Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A Very Small (Roberta Lavadour) Book.

MY friend and colleague, JoAnn, sent me an e-mail to let me know Roberta Lavadour, a book artist, will be on Oregon Art Beat, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Dec. 11.
I checked out her Web site, Mission Creek Press, and saw a little book, "Gyromancy," you can print out and put together. It is, indeed, a small book, but it took mistakes and trying again to make one myself. Here it is, printed and trimmed.
So here we go, I thought.
The directions made my brain whirl a little, what with "hamburger" folds and "hotdog" folds. However, I got the knack.
Pretty soon I had the eight folds, then flattened them and folded the skinny way (hot dog) and was feeling pretty successful.
Then you were supposed to make cuts! Unlike folding, this sort of thing is pretty permanent. I did it wrong and cut the thing entirely in half. (I am always somewhat surprised I don't swear in my posts.) So it was back to the printer to print another one and refold all the folds.
This time I did better and read the directions more carefully. Cut only to the second fold. (Then STOP!)
There were white circles to cut out and then pictures of eyes to glue ONLY to the paper inside, but NOT to the section of the paper with the cut-outs. (Peek-a-boo!)
After you've glued down the eyes you refold the little book so the new addition has folds in it too, and the whole book is an accordion.
(The Mister said this book could scare someone if you weren't expecting the eyes looking at you.)
When you get done with the project you will maybe a 2 inch x 4 inch book. Each book has its own number, with your initials and the date. One of a kind.
I like looking at the eyes, but I also like closing them off and gazing at the scene of the eastern Oregon hills in such a nice blue. I think I will write a poem on the inside - a secret to myself - on the woman who lives in those hills.
Now I'm going to work on constructing my own font, for I just don't have enough things to do - femminismo
p.s. Roberta likes you to send her an e-mail to tell her where you live, what kind of paper you printed on (oops! maybe the printer you used;I forgot this) and the number you have on your book. I guess she has had many people make this book. Let me know if you make one. I want to see it!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Eep, sounds complicated to make, but it looks really neat when it's finished. Not something I'd attempt, though. I'm not very good with things like that.

Velvet Ginger said...

That Gyromancy looks cool! Not sure i could do it though!
I have roses still blooming here in Az too, thought it was just an odd ball thing...pretty roses you have!
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Candace said...

Mmm. I might have to try it, after I finish rounding off pi to the nearest whatever... I think animal eyes would be great, too.
Thanks for this great description here, too. I think you did your usual swell job on a fun project!

Candace