Well, I did it! I finally signed up online for the Sketchbook Project 2012. My materials came in the mail the other day, a moleskine notebook designed especially for this project, and a booklet complete with instructions. The theme I chose this year was The Encyclopedia of . . .  

The sketchbook I received this week, is a wee bit smaller than last year. I think it's the same width, but not quite as tall. You can read all about the 32 page journal/sketchbook and it's custom design on the features page for the Sketchbook project 2012. I participated in last year's project when 28,839 artists from 94 countries signed up! That figure seems quite daunting and really staggering to me. When all was said and done, just under 10,000 sketchbooks were completed and made it to the Art House Co-op by the January 2011 deadline -one of them was mine. Those 10,000 sketchbooks toured the USA February - July 2011 and now have permanent home at the Brooklyn Art Library in Brooklyn, NY. The hours there are 12pm-8pm, Tuesday-Saturday : ^ ) You could check out my book! My theme for 2011 was "This is not a Sketchbook."

You can also view my sketchbook online as part of the Art House Co-op's digital library. I have my own page on the Art House Co-op's site www.arthousecoop.com/users/creativelenna/artwork. It holds my sketchbook via the digital library (this is an extra $20 fee when signing up) as well as my own uploads as I was doing the project and a small portfolio of my work. If you are thinking of signing up, the Art House Co-op also has a blog via tumblr where I learned they are doing a special community challenge. The Sketchbook Project will donate a free entry to the project to one of 10 worthy organizations -your choice, when you sign up yourself!

I look forward to beginning my work in this year's sketchbook project. I am considering taking this one apart. That's okay (see below) . . . . . what do you think?

Your book must remain within the dimensions of 1 x 5.25 x 7.25 inches. It can open up to something wonderful (of any size), but it must fold down to the original dimensions. You are welcome to unbind, rebind or alter the book in (almost) any other way. If you want to use a thicker stock of paper, go for it, but please do not make the book larger than one-inch thick. What do you think? Should I take the paper out and alter my sketchbook some way?? I am thinking of it! Are YOU signed up for this project?? I know these friends are: Frieda Oxenham, Donna Parker, Joanna Urbani, Lindsay Drya & Laurie Morris.

Let me know if you sign up or are already involved and I will edit this list and add you to it!

: ^ ) lenna