope our little girl is also creative;-)

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the post about Project 2013.

24 May 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #6

Number 6 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje. I had never made a box with round shape before.
I laid down the foundation for this particular box back in January, when I already had developed the idea of making the Advent Calendar.

It is quite a difficult construction: the curvature must be equal everywhere and the positioning of your knife is very important.
On the other hand, it is a very nice and interesting technique.
I secretly hope to produce more round boxes in the future.

I produce the books and boxes for the advent calendar next to my current assignments. Sometimes I work on them for a few minutes and then they need to dry under some weight or in the press.
At the moment #7 and #8 are ready, #9 is hanging around in my workspace and last Wednesday I got some nice inspiration for # 10 while I was doing a tiny box for wedding rings for a customer.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the post about Project 2013.

17 May 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #5

Number 5 or Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje.
Naturally, a box with a drawer can not be left out in this series.
And I have consciously chosen this day because there is a lot attached to this day ;-) December 5 is a very special day in NL!
We celebrate the birthday of Saint Nicholas. And it is very exciting to be able to hide a small gift inside the drawer (as most gifts stick out from the other parts of this Advent Calendar).
On the back is a magnetic strip, so I can also click this box against the magnetic wall.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read all the post about Project 2013.

6 May 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #4

Number 4 of Project 2013, my Advent project in 2013 for little Guusje.
My first purchase on Etsy (many years ago) was a set of four cards from Lila Ruby King. At the time I thought it was something very special to order something in Athens, Greece, nowadays it is almost a normal thing ;-)

I find the idea behind these cards beautiful: “This card is hand made using collected and rescued fabric. The card used is between 75 and 100 percent recycled, the majority of which is post consumer waste paper. The envelope is recycled kraft paper. One ton of recycled paper uses 17 fewer trees to make than making paper new, how lovely!”
So far I have send three cards to dear friends, but I could not find it in my heart to send Bambi on her way. It was instant love with the little Bambi, second row from the bottom, second left. And now Bambi got her own place in the Advent calendar. For the years to come, in the month of December, Bambi will hang in our living room in the Advent calendar, along with 24 other boxes and booklets.
Box # 4 has become a high narrow box, 1.5 cm wide, containing beautiful cards with Christmas songs on them.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read the first post about Project 2013.

19 Apr 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #3

Number 3 of Project 2013, my Advent project for little Guusje in 2013.
December, St. Nicholas, Christmas… what would they be without songs? We like listening to music, so a Christmas album with children's songs is not supposed to be lacking in the advent calendar. Marianne and Ron Schroder's bookcase is full of fun books and CD's and therefore the CD from the sing-along book (stuffed with St. Nicholas and Christmas songs) will be put in this booklet. The book itself will find a place in another Advent box.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read the first post about Project 2013.

26 Mar 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #2

Number 2 of Project 2013, my Advent project for little Guusje in 2013. In this second little box I can keep all number cards from Elliefunday and on December 2, a small present.

Last week I made (some kind of) planning and some initial fun sketches. All kinds of small projects which will run along my normal assignments. Fortunately these projects are all quite small and there is an abundance :-) of cardboard scrap in my workspace.

Curious about the story behind this Advent calendar? Read the first post about Project 2013.

19 Mar 2013
Tag: Project 2013

Project 2013 #1

How I love the month of December!
You'll see beautiful and creative items popping up all over the web: from fun DIY to complete advent calendars. I almost bought such a calendar myself but in the end I could restrain myself ;-).
I always have a lot of respect for people announcing their 365-day-project. I know myself well enough to know that I am excited at first, but I never keep going on a daily basis.
Why not split a 365-day-project in 25 parts?

So, there you have it, my project for little Guusje in 2013:
25 different Advent boxes and books in which you can hide all kinds of small gifts. Next to the project of binding her photo albums.
If I start now I should be able to finish December 1, 2013!
A convenient set of 25 handmade boxes / booklets with magnets on the back so I can mount them easily to a magnetic board, relocate them with ease and store them conveniently in a small case.

When the idea of these boxes and booklets had settled in I started to look for beautiful numbers and stumbled upon the wonderful Advent calendar of Ellie Funday while visiting Bloesem Blog.
I instantly fell in love with those numbered cards.
For now we'll just hang in the numbers. As Guusje grows older, the texts will be added too!
Thanks Sarah and Elton Lin for the beautiful Advent cards!