Let’s Make Something!
Look Books for Your Space
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Look books are so easy and fun and personal — they’re the perfect weekend/lifetime project! Putting one together is a lot like journaling, but with wishes instead of actual events, and pictures instead of words and glue instead of pencils and you don’t have to label every entry with a date, which means you never have to feel guilty if/when you miss two+ weeks! They’re really great to have around because sometimes you forget what it is that you like, you know?
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Last year, while flipping through an IKEA catalog for the gazillionth time, trying to find a bookcase that refused to be found, I decided maybe I’d make a look book so I could avoid this problem in the future. Only I didn’t call it a look book. I called it my Trapper Keeper because that, my friend, is where I put it. Incidentally, Trapper Keepers are perfectly suited for this kind of project, thanks to the fact that they are giant and highly customizable.
We happened to have a surplus of those clear page protectors, so that’s what I used. I think they make my book fancy and slick, which I appreciate, but I must tell you — they’re completely unnecessary. You don’t need fancy stuff to make a look book, kids. Save your moneys to spend on your actual look!
You Will Need:
* A binder, Moleskine, spiral notebook, whatever
* Glue/tape/stapler/bubblegum
* Pictures of stuff that you love/want
* Paper
* Your imagination
* Special Look-Book-Making playlist (optional)
Clear your schedule for a couple of hours. Turn on some appropriate music. How’s your lighting? Good? Settle in with a stack of magazines and catalogs. I recommend you just start tearing things out left and right. Don’t stop to think about why you like something or if it fits or what else is in the picture.
Just rip it out, nerds!
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It’s also fun to look through discount book bins for inspirational images. I picked up two copies of David Carson’s Trek from a clearance bin at giant book store for $1 each! One is intact and the other has had pages cut out to create all kinds of lovely things. Pretty pictures can be found in all sorts of places, so keep your eyes peeled! I hate that expression!
After you’ve collected a bunch of pictures, attach them to sheets of paper. You can put things in order by room, color, feelings, animal sounds — whatever. Make notes in the margins. Label things. Cover the whole page with glitter. Do whatever you want! You’re free like a bird!
Other Things You Could Use:
* Actual photographs — Remember 35 mm film? It’s still fun! Take some pictures and have them developed! You’re so alt, I bet you’ve got a Lomo! Holler!
* Fabric scraps — Are you aware that most fabric stores will supply you with free samples if you ask nicely? True story!
* Found objects — Is it weird to tape rocks to the paper in your look book? No. What about a leaf or a feather? Totally not weird!
* Anything, really — Seriously.
Next:
“Last week I invited you to submit pictures
of where you sit and GUESS WHAT YOU DID.”
Also: Stimuli [exciting links], Your Moment of Zen,
and What’s Coming Next Week
