Pulp Redux- Final book complete!

This is one of those posts where I am not sure if I am happy or sad or both. I think it's both. I'm a little sad to see the end of my work in this collab, it's a bittersweet moment as I guessed it would be. The collab has been a fixture in my mind (and lounge!) for nearly 2 years now and I do feel like my last baby is about to fly the nest! That said, I am ecstatic to have finished Deb's book because it's been a goal I've been working towards all year and I really love the way it turned out. I am chuffed to have successfully completed my piece in the last book of this wonderful collab...it means the jobs done, mission complete, success...but we all know this has been way more than simply getting a job to get done. Sure, I couldn't hold onto any of the books indefinitely and if I didn't want to be a book hog I had to set myself some goals. Pull some late nights, prick my fingers a few times and leave needles in places I couldn't locate later...until I had no shoes on (of course!) Sometimes I would look at a page and think I couldn't possibly hand stitch that whole piece and it would seem daunting -but as my scraps of recycled material gave life to the many characters I've met or made up I'd become inspired and energised. Sometimes I'd be kept awake by the multitude of ideas that only seem to spring up when I'm trying to get to sleep! Bind this, dye that, stitch there and here and ...you get the idea! I can honestly say though that the thousands of stitches have been worth every bit of time and energy!

The fossil completed the page perfectly! For those of you who wondered how I was going to attach a fossil/rock to my page the answer was much easier than I thought it would be! I tied it on with some of the thread from my erosion bundle project. It seemed fitting to use nature dyed thread to tie on a fossil. I still don't know what it is! It can be easily removed from the book for closer inspection and I really like the idea of being able to remove it and hold it.

A fossil and a button, who knew they'd sit so well together?

Even though I am keeping most of the page under wraps until our EXHIBITION on the Virtual Tart website next year I thought it only fair to reveal at least one full piece. The memory tin belong to 'M' containing a vintage key, tiny bible and the morepork (Owl) feathers. As this is being posted within NZ I don't have to worry about customs and the like seizing my book for breaking rules! That would be devastating!

The shell pendant found by 'M' when she inheritated her Great Aunt's belongings... it appears she did many wondrous things when she finally got her 'looking glass' and traveled the world with her true love, Damien.

The two pages side by side and below that a peek of the outside cover. I had stitched re purposed beads to a cotton doily. Gotta love doilies! Who knew they would have so many purposes! I have no idea how Deb's is going to bind this book, all of us have done 3d works and thick spines.

While I may be done the Pulp Redux is far from over. There are still 3 books 'at large' and when I do get my book back it will need exploring and rebinding, theres also have the above mentioned exhibition to look forward to. I'm so glad this isn't over yet!

PSssT! Alicia Caudle has also posted a pulpy post, you can it here! 

Pulp Redux Peeks

Owl feathers (wing feathers from a NZ Morepork) second hand shop doily, laces and nature dyed fabrics.

I can't say too much about where the story is going at the moment as us pulp girls have decided to keep the last chapter of each book secret...for now...but I can reveal some peeks of what I have been up too in Debrina's book. I'm nearly finished with this book, which is the last in the round for me. This has been so much fun and I'm so glad to have had the chance to take part in this most awesome collab!

I've been holding on to this weathered buckle for longer than I can remember! It's rustic surface is the perfect compliment to the bandage retrieved from my erosion project bundle.

Mail ephemera..leather postcard, vintage WW1 mail envelope and vintage postcard.

Re-purposed fibre and lace...happy sigh!

Pulp Redux Chapter #3 Alicia's book

I've been busy working on my blue 'Charlotte' page. When I last posted about this page I said it was unfinished and I needed to work out what it needed. I sensed it was somethingewhite..but it turns out it was white, blue and brown! Here's how it's looking now....

I created two fabric pockets that fold back like doors.

The cross lifts up to reveal a pocket which contains some 'exhibits' from Hesters life...and loves!

Exhibits: buttons left behind by a Military lover Hester gave shelter too, a pen nib, a piece of chain from a necklace given to Hester by the Military man sits along side the dolphin teeth (yes those are real dolphin teeth...strange but true!) he gave her.....who is that boy? That secret's still to be revealed!

The flap on the pocket lifts up to reveal some diary pages and the secrets they contain.

Both flaps fold back to reveal Charlotte who you no doubt remember as being Hester's secret daughter!

The following is an entry from Charlottes diary, whose just discovered her real identity. Charlotte's diary pages are kept in bottom pocket (visable in the 4th photo.)

Dear Diary, the reason for my lack of entries here is most unexpected. I recieved a telegram telling me of my Aunts passing. This however, was not a great surprise to me as she was old and some-what unwell.When I heared that Aunt Hester had passed on I set off to take care of her affairs. My own mother was poorly and unable to do so herself. I noticed her great reluctance for me to attend to the estate and I was left with the feeling that there was something I didn't know...as if for a moment she wanted to tell me but then pulled back and could not. I know now what it was she would have said had she found the courage to do so. I was in for a great shock. A surprise of the most confusing type. It was the most unexpected thing and I am still reeling from the shock of it! Oh, diary! What shall I do? I don't know who I am anymore! It would appear my life is a lie! What is it that could cause me such unrest? Oh diary, I write this through my tears for I've just foiund out that my Aunt Hester is not my Aunt, she is my mother! I was a secret child, born from an affair! The shame, dear diary! I cannot begin to describe. Me! Born out of wedlock and hidden away for a year! How could she? Oh faithful diary, if there's any hope that I cling too now it's that I will discover who I am through the exhibits left here, in the house that has become a museum  of forgotten things...

Next pulpy posting I will reveal the secret of the boy in the photo, as discovered by Charlotte. Watch this space!

There's a lot more pulpiness to come as we near the final weeks of round three. Debrina's ahead of all of us and has finished her spread in Lisa J's book. She even managed a video clip of it so we can all see how the pages fold and reveal and change and move...it's great! Please click on over to the Pulp Redux blog to check it out! Way to go Deb's! My book is now in her hot little hands but if you wondering what's been going on with it and didn't catch Kim's posting here it is! I can't wait to see this in 'the real!'