What a beautiful day it was here in Central Texas! Just like Spring. Tomorrow we get cold again. Just when I received my Burpee's seed catalog! Oh well, I'll set that aside and give you some details on the top Book Drawer instead.
I received an email from a friend who said she had seen a similar idea as a table at Hobby Lobby. On the way home I drove over to see and become inspired...I didn't find the table but I did find a stack of books that had drawers. Very pretty home decor piece. Lined up straight and perfect. What I took away from that was...TOO PERFECT. Let's set them askew...Like books in my house would be. Like life. Not so perfect, but beautiful just the same. So going forward on this project... that's what I'm going for.
OK...I wanted to give you all some details. After looking at the book, It needed something where the spine met the box. (No, I'm not going for perfect!) The drawer is obviously smaller than the box so that the drawer can slide into the box. This recess was bugging me! So I raised it up or filled it in with a piece of chip I covered in the same paper and inked.
I inked the edge adding a shadow line. (Thanks Barb)
OK so my fingers don't look like the hand models on QVC! Can we say cuticle oil! Nails stained with Vintage Ink! Who cares! :)
Here the extra piece added to the side...
Next, if you look at a book, there is this (I'm sure there is a word for it) fabric strip around the very edge next to the spine. To make this I used some Black and Ecru DMC floss and twisted it and glued 'er on. Here's what that looks like...
I cut the ends and glued it so that it wouldn't ravel.
Next, I added strips of paper to the front and back of the book where the spine paper would have come around to the front cover. This also does something really cool. Try as you may, there will always be some kind of tiny gap between the spine and the box. This strip does double duty and provides a "gap hider" and makes the book front look more finished.
Details done...
Here is the before picture so you can see the picture without the "gap-filler"....To me, the above picture shows what a difference small details can make.
Thanks Again and keep warm!
Jim
The Gentleman Crafter
I think it looks really, really good now!!! I like the extra patterned paper on the top and bottom of the box part and the extra piece and the fibers on the drawer part really do complete the project! Nice job my friend!!
Posted by: Barbara Albrecht | 01/11/2012 at 10:06 PM
Thanks Barb for your help! What are you doing up this late! LOL! Let me guess...crafting like all us crazy people who cant sleep? Ohhhh the ideas that hit just as you get the pillow situated just right! Next, Im up for hours! LOL! I try so hard to think about calm peaceful things to help get to slumberland. Somehow, my brain mysteriously goes to wondering what cool new Idea-ology pieces will be shown at CHA to what about making an igloo album...with polar bear tags! I give up! Hahaha
Posted by: The Gentleman Crafter | 01/11/2012 at 10:51 PM
I haven't been on for a couple days(been cleaning out my soon-to-be a teenager son's room. Time to let go of some things. :( I have gotten very sidetracked doing this....hmmm what could I do with this? )You understand, cuz our peabrains are on the same channel! This bookdrawer looks like a lot of work! It really does look like a book, is this where you are going to hide all your cash?! So cool, again. Now get some sleep.
Posted by: LoriC | 01/12/2012 at 07:05 AM
I am so glad you added that little fill-in piece. My anal retentive self was going crazy. Not that it was beautiful before, but as you said sometimes it is all about the details. Love the little twisted thread, not that is a detail that I don't know if even I would have noticed, but it does really add a nice touch. Good job!
Posted by: Tony Stubblefield | 01/12/2012 at 08:31 AM
I actually liked it without the added piece as books do have that space great idea Sir Jim keep them coming
Posted by: Margaret Ann | 01/12/2012 at 10:21 AM
I looked it up, it's a 'headband' or 'endband'-the little thread thingie you added. Volcanoarts.com is a fabulous site for book info. Anyway, love this idea, the book drawers are something I think I may have to try, your how-to and pics are fantastic as is the rest of your blog. So glad I found you, keep up the great art and the sharing! Oh, your fingers are only a bit stained, a true crafter's hands and your table top from a pic below looks just right-maybe 4" of space to work at a time!!! Thanks for the good info, you are on my favorites bar so I can check in often...
Posted by: becky jeffress | 01/13/2012 at 10:19 PM
I found you through the comment Tim Holtz made about you. I love your projects I am so happy he lead me to you. I have an Ikea box I did a little something too now you have inspired me to make it a real piece of art. I loved the book boxes I think I will give it a try and that box Barb made is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration.
Posted by: Carla Ogilvie | 01/15/2012 at 04:02 PM
Can I just say WOW! I haven't stopped by in a while and I guess I've been missing out. I love, love, love the book drawers. What a genius you are! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm definitely going to attempt to make them.
Posted by: heidig | 01/27/2012 at 07:34 AM
Just discovered your blob thru G45, and I am loving everything you do. You have great talent and I look forward to learning some more from you. I have to try making these stacked books. I have one purchased from michaels and two more to make a set would be really great for keepsaking! Thanks so much for your very easy to follow tutorials!
Posted by: nichole B | 06/17/2012 at 11:36 AM