"Simply" mini book, by Jamie Pate.
Today is National Simplicity Day. In honor of Henry David Thoreau, who’s birthday today it is, it’s a day to reflect upon a simpler way to live. He was a man who communicated the ideas of a simpler life. He encouraged simple living in natural surroundings, striving for balance, a real awakening that simplicity contained so much more than it's word. So then how perfect to have a day dedicated to the topic and to at least explore the idea and maybe even discover some simple action.
In response to this national day, I created a simple to re-plicate mini book. It's a book of vellum envelopes that hold several quotes on the subject of simplicity. Along the same theme as a quote book one would find at a book store, this is a book of quotes. And I look forward to sharing it's contents with you.
The cover starts with vellum. I think of vellum as transparent and lucid. All by itself it elicits a feeling of simplicity. So with that, vellum is the cover, and a leaf die cut from Illustrated Faith's Praiseworthy Pattern Paper adds to the feeling of nature. Letters from the Festive Tiny Text sheet in white give the mini it's title: simply.
The next page is a Clear Cut Sheet with a swipe of white acrylic paint to the back. This gave some background to the front of the cover when closed.
The rest of the book follows a pattern of vellum envelopes filled with a pattern paper card that holds a quote on the subject of simplicity.
A piece of pattern paper was scraped with a bit of gesso and then splattered with some color. I typed quotes and printed on a piece of card stock. That was then trimmed to create word strips which made up the quote for that card.
So now the rest of the book just repeats.
The next quote.
I like to choose a palette of colors that are similar giving a congruent feel to the entire mini.
For this little book, staying with yellows and pink with a floral print gave a soft feel and adds to the simplistic overall theme.
Reflection is the key to turning thought into knowledge. The creative exercise of making a mini book filled with quotes causes one's mind to focus on the words and ideas surrounding those words.
Perhaps that is at least what Mr. Thoreau hoped we would do. To at least reflect on the idea of simplicity and invite it into our lives in a fresh new way. Hoping this little book inspires you to think simply and creatively on this National Simplicity Day.
Supplies:
IF Whatever is Lovely: Praiseworthy, Admirable; IF She Blooms: Tiny Floral, Chipboard Icons; Fresh Market: Tutti Fruiti; Sweet Baby Girl: Borders; Clear Cuts: Peep Confetti; Tiny Text Alpha Stickers: Festive; IF Enamel Hearts: Bless Her Heart Mix
Really lovely quote book! Love seeing the new items used too.
Posted by: Memoriesbymanda | July 12, 2016 at 09:14 PM