"i just think they're neat"

[muladhara]

Further to reading Favourite Books From My Youth™, I reread Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume. I haven't read it in decades, unlike the Christopher Pike, because it was one of those books I think I was afraid I wouldn't like once I was older (much like Archer's Goon and/or Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, both of which I am happy to report I still love to bits).

Reading it as an adult once both your parents are dead is heck of an experience, let me tell you. I mean, I always got that it was a sad book, because the main character is dealing with the death of her father but wow, it hit me in a completely different place this time than when I read it as a teenager.

I like that it's such a short book! It's less than 150 pages! (I prefer short books, tbh. I have the attention span of a gnat, and I've always been like that, and anything over 300 pages is, generally, an automatic nope).

~

I made a couple more books the other day! (pic here)

I watched a video where someone made a square sketchbook and then I wanted to make one. I do not need to make any more books. I have a basket full of them. But, while I've made square books before, I have not made a square sketchbook, as it simply did not occur to me! Which is daft, because I think I like square ones the best!

So I reclaimed some cartridge paper (A3 size), cut it so it would make an 8x8 inch book, and used the offcuts to make a long sketchbook as well.

I won't get to use it for a while, since I am trying to use the books in the order I made them, but knowing it exists, and I made it is pretty neat.

~

In semi-related news, I have been having a ball drawing with various types of fineliners! I don't know how, when, or why I mostly stopped, but for some reason I did (probably around the time I started using biros to draw with all the time, but I'm not 100% on that, and I only think that because I was looking through some of my more recent sketchbooks yesterday*). But now I've started again! Hopefully, I shall continue to have fun with them!

~

*I regret to inform everyone who is concerned about the longevity of artist materials**, that a bunch of my sketchbooks, which are actually notebooks and not sketchbooks at all, do not have acid free paper, and have started yellowing across one edge, despite not being in direct sunlight. UM, WHOOPS.

**side-eyes at least one famous comics artist.

Comments

[helvetica]

The books you made are so cute I love the butterfly one it's such a cute size!!

[muladhara]

Thank you! I thought I ought to make a book with the offcuts, rather than chucking them. I don't know how well it will work as a sketchbook, but I'll find out when I get there! Both books actually have that butterfly pattern on, but it's obvs on the back of the square book.