It is our mother’s 80th birthday tomorrow and my sense of anticipation is strangely acute especially now that the book I was hand-making for her – its pages filled with photos and quotes and memories – has, on being heat-bound for the second time, begun to fall apart – argh!
The printer/binder people have been very honest with me in twice saying, “This book is the thickest book we’ve ever bound and we had to place all of the pages between two very heavy objects for it to seal.” These lovely people have seen our love for Meg firsthand and have actually recognized some of the kids in the photos.
One of the reasons the book has become so unwieldy is because, every time I made a mistake, I just glued things together so the faulty page was underneath the good page. Then I tried to cover the smudges with stickers and I got really carried away here with channeling the kids – 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and the anticipation of the next one!
So the book is my first/last attempt at being artistic, but I have never had so much fun! Plus I like the fact that underneath/behind each page of this book is a slightly different layer to the story of who our mother/grandma IS!
In adding the final touches tonight, the whole book begins to fall apart and Ming’s feedback indicates that it is all a bit ‘twee’ so, in defiance, I open up all of the sticker packages and paste hearts and gifts and love on every single page of what we have called ….
The Map of Meg
Her extra gift (shhhh!) is a roll of sticky tape!
jmgoyder 
It would have fallen apart with all the pouring over it will get anyway 😀
I’m sure your mother will appreciate all your efforts. These things take a long time to create.
You could have made a few volumes and contained them in a made-to-measure folder to keep them all together, if you were worried in case it was too bulky.
I so appreciate your pragmatism, Jane – thank you.
I am absolutely sure she will weep for joy when she sees it!
PS — when I made my eldest daughter her book at age 13, I needed something to keep it together too so… I went out to buy a scarf and found this beautiful silk scarf with the words, ‘my mother’s heart is my home’ printed into it! It was perfect — cost more than the book but it was perfect! 🙂
Enjoy!
Good idea!
Maybe a sticker saying “Handle with Care” would be useful…. It was certainly made with ‘care’ and of course ‘love’…. Diane
With all that love and memories put into that book it is bound to be a huge, beautiful and messy affair both literally and metaphorically; you can’t have all those pieces of history without a bit of mess. Your mother is going to love it and the sticky tape as well. Hugs Jules job extremely well done. 😀 xox
It is heavy with love. ❤
Diana xo
It sounds like you had such fun creating the book. Keep on enjoying these priceless moments!
She will adore and love it no matter how it looks. It is the thought that went into it that matters to her, I think
If you could have each page scanned (or take a photo), then you can make it a digital book someday and never worry about it falling apart! I know that sounds silly, because the tactile layers are so special – but it sure is great when you know that way it will never be lost.
Art and gifts should be measured by the heart and joy that goes into them, and not by their perfection. Sounds like you made all the right choices.
It sounds something very special. All the best for the actual presentation.
I am getting very excited for her to get this!!!!! 🙂
What a card that Ming is.
Sucks that the book has started to fall apart maybe you should have done it in two volumes
It’s a wonderful gift, all of it, the loving effort, including the roll of sticky tape. ❤
What a wonderful idea for a present and I am sure she will love it 🙂