Ingeborg Ingeblog

I MADE A BOOK

I’ve always loved paper arts like creating stationary and publishing but have never taken it very far.  Yesterday I decided to try my hand at bookbinding and came out with a solid finished product.  I’m interested in continuing to experiment with bookbinding and even small-scale publishing.  

Here’s how I did it: 

Materials:  

*  Cutting mat

*  Acrylic ruler

*  Box cutter or exacto-knife

*  A needle & thread

*  Glue stick 

*  Rubber cement 

*  Bone Folder

*  25 sheets of vintage letter paper

*  A piece of scrapbook paper

*  A cereal box 

*  Pencil 

Some of the materials 

Using the acrylic ruler to measure, I cut each sheet in half

Next, each sheet needs to be folding in half individually (yes, this is a pain in the ass but it’s worth it because it is easier to guarantee each sheet is folded perfectly)

Using a bone folder helps make a perfect crease, it will also come in handy later.

Then, take ten sheets and lay them one on top of the other

…And even them out

Next, make a mark in the crease every half inch

Then poke holes with a needle 

There will be ten holes total

Next, sew through the holes then go back and sew them the other way.  Don’t tie the end of the thread just leave a few inches at the end. It is easier to start on the inside of the crease. 

Once you’ve sew it tie the ends together.  Just a double knot is fine.  

Then fold it back the opposite way so the knot is on the outside instead of the inside.  

Crease with the bone folder

Repeat the process until you have five of these

I don’t have a picture of this part but … 

the next step is to make sure these are very straight and even, clamp them together with binder clips, and slather the seams together with rubber cement.  Keep it clamped while the glue dries.  Then, take the clamps off, set it on the table, put a sheet of wax paper over it, then stack on some super heavy text books to press it all together.  

While it is pressing under all those heavy books, cut the back off a box of cereal.  Then, measure it to to be about 5.5” x 10”. 4.25” in from one end, make a line with the pencil.  Then, take the pressed book and line it up with the pencil line, and make another line on the other edge.  (So you know the part for the spine will be the right size).  Measure 4.25” from the second line and trim the excess.  

Using your exacto knife, score the two lines.  Don’t cut all the way through.  

Bend it so it is book-like

… make sure your book fits.  Then, stick the book back under the pile of heavy books to keep it pressed. 

Cut a piece of scrapbook paper (something of a heavier weight with a color or design) so it leaves about an inch all the way around your cardboard.  Use a glue stick to attach it.  Use your bone folder and rub it over the paper to remove any air bubbles.  

Cut the corners off and score all around the edges of the cardboard with the bone folder.

fold over the edges, glue, rub with the bone folder.  Then, crease the spine.  Add rubber cement to the spine, generously but not to close to the top or bottom and wedge in the book.  Use a glue stick to attach the first and last page to the cover.  

BAM! IT IS A BOOK!

YAY!

IT STANDS ON ITS OWN

Then, throw it back under the heavy book pile to press it some more so it lays flat.  

More books to come!! 

MAY 20 

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen? Adrien Brody? Paris? Need I say more?  Just from the ambiguous trailer this movie looks incredible.  The colors are so beautiful and the scenery in the film looks like it highlights some of the wonders of Paris.  Other than Brody, the film features Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen (Weasley Snipes from 30 Rock!), Carla Bruni, and Marion Cotillard.  

MAY 27

Tree of Life

I almost don’t care what The Tree of Life is about because it looks so beautiful to watch.  The movie goes back and forth between the present day and the 1950s, the adult life and childhood of Jack (Sean Penn!) as he examines his relationship with his stern father (Brad Pitt).  The imagery-heavy film looks pretty intriguing.  

JUNE 3

Beginners

Mike Mills (Thumbsucker) directs Beginners, a film focused around Oliver (Ewan McGregor) who has based his whole world view on the marriage of his parents.  After his mother dies he must deal with his seventy-something year old father coming out of the closet and having terminal cancer.  

JUNE 24

Page One

Being the world’s number one journalism nerd, nothing gets me hot like The New York Times.  For every j-school student or grad, NYTimes is the ultimate goal.  This documentary promises a look into the most successful news room in America.  Some of the country’s best journalists talk about the state of the industry today, examining issues like the death of the physical paper and profitability of online editions.  

JULY 22

Captain America

I don’t think anything even needs to be said here. 

Something every suburb should have, somewhere anyone can go, a place open almost all the time— everyone needs a place like the Ashbary in their life.  Where ghosts and nerds collide and bond over PBR and stand up comedy; the Ashbary’s community welcomes all.  

Going to the Ashbary feels like going to a friends house, complete with a welcoming porch, comfortable couches to for hours of nintendo and Family Guy, snacks and sandwiches, cheap beer, and that kid who just won’t put down his acoustic guitar.  They offer books and board games, pinball and the like.  

The menu is varied beyond the typical latte, mocha, cappuccino Starbucks stuff.  They offer creative creations like white-chocolate strawberry milk shakes.  Desserts at The Ashbary are incredible, and they don’t skimp.  The brick-sized brownies, loaded chocolate chip cookies and decadent cakes are big enough to share.  Also they sell wraps and deli sandwiches, but I’m never there early enough to get one.  

On Thursday nights The Ashbary welcomes guest to come upstairs for free improv.  While not always the most epic comedy, I never turn down a free laugh.  It’s at least something fun to do during the week.  

The Ashbary is located in Willow Springs at 8695 S. Archer Ave and they are open 10 am to 1 am.  

Recently, I’ve been contemplating my future and freaking the eff out because I realize once I leave the [false sense of] security blanket curtesy of NCC I’m pretty much diving into a black hole of poverty and uncertainty.

For the past ten years I’ve focused my life on becoming a journalist. I’m crazy about journalism. I love reporting and writing, going to events, interviewing, and getting to learn new things all the time about the world around me. I’ve been actively involved with school publications since junior high. I’ve been to multiple journalism camps.

But I don’t know anymore. Yeah, I’d love to be a journalist but let’s be real, it’s a tough market out there. So I made a list answering the very basic question, what do I wanna be when I grow up? I’m interested in many things and could potentially have a very satisfying life as a…

•Political Scientist (researching September 11th causes and impacts on our generation/ American relations with the Middle East OR American female politicians)

•Photographer for a fashion magazine

•Personal stylist (I already do this but could turn it into a career, maybe)

•Fashion journalist/ blogger

•Marketing/ advertising (something in this industry)

•”Creative director” for a small business

•Social Media strategist
•White House Corespondent

•Technology Journalist

•Investigative reporter

•Beat Reporter in a really cool city only

• Photojournalist

•Photographer (no weddings or portraits)

•Graphic Designer

•Trophy Wife

•Travel writer/ photographer

•Event planner (not really but I could do it)

• Own an art gallery

•Movie Reviewer

•Art Director for a magazine

•Constitutional Scholar

•Stationary Designer

•Life of crime, preferably in Amsterdam.

Now, what’s a career that combines all of these from constitutional scholar to fashion photography?