I've been growing a creative community since the internet dark ages of 2007 when I started my first blog. I now run an online bookbinding community called the Handmade Book Club. It's a subscription site that provides monthly education and connection. As of the end of of 2023, my list is 23k. I'd love to collaborate with other artists and creators.
Hello Reader, Please join me today at 10am EST when I show you how to create another quick handmade holiday gift. It will be recorded :) WATCH VIDEO Have a beautiful day, Ali 145 Main Street, Suite 208, Groton, MA 01450Unsubscribe · Preferences
Happy February, Reader, While I’m an introvert and rather solitary soul, moments of connection and collaboration are vital to my well-being and help refuel my creativity. I adore connecting online, but nothing beats a hug and being able to look at others' books in person. That’s why I was thrilled to join the Massachusetts chapter of the Handmade Book Club at Indigo Whimsy in Tewkesbury last week. We worked on a collaborative canvas, chatted, hugged, and shared books. A big shout-out to...
Hi Reader, The world has felt particularly turbulent this week. To avoid total overwhelm, I tried to focus on my own tiny sphere of influence by seeking refuge with my family, my friends and my handmade book community. In doing this I was overcome with such a sense of pride in this group of makers and for this safe space we have made together. I'm so thankful to those who stepped forward this week to teach, to facilitate meetings, to answer questions in the Facebook group and create artwork...
Hi Reader, I just had a perfect winter weekend and it only involved wearing a bra for two hours! I caught up with Substack newsletters, drew some Zentangle tiles and watched an old movie. I played with Flo in the snowy garden, watered house plants and cleaned out a drawer. Andy and I went out for dinner then listened to nostalgic music while sipping gin and tonics. I took a hot bath and experimented with air fryer recipes (not at the same time). This type of weekend might sound boring to...
Hi Reader, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the date - November 18th. I know it's been a busy year but holy moly - it seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye. It feels like just yesterday that I was admiring daffodils in my garden and now I'm getting Christmas ornaments out of the attic. As we approach the end of the year and consider the events of 2024, I will reach for my journal to try to make sense and meaning. If you wish to join me, here are some prompts that might...
Hello Reader, I hope you had a great weekend and set aside time to get into your crafting/art making space. Did you know that we publish a new blog post every week? If not, here's what you've missed lately Fabric Book Covers Enjoy lots of fabric cover inspiration from our Handmade Book Club members. Read post Top 10 Free Tutorials Find my top 10 projects all in one convenient spot. Use them for your next creative playdate with friends. Read post Behind the Scenes You might also have missed...
Hello Reader, do you ever feel like when things are going really well, the universe has a way of bringing you back down to earth with a bump? That happened to me this week. Mikki visited the office last week and we made lots of exciting plans for the Handmade Book Club in 2024. I was back doing YouTube lives after a break during the Fall and I was hoping to end the year strong - we just hit 23,000 subscribers and 1 million video views. Then after 4 years of avoiding getting sick with Covid,...
Hi Reader, Do you remember the book or perhaps the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? I remember loving the idea of a traveling pair of pants that magically fit a group of friends and had been lovingly worn by all of them. That book inspired the name of an exciting new collaboration between me and three of my creative sisters: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Journal. Andrea Chebeleu, Minette Riordan, Roben-Marie Smith and I have been friends and business besties across time and...
Happy Monday Reader, With all the tragic things happening in the world right now, I want to offer a quiet respite. Snuggle into an arm chair, wrap your hands around a warm drink and read some of the inspiring things I've found on the internet over the past few weeks. Printing Secrets for Bookbinders I highly recommend this 4-part blog series by book club member Tadara Smith. While you're there, check out the amazing printables she sells in her store. Read Now Instagram Finds I cannot stop...
Happy Friday Reader, I hope you've had a paper filled week! I've got 2 fun things to share with you today: Zen Books I'm beyond excited to share with you a new class that I'll be teaching with Kate Ward from Zen Stitching. Kate will share her knowledge of Sashiko and show you how to stitch four different summery stitch patterns that you can use on your book covers. I will then teach you how to bind them into a Japanese book structure for summer sketching and journaling. The six-week program...