June 2020 #areyoubookenoughchallenge : Human

Jul 3, 2020

Ashley Thayer’s June Challenge Book: Human Family   About this book Ashley writes: What a month it’s been. Many people have written such eloquent words about social justice and the state of our humanity, it’s been humbling to read and learn from others. My original idea for this month’s theme felt like it would miss the mark so instead I decided to make a small book containing Maya Angelou’s beautiful poem “Human Family”.  My favorite part of the poem is repeated three times, such a gentle truth, “we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike”. I bound this book using my daughter’s hair; she thought the idea was creepy at first but came around in the... Read more...

May 2020 #areyoubookenoughchallenge: Break

Jun 22, 2020

The May 2020 #areyoubookenoughchallenge theme of “Break” inspired the work below.  Thank you to Ashley for keeping the motivation flowing! Untitled by Ashley Thayer “This month’s theme could be interpreted in a variety of ways, but I ended up going with “break” defined as “a pause in work or during an activity or event.” What better way to take a break than with your favorite cuppa? The simple accordion fold book was stained with tea and topped off with an official looking tooled leather tag, nesting in a vintage teacup circa 1880. This was created after an unwanted weeks-long break from being in my studio which I dearly... Read more...

March 2020 #areyoubookenoughchallenge: Hexagon

May 13, 2020

The March 2020 #areyoubookenoughchallenge brought inspiration to two NBG members. View their beautiful creations below! “Kaleidoscope Snippet” by Doris Armijo Hexagon layout made with compass and protractor. Mat board covered with Shizen paper.  Inside is Strathmore drawing paper. “Crossroads” by Doris Armijo Tunnel and accordian book structure Image is cutout with an exacto blade from stained Arches 88 Accordion is Awagami Shin Inbe, Cover is Khadi “History of Henry” by Ashley Thayer Bugra, over marbled antique paper, book  cloth, antique button, various papers, gold tooling, inlayed pictures “This is one of my more abstract ideas- a Hexagon of the History of Henry. My son is named Henry, and while he’s not named after anyone in particular, I was curious to learn more about some of the early English rulers (I-VI). I thought I was finished with it, but may add feet to the bottom and finesse the the spinning component… I had great fun making this and don’t want it to end!... Read more...

February 2020 #areyoubookenoughchallenge: Heal

May 13, 2020

Ashley Thayer created “Healing Herbarium” in response to the #areyoubookenoughchallenge theme “Heal”.  Materials include handmade paste paper, leather, and Rives BFK. “Healing Herbarium” by Ashley Thayer “My Offering for February’s challenge was inspired by my mom, for every bump, bruise, and illness she knows of some healing herb to get the job done. I made this Herbarium with some of her favorites and included historical background and uses, as well as recipes to be made. I imagine a book like this sitting on a shelf next to apothecary jars in the home of an ancient healer, waiting to be consulted. Unfortunately, spring won’t be here for months so I’ll have to harvest and press the herbs and add them by years... Read more...