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Hi Reader,
You can learn quite a lot about a creative person by looking at the scraps they refuse to throw away.
Some of us save the tiniest sliver of patterned paper because the color is too good to lose. Others keep bits of thread, ribbon, fabric, old book pages, painted offcuts, and oddly shaped pieces of cardboard that may—or may not—become useful someday.
To anyone else, it might look like a pile of leftovers. But to us, it’s a collection of possibilities.
Our scraps often reveal the things we’re drawn to again and again: certain colors, textures, marks, patterns, or materials. They’re little clues to our creative preferences, gathered without much thought over time. And sometimes, when inspiration feels far away, the scrap pile is exactly where a new idea begins.
A narrow strip becomes a spine decoration. A torn corner becomes a collage layer. A coil of leftover thread finds its way into a slow stitch. The pieces that seemed too small or too strange for one project may be just right for the next.
Of course, there is probably a point at which saving every scrap becomes less “creative resource” and more “tiny paper avalanche waiting to happen.” But perhaps that is a conversation for another day.
For now, take a look at the things you’ve saved. You may discover that your scrap pile already knows what you like... and perhaps even what you want to make next.
What's the strangest thing you've ever added to your scrap stash?
New on the Blog
Tea dyeing paper is one of the easiest ways to give a handmade book warmth, texture, and a wonderfully timeworn look.
With just a few tea bags, hot water, and a little patience, ordinary paper can become beautifully mottled pages for journals, artist books, tags, collage, and more.
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Tip of the Week
Make a sample first
Before using your favorite paper or fabric, try a small sample version of the structure. It’s a low-pressure way to understand the steps before committing your best materials.
Book of the Week
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This week’s Book of the Week comes from Diane Taylor, whose caterpillar seems to be happily making its way across a leafy landscape. The rich stitching, colorful foliage, and beautiful handmade papers bring the whole scene to life.
Wonderful work, Diane!
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If you’re ready to move beyond the basics and keep exploring what handmade books can become, we’d love to have you join us inside the Handmade Book Club.
Team VPD's IG Shares
While Ali is on sabbatical, the VPD Team is taking over Instagram shares. This week's are brought to you by our marketing manager, Amber:
Warmly,
The VPD Team
