Almost Ready to Bind

I've got all the pages with the exception of the box that is coming from Dubai. It is on the way so I have high hopes to see it in the next day or so. I've punched all the other holes and the covers are done so I'm ahead of schedule. Tomorrow I'll be sorting the pages to try and get the book to have a good "flow" from one page to the next. After that, I'll put together the mailing boxes so when the books are finished I can mail them out immediately (to those who aren't coming to Hampton.) Last year I wasn't able to mail books until after I returned home from the retreat. Not this year. Things are rolling along and these will be done before I leave for Hampton.

I'M BACK

I came home to a mountain of packages. The mailman must think I have a shopping addiction. So, the database is updated, the holes are all punched, and my right arm fell OFF. This is going to be ONE FAT BOOK. It is probably going to be a nightmare trying to hold each stack of pages together to put the coils on, but it will be soooooo worth it. And you will all just DIE when you see Lana's pages. I laughed so hard I almost fell off the chair and then I went into a coughing fit and my son came running into the room to see if I was OK. Then I had to have a long conversation about why I thought it was so funny. When you see it you will be able to imagine how difficult it was for me to not laugh when I explained just what that little thing was, and why I had such a fit. "But mama, THAT isn't funny at ALL! Why are you still laughing?"

Out of Town & Johanna's Pages

I'm out of town until Sunday evening, but my neighbor says he has taken in a boatload of packages. I'll be uploading all the information to the YahooGroups database tomorrow night and I'll also send out confirmation emails so don't be nervous if you haven't heard from me. I have a feeling tomorrow night is going to be really fun.

Here are Johanna's pages. I love that they look like each one is different. This is the last photo I have so from now on I'll post little hints of the book as it is being bound.

Today is the Day & Erin's Pages

Today is the day! Have you all been good girls? I'm surrounded by pages, punching them out like crazy. This is going to be a nice fat book. And look at Erin's pages, very pretty. I love the guitar pick hanging off.

Take a peek at Jill's pages

Aren't they great? They look even better in person. The pages are starting to roll in. I'm very impressed considering how little time I gave you all this year.

I've received Mechthild's package from Germany, YAY! I love getting hers because she pays in Euros. I never cash them in because they are too cool.

Lu Ann's Pages

I received four sets of pages today so it's starting to feel like Christmas at my house and the mailman is giving me funny looks. Here are Lu Ann's pages - really nice with black, white, and pink. I'm starting to get a few pics from you all so I will add one photo per day unless I start to get too many.

Due Date Update and Susi's Pages

Well, I sent out the "10 days to go" email two days early, so now we really have ten days to go. Get cracking ladies. And here are Susi's pages. Don't they look fun? Can't wait to see them in person.

Here's a teaser from Anne

Anne Says: I took this photo about a week ago - it's just a tiny peek of work in progress. As of today, I have both sides of all pages decorated and backs are all signed. I used Tombo adhesive to tape the fronts and backs together on 3 sides, and that worked great. (I didn't put tape on the edge that will be punched.) All that's left to do is to add one more embellishment to each page, and I'll be able to put them in the mail. I've really enjoyed making these for all of you! Once you have your finished Hampton fatbook in hand, you'll find a message from the Sixties when you turn to this page. :)

OOOOO!! LOOKIE!!

Sophie has finished her pages and she is ready to put them in the mail. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on these. Don't they look amazing? According to Sophie, when you turn her page you will hear music. How fun is that?

One Month Minus One Day

That is how long we have before all the pages will be here. I'm being optimistic that they will all be here on time. I'm surrounded by 86 pieces of chipboard and they are really starting to look like cover material. I plan to have all the covers finished by Friday, including all the names on the back. Then I can start on my pages. I'm thinking about a velvet Elvis. I found this incredibly tacky black pleather fringe and I think I'm going to have to use it. What are you all doing? Come on, I want to hear all about it and I want to see lots and lots of pics.

Finally - Started Covers

These covers are killing me. In the past, I could just decide what I wanted to do with the covers and do it. This theme is so out of my realm that I've had to do a number of samples. There are going to be a lot of layers and I'm starting with this. That is NOT a flower.


I don't think I'm going to show the final cover because part of the fun in the past has been seeing the cover when you see the finished book. So this is the last you will see of what I'm doing. At least with the cover. Now, I would love to show what you all are doing so send me your photos and a little text to go along with it and I'll put them up here.

Forty Two Players!!

We have forty two people committed to participating. This is going to be a GREAT book. This is a side shot of the first book from last year that had thirty five pages. Can you imagine how fat and yummy a forty two page book is going to be?

Playing in Dubai

Sophie is sending her pages all the way from Dubai. She emailed that she was going into the souks to get her supplies. I have no idea what the souks are, but it sounds romantic, doesn't it? She was obviously successful because here is her starting point. I, personally, think everyone should do art in the presence of nutella.

And here she is starting on her pages. I must say I love the color. I'm not so sure about Sophie though. I told her she really should send that white chair and the painting on the wall to me with her pages and she responded about loving to paint. She didn't even mention the chair!! Oh well, I will forgive her obvious oversight as she amazingly convinced four, FOUR, of her coworkers to participate in the fatbook. So now we will have five ladies from Dubai, one from Germany, and at least one from Canada. We will have a yummy international fatbook.

Does This Look Like Rock 'N Roll?

I finally have an idea for the cover and I went out and bought these things to help. Doesn't really look like Rock 'N Roll does it? That's OK, I'm pretty sure it will when I finish with it. I'm starting the covers this weekend so I don't get too terribly behind.

We have about 22 people signed up and I'm hoping a few more will join in. This is what I get for forgetting about the book completely. 30 is a good number, 40 was the goal, but 30 will still make a great book. I'll be doing two pages and I'll be inviting everyone else to do two. Anyone who does two pages gets two books. In the past, I've had people give the second book to a friend or relative and I've also had one person add it to a school fundraising auction. Pretty cool idea.

Late Start

I'm off to a late start on this year's fatbook, but at least I'm off to a start. I've been agonizing and sketching out ideas for the cover all morning, but Rock and Roll art just isn't coming naturally to me so this one will be tough. I'm excited that within one day of announcing the fatbook, we are 1/4 full. Ten doesn't sound like a very impressive number, but it is a great start to a late start.

M