AG Retreat 2013 Beach Book

This is the beach book we all made at the retreat last weekend. It consists of 7 double-page spreads approximately 7" square, created on watercolor paper. Seven members each designed one spread and kitted the pages for us to create at the retreat.  We also received two mat boards to create our own covers.  I painted mine with several metallic blue and champagne paints and glued on a section of a collaged patterned paper. The title is a sign I downloaded from the Internet.  The resin starfish was a giftie and the raffia with shells attached was tied around a gift of saltwater taffy.

The pages were all finished and then glued back to back to form the book. The left side of the first page was adhered to the front cover and the right side of the last page was adhered to the back cover.  Since there were an uneven number of pages, we had the option of turning the center page the opposite way so it would open from the spine. This is a clever way to add interest in the book. Before attaching it to the neighboring pages, a strip of trim with beading and dangling shells was glued to both page edges. When the book is closed, this forms a decorative edge on the spine. (See below.)

Here you can see the page slightly opened and then fully opened. (This page was designed by Cher Blasengame and features some printed transparencies and glittery paper for the mermaid tale.) I also added a piece of glittery tulle over the water.

This is the first page of the book, created by Jeri Aaron. The background is inked heavily and the coral pieces are painted with Twinkling H2Os, giving a nice sheen. Real shells are glued to the bottom.

The next page was designed by Nancy Bridges who was not able to attend the retreat. I love the idea of tearing the paper in several strips for the water. I added Diamond Stickles to the torn edges and some bird stamps.

This page was designed by Joan Wehmhoefer. The palm trees are on a transparency colored with Sharpies on the back side. I also glued sand to some areas. The surfboard is cut from real balsa wood (it cuts really well with scissors!) and inked. Again, a real shell and shell chips are glued to the right page.

This page is a tribute to Jimmy Buffett, designed by Kris Hankins. The focal image is actually a pocket which holds a tag with his "Perfect Margarita" recipe on the back. The signs were printed on the computer, cut out and then stamped with a wood grain stamp and inked to look like wood. Did you notice the shark?

This is a very serene page designed by Joyce Kochalka.  Lots of ink blending in the background, a stamp in the upper left corner and tiny seagull diecuts.  The little fence is real wood and wire.  Dried moss, sand, shells and a tiny piece of driftwood are glued to this page.

The last page was left for whatever we wanted to do to it. I made pockets to hold some of the little make-and-take tags and miscellaneous bits.  I stamped the beach huts on different colored inked papers and cut them out to add to the pockets.

I'm loving my little beach book, full of wonderful memories of this year's retreat.