I completed my Book of Hours last week, but am just now getting a few minutes to post it.
I created a cover with 140lb cold-pressed watercolor paper. On the outside I used washed watercolors and threw on some salt to make the colors move. Then I painted the inside with gold acrylic and edged the outside with gold also.
Book of Hours Outside Cover — watercolor, ink, acrylic
When everything was dry I accordion-folded the long painting into “pages” and scored each fold with a bone folder. I attached the first and last pages to the cover with matte medium and also attached ribbon for a closure by wedging it beneath a gold triangle of watercolor paper. The ribbons wrap around in opposite directions to tie in the front. I wasn’t happy with the lettering on the front, so it’s not a bad thing that the ribbons cover most of it.
Book of Hours — Inside
Book of Hours — Closure attachment
Book of Hours — Completed Front
Book of Hours — Completed Back
The book is very small — 3″ x 5″ index card size so it fits in the palm of my hand, reminding me of the small illuminated prayer books that people in the middle ages are said to have carried.
My next project is going to be a prayer box modeled on a layered paper box in “Adventures in Mixed Media” by Jane Davies.
I’m not sure when I’ll get to start it, though, as I’m working on repairing a quilt I made nearly thirty years ago for my daughter that has now begun to rip and show a lot of wear. Repair-work is my least favorite kind of project, so it will probably take me a while. Maybe I’ll reward myself with the prayer box project when I’m finished.
