Behind the Scenes: Gearing Up for Handmade Goodness

If you've known me for any amount of time then you already know this coming weekend is a huge milestone for me! I mentioned here that I'll be attending my first market and the time has almost come.

I've spent many hot southern summers perusing craft fairs and art shows and now I'm finally going to be on the other side of all the action. I will be talking about my handmade books and selling them to complete strangers for the first time ever. This is a lot different from friends, family, and acquaintances of my friends/family asking me to make books for them after already seeing my work.





This is me going out there and literally putting it all on the table and seeing what the world thinks--- EEEEP! I am so excited nervous scared proud that I almost don't know what to do with myself!

Almost being the key word-- I've managed to spend every spare moment making as many books as possible. I've been waking up early, making books in cars, stitching pages together while watching Orphan Black, and folding paper until my fingers hurt and I can't find anymore podcasts to listen to.

It's actually been pretty wonderful-- despite all of the unknowns. I've made lots of mini books, reclaimed leather books, and other fun things. I'm trying to find ways to display my books using different items I already have around the house, though I am meeting with Elizabeth this week to paint some props and get my layout nailed down.





That's what I've been up to the last few weeks! It's big and exciting and I know that I have so much to learn-- I can't wait to share it all with you! And since I've been talking about opening my business and doing things like this for so long, I know I'm not the only one with this dream. So please, if you have ANY questions then ask them below. I would LOVE to pass on everything I learn— the good, the bad, the scary! I don't even know what I don't know yet, but once Saturday is over, it will be nice to have those "first show jitters" out of the way.

If you're in Nashville, stop by the Summer Solstice Party for handmade vendors, food trucks, music, and local brews on Saturday. Otherwise, give me all your wisdom and your questions and I will see you on the other side of this madness-- yay!

Learn to Bind Your Own Travel Book at Craft Camp!

Today I'm excited to share some big 'ole news with y'all: This summer I'm teaming up with The Skillery to teach an awesome bookbinding class! *cue the trumpets and choir*

Bind Your Own Travel Book with Accordion Pockets is part of The Skillery Craft Camp, a full day of creative learning and doing. Classes and workshops range from book arts, to printing and sewing skills, to bringing out the Beyonce in you. The Craft Camp schedule was designed to let attendees take a day to focus on creative growth and collaborative fun— a summer break for grown folks!

My class is designed to explore bookmaking with an emphasis on reuse and upcycling. We'll turn maps, vintage ephemera, ticket stubs, beautiful papers— you name it — into a travel book, a home for concert memorabilia, a collage journal, a small poetry collection, a coupon clipping + meal-planning powerhouse, or whatever your heart desires. Basically, if you're a paper hoarder (like me— no shame!) then this class is for you.



Craft Camp takes place June 28 in Nashville, Tennessee, and the day ends with a fireside hang, s'mores, and a drinks party outside. I'm pretty excited that my class is early in the day because I've totally got my eye on that Crepe Paper Flowers course. And the Felted Pet Portrait class. And I'm gonna Learn Chalk Lettering, too. GIVE ME ALL THE SKILLS.



Do y'all have anything like this in your town? Summer camp for adults— c'mon, what's not to love?? Maybe I won't be able to take *all* the classes I want, but you can bet I'll be around that day— stitching, laughing, teaching, and eating my weight in s'mores!

***Olive the cat not included . . . but it would be nice to have a felted portrait of her, no?

Handbound Leather Longstitch Journal with Watercolor Details

I'm so excited to share my most recent handmade book with you today! It was a custom order for a Mother's Day gift and I dare say that it turned out even better than I imagined. This journal was created for my friend's mom, who is a painter. This piece was fun because I don't actually know my friend's mother and I pretty much had free reign.

After a short Q&A session with my friend, I had a vision and just went for it. I started with a rich light brown leather cover. Bonus points because the cover is completely upcycled from *drumroll please* . . . a secondhand leather skirt! The strap is actually the old waistband of the skirt— CAN YOU TELL??




This binding is called "longstitch" and allows a beautiful contrast of thread on the spine. The spine has an additional strip of leather sewn on for aesthetics, stability, and if we're being honest— because I totally messed up the original holes I punched and needed to cover them up. WHOOPS. Happy accident though, no? I kind of love it.




The leather is so soft and buttery— the perfect texture. It's also very thin, so it was challenging to sew. There are some wrinkles and a bit of bulging on parts of the spine, which is not ideal to the perfectionist in me, but the artist part of me appreciates that you can tell it wasn't made by a machine. And secondhand leather— come on! I totally saved some poor unfortunate soul from wearing this mid-shin length leather travesty (SORRY NOT SORRY).

Anyway, I would be more upset by the imperfections if I wasn't so confident in my craftsmanship (HAHAHA CONCEITED MUCH?). But seriously I know my own strengths and meticulous detail is one of them.



The inside contains 160 hand-torn pages that create a lovely deckled edge. I am a complete and total sucker for a book with feathered edges. The cover sheet and signature protectors are all made from paper that I watercolored myself. I am so proud of that watercolor, too! It is a "technique" that I "mastered" a few weeks ago when I created my first wedding guestbook (oops-- secret's out!!).

I can't wait to share that guestbook, but it's totally one of those annoying "top secret projects" that I can't talk about yet [GROAN]. But I will tell you that it was in collaboration with Stockroom Vintage— so you should expect lots of dreamy goodness. If you're sleuth enough, you can lurk my instagram and find a sneak peak of it. (Sorry to be mysterious, I just actually don't know how to link to a single picture on instagram, ha).



ANYWAY. Secondhand leather. Watercolor. Hand-torn edges. This book is very "Kitty Cat Stevens." It's a huge amalgamation of pretty much everything I've learned about bookmaking. Like when you think about it, this book took me 6 years to make. I'll just let that sink in . . .

Lastly, I would be much remiss if I didn't mention a few more things. Although this is the first time I have done this particular longstitch sewing pattern, it is actually the second time I've made a leather longstitch journal. The first time was in a class taught by Katie Gonzalez, local bookbinder and owner of Linen Laid & Felt bindery. She's also the one who taught me a slightly easier version of how I was tearing down paper, too.



I never posted pictures of the journal I made in Katie's workshop because it didn't feel 100% like mine, ya know? I mean, I added a floral paper and embroidery so it has my flair, but it was essentially me learning how to make her signature book. But that's the thing I love about bookbinding— you can teach a room of 20 people the same binding and still get 20 different books at the end. So that class gave me the confidence to go ahead and experiment with leather and really take what I learned and make it my own.

That's why I love learning. I can already see how my work has progressed from book to book. Like if I hadn't made this embroidered book (which I still haven't shared the final pics of, OOPS) then I wouldn't have the knowledge to make the guestbook I mentioned above. And then I couldn't have made THIS book. (Insert circle of life metaphor because it's getting too late for me to think straight anymore). And maybe it's just me being cheesy. It just feels like so much in my life is aligning and like everything I've ever done has been leading up to this moment. (Okay, I'm getting sentimental— time to wrap this up!)



(Also, here's the obligatory cat lady picture. Hundreds of places to sit in our new house and she decides to plop down on my photo setup— classic Olive!)

Whew. I think that's everything I wanted to say. Well, besides a few "housekeeping" things. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm doing my first handmade market next month— eeeeep! Which means even though I'll be making lots of things, I will be allotting nearly all of my free time to finishing up May commissions and creating inventory, so things might get quieter around here BECAUSE PRIORITIES. So if you'd like to see me more than once a week, let's hangout on Instagram.



Although I won't be on the blog as often, I swear I am so fired up about everything to come! Once the market's done, I'll be focusing on my new website/shop. So if you're reading this through Google Friend Connect then I recommend going ahead and following on Bloglovin instead. Okay, that's all the blog talk I have. I have more books to share but I'm still trying to find a balance so I don't overwhelm y'all with ME ME ME books books books.

Okay that's all I have to say— I hope you are doing wonderful! When my friend saw his mom's book he said, "That's so beautiful I want to cry." So basically I hope your life is so good you want to cry. But not really because then you'd be crying . . . but you know, I really hope you are doing well. Y'all are great for reading all the silly things I say and I am beyond lucky to have your support. OKAY TOO MANY FEELINGS, BYE NOW.

A Sparkly Custom Journal for the Glitter Lover's Soul

Hello, everyone— and thank you for your wonderful comments and emails regarding my big 'ole life changes. Since the last post wasn't all glitter and sunshine, I thought today it would be fun to share something that is literally only glitter and sparkles— my most recent handmade book! For those curious, this is called a "buttonhole binding" and yes, it was extremely fun to make :-)



This custom glitter journal was a birthday present for my close friend, Haley. She's a really amazing person and feels very much like a sister to me. She is extremely talented and tons of fun to be around. She has amazing handwriting, makes really wonderful watercolor drawings, and is almost always writing a list of some sort. She had a Whoopi GOLDberg themed birthday party and is also obsessed with mermaids, so I used those facts as jumping off points to create the perfect surprise journal for her.

I found this awesome heavyweight sparkly paper that is perfect for creating softcover books. It's thick enough to protect but light enough to keep the book from weighing your purse or bag down. I had a vision of a glittery gold book with a detailed exposed spine, but I wasn't sure what other color I wanted (or what would "work" with the almost over the top gold). But then I found this dreamy teal paper with it's own, more subtle sparkle and just ran with the whole thing.



I had actually picked out some awesome jewel purple thread with sparkly accents to bind the book, but somewhere between the thread aisle and my house it completely disappeared. I didn't have time to go back to the store, so I just thought, "If you were making this for you, what color would you choose?" and then obviously decided to bind it with some peachy pink instead.




Since I know Haley likes to use watercolor, write with fun pens and markers, and make collages, I went with a nice and thick multimedia paper. It's not quite as heavy as watercolor paper, but it's hefty enough to really span a lot of different mediums. And as a fellow list-maker, I had my heart set on something high-quality because it's a huge bummer dealing with ghosting while you write. The paper is also hand-torn to size, which gives the book that dreamy deckled edge that I love so much. . . Anyway, I'm going to move along now because I could drone on about paper for far too long!



The last small detail I added was the heart button that helps keep the whole thing closed. Haley actually bought that little button while she lived in Africa, and she gave it to me months ago after deciding she didn't know what to make with it. I could just tell that it was special to her though, so as soon as I found out her birthday was coming up, I knew whatever I created had to incorporate it. I think I made the right call because there may have been a few happy tears shed over while receiving this book.



So there you have it— the goldest, most glitteriest book I have ever made. I hate to sound obnoxious by swooning over my own work, but honestly, I am in serious love with how this book turned out! It's something I never would have created for myself but now that it exists I kind of want one in every color, ya know? This glitter is just so much fun— I couldn't stop smiling the entire time I was making this book.



Ps. Here's a super secret I'm gonna let you in on: Haley and I have decided to collaborate on a zine together! I've always wanted to write one, and this random idea finally popped into my head that would be perfect, so we are gonna go with it and see where it takes us— I'm super excited! I've also finally convinced her to start a blog (coming soon) so can she share all the awesome lists she makes, so hopefully y'all will be able to meet her soon!

Custom Rainbow Journal with Duct Tape Covers

Hello, everyone! I've noticed a lot of my friends (both online and off) have been feeling less than inspired lately so today I thought I'd try to combat the winter blues by sharing this borderline nauseatingly bright & cheery book that I made for a friend. I've had a less than ideal couple of months but just thinking about how I felt holding this book after finishing it is warming me up a bit— I couldn't stop smiling!

But let me back up so you get the whole story. I have a pretty amazing friend group and we organized our huge second annual Secret Santa event in December. There must of been at least. . .  30 of us?! and I got to be Santa for my good friend, Neil. In order to describe Neil to you, I think I need to tell you about the first time we met.

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In December of 2009, I went on a two-week winter tour with my friends' band, Blastoids. This was my second stint with them, (you can read about the first one— a 45 day long summer trip— here). That winter, still filled with wanderlust, they bought a school bus, gutted it, filled it with over a dozen friends, and drove it up the east coast on tour. We played a show in a different city every night and it was amazing.

During that journey, we met up with another band on a similar journey: Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt. And that's how I met Neil (and a half dozen of my now best friends). Neil writes music about how amazing life and friends are and then travels the world with an array of people, costumes, lights, and instruments— spreading happiness everywhere he goes.

All 20+ of us spent our days on a bus playing games and getting to know each other and our nights singing songs and dancing together. By the end, it was clear that when we said goodbye it was just the beginning. Now, five years later, I still keep in touch with everyone and consider them my closest friends even though we are all across the country now.



Neil is a lot of things— funny, eccentric, encouraging, smart. He is an inextinguishable spark of positive energy and fun. Neil is also always, always, always, on tour—I can hardly keep up with where he is. Since he is always traveling, I wanted to give him something portable and practical, which is how the book you see here was born.

Neil's music equipment and gear is covered in neon duct tape, so I immediately knew his book would be, too. And there was no way that clean white pages would work (if you don't believe me, just look at his website) so I gave him a rainbow to choose from. I finished it up with purple stitching and even though I sometimes felt blinded by it's power, that's also how I knew it would be a great fit.

I didn't even know if he would use a journal when I made it, but the process of creating the perfect book for someone is where all the fun comes from. I thought maybe he could at least use it for lyrics, but he told me he plans on making it a gratitude book, which is an idea I love for a book so vibrant.



So that's the story of the brightest book I've ever made. When I sat down to write this I actually had no idea what I was going to say, but after talking about friendship and memories I'm all warm and fuzzy on this nasty winter day. I mean, it was a fun book to make, but I think I love the reason that I made it even more. I like making things for other people so much, and with each book I create I've realized that my greatest ambition is to do it for a living— and the thought of making that a reality is what I'm using to keep the winter blues away. Until next time, Jenna 

Bookcraft & Stitchery: What to Expect from Kitty Cat Stevens in 2014

Hello, friends— new & old! I thought the new year would be a good time to let everyone who's following my journey know what they can expect here in 2014— I have some plans & changes up my sleeve so I just want to make sure we're still a good fit for each other.

I've been blogging on various platforms for awhile now, and a lot has changed since I first started out. If you've been following me from the beginning then you probably know that Kitty Cat Stevens began as a way for me to chronicle all the things I make. At that time, it was mostly vegan baking and cake decorating with the occasional handmade book, thrifted goodness, or outfit thrown in.


After I graduated college, I studied paper and bookmaking at an art school intensive for 12 weeks. I always wanted to open a shop to sell my books, but I didn't think I had the money, time, space, or knowledge to do that. So I decided to follow my other passion— baking! After all, people would always have an incurable sweet tooth, so it seemed as stable a career as any (and one that I could at least find joy in!).

So I accepted the first job that would take me and I worked at a jewelry boutique for four months while I sold enough treats on the side to pay for local cake decorating classes. I shared my progress on my blog and once I had enough confidence, I applied to a bakery in town and attached pictures of my work (which I conveniently had— thanks to blogging, yay!). I got hired a month after I applied as a frosting maker and it was the best feeling ever.


After that, dominoes kept falling and I transferred to Nashville to be a head baker, then eventually accepted a job as a candy maker in October of 2012. At the same time, I started thinking I would like to start my own business creating dessert tables for events, so I started working with Stockroom Vintage as a stylist so I could learn to create beautiful styled photoshoots and tablescapes. And this is when everything changed.

I had two amazing jobs, and more importantly, two amazing mentors. Being around two smart, funny, talented entrepreneurial women made me realize that I did have what it takes to start my own handmade business. And working at various local vintage and handmade markets for each job sparked a fire that's only grown over the last year or so.


Since I started blogging, I've met amazing people and learned new skills. I've picked up a lot of the essential skills necessary to run the sort of business I'd like to own. I know enough HTML to tweak a free blog template, I learned to take and edit product photos, to efficiently "mass produce" handmade goods, to ship and fulfill online items, to work with custom orders, to find and setup at local markets. . .

But I also learned that I didn't wanna make sweets or dessert tables for a living. One day I woke up and realized that all these different paths were converging. . . and pushing me towards one conclusion: to open my own bookbinding business.

So here we are at the start of a new year: I am now taking on custom book orders and I will be opening an online shop filled with ready to ship books this spring. I am so excited / nervous / overwhelmed / happy to be sharing this news with all of you!


So, what does this mean for the blog? For starters, I have a brand new shiny design— so if you're in a reader then please pop-out and take a look around! I wouldn't really call this a "rebrand" because I do a new blog layout every year, but I wanted an update so new and old visitors would know what to expect from me now.

I will be narrowing in a little on the topics I write about, but this will by no means become a bookmaking only or a impersonal blog for my business. I've tried a lot of different features and posts in my time, and I've got a pretty good idea of what I like the most and what doesn't work for me. So here's a little preview of the subjects I will be focusing on in the future:

"Bookcraft & Stitchery" will be a huge focus for me. I've learned that the more I share my handmade books and the process behind them— the more this blog feels like "me." I've also recently learned to use a sewing machine and have really enjoyed sharing that on the blog, too. Since both of those are kinda made up words, this is what they consist of:

• Bookcraft: handmade books in progress, techniques, custom orders, tutorials 
• Stitchery: my embroidery, hand-sewn / altered / up-cycled clothes and items

Sketchbook Sunday, one of my favorite old features, will be back! I have plans to not only share peeks into my own sketchbook, but you will get to see into other people's, too— as well as submit your own to share.

The Cat's Meow: A Collection of Things to Purr Over, is a monthly round up that I love to do and will definitely be starting up again and staying.

I'll still be sprinkling in some behind the scenes daily happenings such as what I'm up to with Stockroom Vintage, neat things I've thrifted, or recent adventures I've gone on. The newest thing for me to share will be business updates— eep! The good, the bad, the ugly! I don't wanna gloss over anything because I know a lot of you are interested in starting a business some day— so I am here to cheer you on! I've had a lot of help to get to this point and I have a lot to learn, so really I just want this to be an inspirational place where we can all learn from one another.


Things I don't plan to do anymore are "What I Wore" posts, Giveaways, or Ad Swaps. As much as I really loved to share thrifted clothes that I found, I just don't wanna be a fashion blogger. However, I've really enjoyed sharing the different items I have sewn or altered, so any "outfits" I share will be because it's something I have made that you can make, too! I think that diy standpoint is more congruent with my lifestyle anyway. I've also done giveaways in the past and I'm not really sure they are for me. I loved finding new blogs to read, but again, just not for me. Lastly, I won't have anymore buttons on my sidebar. It's not my goal to make money from blogging or be sponsored or to have a huge "following" or whatever (though I think it's great if people can make a living blogging— it's just not my goal). I am, however, inspired by tons of women and so I've created a "Meet My Friends" page that you can check out if you'd like to see the blogs I love.


Whew— I think that's it! I know this is a long post but I really value honesty and transparency, so I wanted to setup expectations in case you are like me and use the new year as an excuse to clean out your blog subscriptions ;) I just don't feel like it's okay for those of you who want to get recipes, cake decorating posts, free things, or outfit posts regularly to feel like you are cheated when I will mostly be posting about books and sewing and diy!

So if you're into handmade books, embroidery, and all things paper (with some tales from a first time entrepreneur)— then you're in the right place! I can't wait to start this new chapter with all of you <3 -jenna 

Pictured: Handbound "coptic stitch" blank journal made from a vintage children's book. Includes original illustrated pages throughout, along with scalloped spacers so additional pictures, pages, and mementos can be glued in without adding bulk. Also pictured: Olive the cat because she photobombs everything!