February Meeting--Valentines and Book Share

Because we usually have quite a few valentines in our February exchange, we will be foregoing an actual workshop this month. Instead, we are having a book share of old exchange (and other) books. 

If you'd like, please look through your collection of books received in previous exchanges and bring in 6 or so favorites to share with everyone else. It would be especially interesting to see books from the early years. Books you've made yourself and handmade books purchased elsewhere are also welcome. We're looking for creative ideas. 

Be sure to bring a notebook to jot down ideas and/or sketch out a structure. The idea is not to copy a book, but rather to be inspired by one. This can be a great way for everyone to get ideas for future projects. 

We'll be meeting in our usual spot, BSS 166 at HSU, at 12 noon on Saturday, February 12.

Library Kiosk Valentines

Valentines Abound in the

Humboldt County Library kiosk

If you need any ideas for the Valentine Exchange in February, these are sure to inspire (click on each photo to see a larger image). Look at the colors and book structures! These should be on display through February. Aren't our library patrons lucky to walk by these when they enter the facility?

Calling All Valentines

Free clip-art: www.valentine-clipart.net/

NORBAG members have two opportunities to spread Valentine cheer.

• Bonnie will be creating a library kiosk display featuring our valentine cards. If you would like to contribute, she would love to have them. Members can bring their items (labeled with names please) to the meeting or to Bonnie's house. You can also give her a call to make other arrangements.

• Lorraine is asking for help. Each year she takes homemade valentines to the patients at the Kidney Dialysis Unit, Seaview Convalescence, and the Senior Center's home delivered meals. If you'd like to participate in this worthwhile project, just make cards of any size and shape (no need to make envelopes), and send her  anemail to make arrangements to get them to her by February 10. Email: lorraine@millerwolf.com
  

January's Workshop - Meander Books

Take a single piece of paper, fold it in sections, open it up and then cut along certain fold lines, re-fold and you have a book. Meander refers to the pathway the cuts take to allow the page to fold back into a book. In this workshop we will made a number of little prototype books using different meander patterns. Once you see the technique, you will be able to invent meanders of your own. Meander books are also referred to as "fold books" or "no-sew books." We'll be meeting in our usual room, BSS-166. 

Materials to bring:

• 12 or 18” ruler
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Craft knife
• Rubber stamps & stamp pad(s)
• Glue stick
• Bone folder

There is no need to RSVP. There is a $0.50 material fee to cover printed instruction sheets and paper to make the books.

Holiday Cards at Humboldt County Library

This is a bit late, but if you have time over the holidays, pop into the Humboldt County Library to see the kiosk featuring holiday cards from past NORBAG exchanges. If not, please enjoy the slideshow below. Click on the image to see them in full screen. Thanks again to Bonnie for the display and the photos.

Have a wonderful holiday. May you stay warm and dry.

2010 Holiday Card Exchange Event

Blessed with a warm but drippy day over 30 members of the Guild gathered for our 16th annual holiday card exchange—our most popular. Unlike other exchanges, members must sign up ahead of time to participate, then each participant makes enough cards for all of the participating artists. The first year (1995) 17 cards were made, 29 were made this year. The fewest made were 15 (1996) and the most were 36 (1998). The Guild has a set of all 440 cards made over these 16 years. In recent years, a set for each year has been saved for the library and members may check those out. Look for photos of this year's cards in the next newsletter and on Flickr.

The collection of cards is arranged on the table, ready to picked up by participants. 

This is another favorite table arrangement. Not all members attending the exchange made cards but they did bring delicious goodies.

 So start thinking about joining this exchange in 2011! We would love to have you, your cards, and your cookies.

Our Holiday Gathering

Our next meeting is Saturday December 11 at noon. We will not be meeting at our usual place. This is the one meeting of the year that is held at someone’s house and does not include a workshop. This is a time to enjoy our friends with our holiday card exchange and good food. Sandy has once again most generously offered us the use of her home in Arcata for our festive event (thanks once again Sandy!). For directions, see the December newsletter or contact Sandy V.

 30 people will be contributing handmade cards for our annual holiday card exchange this year, but you do not have to be in the card exchange to come! Everyone is invited. If you do decide to join us, please consider bringing a finger food to share. We hope to see you there.