Single Signature Books
All that Glitters….
As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, I led a “gift bookmaking” program for the community.
As we found out, all that glitters may not be gold, but shiny stuff can be really fun to work with and inspire us to add a jewel-like quality to our handmade books.
Adults and children and teens/tweens alike enjoyed cutting out shapes from shiny, glittery adhesive-backed sheets!
The primary colors of red, yellow and blue never get old, especially when there is a glittery twist!
A very talented young maker created a “jewel”-studded book!
And he is a radiant Jewel himself…look at that 1000 watt smile!
A young reader tried his hand a t bookmaking, cheered on my his Mom.
Here are his younger brother’s very seasonal works.
The fruits of their labor.
Participants made their way through the inevitable tangle of colorful ribbon to choose and use pieces to enhance their works.
Ribbon of wonders, just like the participants and their bookish creations!
Make a Gift Book at the Granada Hills Public Library!
Give the gift of books, that you make yourself!
Make a Gift Book at the Granada Hills Public Library!
For the Holiday Season, come join Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman and make a fabulous gift book. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Take Another Look: Making Photo Albums at the Granada Hills Library
To kick off my 2019-20 Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Public Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, I led a bookmaking program in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, where participants learned to make their own photo album.
Participants bound together a single signature (gathering of folded pages) into a binding composed of a tag board sheet folded both horizontally (to create a pocket on either side) and vertically (to create the body of the cover structure and hold the signature), then added stiffer more durable boards on either side to strengthen the covers. They sewed the components together using the pamphlet stitch and ribbon, using enough ribbon so that the ends would be long enough to tie the book closed if they wished.
Mothers and daughter created side by side and shared their work.
As did Mothers and sons,
and the whole family!
Our teen helpers got into the act too…..
and had a blast…
Pride of Book!
“Make A Photo Album”
Join the fun and create a unique photo album in which to honor family and friends in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!!
Learn single signature binding, the pamphlet stitch, and how to create pockets for treasured items as well as how to use all kinds of beautiful and festive materials!
Free, all materials included, open to the public, all are welcome!
This workshop is part of my Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Residency at the Sunland-Tujunga Public Library, 2019-2020 and is made possible in part by a grant form the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Freedom of Expression and More…
It has been exciting to lead programs at the Granada Hills Branch Library of the LAPL, as part of my Artist Residency there: “We Write the Book“, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and freedom in all its forms, participants created “single signature” sewn and glued books, and then used their Freedom of Expression to develop and embellish the covers. A “signature” is a gathering of folded sheets that create pages for a book. Single signature bookbinding refers to a group of sheets (usually paper) folded in the middle and bound together through sewing through their folds.
Although our program was originally planned for teens and “tweens”, several families attended including a number of dads with children. We had a wonderful time!
Sister and brother enjoy the delight of adding to their books after working step by step sewing and gluing to create them.
The glory of patterns. This young participant is age 3!
She attended with her mother.
In the background, mom and dad look on, taking a well-deserved break and enjoying the fun from the sidelines as their children worked and played.
Father offers support and presence to his son.
Our fearless leader, Branch Manager Pam, enjoys some creative “play” time, adding washi (decorative paper) tape to her book.
There is something very satisfying about hand-sewing a book together. It feels real…permanent. The work of our hands on a whole other level.
Hopefully, these books will continue to be developed at home, and most importantly, used!