Boulter
easy time
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For centuries professional bookbinders have made their own imitation vellums and parchment papers, these hand made parchment papers are so much more realistic than the mass of so called parchment papers.
What makes this method stand out in my opinion, is the process used to create the parchment paper itself, it comes from a 19th Century bookbinders recipe.
To make this parchment scroll we are going to need the following items.
A length of ½ inch diameter wooden dowel, the length of the dowel will determine the width of the scroll so bear that in mind.
You will need four small wooden drawer pulls, about 2 inches In diameter, the kind that has a screw in the base.
A length of suitable paper, a good paper would be a hand made or mould made paper. Hahnemühle, make a paper called Medieval Laid which is perfect for making this type of parchment scroll.
A small amount of blonde de waxed shellac. This is the magic ingredient it is important to get this type of shellac by name.
The shellac changes the colour of the paper, alters the way it handles and makes the paper more or less translucent, depending on the paper used.
Methylated Spirit is needed to dissolve the shellac, this is a 90% proof alcohol made to smell and taste dreadful, (in America known as denatured alcohol).
The alcohol does give off fumes, so I suggest working in a well ventilated room.
(Make the shellac by dissolving 1 part shellac to four parts alcohol and allow to stand for 24 hours or till all the shellac flakes have dissolved.)
A 2 inch paint brush and some waste paper.
Access to Windows Word or similar.
Double sided tape.
Right, the first thing to do is settle on the width you want your parchment scroll to be and cut your wooden dowel ¼ of an inch wider than the paper.
Having cut your paper, go into Windows Word and go to File/Page Set Up/Paper. In the Paper Size box select Custom Size and enter the width and height of your paper.
You must do this, it instructs the printer to print to your sheet size.
Having set up your text and illustrations if any, print a copy onto the paper.
I suggest you leave about 3 inches from the top and bottom of the paper free of text etc. When we come to mount the scroll onto the wooden dowels we will wrap the paper around them, so we need this extra to work with.
Now lay out some waste paper, lay down the printed paper and with the 2 inch brush apply a generous coat, you will see the paper darken immediately as the alcohol soaks in, check the back of the sheet and apply some shellac to the back if needed.
Allow the parchment scroll paper to dry completely.
The shellac will have worked its magic and your sheet of paper will look and feel very different.
Using double sided tape apply to about 1½ inches of the top of the parchment paper, now take a dowel and place it on the double sided tape and roll the dowel forward onto the tape.
Repeat this for the bottom of the scroll.
Tie a ribbon around the scroll to keep it closed and you are finished.
By Richard Norman
For 25 years I ran a system of craft workshops in Somerset England. In 1994 the workshops were voted a National Living Treasure for their contribution to the Arts.
We became expert in the handling and application of gold leaf and imitation gold leaf; we also developed unique finishes aimed at aging and distressing gold leaf.
Please visit my website for further information.
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A fundamental part of academic success is studying, and the ability to do it well. To do well on tests, in class and on most homework, you need to do a fair amount of studying. Being a junior-high student myself, I realized this, and put together a simple list of five tips on how to study better.
- See the big picture: In all subjects, you are learning concepts more than facts, so make an effort to grasp these ideas. A lot of the time the concepts will help you remember all of the specifics by creating a framework to file the data in.
- Names, Dates and Locations: After you have the big picture in your head, you can start to fill in the data. If you are studying any subject that has a historical aspect, there are always people, dates/events or locations that you must remember, so make sure to memorize them. These are the main characters in the big picture- Fill in information around them.
- Study Over Time: Remember to pace yourself when studying. Imagine you need to run a mile in ten minutes, so you wait eight of them then sprint the entire way to find out that you only finished half of the distance. That is why procrastination doesn’t work. It won’t give you more free time-you will eventually spend much more blocked time studying, and you are almost guaranteed to get a lower grade. To effectively absorb information, you need to think about and be exposed to it over an extended period of time, so always start studying regularly, no matter how little, as soon as possible.
- Make a Plan: If you have a big exam coming up, and a lot of information to look over, it can seem quite daunting. Because of that, you want to make a study plan, where you look over one of two subjects a night to ease the workload and information intake. So, take out your calendar (any note taking medium will do) and write definitive, concrete dates on which you will study. If you give yourself enough time, you can learn anything.
- Concentrate: When you study, don’t multi-task. Make sure to cut off any distractions (and potential distractions) and devote your time completely to your work. Turn of the T.V., iPod, etc.; close your door and focus! It will take less time that way.
Any or all of these five tips will help, so try to keep them in mind when you are studying. If they feel uncomfortable now, they eventually will become second nature, like eating.
Max Norman is a 13 year old advice columnist for the blog “Ask the Kid.” He is a mature, well rounded person, and is constantly churning out useful new articles under the categories of self-help, parenting, academic success, problem solving, etc. He also answers questions sent in by the readers, in a Q&A format. http://www.askthekid.org
Max is always available to write guest posts.
Tournament held from April 9-12, 1987 at Augusta National Golf Club. Larry Mize won his first, and only, major championship in a sudden-death playoff over Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman. Norman had a birdie opportunity on the 72nd hole to win it, but fell short. Ballesteros was eliminated on the first playoff hole, and then Norman was eliminated on the second playoff hole when Mize chipped in from way off the green to win the tournament. It was one of the most miraculous shots (and endings …
One Cold Morning: Featuring Nathan Carter, Greg Norman & Eric Davies surfing at Puttsborough. Part of a feature from Issue 9 of Corduroy Lines. issue9.corduroylines.com
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The “Bataan Death March” during WWII in the Philippines was one of the most deadly and brutal excursions mandated by any enemy. The Japanese captured this area shortly after the beginning of WWII, which started when Japan destroyed Pearl Harbor in the Pacific. This scenario is captured through the eyes of those that lived it and the records they had kept. The writings or diaries that these men, mostly from the United States and the Philippines, wrote and managed to hide somewhere or wrote after their rescue after a harrowing ordeal that killed so many. The map included in the beginning of the book shows the Luzon Island, Manila, Bataan, and surrounding areas. All of this area was where most of this story occurred.
The attack on Pearl Harbor is described through both the American and the Japanese eyes and minds. Ben Steele was a young cowboy from Montana who rushed to join the Air Force once the war had begun. Being a country boy he wasn’t used to war or people that acted much different than his wild western style. The story tells a bit of training then moves rapidly to the Philippines where Ben and his units were sent to defend an area that had many Philippine and American soldiers, along with some other nations. The military leaders felt there was plenty of military in the area to repel any Japanese attack attempting to take the entire area. They were dead wrong. Some of the natives took off for the hills of the island but most stayed and fought the oncoming enemy that sent unending lines of men to attack and capture all they could. Many on both sides were killed, but eventually the Japanese did overtake the entire island, making the forces fighting surrender to the Japanese.
Eventually the men were herded in lines as the victors moved inland and north and forced to march regardless of physical condition, without food and water for the most part. If they fell or faltered for any reason, they were bayoneted or shot with their bodies thrown off the dirty, bumpy road. The description of what they endured as seen through Ben Steele’s eyes and many others, officers and enlisted men alike, was in most cases beyond human comprehension. When they did get something thrown at them to eat it was usually leftovers from the Japanese meals, bits and pieces of rice, moldy, maggot filled, flies included along with any foreign substances that would come from the dirt. Water was almost non-existent even though there were areas along the way that contained wells or cisterns but the prisoners were not allowed to drink. A few managed to secretly obtain some water but all it did was give dysentery even worse than the food did.
You have to read this story to understand what our military endured, if they lived through it, which many didn’t. The Japanese would stop the march, separate lines of men, march them in small groups to the edge of a ravine, then bayonet them until they fell into the ravine dead or mostly dead. Very few did survive this method of killing. When the few that did survive arrived at Camp O’Donnell, they again were kept in very primitive enclosures and given very little to eat or drink.
Eventually over the many months as prisoners, the Japanese knew they were losing the war and they pulled back or were killed or taken prisoner, allowing the ravaged men to roam the camp until friendly forces rescued them. For most of the men that did survive this tortuous trek their physical and mental lives were forever changed. Ben Steele did survive by luck, prayers, and his outdoor knowledge of survival. I highly recommend this book for anyone that is a war buff but I warn you that you will be reading some things that are very disturbing. I knew from history that the Bataan Death March was a terrible event in the world’s history but nothing could have prepared me for the actual story in detail as laid out by the authors.
Reader review by Cy Hilterman of a book supplied by the authors and publisher
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Norman Braithwaite plays percussion with the Greg Clayton House Jazz Band.kaizen Sushi Bar Montreal,Quebec
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Norman Rockwell original paintings rarely started out as serious works of art. Despite the intense amount of time and effort he invested in each one, most started out with a specific purpose in mind. Rockwell was mostly selling either a product, idea or a published magazine. The beauty, wit and insight of his art was icing on that cake.
Norman Rockwell, always considering himself ‘just” an illustrator, almost never created works as objects of fine art. Most of his paintings and drawings were created for one of the many magazines or advertising accounts he illustrated for, and as such, had little or no value at the time. Early on in his illustrious illustration career, paintings were often given away. Advertising agencies may have kept the painting or not. Art directors or agency employees may have laid claim to the work or passed it on to a staff member or friend. Who could have imagined then the demand for Rockwell’s artwork? Who, especially, could have foreseen the staggering prices commanded today?
Indeed, where are prices for beloved original Rockwell art pieces headed? We assume up is the direction, but how high?
Well-heeled collectors now pay well into six figures for the privilege of owning almost any original Norman Rockwell oil painting. A post World War II finished oil painting published as a Saturday Evening Post cover will easily bring one million dollars, most likely one million would be considered a bargain. Many oil studies have sold for over $100,000 and charcoal and pencil drawings for near $100,000.
What types of original artwork did Norman Rockwell produce? His artistic process ensured several incarnations of most of his published works.
After being commissioned to paint an illustration for an advertiser, a magazine cover or an article or book illustration, Rockwell went straight to work preparing and laying the groundwork for the painting. He started by staging props; he owned an extensive collection of vintage props until 1943 when his studio burned down. He considered props to be integral in his paintings. One look at the details of his work will certainly confirm that. Then he would draw the props.
Later in his career, as he achieved more success, he began simply photographing the setting and painting the scene from the photos. Generally he would first render the concept as a pencil or charcoal study. Then, if he was satisfied with the concept and the initial study, he would paint an oil study, sometimes several. Then, only if still satisfied with the idea and its execution, he would begin painting the final and definitive incarnation of that inspiration.
Rockwell was an experienced world traveler, both with his family and without. While on his many travels, he would often draw and paint simply for his own pleasure and enjoyment.
Norman Rockwell was also known to have occasionally taken classes to stimulate his artistic juices. Later in his life he also participated in classes to facilitate fellowship with other artists. What a moment that must have been for those other artists.
From time to time, all of these various types of works appear in the today’s art market. Although rare, finished oil paintings (as opposed to studies) that were popular covers for the Saturday Evening Post do appear and are highly sought after by collectors. As stated previously, these coveted paintings will be quite highly priced. Works that display Rockwell’s patented sense of humor are the most highly sought after, with the best being in seven figures.
Good oil paintings from other publications are available in the mid-range of $250,000 to $650,000. Lesser known but good oils can be in the $100,000 to $200,000 range. Occaisonally, outstanding bargains may be found in this class of paintings.
Pencil and charcoal drawings and oil studies of lesser known works generally sell at around $20,000 and up.
As always, and with any other collectible object of subjective value, condition, provenance and scarcity govern all prices and values. Demand and prices will probably fluctuate with the fluctuating world economy. This may spell B-A-R-G-A-I-N.
And, of course, there are always fakes or forgeries. I have personally observed some of this on some of the auction sites. Don’t be fooled by a “bargain” that isn’t. For this reason, a smart buyer will want to have any prospective purchase authenticated.
Detailed information about pricing and availability abounds in both the print and collectible paper markets. It is fairly simple to follow eBay completed auctions for a couple of months to get a realistic picture for those markets. When it comes to original Norman Rockwell paintings, however, both dealers and collectors are usually quiet about both availability and prices. Such information about current conditions will usually not be posted online for wide spread public consumption.
Personal contact is simply a must in this arena.
Should you be interested in acquiring a Rockwell original, first consider what price range you might be willing and able to buy into. Next reflect on the general time period and style you like. Next get on the telephone, in the car or on a plane. You will want to visit galleries and see what is available.
With patience and legwork, you may find a Norman Rockwell original painting that will bring you and your family or business a great deal of enjoyment.
Keith McDonald is a devoted Norman Rockwell art collector. More Rockwell information can be found at Best Norman Rockwell Art.com.
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Memories come at all hours of the day and night; sometimes creepy little naggers. Other times they arrive as soft giggles and then there are the moments of embarrassment sometimes abject terror reborn out of nowhere. There are some that slip in through the facade of cool to slap us around with heavy heart and sadness.
Three separate incidents taught me a lesson of life, more importantly, what I now prefer to call a lesson of living. That lesson remains relevant today as it flows in and out of memory.
Years ago while spending the summer on the Baskatong Reserve in Quebec Province I was taught a hard lesson, a lesson that took me a number of years to realize. My father and I had been out on the lake fishing. When we returned with a catch of Great Northern Pike an old toothless Indian woman stood by our log cabin. She was dressed in dirty deer skins. She spoke in a language I did not understand, but my father caught enough of her broken French to know she was hungry.
He gave her one of our fish which she immediately began to devour, guts and all. I was shocked and the image of it remains with me even now. Later, after he had had his afternoon ‘pick-me-up’ I asked about the old woman. He said she had been left to die. I was outraged. How can you just go off and leave someone to die? To literally starve to death? I was seven years old.
As a teen, I finally realized I was placing my values upon another culture; one I did not understand and in fact I had no right to make such an imposition. I had jumped to the conclusion that those who had left the old woman to die were evil, vile creatures that should be punished. It was the old woman who had broken the social mores of her tribe. What right did I have to judge ‘her people’ or her?
Eons ago I had traveled from New York State to Washington State. I traveled on three different railroad lines (you guessed it, the days before Amtrak), and a bus line. The World’s Fair was in full swing at emerald city of Seattle. The year, 1962.
However, it was my bus trip from Seattle to Ashland, Oregon that provided two extraordinary experiences. I had arranged to travel via an express bus, thinking it meant straight through. And that was the impression given by the ticket agent. The Shakespearean Festival at Ashland was my venue.The bus trip was anything but a straight shot. We stopped at every little mom and pop grocery, grill, and saloon there was-delivering mail. The bus driver had problems shifting gears and it was jerk, bump and groan all the way as passengers were jostled around. Several times I had been pitched up and forward, hitting the person in front of me.
As was the custom, passengers were allowed to ‘refresh’ themselves at certain stops. At two of these I noticed a young man kept following me… even to the men’s room. When I sat down at the counter to order a coffee he sat down next to me. I was not about to have any of this. I turned to him and said in a nasty tone, “What’s your problem?” He burst into tears. He told me he was on his way to his mother’s funeral. He had just talked to her a few days earlier and she was fine. I felt the color creep into my face. Embarrassed- embarrassed because I had jumped to a conclusion.
A young couple sat in the seat across from me on this bus. I noticed she had slid down in the seat and had positioned herself between his legs. He groaned. I was disgusted by what appeared to be a lack of consideration for others on the bus in their need for sex.
By this time, I had decided I had had enough of the ‘express’ bus and when we reached Portland I went to the ticket master at the bus depot, showed my ticket and demanded I be put on another bus. I had been put on the wrong bus. After thanking the agent, I turned to leave. There was the young woman and man; both applauding me. Because of the puzzled look on my face, she quickly explained her husband had just had both knee caps replaced and every time the bus driver shifted gears it knocked him into the back of the seat in front of him causing him agonizing pain. She had leaned over him to shield his knees. Fortunately, they did not know I had earlier judged them as sexual perverts.
How easy it is to judge when we don’t know the facts! And isn’t that what is happening across this wonderful country of ours? We are negatively judging people because of their color, because of their sexual orientation, because of their political views, and because of their religious beliefs. It’s so easy to make snap conclusions.
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