Next Meeting:

Saturday, September 9, 2017

“Which paper should I choose?” is a question often asked by calligraphers.  Karon Wheeless will lead us in looking at a variety of papers for use in practicing, layout, making a card or a book, or creating a finished piece to frame.  Following an introduction to paper and a short demonstration of how to make your own recycled paper, each person will receive a packet of papers containing several different paper samples.  We will discuss the papers as we write on them, testing which papers and writing fluids work well together.   

Bring:

* 3 or 4 of your favorite writing tools (nibs, pointed brush pens, calligraphy markers, parallel pens, etc.)

* inks, watercolors, or gouache, if you bring nibs

* white gel pen and/or white ink (to use on darker papers)

* water container and paper towels

Folded Forms Bookmaking Workshop
with Sha Towers
(instead of a regular meeting)

Saturday, August 12, 2017
9 - 12 noon at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas
$20 registration fee plus $10 materials fee

In this workshop, we'll explore several creative and innovative structures incorporating folded papers. While the focus will be on forms and structures, I think you'll find them to be wonderful vehicles to feature your lettering and visual arts and may even help you discover new ways of thinking about your art. This will be a great non-lettering class to bring a friend to!   

Each attendee will produce a set of sample books during the workshop that can be used as reference and inspiration for further projects. The structures we will explore include the single-page book, the reverse hinge binding, woven accordion, and blizzard book.  

Papers will be supplied for class. Please bring the following tools (if you don't have some of them, don't worry, we will have enough to share): 
❖ pencil and eraser 
❖ bone folder 
❖ awl
❖ scissors 
❖ metal straight edge 
❖ x-acto knife/blades 
❖ cutting mat 
❖ glue stick (archival, acid-free, preferred but not required) 

Next meeting: Saturday, July 8, 2017, 10 am
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas

Dancin' Versals for today's lettering

For the July program Suzi Ickles will teach how to draw your own versal letters to use on cards, envelopes, artwork, or on whatever you want. 

For the July program Suzi Ickles will present information on versals, both historical and contemporary. After a brief introduction, you will start creating a small individual 2x2 versal of the letter of your choice. 

Suzi will provide all papers, tape, and handouts.

Supplies to bring:
* pencil and eraser
* Micron pens (waterproof) 01 and 03 (or similar)
* 3-4 watercolor pencils (we will have some to share)
* small brush and water container
* stylus

Next Meeting: 
Saturday, June 10, 2017;  10:00 am 
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas

Creating 3-D Photos, with Jo Anne Norwood

The June program, presented by Jo Anne Norwood, will be about how to create 3-D pictures.  Photographs, cards and even calligraphy have depth and perspective. Jo Anne will point out how to look at those images in a new light and how to separate those layers, showing ways to cut those images and replace the parts to accentuate that perspective in a 3-D piece. Jo Anne will supply the photos and adhesive.

Supplies to bring:
Small precise scissors
X-Acto Knife
12” ruler and cutting mat

Next Meeting:
Saturday, May 13, 2017; 10 a.m. 

St. Matthew Lutheran Church,
Waco, Texas

The May program, presented by Jane Stanfield, will be all about Gothicized Italic, a rather dancing calligraphic hand.  This alphabet has similarities to both Gothic (Blackletter) and Italic.  Gothicized Italic is easier to read than Blackletter, and it is more decorative than Italic. Whether you are a Blackletter or Italic aficionado, you will love adding this hand to your repertoire. Jane will take us through the basics and supply the 8x8 grid paper.

Supplies:
Ink - black
Nib - Speedball C-1 pen; Mitchell 1; Brause 3; Tape 3; (If you prefer a marker, a black 3.5 mm will work but remember mastering the ink is what we’re all about).
12” ruler, pencil, eraser, rag or paper towel, small water container
Masking tape to secure your ink to the table

Next meeting:
April 8, 2017, 10 am
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas

Secret Pals to be revealed

This month's program will be the Secret Pal Reveal! Please bring EVERYTHING you received as part of the exchange for our show and tell. We all want to “ooh” and “ahh” over the delights you received. If you cannot be present for the meeting, please send your goodies with a friend so they can be presented to the guild.

Next Meeting:
Saturday, March 11, 2017
10 am, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco Texas

Envelope Book for Words of the Month

Linda Hardwick will be teaching how to make a booklet to hold the 10 words of the month that we have been making for this guild year. The 3”X 3” cards will be placed in the envelopes and linked together forming a hinge. A cover will surround the envelopes, which will be bound with yarn or string. The word for April, exotic, will complete the 10^th envelope of the book. If members did not participate in the word designs, the book can be created to hold other items, such as notes for a friend.

Supplies:   (Envelopes will be provided.)
* Pencil, 12” ruler (and triangle, optional)
* X-acto knife, cutting board, scissors
* Bone folder or stylus
* Small or medium weight yarn or string (at least 4 ½ to 5 feet long)  (Don’t buy yarn, but if you have some, bring it to share.)
* Beads or charms (optional)
* Decorative paper (at least 8” X 6”): Paper should be cover-stock weight, at least 120 lb. Bring watercolor papers that you have inked, or painted; paste papered; marbled, etc. If paper is painted on both sides, the inside will look colorful, too. Or, if you leave it white on the reverse side, you will be able to write on the inside cover.

Once you learn to make this simple book, you can decorate them many different ways and sizes. The sky is the limit!