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Jacob's Ladders



One of my favorite things to do is visit the new books shelf in the library.  Besides fiction, I look at cook books and craft books among others.  I find many great ideas in these books. 

Last week I spotted Origami Card Craft: Clever Cards and Envelopes to Fold by Karen Elaine Thomas.  The project that caught my eye was a Jacob's Ladder.  The picture above is my first try.  I messed up the folding so you will see some creases where there shouldn't be.  Next time I'll do better (and I'll find brighter paper).  I've made Jacob's Ladders before and I was doubtful how the paper version would work.  Except for having to divide the paper in thirds, it was easy, and the result is very sturdy.

For those who haven't seen these before, it is a book that is hinged on both sides and can open either way due to the clever arrangement of the ties (in this case the white paper).  If you put a sheet of paper on the left half, close it and then open on the other hinge, the paper will end up on the right half.

As I worked on it I thought of other Jacob's Ladder projects that I have done.  I took a class with Barbara Rakosnik on using this to finish stitched designs.  Here is one item I finished this way:


The design is called Strawberry Lace by Dianne Clements and it's my first and only attempt at Lacemaking so far.  I dyed the lace and the fabrics in indigo.  In this case, the ties are ribbon.  It is a good way to display a finished piece on a shelf.


Jacob's Ladder is also the name of a quilt block.  Here's one made one all of greenish fabrics.  It's one of the favorite quilts I have made.


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