phu's Profile

for anyone using direct printouts rather than mirrored xerox, the image must be printed via toner (such as a laser printer) rather than inkjet. I find that rubbing the transfer with a bone folder or the back of a wooden spoon is more effective.

similar transfer processes can be done with (rather toxic) xylene, pure acetone, or wintergreen oil.

book conservator here!

try storing them upright, fanned apart with a few pieces of acid-free corrugated cardboard (best) or blotter sheets, and have them face a fan. the openings in the cardboard should be facing the wind direction, rather than run parallel to it. if the books aren't rare, you could also try storing them (very briefly, a couple days max) with some newsprint.

you can buy blank tyvek from talasonline.com. it comes in a long roll and different thicknesses.

I'm super excited to participate this year. I just moved and have a crazy work schedule, so my place is nowhere near any order. not to mention, I have creative/packrat/clutter tendencies. I was feeling a little sheepish about the hasty photos I took of my still-unpacked, unorganized apartment, but it was encouraging seeing the entire range of spaces in the Flickr pool!

what timing, I just roasted a chicken last night. Outside: lemon juice, olive oil, s&p. inside: the remaining lemons, fistfuls of thyme, rosemary, and garlic, and I'll also stuff some of this under the skin. I roast on top of some veggies, whatever I have around that day, and have always deliciously browned skin with very tender meat.

I never thought that I'd be one to have pink curtains, but when I could only find beige, tan, and navy curtains to fit in my 10 foot high windows, I decided to make my own. While fabric shopping, I had burgundy or chocolate in mind, but then this quirky fun PINK fabric just popped out at me and I had to have it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phuongxpham/2495018506/in/set-72157603892327686/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phuongxpham/2494199123/in/set-72157603892327686/

I would use my IKEA splatter screen more often, but the last time I used it on my gas stove, it started to... smoke? I didn't have the heat on too high, and I had used it just fine on an electric range. anyone else have this problem with IKEA splatter screens? maybe I should try a different brand?

I grew up with chopsticks, and they've carried over into everyday kitchen use... to the point that I cook just about everything with them (except pancakes and deep-fried goodies). When I cook in friends' kitchens, I feel clumsy with wooden spoons and spatulas. I guess I've gotten used to chopsticks as an extension of my cooking arm! I can't imagine a more versatile utensil.

Finishing my curtains (I did the sides and the top and let the bottoms go unfinished... I know it can be done so quickly but I've been putting them off for the longest time!); saving up for an area rug and tiny dining table or something; and finishing unpacking the last straggling boxes from my move 3 months ago.

what brand of adhesive are you using? commercial scotch brand double-stick tape that you would buy at an office supply store won't do the trick.

here are a few options, all available from Talas Online, which is a supplier for book artists and conservators (I do both, so I'm a total nerd about adhesives):

3M Double sided tape. May not be the best for your needs, but the most affordable. Really durable/strong stuff; I've used it for installations with heavy plexiglass.

Two different kinds of sheet adhesive:

Gudy O and Clear Mount.

Gudy O is a really great adhesive but requires a bit of practice and can be cumbersome because it's SO sticky and on a roll. I haven't used their more aggressive version, Gudy V, but maybe you could email Talas and ask for samples?

I'm also a fan of the larger sheets of adhesive, like Clear Mount. I've purchased it in the past from Pearl Art Supplies but couldn't find it on their website. These are the adhesives most similar to double-stick material and pretty easy to use. They will most likely leave some residue when you take down the paper, but it can easily be cleaned with acetone (or someone can recommend something less solvent-y).

I also wonder, if your material is mostly paper, could you just wheat paste it to the glass? it may require some touch up over time, but would probably run the least amount of risk when removing the material in the winter. good luck!