7092. Create book folding art

 Back in March I signed up for a book folding class at the Menasha library. Then the pandemic hit and all library classes were cancelled. I really wanted to do this class and was seriously bummed about it getting cancelled. Then I saw that Kaukauna library was offering a take and go book folding art project and I signed up.

Book folding is kind of like origami.  You fold pages in an old book to create a design. I have seen words, hearts, and other shapes. 

It didn't sound too difficult until I read the directions. It still didn't sound difficult unless you can't do math, read a ruler, draw a straight line, or fold a straight line. Then it could be challenging. The real problem with this art form is it is tedious. We used the Measure, mark, Fold Technique (MMF) to make a snail.

First you have to count the ALL pages in the book including the unnumbered pages. Then you have to do math. (Eek). Take the number of pages subtract the number of pages that your pattern requires. Divide that number by two and that's where you start your pattern.

Once the math is done, you get to mark your book (gasp). Each page gets 3 marks -- 2 measurements lines and a fold line. The pattern tells you where to put the measurement lines and the fold line is a ruler width from the spine. My pattern had 187 steps.. That's 561 lines I had to mark in my book. It does go quickly but I did 20 pages a night. I crossed off each page as I did it so I wouldn't lose my place.

After I finished mark all my pages, the real fun began. It was time to fold each page to make my snail. You fold from each mark down to the fold line so 2 folds per page or 374 folds. Again very tedious. The first couple are rough while you figure out the technique. It helps to use your rule to fold the page to match up the lines. Each night I did about 10 pages.. again I probably could have done more but I really didn't want to fold that many more than 10 a night. 

The book does get fat as you keep folding. I used a elastic headband to hold my pages back as I folded. You can also use a rubber band. 

I was pleasantly surprised that it actually looked like a snail since I feared my marks weren't always on the right centimeter or my folds weren't quite lined up. It is currently displayed next to the TV until I find a better home for it.

I would love to do a heart or even the word READ in the future. It may take a while but I actually enjoyed do this project. I just would never use one of my own books. 

Quarantine Adventures: Basic Watercolor

 Kaukauna Library has some great adult take and go art kits that have sustained me through this pandemic. They usually do one a month. October's was watercolor. I'm not an artist. I can't really paint to save my life but I figured it couldn't be too hard.

The kit included several pieces of paper, a sample of what we were creating, and a set of water colors.

Kaukauna library goes live on Facebook to walk you through the steps of the project. It was a actually pretty easy even for someone with minimal artistic ability.

Basically you swipe blue and purple at the top and bottom of the paper and kind of blend it. Then you add the sunset colors of orange, red, and yellow to the middle. Blend those colors together with water to create a sunset over water look.

The take black and paint some mountains across the middle. Kind of make a landscape.

Finally with a dry brush pull down the black to create shadows in the water.

Like I said I could handle this. It very basic. The hubby even said the painting was frame worthy which is a lot coming from him. He's seen my other paintings.

Hopefully I will be able to do some other of Kaukauna take and make projects. There is limited quantities so I always have to make sure I have to sign up right away. Maybe this pandemic will bring out the artist in me. You never know.

Quarantine Adventures -- Make Zentangles

Always looking for something fun to do while in quarantine, I saw that the Kaukauna library was doing an online art activity. We were going to learn how to make Zentangles. I had no clue what Zentangles were but they sounded cool.

According to Google, "The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. We call these patterns, tangles. ... These patterns are drawn on small pieces of paper called "tiles." We call them tiles because you can assemble them into mosaics." Okay that sounds simple enough.

The librarian showed us a couple different patterns to begin with through Facebook Live.

The circle, the line, the flower, and the diamond were the patterns we were shown how to do.

Basically you draw a square or a tile on your paper. Then you fill it with one of the patterns.

You continue to make as many tiles as you like to fill you page.

We were told to quarter our page to start and then make the tiles in that that quarter.

It's just repetitive patterns to make a cool black and white or color and white drawing.

I did not find it very relaxing at all. I could only do 1 tile at time before my wrist got sore. However, I found the line pattern to be the most fun. The circle pattern wasn't bad either. I wasn't very good at the flower or diamond pattern. I'm sure they are more patterns out there if you Google it.

It was fun. If I come across another art activity at the library that fits in the schedule, I might join the Facebook live event. There are many that are during the day.