Chunky Fat Book Sign Up

[kygirl]

Back before Christmas, we had a discussion about putting together a Chunky Book swap. In a chunky book swap, participants design 4x4 art around a selected theme. They make enough copies for everyone in their group (in our case 10) and add embellishments to make the work chunky. Embellishments might include glitter, ribbons, a pocket with a note inside, charms, etc.

Traditionally, artists make copies of their work and send it to the coordinator to be bound into books. But, here at DAQ, we've had good luck handling our own mailing. So in our case, we'd mail the completed pages to each other, and then you could bind them at your local copy shops.

Or for about the same price, you can put your pages in these adorable little 4x4 accordian albums (http://www.allmymemories.com/main.cfm?categoryoid=11&productoid=267) at All My Memories. They're on sale now for only $5.99, so if you're interested in participating, you might want to place an order now. (There's a great article in this month's Somerset Studio that shows how these albums can be used.)

We have openings for 10 participants in the first group. The theme will be "What is Art?" If you want to participate, please post here and PM me your mailing address.

There's a lot going on here now, so the deadline for your finished pages isn't until April 15.

If you'd like to see some great examples of some Chunky Book pages, check out the Altered Art Obsession (http://tisjewel.livejournal.com/tag/fatbook) blog. Be sure to check on the group numbers to see the full gallery.

Participants

1. Donna
2. Bonnie
3. Lisa C.
4. Alice
5. Kim
6. Lisa (Vania16)
7. Marratje
8. Kate
9. Becky
10.

[graybonnie]

I want to play!! Thanks Donna for getting this started.

[lisacohen]

Count me in!!! Thank you for this opportunity to participate! :-)

[Nevermore]

Donna, the link in your post isn't working. Can you please check it out? I would love to investigate this.

[kygirl]

Ooops. Looks like that website listed in my original post is no longer working. I've expanded the description in the original post to add info and examples. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[ScrapAlice]

I'd like to play, too! May I please?

[Nevermore]

I would like to play. This sounds very interesting. What will our theme be?

[kygirl]

Oh good, I'm so glad you folks have signed up. I think this is going to be such a fun project.

The theme is going to be "What is Art?" Make this topic your own -- let us see what art is to you.

[Vania16]

Count me in too :) This sounds like fun!

[Marretje]

Donna I love to join, but before I say yes I have a few questions, because here stopped my English for a minut and I don't understand everything well, I think.

It sounds for me as a kind of circle journal but what I understand is that I make ten the same or a kind of the same, real, pages and send them, not by email but by mail, to all the other groupsmembers. Like a kind of ATC-swap, but the format is 4x4. When I have received all the pages I could make one book of it. Am I correct or did I misunderstand something.

The other question is, is it digital, or half, half or only with real material.

Thanks, it sounds for me as fun, if I had understand everything well.

[kygirl]

Good questions, Marretje. Yes, each participant would make 10 copies of their 4x4 digital art pieces. This is a great size because it's so inexpensive to have prints (4x6) made. Then you can add embellishments if you want to make it chunky.
You'll mail 9 of the copies to the people on the mailing list, keeping one for yourself. You'll be receiving 9 copies in the mail with which to make your own book.
I'll need mailing addresses from each of the participants so that I can distribute the list to everyone.

[Marretje]

Oke, I'm in too, I love the size 4x4 to work with. Thanks for starting this. I will send you my mail-adress.

[digime]

Donna, this sounds like fun and I'd love to join in. And thanks for asking those questions Marretje...I was wondering the same things! :)

[Nevermore]

Donna, still in a bit of a fugue here but getting better. Can you tell me if those sites give clues on how to "bind" or put the book together? I have a feeling that this will be my biggest challenge.

[webchyck]

Can I play?

[kygirl]

Donna, still in a bit of a fugue here but getting better. Can you tell me if those sites give clues on how to "bind" or put the book together? I have a feeling that this will be my biggest challenge.

Kim, if you buy the journal from All My Memories, all you have to do is paste the layouts onto the pages. Another option is to make covers for the album and have it bound at a local copy shop. Or, you could put together a simple 4x4 accordian album: cut 12x12 paper into 3 4x12 strips. Fold the strips into 3 4x4 blocks, and overlap the strips to form an accordian. Then you'd paste your layouts onto the folds.

Me, I'm doing the AMM album. I always like easy.

I've put you on the list. If you'd rather not play, don't worry, just let me know.

[kygirl]

We've got room for one more! Who wants to play?

I'll get the addresses to you later this week. Remember, you have until April 15 to mail your layouts.

[Marretje]

Donna did you send the address-list? When you did I probably don't get it. Sometimes I have some problems with my mailserver. If you have would you try to send me the list again, thanks.

[kygirl]

Mar, I'll be sending out the list today. I was hoping we would get one more participant, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I'll do an intro page, in addition to my layout, to bring the number up to ten.

My little albums arrived in the mail yesterday. They are just so stinking cute. I didn't realize it, but they have plastic pockets on the pages, so all I'll have to do is stick the layouts into the appropriate spots. Too cool!

[Marretje]

Sounds great, your book, here in the Netherlands they sold only very expencive ones so I be make it by myself.

Looking forward to all the other pages. I have so much fun to make mine, I'm almost ready and at this moment I'm a little inky of the distress ink :D, and then the pages are ready to send.

Thank you so much for starting this and hosting, I really love this.

[Nevermore]

Donna, I finally found the quote for my page! I have dumped Chagall for Henry James. It is probably coming at it backwards to need the words before the picture --but, hey! this is a book. And now I am going to go check the link you gave for the books. Much as I appreciate your cutting instructions I have learned it is best for me not to cut if I don't have to!

[Nevermore]

Ixnay on the link. The cute little album was $5.99. Shipping was $19.00.

[kygirl]

$19? They're not made of lead! I'll check at the post office and see how much it would cost to mail you one. $19 is just ridiculous.

[Nevermore]

Well, I did think the 3:1 shipping to product ratio was a bit over the top! I am not too surprised, though. That would be fun, Donna but don't sweat it too much! Now that April is just around the corner I should get my butt in gear with this one!

[Nevermore]

I started producing my pages today. Put me in mind of the old ATC days. I wanted to use a punch to make a slit so I could affix my fat chunky thing. Well, I used the canvas paper Robyn sent me. Wow! Did that punch get beat up! But in the end it won and tore my page to shreds. I couldn't get the darn paper out! I have abandoned the idea of punching a slit.

I have discovered I can hammer a hole in and that is what I plan to do. Pages are printed, they just need "holed" and altered. I am looking forward to the altering, not so crazy about the hole punching!

I found a lot of great quotes about art so that was a neat resource gathering task.

I have started on illustrating Wallace Steven's 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. A friend of mine, unsolicited, asked if I wanted some photos. Yes, they were blackbirds. This was the day after I read this poem for the first time. Kinda creepy, no? What is crazier is that she sent me exactly 13 photos of blackbirds. I felt like I had a bull's eye painted on my forehead with an arrow sticking out. The message attached to the arrow was "Thou shalt scrap Wallace Steven's poem".

[webchyck]

Don't know if anyone's received my fat book page yet, but I did mail them all this week. I hope the mail machines aren't tearing the envelopes to shreds. They were a wee bit puffy what with the attached embellishment which is metal, so I fear for them, but I will trust they will arrive in one (or two) pieces. Knowing that you all have adhesives of various sorts gives me comfort.

[Nevermore]

Becky, did you have Lisa Vanier's address? That is missing from my list.

[kygirl]

Becky, did you have Lisa Vanier's address? That is missing from my list.

Tossing out you e-mail again, Kim? I'll send it to you. It's Lisa Howell.

[Nevermore]

Well, I sputter. In fact, I have the original list! That is why I know somebody is missing. However, I have replaced it with the complete list! I am thinking if I am really quick, I might be able to double envelope some (thinking there are some Fat Chunky ATCers). Speaking of fat, chunky and chocolate, time for me to grab a Caramilk bar, some hot chocolate and a good book!

[kygirl]

Well, yes, I am a fat, chunky ATCer, but I prefer the term voluptuous crafter. ROFL

[graybonnie]

Becky...your very cool chunky arrived Saturday save and sound!

[Vania16]

I received mine in good order too :) It's so cool!

[kygirl]

Becky, I love the card. Aren't you clever? I've been working on mine today, and I'm discovering that the chunky part is the hardest part. My goal is to get them done by the weekend.

[ScrapAlice]

Got the chunky page from Becky today, and it's very clever. I'm putting the chunky parts on mine tonight, and hoping to get them and the March and April ATCs all out by this weekend. Sorry I've been slow this time. :o

[Nevermore]

I find it interesting that because I have to make it chunky, I have WHIPPED OUT the digital page and am working on the altered part. Like Donna, I find it the hardest. The point being that normally I sweat the digital end for the ATCs but I got over that so fast for this challenge because I was (am) sweating the chunky part. I was thinking about how I am going to ship these. Probably just a wee bit of bubble pack.

You know, don't you, how flipping chuffed it makes me to go about my business (dry-cleaning pick up, pay some bills, tidy the house, go to work) and have to think about how I am going to ship my art internationally! Makes me feel so uber cool! This has got to be one of the neatest things I have ever done! Seriously.

[Marretje]

and have to think about how I am going to ship my art internationally!

I have the same problem but I think I have probably found a solution. What to think about an empty CD box. The old ones are a lot higher. I have tried one and it works. At least my metals couldn't get stuck in a machine or something.

I'm totally fall in love to make this kind of books. And you are all right, however I love this part the most I needed more than one hour a page for the chunky part :rolleyes:. But as far as I can see I think I can finished them today and send my pages out tomorrow.

Can hardly wait to receive the other pages I'm so curious where you all came up with. I think that is the part I love the most, the suprise of seeing all your artwork. My greatest fear is that I use a quote which also is used by one of you.

[Marretje]

Was NOT a good idea of me, the CD boxes, got a heart-attack :eek: by the mail costs, so a puffed envelope works too. Well I'm ready and I just bring them to the mail.

Thanks Donna for the idea and starting the Chunky Fatbook, I have found so much joy to working on the pages.

[kygirl]

I am so tickled that all of you are enjoying this. I placed my mock-up page and Becky's completed page in my cute little journal last night, and walked through the house making everyone marvel at how cute it was. I really do get happiness from the simplest things. LOL Can't wait to see it completed.

[Pixeldigger]

ATCs are art too, so Nevermore has been shipping her art internationally for AGES!

[webchyck]

So glad you're all receiving my chunky page in tact! The only thing is, I realized after they were done, that if someone was going to BIND them like a lot of fat book project participants do, I made that impossible with my ribbon/clip on the left! I may go with binder rings at the top! We'll see what you all come up with. Was my page chunky enough? It seemed so simple, not in the spirit of chunkiness at all. I don't know why I'm second-guessing it! LOL!

[Nevermore]

Becky, same arrived intact tonight. I love it! And such clever cutting!!!

[webchyck]

Clever cutting? You mean the fact that I didn't injure myself or cut off the dude's feet?

[Nevermore]

Okay, that one made me snort.

[Marretje]

Becky your page arrived today safe and sound, just gorgeous, I love it and now I know what Donna means.

[Nevermore]

One of the beauties of having everyone pick on you without mercy is that you no longer have to censor what you write because...

So, I have to tell you, my fat chunky pages are lined up on my desktop finished (unless I put a back on them. I may but may not!). Each is slightly different and they look so cool I have been considering doing a second run so I can keep these. I love them. Max helped me with them. Becky's page looks totally cool beside them--this is going to be one mean fat chunky book!

[webchyck]

Well, I can't wait to start getting some in my mail box...have not decided for sure how I am going to bind them. Perhaps spiral binding at the top or loose leaf binder rings. We'll see!

[webchyck]

Hey! I got a fat book page in the mail today from Lisa Cohen!!! Woot! Thanks, girlie!

[digime]

Becky, I got your fat book page today...my first one and it's beautiful! I like how you used 2 different kinds of paper, both glossy and matte - it gives it so much more pop. Thank you!

I really enjoyed working in this size format and the 3D aspect was a great change from the usual. Yup, this was fun!

Mine were mailed today, so give it a week (or so)!

[graybonnie]

Oh Lisa, I really like your layout. I noticed your creation is sporting the hot trendy spring colors (can you tell I have been forced to go cloths shopping)...LOL... terrific collage! Nice touch with the envelop too!

[kygirl]

What a wonderful quote, Lisa. Love the card.

[Vania16]

I just got Lisa's this weekend too - beautiful work girl!

[Marretje]

I have got Lisa's today, love the quote and 'spring-colors', wonderful page, thank you.

[Vania16]

I just got yours today Mar! It's fantastic - I just love it :) This is gonna be such a great book! Now if I can just get mine done LOL

[kygirl]

All I can say, Mar, is wow! Just wow!

[Nevermore]

I went to the post office today and bought some envelopes. I had a serious discussion with the guy about international and american postal rates. He agreed to offer secondary house financing to secure the stamps so I should get mine out fairly soon. I would like to team them up with those involved in the ATCs but this is going to necessitate some tricky chocolate eating (long story) so don't know if I will wait or not.

[Jeannie]

this is going to necessitate some tricky chocolate eating (long story) so don't know if I will wait or not.


:D :D :D :D

[Marretje]

I had a serious discussion with the guy about international and american postal rates.

:D :D :D Poor man, I can a little imagine how that discussion was going.

I'm happy that the first pages are arrived at the other side of the world and that you like them. Thanks.

[Nevermore]

Mar, I had a little intake of breath when I opened your package. How how how do you do this? It is priceless.

[webchyck]

Mar! Your page arrived! It's delightful! Our fat books are going to be SO cool! Thanks!

[kygirl]

I'm so embarrassed. I missed my own deadline! But they're finished now, and will be mailed tomorrow.

Mar, you may notice some similarity between your page and one of mine. I promise it's a coincidence. Mine were already printed when your envelope arrived. It's just a case of great minds thinking alike. In any case, your card is so beautiful, there is really no comparison.

[Nevermore]

I took my envelopes to work today (yes, it is Sunday: I don't want to talk about it!) just because I didn't trust that guy at the post office. We have a metred postal system. I checked it out. Yup, he was right. I will mail mine tomorrow for sure!

[Nevermore]

Kate, just picked up the mail and got your page. Oh boy, you are so so good! So good! Wowsa.

P.S. a few weeks ago I checked out your blog. Gives you some idea of what I am trying to juggle that I am just telling you that now but it is great!

[Vania16]

I'm just finishing mine up too :) They'll hit the mail tomorrow - can't wait to see the rest of the creations!

[graybonnie]

Mar....love it! just love it!...what more can I say.

Need to hit Michaels today...my killer week caught up with me and I couldn't make myself brave the rain yesterday even for your all :( .... will have things in the mail soon :)

[kygirl]

Aren't you clever, Kate? I love it.

I've now completely filled up one side of my journal, and folks, it's beautiful. I'm so glad you all agreed to try this. It's been so much fun.

[webchyck]

Thanks, Kate! I got your page! This is going to be a cute little treasure!

[Marretje]

Kate I receive your page too, it's wonderful. I hardly can't wait to complete the book. I love all the different views about art.

Mar, you may notice some similarity between your page and one of mine. I promise it's a coincidence. Mine were already printed when your envelope arrived. It's just a case of great minds thinking alike.

:D I really do know what you mean Donna, you don't wanna know how many layouts I never had posted in the gallery because it was sometimes a 'little much' the same however I didn't see the other until I came to upload mine. Do you know how many inner Princesses I had made :eek:. Most of the time I notice this problem with you, Kim, Debra and Robyn.

So it's absolutly no problem by me, same creative minds, sometime. But I think that there be enough differences that even when there are some similarity it will be totally different pages.

[graybonnie]

Kate...love your creation... it brought such brightness is a rainy cold Monday!

[graybonnie]

Oh boy, oh boy.... Donna you made me feel like I hit the jackpot! :D :D :D

[webchyck]

Donna...you totally outdid yourself, girl! How amazing are your PAGES! I didn't know you were doing a title page for us! That is so cool! Thank you so much!!! This book is getting fatter and fatter!

[kygirl]

Thanks, Becky. I did the second page so that those of using the 10-page journals could fill them up. Glad you liked it.

[graybonnie]

I have made a discovery in the last couple of days.... I need stronger bifocals...ugh! MY chuncking up is going slow since my eyes are wildly spinning. Sorry didn't realizing my glasses were so whacked.

[kygirl]

Lisa H., your layout is just gorgeous, and the "hair" is beautiful.

[Vania16]

Thanks :) I knew I could find a use for that fiber when I bought like a dozen packages of it at that scrapbook fair LOL!

[Nevermore]

I have made a discovery in the last couple of days.... I need stronger bifocals...ugh! MY chuncking up is going slow since my eyes are wildly spinning. Sorry didn't realizing my glasses were so whacked.
My eyes must be going too because I read you were chucking up and was going to tell you not to get so darn upset, lol!:) :)

[Nevermore]

Lisa, your card arrived! I can't believe the cutting you did around the bottom of the hat...are you insane? It is just marvellous and I love how the hat is up above! Great quote, too.

[webchyck]

Lisa! Love the fibers...yummy!!! Very pretty page...and I totally agree with that sentiment, for sure!!! I had to check the bottom of the hat after reading Kim's comment! Oh yeah! You outdid yourself there!

[kygirl]

Kim, I received your page today. I love the contrast between the canvas and the crayon. And the mustache! What can I say?

[graybonnie]

Yahoo Lisa Vania... the quirksters were right...your chunky rocks!

[Vania16]

Thanks guys - I'm glad everyone likes mine - this was so much fun :) And, I got Kim's yesterday too! I love it! So clever with the crayon and the canvas and of course the great moustache :)

[Marretje]

Wow, wow, wow, it seems to me Saint Nicolas evening, three pages in the mail.

Kim I love your Mona with mustache and what a wonderful quote.

Donna I really don't know what is similair, or did I have something in my eyes, but what I see is gorgeous.

And Lisa, I love it all, your quote, the fibers.

Thank you all so much especially Donna for the wonderful extra page.

At this moment I have put all the pages in my bookcabinet so I can see and enjoy them the whole day. When I received the last page I make the final book.

[digime]

Three wonderful fat pages this week! Thanks to Mar for your beautiful little work of art with it's window, hinges, beautiful threads and bead embellishment. All I can say is wow!

Lisa, the design, textured paper and bleeding colours are SO like a watercolour. I can't stop looking at it! And Kim...I love the canvas paper you used and Mona Lisa with her beard and mustache are such a Kim touch with your witty sense of humour.

They're all so amazing...it will be difficult to go back to flat old ATC's after this!

[webchyck]

Kim, two thumbs up! That is an inspired page! I am particularly enamored with the Crayon Access Portal! Great choice to use canvasy paper! Thanks so much!

[graybonnie]

Our visionary Raven has out done herself...love your creation!

[kygirl]

Bonnie, pulling back the pink tissue paper, I felt as I were unwrapping a treasure. And guess what? I was. The page is just beautiful. I love all the adornments and the quote is so true. Thanks so much.

I have had so much fun with this swap. Every time I add a card, I make my family admire my book. May's looking a little crazy, but maybe we can do another one of these in June or July. What do you guys think?

[Marretje]

I would love a next round, but in June I'm on vacation. Last week I had made a page in the style of a house, that effect is also so very special when you put them together as a book.

[graybonnie]

Donna, This has been a very fun and chanllenging adventure. Thanks so much for organizing. I would love to do this again...in a month or two. April has been crazy wild on the non quirk side of things which means I have less than a day to wrap my ATC.

[Marretje]

Wow Bonnie, I also received your wonderful chunkbook page. I love all the colors and embellies, and the photo of the clematis is gorgeous. Great job, thank you so much.

[kygirl]

If you'd like to post your layouts in the gallery, please post them under co-creation projects. We need to let the others know what they missed so that they'll sign up next time. :) Be sure to note how you added extras to make them chunky.

[graybonnie]

I'm hoping to take a photo of the finished piece which I'll post.

[Nevermore]

Bonnie, your piece arrived on Friday. All I can say is wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!

Donna sent me the most delightful little 4 x 4 album. I am going to finish getting all the pages in and then take a photo of it.

As for my piece, I have to assemble mine. I didn't make enough. I have already printed it out, though, just need to put it together.

I do hope we do this again. Please! These were just gobsmacking great!

[webchyck]

They're such a cute size! Just EDIBLE!!! Love my pages...have to figure out how to "albumize" them.