STAR BOOK WORKSHOP

 We will kick-off the new year with a Star Book structure taught by Michele Kamprath. 

This is a fun little book to make but a bit involved, so Michele asks us to please do some prep a day or so before the workshop so that we will have time to finish our books.

PLEASE (1) cut your papers; (2) cover your coverboards with decorative paper; and (3) weight your covered boards overnight. You might also want to label the different cut papers so that you will know which layer is which. The finished book size is 3 1/2" high x 5 1/2" wide. If you decide to make cards for your pockets, the cards will be about 3 1/4" wide by just short of 3 1/2" tall.

Materials:

For the layers: cut cardstock to the following dimensions, grain short. Cardstock color can vary or be the same. Layer 4 is the main layer in the front so you might want to use printed cardstock for it. You can also showcase artwork, collage, photos, etc., on the Layer 4 papers and/or in the pocket enclosures.

Layer 1: 7 pieces 3 1/2" x 11"

Layer 2: 7 pieces 3" x 7" (YES, 3", not a typo)

Layer 3: 7 pieces 3 1/2" x 8"

Layer 4: 7 pieces 3 1/2" x 7" (This is the front layer that you look at when opening the book).

NOTE: If you want pockets in layer 4, the paper size would be 7" x 7". You can have some or all of your Layer 4 pages with pockets, or some with pockets, and some without.

For the covers:

2 coverboards - 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" (use matt board or book board)

2 decorative papers to cover the boards: 5 1/2" x 7 1/2"

Tools:

• Piercing cradle or old phone book
• Cutting mat
• Sharp knife with extra blades
• Steel ruler
• Scissors
• Bone folder
• 1/4" - 1/2" double stick tape (both sizes if you have them), red tape is best
• Several paper clips
• Pencil
• Awl
• Sewing jig paper 3 1/2" x 3"
• 2 pieces of ribbon for the ties, 10-12" each
• PVA & glue brush; or other glue, glue stick
• Needle and waxed linen thread if you have it or crewel embroidery thread and beeswax
• Optional: pictures, artwork, patterned cardstock for layers, collage, or cards to go into the pockets 

Another example of how to "decorate" your fourth layer

Fourth layer pockets

When?    Saturday Jan. 9 NEW MEETING TIME at 10 a.m. PST

Where?   On your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom

RSVP?     YES, by Jan. 4 to Dolores Guffey to receive the link and password and workshop instructions

Workshop Questions: Michele Kamprath

Zoom Questions: Bobbie Hayes

(Contact information for these members is in the newsletter)

 

2020 HOLIDAY CARD EXCHANGE

 The 2020 annual NORBAG holiday exchange was a bit different this year. For those of us who have attended the event in the past, we missed the warm hospitality of being together at Sandy Vrem’s lovely home. On the other hand, we were able to be together on Zoom with our out-of-town members. Jill and Margaret joined from England, several from Pennsylvania, as well as members from Michigan, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and throughout California. There were no snacks to share, but it was fun to see all 30 of the exchange cards and hear about each of them from the artists. We are thankful to have the ability to use Zoom to bring us all together. Photographs of all of the beautiful and creative exchange cards are on our Flickr site (the link is on the top left of this page).

Here is an example of one of the wonderful holiday cards.
This was made by Donna LaVallee. For more views of this
card and all the others, check out the Flickr site.

 WORKSHOP TIME CHANGE

Now that we are using Zoom, we have more flexibility than we had with our face-to-face workshops. We sent 72 email queries to members who regularly attend our Zoom meetings asking if a change to 10 AM PST would be acceptable. Of the approximately 31% of respondents, the vast majority of members liked the idea. Starting in January 2021 our meetings will start at 10 AM PST (1 PM EST and 6 PM in England). Occasionally we may have a workshop at a different time because of the needs of the artist, but we will give you ample notice of the time changes.

One more holiday card to share Edith Fuller's wishes for 2021!