One of the best parts of sending packages to friends is that I get to play with new ideas. I like to approach things systematically. Once I am happy with a design, I plan out most of the steps with room for needed modification before I start working. This year I got to make a few things for a couple of friends, and I was excited about that. I used design elements from my travels which made them extra fun.
My friend Dixie and I send each other little surprise packages every now and then. In the last package, I included a tiny little 1″ x 3″ book for this artist friend of mine.
Before I made the book for her, I made a book of the same dimensions for myself first. Because of their size, these little books can be a little fiddly to make, and I didn’t want any surprises while making hers. It looks like a lot of tools for a 1″ x 3″ book cover, but I really did use all of them. No matter the size of the book, sometimes I end up using the same set of tools.
I thought of walks in the woods, amongst moss-covered trees and rocks, Celts and druids when making this book. Hence the colors. The washi tape on the cover could not be a better match.
Once I was happy with mine, I made this blue book for her. She loves flowers and the color blue. So I made hers with blue cloth and added a little yellow flower on the cover.
This is the wonderful package filled with cards, bookmarks, stickers and art supplies Dixie sent me. She sends me small surprise packages every now and then. She also somehow knows exactly what I need. I needed a new kneaded eraser, and (not) surprisingly I found one inside the box.
She is quite the artist. The card is made from one of her paintings and the bookmark is made by her too. Do visit her website at Arranged Words for very peaceful reads and beautiful works of art.
Both of us share a love for Sennelier watercolor paints. She included a tube of Quinacridone Gold. I am very used to the color itself, but from a different brand. However, watercolor varies a lot depending on the brand, so I was eager to see how this one would behave.
I always start with drawing in my sketchbook, then copying the drawing over to watercolor paper for painting. This way the watercolor paper gets a clean copy of the drawing and the paper is not damaged from continuous eraser usage.
I love to visit old ruins when we travel. I decided to paint a small sandstone ornament.
Quinacridone gold is an orange to yellow hue shifting color. Creating a monochromatic painting is a great way to learn about a color / pigment. I learn about how the pigment moves with water and the dark/light values this way. I loved the way Sennelier’s Quin. gold behaves and how gentle it looks. I can’t wait to use it for a larger painting next.
This year, I did an exchange with another friend of mine. I will share the amazing package I got from her another day. She hand-stitches a lot, so I made a sewing needle book for her. I designed the book, then worked from my plan one step at a time – first on mine, and then on hers.
I had medieval style notebooks in mind when I designed them, so I made them using book binding methods. I bonded two pieces of faux leather together for the cover to get that look. I could also show off those colorful linen threads with the stitches I chose.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
I added tons of pockets for supplies and included notes pages for projects. I thought of heather at the English and Scottish countryside when choosing colors for the woolen felt I used for the inside and for the threads. I added a print of a little drawing I did of a bridge in Mull, Scotland quite a few years ago.
I am looking forward to using mine for hand stitching and knitting as well.
Concertina books are very fun books to make by accordion folding paper. I needed to join two sets of folded paper to extend the length of the book. I tried out a few options using plain copy paper before using my good paper for the final book.
At the end, I used a strip of strong Japanese paper to join two pieces of folded watercolor paper together. The join is hardly visible, and it also makes both sides of the book usable.
You can of course leave the folded paper books as is or add covers. I decided to make cloth hardcovers. For the front cover, I made this drawing of the Glenfinnan viaduct in Scotland. The inset on the cover keeps the artwork protected from rubbing / shelf damage.
Here is my copy of the finished book. I used heavy watercolor paper, so I can use both sides of the paper. I am thinking of using it for ink paintings. If you any have ideas other than painting, I would love to hear them.
Sometimes it is a long path from design to finish, and I enjoy every bit of it while playing with glue, paper and scissors. I hope this inspires you to try something new too.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
43 thoughts on “Design Elements”
Linda Primmer August 24, 2025 at 09:23
Very pretty and so creative Thanks so much for sharing at Love Your Creativity.
RachelSwirl August 23, 2025 at 14:32
Your posts always make me wish that I had your skills. You are so talented. Thank you for sharing your snaps and taking part in #MySundaySnapshot.
Brenda @ Songbird Designs August 23, 2025 at 09:13
These are truly treasures, Soma! You are so talented and generous. I love seeing what you’ve created and shared with your friends. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings.
Sarah MumofThree World August 22, 2025 at 22:26
Your lucky friends! These handmade gifts are wonderful. I love that you get inspired by such a diverse range of things when you create.
TerryK August 22, 2025 at 06:24
What a treasure you created!
Judy Hansen August 21, 2025 at 09:12
Wow! You are so talented. It was a pleasure reading your blog this morning. Thank you.
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter August 20, 2025 at 11:43
So much beauty! I love your handcrafted books, cards, and needle cases. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
Jayne August 17, 2025 at 04:08
How lovely to swap gifts with your friends. The mini books are wonderful and I love the medieval style one! That is amazing. Dixie’s parcel was also very thoughtful.
Have a lovely Sunday, Soma. xx
Debbie August 15, 2025 at 18:10
i always feel so inspired to create whenever i visit you!! i often wish that the world would get back to sending cards and gifts in the real mail!! such cute little journals!!
Mary August 15, 2025 at 16:49
I love the idea of sharing special gifts with friends. Each are so thoughtful and so beautifully made. I’m sure they will be treasured for years to come. Your needle case definitely caught my eye. It’s gorgeous as well as practical. Your viaduct sketching brought back memories of crossing it by train on our last trip to Scotland. Isn’t it time for you to revisit? :)
Steph@Crazylittlelovebirds August 13, 2025 at 22:40
Beautiful creations! I also love that you send and receive gifts from friends; that is so thoughtful. We’re so happy that you have joined us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party. Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful artwork.
Lydia C. Lee August 13, 2025 at 13:58
Always such beautiful work – those lillies tho! Wonderful #Wwwhimsy
Comedy Plus August 13, 2025 at 06:22
Such talent. If only I were this talented. Beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Eileen August 13, 2025 at 03:10
Hello Soma,
Your books and art are just beautiful, you are so talented. It is nice to exchange your creations with friends.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
to August 12, 2025 at 18:13
…and wrapped up in a beautiful package.
Min @ Write of the Middle August 12, 2025 at 18:10
Hi Soma, Oh my gosh you’re so talented. I LOVE those books you made and how lucky are you to have friends like Dixie who send you little packages of goodies. By the way – her art is gorgeous! I’m so glad you provided a link to her website. I will go and have a look. The little sewing needle book you’ve created for your other friend is gorgeous! It actually made me tear up as it is so lovely to see people putting time and effort and creativity into gifts for friends. Those kind of gifts are so very special! I’ve never heard of Sennelier watercolour paints (until reading your post). I use Winsor & Newton. I always enjoy reading your posts – thank you for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
Sue Loncaric August 12, 2025 at 17:33
You are so talented and I love the idea of ending each other suprise packages. #WWWhimsy
Connie Griffin August 12, 2025 at 08:01
Your goodies you send to each other is so lovely and thought out for sure.
I have been trying new things but I don’t share what I do in my junk journals on my blog, I guess it feels a little more personal, I don’t know, maybe more freeing when I don’t share, never really thought about it much.
Playing with paper is so relaxing for sure, especially if you aren’t behind on getting birthday cards done, that is why I try to make them way ahead of their birthdays so I have time to enjoy the process too :)
nicole orriens August 11, 2025 at 23:28
Wow, you make beautiful things! I especially like the dark blue book!
Teresa August 11, 2025 at 06:45
This is a wonderful post! I love seeing the thought process behind each piece, and the way you draw inspiration from your travels is truly special. The watercolor painting of the sandstone is beautiful, and it’s so inspiring that you’re always trying new things.
Carol August 11, 2025 at 04:47
You are so creative. I love the delightful little books. #MMBC
Lisa | Handmade in Israel August 11, 2025 at 03:45
You are so talented. Those tiny books are delightful!
Suzette Benjamin August 10, 2025 at 06:16
Your designs and artwork are fantastic. You are truly blessed and gifted and you work hard at your craft. Thank you for sharing your great photos of your work, Sara.
Dixie August 9, 2025 at 12:17
Wonderful designs, Soma!
You put so much care and love into
all your designs. What a wonderful needle book.
Your painting looks so pretty. And the concertina book is stunning too.
I absolutely love my special blue book and other wonders.
Best Wishes to you, Soma.
And thanks again.
Linda August 9, 2025 at 09:48
I love those little books and the needle books too.
Amy Johnson August 9, 2025 at 05:28
What wonderful friends you have and such beautiful and thoughtful gifts.
Natalie August 8, 2025 at 17:35
Beautiful creations, Soma. How sweet that you and your friends send each other hand-made gifts. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Michelle Rodemsky August 8, 2025 at 10:51
Absolutely beautiful! Both yours and your friend’s creations. So fun that you send each other these sweet, art gifts.
Christine August 8, 2025 at 08:32
Lovely art this week
Kim Carberry August 8, 2025 at 07:25
What wonderful gifts to send your friends. Those books are just beautiful!
handmade by amalia August 8, 2025 at 07:01
Your friends are very lucky, your art is very original and beautiufl.
Amalia
xo
Erika N August 8, 2025 at 05:51
Today you shared with us a whole lot of wonder books. I love ruins too, and I love all your drawings/paintings of them.And those little books are fantastic. Your book are always so polished, where as mine as always so grungy. Both good, but in their own ways, and I love your polished look. I hope you are having a fantastic August. hugs-Erika
Bill August 8, 2025 at 04:55
I love how you seem to find inspiration from some of the places you visit here. Celtic design for instance, while ago at a Welsh church I came across a wooden grave cross with some beautiful Celtic caving on it, normally you see it’ll on stone
Janine Green August 8, 2025 at 01:12
It’s lovely see the packages you have received and the books you have made are exquisite. You are so talented :)
Gillena Cox August 8, 2025 at 00:27
your gifts to your friends are lovely
Happy Friday
Thank you for linking to AFFF
much♡love
Kim August 7, 2025 at 22:37
It’s such a lovely thing to be able to share our creativity to bring joy to someone else’s day. I love seeing the process of how you make such beautiful pieces, Soma.
Cat August 7, 2025 at 15:49
All of it is beautiful, but those little books are just the best. I love the little washi tape embellishments!
Debra She Who Seeks August 7, 2025 at 11:17
Those little books are exquisite!
Joanne August 7, 2025 at 09:08
I love that you send packages back and forth with your friends. That blue journal is so pretty; I too like all shades of blue! I’ve never thought of doing a monochromatic watercolor painting before but that gold painting is just stunning.
an artist reflects August 7, 2025 at 08:12
Oh your art work is divine ~ hugs,
an artist reflects
Lavender Dreams August 7, 2025 at 07:35
The books you make are amazing! And how nice to exchange with friends. Everyone has their own way of doing things and I love them all. I have handmade books on my Etsy wish list all the time. I work in junk journals and try to make them artistic. Hugs!
Karen August 7, 2025 at 07:24
so many pretty designs I wish I could do your type of work!
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal August 7, 2025 at 05:05
I’m so glad you share your passion with us, and how nice to have a friend you exchange “goodies” with! Your knitting supplies keeper is lovely. I love the sandstone ornament. We love looking at ruins too. Isn’t it great to enjoy each step of making!