The Chronicles of Bookbinding By: stacia svedi

This last weekend was a really relaxing one for me. It was so nice. I did everything I wanted to do. Bookbinding.

That's right I did some bookbinding, which I haven't done for a few months, so it was nice to get back into it a bit. I realized that my stock of glue, muslin, sharp razor blades, and binders board is getting quite low. I'm gonna have to make a trip to an art store to re-stock! :) And I need to get my stuff organized a little better. I haven't really done anything since moving to my new place, but I have a table set up in my room and a huge paper cutter (thanks mom!) So I really haven't had any excuse except that it's kind of a squished corner and it can be a hassle getting everything organized every time I want to do anything. But, c'est la vie.

Anyway, I finally got around to fixing a book for my brother. He has this huge Chronicles of Narnia book, you know the one that has all the stories combined into one book. Well, he's had this for years! And lets just say it's been "well loved." The spine was completely gone, and the top cover was separated from the book. SO I worked some of my amazing magic and Voila! It's as good as new!

I added a new spine, and covered it with book cloth, which is much sturdier than paper. I covered the corners as well since they were getting worn down.

Here you can see the spine, and end-bands which I replaced so they match the spine, and I even replace his book ribbon, the one that was there was all scraggly and worn. Yeah, I'd have to say it looks pretty good. :)

Things proved to be a little tricky for replacing the inside paper, and to be honest it got a few bubbles in it, and I got glue on the paper, but I think it still looks better than before, and besides that, this paper is pretty snazzy! I hope he'll appreciate his newly renovated Chronicles of Narnia! Please don't read while laying in bed Scott, that is a dang heavy text! The poor spine won't stand a chance!




Here's my next project! I snagged this book from my sisters room, I'd seen it there for a while, all taped up and I just thought, this is a shame! The book itself has such an awesome cover! Please don't put tape on your books! Come on people! The tape is all yellowed and brittle, and I just had to do some book surgery!

 Even the inside is all taped up, as you can see this came from some library, Shaina did you just never return your library book? ;)

I love the illustration on this, it is just beautiful and even with the faded colors it still looks so neat. I'm still working on getting the tape off, it might take some time, and I think I'm going to have to try moistening the tape, to get it to come off easier.

Here I've removed the cover from the text-block, and I'm working on getting the tape off.

Look at the inside illustrations too, they are just adorable. I simply love it. I might have to keep this book when I'm done with it. OR it could be really cute made into a journa. I would use the cover and create a coptic bound book, where every other section of the text is blank pages. Now I know that doesn't make much sense if you don't know much about bookbinding, but... it would be awesome. I will probably just try to restore this book as best as possible, unfortunately some of the paper on the inside is really stuck to this tape, but i will do my best, and give an update when I'm done with the book!

What did Andrew Loyd Webber do to the Phantom? Love Never Dies!

Okay!!!Umm... I have a  lot to say about this! If you've never heard about this, let me inform you. This show, Love Never Dies is the sequel to Andrew Loyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Sounds pretty awesome at first. Say what! A sequel to one of the best shows ever on Broadway! But don't be decieved...

Now I am probably one of the biggest fans of The Phantom of the Opera. I love that show, I grew up to it... I would listen to the music over and over again, sing to it, and dance around the room to it. At one point I'm sure I had every word memorized, and could still sing along with the entire show. Unfortunately I've only seen it twice in the theater, but I absolutely love it. The movie is okay, but the musical is amazing! Today Shara, my sister, told me about Love Never Dies, and we were talking about this, and why it is such an abomination to the original.

First: This is why The Phantom of the Opera is so good!

The Phantom of the Opera has so much passion, raw emotion, and turmoil; it's characters are dynamic and mysterious and the music is absolutely amazing from the first second! Now, I've pondered a lot about why this show is so appealing to me. I'm mostly curious as to why I feel this pity for the Phantom. Why is there this allure to his character that I can't really explain? I mean the Phantom is an evil man, he is a cold-hearted killer, he's selfish, manipulative, and in the real world he would be a TOTAL and COMPLETE creeper!

Why then is Christine and every woman that watches that show drawn to him?  He is consumed by his own selfishness, and hate for everyone around him, except Christine, with whom he's consumed by lust. But, he doesn't know what LOVE is! He was raised alone, and with hatred because he was treated with creulty and like a freak, so in a way he's a product of his environment. He's become a creature of the night. But you pity this man, you pity him because you know what he's been deprived of, and why. And you know it's not fair. He just wants to be loved, and that has eluded him his entire life! Anyone with an open heart would pity that.

And that's what Christine is feeling for the Phantom, she doesn't love him...she can't love him, because his soul is black, and sucks life and love out of everything around it. But she is a young, naive, woman, who is loyal to her dead father's memory and love of music. She is confused by him because she first see's the Phantom as an angel of music! The answer to her prayers and a miracle from her father! As she learns what he really is she then see's a pitiful creature, that she wants to help, but can't. A man that just wants love, but who has turned into a monster from the inside out. (Well, actually, in his case maybe it's more like outside in.)This becomes more and more apparent as he starts killing people and she starts fearing for her safety.

In my opinion this is the dilemia of Christine, and the REASON that this musical is one of the best, because although the Phantom is the "bad" guy, you're still kind of rooting for him to find love, You're drawn in by his intrigue just like Christine, I mean... when he starts singing, wow, I was speachless watching it! But in the end you can see that he's really dangerous.

Now I'm going to contrast that with her feelings for Raoul, this is a man, she grew up with, and looked up to for years, in fact he's her childhood crush. She trusts him, he is what he says he is. He's straight forward, there's no mystery about him. He's also handsome and wealthy, which adds to his dreamboat appeal! But besides this, the most important thing about him is that he just wants her happiness. Throughout the story, he is striving to protect her. (But to be honest his character is not nearly as inticing as the Phantom.)He's pretty much the opposite of what the Phantom is. You know that he wants to bring her out of this shadowy world of the night and into the light, while the Phantom wants to keep her with him in his personal "Hell". In many of the lyrics you notice this, the Phantom is always associated with darkness and night, while Raoul talks of light. I love the line where he says, "No more talk of darkness, forget these wide eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears, I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you." His love is safe and selfless. And I might take this one step further and say he's her "salvation" figure.

In the climax of the Phantom of the Opera, Raoul is willing to sacrifice his life so she can have freedom! That is such a dramatic moment, and the music is phenomenal, hearing all 3 sing they're desparate, raw, emotions. Then Christine chooses to stay with the Phantom in order to save Raoul. I know I'm getting cheesy, but honestly, isn't this the most beautiful love story! It's Christine and Raoul's love that is selfless!!! That should be the highlight! When Christine kisses the Phantom It's not cause she loves him, but it's to save Raoul, in the only way she knows how. The Phantom finally realizes that she doesn't love him, and in that moment when he finally feels some compassion from another human, he gains some and lets them go so he can wallow ALONE. You're left with a happy ending on the lovers side, and a sad ending for the Phantom, and although he is the bad guy, the interesting thing about this musical is you STILL feel for him, because you know what it's like to love without return. And that is always sad, but he doesn't deserve her love. He's an evil, selfish person. In the movie, the credits have the song, Learn to Be Lonely, I feel like this epitomizes the Phantoms life.

Ok, so I love this musical, for the dynamism, and emotion, the beauty and honesty of these feelings that are brought out in the music. The intrigue of the Phantom, and the purity and love of Christine and Raoul.

WARNING: There are Spoilers in this section:

So, when I read the plot for Love Never Dies, I was like, what? Are you kidding me! This can't be. In writing this Andrew Loyd Webber undermines the genious of the Phantom! His characters aren't consistent at all with what he created in the original. Here we have Christine who actually slept with the Phantom sometime during the first musical and has his child, and of course she never tells Raoul. We have Rauol who's a drunk, neglectful father. The Phantom is made out to be this misunderstood man, he was never really evil, just frustrated my his love. Nevermind all the people he heartlessly killed.  He now helps out other circus freaks in Coney Island (so charitable), he still loves Christine, of course, and he just wants to hear her sing for him again. So he anonymously invites her to come sing at his show, Phantasma!!! Gee, great name...and of course she unknowingly accepts.

When she gets there and finds out the Phantom is behind it he threatens to kidnap her son unless she sings for him, and then makes a bet with Raoul that if she sings for the Phantom then he will leave without his wife and son, if she doesn't sing, then they'll all leave together. Rauol then tries to persuade Christine not to sing. Gee, what's a mother to do, choose between her son or her husband?  And grow some balls Raoul, you're gonna leave your wife and son over a bet you made with a with a derranged psycho! So of course, she sings!  And apparently that means she loved the Phantom all the time, cause she sings Love Never Dies! Raoul just LEAVES! Can you believe that!

Then, some other characters come into play, Madame Giry, and her daughter Meg Giry, who were great characters in the first one, they weren't evil. Madame Giry helped the Phantom escape his cruel life as a child and hid him in the Opera house, but she didn't know what he would turn into. She wasn't a greedy hag, which is how she's portrayed in the sequel. Meg was Christine's friend, kind and quiet, but now she's a prostitute and they're both working with the Phantom for money. Meg gets jealous of Christine, kidnaps her son and tries to drown him!  So the Phantom is no longer the true nemesis, it;s Meg Giry that's the villain in this show! There's a tussle and guess what! Christine gets shot and dies, but before she dies she tells her son who his real father is. (ahem... Star Wars!) Then the Phantom actually raises thier son! Raoul just leaves him behind and goes back to England!

I'm just SOOOO mad at Andrew Loyd Webber right now! Seriously! This is dumb, I can't believe he would ruin the Phantom like this! I mean, the characters are totally different! They wouldn't have acted that way. Sometimes you've just got to leave a good thing alone! Sequels are not always the answer! I love the way the Phantom ends, because although it's somewhat sad to see a pitiful creature never get the love he desires, life can be that way.

Welp, now I'm going to go watch the movie, and bask in the glorious-ness of Gerard Butler! Hahaha.

Family Photos: Memories of the Adorable, Cute, and Funny!

I went home a couple of weeks ago, and my mom had a bunch of old photos out, she's going through them all and is going to scan them into the computer, but I couldn't wait for that! Some of these photos were so cute I just took pictures of the pictures with my phone. So I'm sharing some of them with you today, cause lets face it, the past is adorable, cute, and funny! All things that I love! On another note, we are all so much more attractive now than when these photos were taken. :)

Aren't these glasses amazing! I didn't know they could make them that big! I love that the sides are at the bottom of the lens! So my mom looks so young and so adorable in this picture! I think she might actually be younger than me in this pic! That's crazy...she got married at 24 and pregnant right away! Anyway, I really can't get over how young she looks. :)

Mom and Steve: Baby #1

Myself, Shara, and Alicia, dressed up to the 10's!

My sisters, cousins, friends and I would play dress up all the time. It was so fun to imagine we were princesses, mermaids, or flower fairies! I remember dancing around our living room to Yawni! Yes... Yawni! He was my favorite, and sometimes The Beatles! It was so fun!

Dad, Steve, and Mom

 I love this picture, my parents with my oldest brother Steve, they look so happy, and young with their first baby! Little did they know all the "terrors" they'd bring into this world! ;) No, we were really angels!

Me, Pooh Bear, and Shaina

 At Disneyland! Don't you love our matching outfits! We were rocking that checkered look!

Steve, a cousin, me, right there in the middle, pulling Grandpa's beard. :)

 I love this picture! That's my Grandpa Fred dressed as Santa Claus, surrounded by his little grandkids! I'm the smiling baby in the middle pulling his beard! Even at an early age I was skeptical! I knew that wasn't Santa! :) My Grandpa died of cancer a few years later, so there aren't that many photos of us, this makes me happy. :)

Welp, my family is still dressing up! Actually this was for a parade, the theme was the 60's! I thought we did well! We were walking for a good cause! Unfortunately, you can't see the guide dog we were training, and walking with in the parade, but he was the star of the show!

Me, Shaina, Shara

 My mom made these matching dresses for us for Easter! I loved that dress, and my mom is so talented! Don't we just look adorable? I think so.

Shaina, Scott, Shara

 Scott looks so little! He's so cute, I can't believe how fast he's grown up! There's an 8 year gap between him and I and he's turning 18 this year! Crazy!

Steve & Shara

 I LOVE this picture of Steve and Shara, I think this is one of the cutest things. Steve is so funny! I love that smile, and Shara...so sweet.

Shara & Steve

 Again!!!, Hahahhaaa! Oh I LOVE this, it's classic! Poor little Shara...but actually she didn't seem to mind. :) Steve always did love reading.

Mom, Shara, Dad, Steve

 Look what a handsome/beautiful family that is.

Me, Mom, Shara, Dad, Steve

 Oh look, there I am! The latest addition up to that point. It's so interesting to see photos of our family as it's growing. It makes me excited for the future, as you never really know what to expect in this life. A family is like a surprise every day and life is always changing and growing.

Steve, Mom, & Shara

 I love this with their painted faces, they look so adorable. Look at those eyebrows on Shara! I think you should go for that look again, it does a lot for you! ;)

Shaina, Shara, Me, cousins: Eric, & Alicia

 This was on top of a fallen down Redwood tree, we came here all the time growing up, I loved that place, and it was so fun to climb all over that tree. People have carved their names all over that thing.

Shaina, Shara, & Scott

Haha, I love Scott's scared face here! So funny! I think he was afraid they were gonna start playing "scott" ball!

Shaina, Shara, Mom, Scott, Dad, Me, & Steve: One big happy family!

 The family, finally complete! This is everyone, well there are a few additions, some people got married. :) But this was us growing up, The Svedi's and I have to say we're a pretty cute family.

Me, Scott, Shaina

Haha, I have to end on this one, it makes laugh! Scott looks so cute and I love that he's wearing his tie with a baby tee. :) Shaina looks so sweet, as usual. And there I am, making a fish face. yeah.... Love my family.

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letter to birthday

Dear Birthday,

GO away... I don't want you to come around anymore! Maybe those words are too harsh, but...I mean, what happened to us? Although your loyalty astounds me I've simply grown sick of your singing, numerous spankings, and kisses. You used to be one of my best friends, seeing you was almost as good as Christmas! You would throw exciting parties for me, buy me tons of presents... but now... now you just make me feel OLD,  tired and worried every time you come around. I mean, I know you have good intentions and all, you want me to keep track of my life...celebrate my birth and all...but I'm just not feeling it right now. I think it's time we took a break, why don't you come around again in 5 years... like leap year? But I know this letter is no use, you love me too much! You'll be back, like clockwork.

Yours every year,
Stacia

* This letter in no way lessens my appreciation to those associated with Birthday; ie; parents, siblings, friends, relations... I love YOU, and appreciate your validation and love. Birthday and I just have a few issues to work out. But don't fret, all will be well in the end, it always is. :)

Family Excursions

Last month my cousin Alicia came to town. I hadn't seen her for a few years, so this was pretty exciting! My family and I met up with her and my Uncle Charlie in Fairfield for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Fairfield seems to be our customary meeting spot as it is half way in between Santa Rosa and Sacramento where my Uncle and other family members live. It's also a pretty entertaining little town. We had a few little adventures while we were there and I realized again why I love my family so much. They are absolutely ridiculous! :D First of all my brother Steve, sister in law, Rachel, and I stopped at the Jelly Belly factory to stock up on belly flops, yum...well I actually got chocolate covered Jelly Belly's they're pretty tasty. Then we made our way over to the restaurant for lunch, it was really good and so great to see my long lost super cool cousin! :)

 

So growing up Alicia was the epitome of "cool" and I would say she's still pretty awesome. She loved and I mean LOVED Savage Garden! She had EVERY cd of theirs, including the rare European versions of their songs. She knew every musician you could think of, music was her thing. She would make cd's for us, so we would be sure to know the hot artists. She also loved Horoscopes, I remember she had this book that had a horoscope for each day of the year, The Birthday Horoscope, that told you all about your personality. That was so neat, I would pour over that book whenever I went over to her house. She was so fun, when I was about 10 or so we had a sleepover at her house, and we decided to have an adventure, so we dressed up like guys and snuck out of the house. We put on baggy pants and shirts wore bandanas, and hats backwards and maybe even drew on thick eyebrows! Hahaha, I don't even remember where we went or if we went anywhere, we were just so proud of ourselves for getting out of the house! That was probably our one act of rebellion! Haha, well....maybe not. Oh we had so many good times. I love her, she's wonderful. Last weekend when I was home my family was looking through old photos, and I found this one, of all us girls dressed up!

Alicia, Shaina, Shara, and me all dressed up with no place to go!

Yes, we truly believed we were princesses! We had so much fun prancing around and putting on airs. :) I don't think much has really changed! Haha, we're just bigger is all. Well...We had a good time.

And really nothing has changed! After our lunch we went over to The Nut Tree, a shopping center that just happened to be perfect for my crazy family. Look what we found!

 A giant chess board!! This made me so happy!

 A train! No we didn't ride it, I got some pics though, for my friend Jolene's little boy Levi, he's obsessed with Choo Choo Trains. :) I sent her the picture and she told me he loved it.

 My Uncle Charlie and my Mom had a fun time on the teeter totter! Oh my, I was laughing so hard! Unfortunately it's hard to see my mom in this photo.

 My Uncle Charlie and Dad on these Rocking Horses! I know where I got my young at heart spirit! It's genetic! Or maybe just Nature and Nurture. :)

 After the park we went to the Jelly Belly store, yes, again...I was forced, but they had these really cool Jelly Belly art pieces. Both of these photos are made completely out of Jelly Belly's. I thought it was pretty neat.

So as you can see, we had some great, fun filled adventures, we got to visit with family and have a good time being kids again. This is why I love my family, they aren't afraid to be young at heart and have a good time. I think it's an amazing thing to be able to be so absolutely ridiculous together. :) The only sad part of the day was that Shara and Craig couldn't be there, but we called them and put them on speaker phone during lunch, so they got to be part of the fun. I really LOVE my family, I hope they know that. :D.