Art of the Scrapbook: A Guide to Handbinding and Decorating Memory Books, Albums, and Art Journals (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I you've never made a book before, the thought of starting from scratch with some paper, board glue and thread-as the ancient bookbinders did hundreds..." (more)
Key Phrases: couching cloth, marbling tray, front cover board, Janet Hofacker, Claudia Lee, Lea Everse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Volumes abound on creating scrapbooks, but few possess the elegance and depth of Diane Maurer-Mathison's Art of the Scrapbook. Other books show how to arrange photos and decorative accents on a page; this one goes a step further by exploring ways to create the actual scrapbook itself.

The author, an accomplished paper artist, expertly teaches the basics of bookbinding, from simple tied, stitched, and accordion-fold techniques to the more advanced hinge-and-post and edge-sewn bindings. She explains various methods for decorating papers (including marbling, sponging, and stamping), and outlines the essential steps of making your own paper. A brief chapter on working with photos discusses the practicalities of mounting and working with decorative accents like borders and mats.

This stylish volume is not for people looking for simple, fast ways to gussy up photo album pages; it's a guide for creatively adventurous souls seeking more aesthetic control over the whole scrapbook process, to render the vessel itself as artful as its contents--perhaps even more so. --Amy Handy

Product Description

The current craze in scrapbooking that's been sweeping Europe and America for several years has resulted in a "gone overboard" look that doesn't allow for individual taste and expression and is typically more gaudy than beautiful.

This book shows readers how to make unique, archival-quality memory books that can truly become family heirlooms, or wildly imaginative art journals and albums for collecting artwork, writings, and keepsakes.

Covering binding, paper decorating, lettering, and layout techniques from simple to innovative, the instruction is accessible to crafters at all skill levels. The professional paper and book artists who share their works and techniques provide readers with inspiration for creating their own innovative designs that will look anything but generic.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823010198
• ISBN-13: 978-0823010196
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #654,917 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of the Scrapbook, June 7, 2000

By	Beverly Norton (Westford, MA) - See all my reviews

A must have for any scrapbook or book artist! Beautiful illustrations which inspire creativity, and easy to follow instructions for the beginner. I can't stop looking through it! The art work is exceptional, and all the designs are inspiring. I have completed some of the examples and am planning my next project. I loved this book, since it brings scrapbooking to an artist level which was, I believe, needed.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy on art, light on scrapbook, February 27, 2001

By	yarden "yarden" (portland, or) - See all my reviews

This book is a beautiful, artistic work on book making/binding. It's thorough, beginner-friendly, and has attractive projects. I only have one problem with it: the title. I would think that the title would more prominently announce something about bookmaking, and not use the word scrapbook (since these days, scrapbooking has grown in popularity, and is a completely different hobby).

That said, this book is an excellent introduction work to bookbinding. It has instructions on many different types of book bindings (from simple to more challenging), as well as much info on decorations for your book covers (marbling, quilling, and more). The book is written in an encouraging, informative tone, with the emphasis on craftsmanship and artistic expression. The text is accompanied by full-color pictures of handmade books by various artists around the country.

This book is an excellent introduction to bookbinding, and will certainly whet your appetite for all sorts of exciting artistic expression.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who want to go beyond "plain" scrapbooks, November 18, 2000

By	Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For those who wish to take the hobby of scrapbooking to the level of fine art, this book will provide plenty of inspiration. Covering everything from numerous ways to create and bind a scrapbook from "scratch" to techniques for making your own decorative paper, it's all within the covers of the book.

Many different methods of bookbinding are presented in thorough detail moving from simple to more complex. Paper making and decorative paper techniques, such as batik and various print or collage techniques are presented as well.

Very innovative ideas for ways to display your special photos are shown as well. Samples of pages are unlike any I've seen elsewhere, and are always eye-catching. This book is not one for those who wish to speed scrap, but if you want to create a one-of-a-kind album, or a unique layout for special photos, look to "The Art of the Scrapbook" for ideas.