Bijou Books: The Biscuit 2.0
Version 2.0 of the biscuit book is a great improvement on my first attempt at the thing. Coptic binding turned out to be the best binding for these, allowing the biscuit to retain its boxy profile and keeping the biscuit covers nearly flush with the text block.
The covers are double thickness, made of two thin pieces of board. Two boards were covered in a pink polka-dot paper (with the design facing the text block), and were attached to the text block during the coptic binding process. The second pair of boards were covered in felt, stitched into biscuits, and then glued over the first boards, concealing the coptic board attachment stitches.
The double-layer covers also allowed me to conceal the ends of two lengths of ribbon, used to tie the book closed.
I was asked to make these as Christmas presents for the four granddaughters of an elderly lady I work with in the mall. “That’s what they’re getting from Nana this Chrissy: your little cookies, and a packet of sour plums each.”
Hmm…sweet and sour…there’s a secret message for you from Gran in there somewhere, girls.
Miri’s Journal
And, of course, there’s Miri’s journal, which I put together yesterday. By no means perfect, though it came out looking okay, as a book. I am not unhappy with it, anymore, and I hope Miri will like it, too. There’s always the next tagebuch, and the chance to make something different and better, in a few years’ time. She really uses them, Miri, which is why I delight in making them for her. It is the touch of a person’s hands, and a lifetime of being lovingly used, that burnishes and enriches the existence of a piece of craftsmanship.
Reblogged this on carmillaweirdlove.
Too cute!
Those little books are just adorable. And I’m sure your friend will love her gift! 
I thought it was a real cookie!
LOL Thanks! The idea of stitching little felt sweets comes from Japanese craft magazines…they make some amazing stuff, I guess they’re meant to be toys for kids to play tea-time or something…
I like that cookie book!!!
Thanks! Glad you like it.
The best things most definitely come in small packages – the little cookie books are as sweet as pie. I love the way you did the horses mane too (and the whole book in general). Wow, as usual Nat!
wow, too cute! so creative
Those biscuit books are amazing and so adorable! I just love them!
WOW…I mean, WOW!!
Oh, you loyal and enthusiastic fangirl, you.
Message me your postal addy…I want to send you something, I promise they aren’t knickers.
I agree with everyone else. The biscuit books are so cool, a smashing success! The journal is lovely, as well. The circles on the spine are very effective.
best, nadia
Thank you, Nadia!
Wow! The biscuit books are so lovely. It’s the most original idea I’ve ever seen. Congratulations
Thanks, marianne! One idea just led to another…
Reblogged this on NOOSA NOW and commented:
I have been making mini books for years and yours are just gorgeous!! You clever thing and I know how much time it takes …. lovely !!!! Inspired me to do some again.
Thank you for the re-post, Chris! After I ironed out the How, making them got easier and I whipped four of these up in a day (true, I did nothing else all day
But I am a procrastinator, so there was plenty of daydreaming, bop-bop-bopping to music, and smoking in between each task. 
Nat, these little biscuit books are gorgeous! I want one too! The horse journal is lovely also. You clever lady you! xo
Veronica, ‘zat you?
Thank you, lovely, they were fun to make. How ARE you? We need to catch up! See you at the Marara Christmas markets, perhaps? XX N.
These are all so adorable! I wish I were as crafty as you are!
Thank you! It’s easy, all it takes is to start on one little project, putting one foot in front of the other. I often wish I were as crafty as many others I’ve seen! Must all be relative.
I want a biscuit journal in my stocking too!
So adorable! Wonderfully creative and so well-executed.
The journal came out beautifully!! And the biscuits are madly adorable.
I thought I liked the journal cover before, but seeing the finished product is even better. I want one!
YAY! Thank you. The moment when the different materials come together and form a book is still, to me, a moment of pure magic. Why I love bookbinding so much, I guess, is for that enchanted metamorphosis, and the thrill of synergy.
I am charmed down to my tippy-toes by the biscuit books! Bravo! Such beautiful work.
Amazing biscuit books! Love them
Your books are amazing, the biscuits look so real(and delicious).
Wow…these are divine…your book for your friend turned out so beautifully…
Thanks, Lakshmi!
Thanks! They’re 4 x 6 x 4 cm.
The biscuit books are so cute. Love it.
Thanks, Ania!
The biscuit books are so cute! I also really like how the journal came out. The dots somehow look a little nicer when on a different angle from the horse. I think it might just be because you can see what they’re supposed to do.
Thanks! I agree, now that their ‘purpose’ is clear, they seem to need less justification for being there.
Oh, my!!! Everything you do is exquisite! Do you teach bookbinding? I so want to learn.
Hello, Cheryl, thank you! I do teach bookbinding, but not online, I just haven’t got the resources to mount an internet course. You’re not in Darwin Australia by any chance, are you?
Unfortunately, no. I live outside Chicago, USA, a bit of a commute!
Beautiful – so lovely to give something made by your hands to a special person! The biscuit books look good enough to eat … =D
Love the cookie books. So cute. And love the horsey journal. You are very clever.
So cute!
I’m sure your friend will be delighted with the book, what a beautiful gift.