Triangle Book

 

Julie led our March meeting in making not one but two triangle books! There was frustration that some of the cut edges of the triangles didn’t quite line up, and that was not down to Julie but to many factors including the seemingly non standard measurements or cut size of A4 paper.   It’s probably best to actually measure the paper rather than trusting to a paper supplier. 

 

That said we all managed to make the book, with some of us even attempting two slightly different forms.

During discussion of our various books either made or in the making, supportive suggestions and ideas were forthcoming for several members, which is one of the great strengths of the group.           

 

Link for architectural forms :   https://no-bu-ru.com/

Having agreed an annual subscription earlier in the year, we paid our subs this month, which will give us a cushion for events and room rent when needed. 

 

New members will continue to enjoy a free meeting before committing to further sessions.

Pop Up paper structures

 

Our February meeting was almost fully attended, bad weather and illnesses having eventually receded and it was lovely to see everyone again. 

 Jac led us on a series of one sheet structures with a heart theme ( well, it is February), some of which proved quite challenging.  We all managed to make all of the variants, but with irritation at the cutting of straight lines which never quite seemed straight after folding. We did learn that two sided paper works best for structures where there is a hidden element, the contrast making the mechanism ‘pop’.

Members showed their current or recent work, and June was congratulated on having her submission for the Knowsley Exhibition accepted; we all admired her book and hope to go individually or jointly to see the exhibition in due course.

 

Mary showed us the results of her year long course at Hotbed Press, a letterpress and lino print book, and Frances let us see a New York work in progress, very finely detailed and due to be a pop up construction. 

We were reminded that the current theme for a book is ‘light’.


Our new monthly fee is £6 as the room fees have increased, and we have agreed to pay an annual subscription of £10, which is due in March. New members are always welcome and can attend their first meeting free of charge.

Christmas Star 2024

 

Our delayed Christmas meeting due to high winds and gales,  saw us making our Star Card, which can be adapted to use for various occasions depending on the paper or card used.   It’s also suitable for smaller people to make as you can use scissors and not knives for cutting. Something to tuck away for later in the year.

 

  

For those wishing to find the instructions online, they can be found via 

lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com for the smaller star and craftingwithjoanie.blogspot.com for the larger star.

We also enjoyed our sharing food and bought at the bring and buy stall, all profits going to group funds.

After discussion, we agreed that we will have to raise our monthly fee to £6 a month to cover the higher room charges.

Frances suggested an annual fee, something many groups use for stability of funding, and after discussion we agreed that this will become payable each March from this year, 2025. 

Anyone wishing to join us or currently a member who might have problems with this please be reassured that we may well be able to help. Just speak in confidence to Marilyn or email her. Discretion is guaranteed.

Show and tell unearthed some interesting books, many seemingly emanating from Kit Davey. Several of these are earmarked for future workshops in 2025.

After some thought, we agreed not to participate in the Sefton Open this year. Having had a good selling year in 2024 we need to replenish stocks! Marilyn will send her annual reminder out to all current members to see if they wish to continue receiving communications from us.

Jacobs Ladder

At November’s meeting we welcomed June for the first time, and the morning saw us needing to concentrate as we made a Jacob’s ladder book, guided by Jac.

This is quite a technical construction, but by the end of the meeting we had all made a book that operated in a very clever way. Not a quick make but very satisfactory.

We talked about the Liverpool Book Fair, which had been quite successful for us, especially the Sales Box.

Books on the theme of Inky were shared, including very imaginative works from Frances, a ‘drum’ book from Jac , explorations of inks and their properties from Marilyn and a book in progress from Rose. 

We will set a theme for our next two months at the December meeting where we will enjoy our usual Christmas-themed make and ' bring and buy session.'

You will all be relieved  to know Frances has found some oat cakes

Mark Making

We had a lot of fun  making cola pens and making marks with inks and a range of materials members brought with them. The cola pens were made from aluminium cans cut into sheets, and the nibs  fashioned from the sheets and some type of holder-bamboo sticks, stirrers, old pencils etc. Everyone was surprised by how much ink the pens hold as they have no reservoir, and they can be made to have a narrow or broad nib, or even a two or three nibbed pen. 

 

 For making information :

https://paperwhitestudio.com/handlettering/folded-soda-can-pen/. 

 

This is the easiest template, but there are  others on the net.

Of the experimental mark makers we tried, the metal scourer, bamboo knife, 5 cotton buds tied together, a finger stall, shaped bamboo and a feather all made really interesting marks. The underside of a plastic pencil sharpener made great rectangular shapes too. Plenty of ideas to take away and try, and all great for making book covers.

 

 

We had a short show and tell, and Jac had made a book for the theme of inked/inky which was very effective and beautifully bound in black and white.

Some of us then went on to the Liverpool Book Fair, where we had a stall. The foot fall was better than expected and we made decent sales, and enjoyed the company of other makers. There were enquiries about the group from several people, so we may see them at future meetings.