Mary Richmond Design

Making Paper

I learned to make paper about 30 years ago and since then have learned to marble paper, make books, etc. and I love it. I make a lot of my own sketch and watercolor books and I make special journals to give as gifts. I also teach papermaking and bookmaking workshops and have just finished a 3 week class with a group of ladies who mostly quilt but play around with many other mediums as well. I've worked with quilters before and they are naturals when it comes to paper and bookmaking.

You can make paper all sorts of ways but I like using up old junk mail, old unfinished watercolors or scraps of art papers, etc. You don't want to use newsprint or magazine sheets because they just make a gray goopy mess instead of a nice fibrous pulp.

I took a lot of pictures of the process but apparently erased them from my camera thinking I had already downloaded them (I love it when I do stuff like that, don't you??)

Anyway, the finished sheets looked like this. Many people added dried flowers, threads, etc.

When we made the books we used the paper we had made to cover cardboard to make the covers. On the inside many people used contrasting or coordinating sheets of paper. Some used pictures from magazines and calendars like these.

After measuring and tearing all the pages to make the signatures, or insides of the books we began to stitch. 

We made coptic stitch journals, most of which were 5 x 5"

This one used lovely blue paper inside.

This is the binding, showing the lovely stitching.

And here is one of the completed books.

It all just made me want to get back to making paper and books again!

Back to Blogging

Guess you could say I took a little break. I've been spending so much time at the computer doing work for my new business that blogging sort of got pushed out of the way for a bit but I'm back.

I won't show you boring pictures of all the paperwork, graphic work and writing I've been doing but here are some pics of other things I've been up to.

On the few good days we've had I've been drawing outdoors and taking pictures like these.

I love finding Jack in the Pulpit flowers. These were just about going by so I spent an hour or so drawing them. I have tons of drawings to photograph and upload but here's a shot of the real thing.

Some nice false indigo.

I've been teaching a papermaking and bookmaking class and these are some of the papers my students made.

And last, but far from least, I've been spending lots of time with this little man.

Arlo has been with us almost 3 weeks now and is a true delight. He's so smart and cute and funny that it is easy to forgive his puppy transgressions. You could say he moved right into our home and our hearts.

So that's what I've been up to....

Public Art and Artists in Amsterdam

Like many cities Amsterdam has a long tradition of nurturing artists and art. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is an incredibly beautiful old building in the grand tradition and houses a huge collection of works by the Dutch masters. I have never been a huge fan of these dark, huge paintings but seeing them in their own city has brought them to life for me in a different way. The Van Gogh museum is also a must see and there are multiple small studios and museums throughout the city that showcase different parts and times of Amsterdam's artistic legacy. This year we made it to the Rembranthuis, the house and studio where Rembrant worked when he was at the top of his financial game. He ended up bankrupt and destitute but the house he lived in for a while when he was at his peak is now open to the public. The printing and painting studios have been restored and there is a certain magic to being in the room where this man worked grinding (or having an apprentice grind) his own pigments, stretching canvases, etc. My four year old grandson got a kick out of being allowed to help pull a print in the old printing studio when a demonstration was taking place.

Today Amsterdam has a very modern art scene. Street art is popular here and there are many galleries filled with contemporary sculpture, paintings, video presentations and conceptual art pieces. Unfortunately the contemporary art museum was closed for renovation but it is supposed to be amazing.

There is a certain whimsey about the streets of Amsterdam that I just love.

Any surface can be an excuse for an impromtu painting.

Houseboats sport all sorts of adornments but this one cracked us up. We saw it every day as it was on a houseboat we walked by to go to the market.

There are also lots of people sketching and painting. They are at cafes or sitting by the canals. Some have easels but many just have a sketchbook. I was one of these. I also saw art students everywhere in groups doing drawings but we saw a large number of them at the zoo and aquarium when we took the kids there one day.

These were my favorite little artists on the trip, though.

Life With Arlo

It has been a long wait but it has been totally worth it! We brought little Arlo home on Saturay and have been adjusting to life with puppy ever since. We were mostly ready but there is nothing like an inquisitive little dog sniffing the floor like a vacuum cleaner to show you very quickly what you have missed. He spends most of his time in the kitchen which is easy to keep clear of things little puppies shouldn't be sticking their noses or their teeth in and it has been nice enough that we have all spent a lot of time outdoors.

He is very cute.....

And so far he has only had one potty accident inside the house. He has a designated spot in the yard and he and I check it out just about every half hour throughout the day and once in the middle of the night. So far, so good! He also seems to respond to his name, which is great!

Don't let his stocky little body fool you. He runs very fast and is happy to run up and down the back yard chasing balls, stick, our feet, whatever. We don't want him to herd us, which is his nature so are encouraging other running behaviors instead.

Puppies have tons of energy but even a puppy has to chill now and then. How cute is this pose?

Doesn't he look so sweet and innocent here? The breeder and her family had nicknamed this little guy Trouble and yesterday we got to see a few reasons of how that moniker came to be....;-)

He's an imp! He's also very smart, wants to please and is so darn cute that even when he's up to no good you have to smile....

The first night he pretty much slept through the night in his kennel with hardly a peep. Last night? Not so much. I didn't know corgis could howl....and just so you know, yes they can. Pitiably and loudly. He did finally go to sleepafter getting up in the middle of the night but it took a long while for him to go back to sleep....hopefully tonight will be better.

Sleep or no, we are totally enjoying this new little member of our family!

More Fun Amsterdam Pics

There are lots of street musicians in Amsterdam. Lots of cities have street musicians, it's true, but how often to you see accordian players? In Amsterdam, quite a bit!

This fellow was just hanging out over by the I amsterdam sign...

This fellow teamed up with a friend....

And this fellow brought the whole party!

This poetic fellow played a harp instead....

And this one looked like he dropped in during the late 60s and never left!

Amsterdam is a City full of flowers

Many cities, both in Europe and here (and probably other places too but these are places I've been ;-) are filled with people who lovingly add flowers and greenery to their spaces in every way they can. The results of this are wonderful and surprising bursts of color on doorsteps, around light poles, in windowboxes and even the tiniest of porches, balconies or yards. In Amsterdam the roofs of houseboats offer even more opportunities for flowers. Enjoy.

Bicycles in Amsterdam

If you haven't been to Amsterdam nothing can prepare you for the number of bicycles you'll see. They even have parking garages for them. Commuting times can be downright dangerous if you're a lowly pedestrian and as a visitor there you learn very quickly to stay out of the bicycle lanes if you don't want to get mowed down. These riders are serious.

Most shops have signs asking that bicycles be left at the bridges that span the canals.

Bicycles can be found tangled up just about anywhere and everywhere.

They come in many colors and have lights, bells and baskets as well as seats for passengers in some cases.

Differentiating your bike isn't always easy so many people use flowers like these

or these....

Little kid bikes are often colorful

And many bikes come equipped with little carts like these. It is not unusual to see a parent riding with 3 or 4 kids on and in the bike. No helmets, of course, just fresh air and speed....in this case, one kid on the back and 2 in the cart....

This is a mom with two kids on her bike--one up front and one in the back! Watching parents drop their kids off at school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon is amazing.....

And lastly, I couldn't resist a shot of this bicycle basket. It surely couldn't be mistaken for anyone else's but the owner's!

I'm in Love.....

with Amsterdam. It's so charming and lovely and historic and modern and cool and international and accessible. It's everything I want a city to be....

For a nature girl I do have a strange fondness for cities. I love the hustle and the action, the noise and the colors, the culture and the mix of people one finds in cities. I love that they are easy to get around in, full of history and stories, different foods and other goods. I lived in NYC when I graduated from college but ended up back in the country, more or less, to raise my family. I still love the sights and sounds of the city, though and an old, beautiful city like Amsterdam just makes me swoon. It is so old and yet so modern. Love that.

Our neighborhood....

Two of my companions (my little grandsons)

One of many spectacular views...

Little men checking out tulips at the Bloemenmarket....

My son in law with the boys at the MuseumPlein (and yes, the famous I amsterdam sign....)

Beautiful shutters abound....

And who wouldn't be out in their boat on a day like this?

Puppy Goodness

Guess who is coming home on Saturday????

How cute is he? He posed just for a minute....

Then he was going....

Going....

Gone!

He is just too darn cute.....

Obviously I am home from Amsterdam. I have tons of pics to sort through and lots to blog about but for today....it's just a little puppy goodness to share.

And no, he doesn't have a name yet but we're pretty sure it won't be Rambo or Terminator....;-)