Humboldt Library Kiosk: Books by Sandy Vrem

The library kiosk is currently featuring colorful books created by Norbag member, Sandy Vrem. Be sure to visit this display if you want a preview of Spring colors! Many of the books feature Sandy's skills with surface design, longstitch, and coptic stitch. Thanks to Dolores for the photos and Becky for coordinating the display.

Notes by Margaret Beech (No January Meeting)

While browsing through the compendiums and other assorted bits, I came across my Ideas and Inspiration Notes for the first NORBAG workshop I did in 2001. It’s as relevant now as it was then and there are lots of new members who may find them useful and informative. 

 Make yourself some personal workspace and tidy-up frequently. You will uncover ideas/folds you had forgotten about. 

 Collect anything that prompts an idea. 

 Make a scrapbook of simple folds that can be raided and improved upon to provide the basis of a book or an addition to a page. 

 Make and display the list of exchange themes and look at it frequently to plan and prepare books in good time. 

 Use the children’s section of the library for any creative subject/children’s poetry. 

 Use all waking time – and some sleeping time – as valuable thinking time. Never waste a moment. Train yourself to make a book in your head. Techniques can be worked through and problems solved. 

 Plan ahead – think ahead. 

 No experience is ever wasted. Make everything work for you. 

 Don’t expect to have an idea that will equate to your finished book. Expect it to evolve and grow. Take an idea for a walk. 

 Always have a Plan B ! 

 Keep a copy of everything you make. Keep relative items for each book in a ziplock bag. 

 Re-read your bookmaking books frequently. Some ideas or structure that you overlooked before may leap out at you. 

 A soapstone marker pencil (actually for dressmaking) is perfect for marking dark papers. It’s easily removed with a soft cloth and can be sharpened with a regular pencil sharpener. 

 A wallpaper edge roller is excellent for putting extra pressure on folds and glued surfaces. 

 Use a photocopier shamelessly for reducing/enlarging templates, lettering etc. 

 Re-cycle. Use old map book pages to make a book about travelling. Use old brown paper bags – crumple first, then smooth, polish with shoe polish, highlight with gold stamp pad for a wonderful effect. 

 Use a calculator for difficult math when measuring for books. 

 Try combining several folds or structures within one book. 

2012 Holiday Card Exchange

This event is a favorite for so many members. There were twenty-seven cards exchanged this year with nine of the cards from out-of-town members. Members signed up for the exchange in October and once the count was known, each participant made enough of the same cards for each member in the group. It's a wonderful way to collect a large number of very creative "cards". See all of the cards/books/ornaments at: NORBAG Flickr

Some of us were SO eager for the exchange to begin!

The collections starts to take shape.

 A special non-holiday card for our enjoyment—sent by Becky L.  She purchased this in Vietnam  because she is a book artist who loves laundry hanging on clotheslines. 

Of course, we love our finger foods too. 

Won't you think about joining this special exchange next year! 

Humboldt County Library Kiosk

It's Not Too Late for Holiday Card Inspiration!

Every year North Redwoods Book Arts Guild members create a large number of Holiday cards. The kiosk is filled with some of these gems so head down to the library and be inspired to create some of your own. Thanks Becky M. for the great displays and Dolores G. for the photos.

 

Holiday Get-Together and Card Exchange

Deck the halls and all be jolly! Sure...easy for you to say! Well, for at least one
afternoon you need not fret—you’ll be amongst friends who understand the
stresses and tribulations of the season and will put it all aside for a gathering
full of camaraderie and good food and cheer. Once again, Sandy V. has graciously offered her home for our NORBAG holiday card exchange festivities and remember:

• Date: Saturday, December 8, 12 noon. See newsletter for directions to Sandy's home.
• You do not have to be in the card exchange to join in! 
• Everyone is invited and asked to bring a goody to share (please, nothing too gooey. Finger foods are requested).
• We will not have the library with us at this gathering, but there will be a box so you can return any books you may have checked out
• No RSVP required.
  
  Photo Credit:  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Malene

November Workshop: Blizzard Books

Structures by Dolores Guffey

Blizzard Books with Dolores Guffey: 

In this workshop we will play with variations of the Hedi Kyle "Blizzard Book" structure. The "Blizzard Book" is so named because one day Hedi couldn't get to work due to a blizzard and used that time to play with paper by doing experimental folds. This is that structure, and hence its name. The beauty of this structure is its versatility; it can be used as a spine, a hidden surprise fold, a book on its own, or a series of pockets in which content can be arranged, removed, or replaced at will. No sewing is involved – this book is made by creative folding of a single sheet of paper. We will make at least 4 variations, each one a prototype.
 
RSVP – PLEASE so that I can have enough paper cut ahead of time. Please
email or phone no later than Wednesday, November 7. Cost $1.00. See newsletter for contact information.



Materials to bring:
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Decorative papers (scraps at least 5" x 5")
• Rubber stamps and stamp pads
• Corner punch*
(* = optional; bring if you have)


Materials that will be provided:
• Pre-cut paper for structures


When, Where?
Saturday November 10, noon, usual place! See you there.

Library Kiosk featuring books by Michele Olsen

Becky has assembled another set of books from a NORBAG member—Michele Olsen. Becky described handling the books as a "tactile" experience because the books are often made of fabric, wood, or leather. While viewing them through a glass kiosk won't provide you with the same experience, you will see a wide array of structures created by Michele during her 10+ years as a NORBAG member. Enjoy and thanks to Dolores for the photos.