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Hi Reader,
I’m back from my 6-week break, and I have so many interesting ideas and insights to share with you; I really don’t know where to begin. So, I’ll begin by just telling you how I did and didn’t fill my time. I didn’t set any goals or give myself an assignment for this time; I just allowed it to unfold organically. And what unfolded was reading, writing, rest, and play.
I read poems, fiction, and short stories, books about creativity, psychology, and spirituality. All this resulted in a lot of journaling and inspiration for the future. Stay tuned, Handmade Book Club members, for some fun new ideas. In between having my nose buried in books, I sat for many hours just gazing at trees, allowing my mind to rest and to wander.
And then I played! I didn’t set out to create a body of work, which is sometimes the goal of a sabbatical; I allowed my hands and mind to explore. I spent a lot of time with my sketchbook, painting with gouache and watercolors, doing lettering, and trying neurographic art. I created some cyanotype prints, I dyed fabric with plants, I wove, and I did Sashiko and slow stitching. A little bit of lots of things, and it felt good to create for its own sake, without a deadline or purpose.
There is much more to come, my friend, but for now I’m off to teach a live workshop for the first time in 7 years—I’ll let you know how that goes next week.
From the Archives
Don't throw away those magazines!
In this video I show you how to use paper scraps to create your own beads for your next journal or other crafting project.
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Tip of the Week
Fold with intention, not speed
Take a moment to align corners and edges before committing to a crease. A slow, careful fold at the beginning can save a lot of fuss later in the project.
Book of the Week
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This week’s featured book comes from Sandy DeWald, who created this beautiful Asemic Writing Journal using Bristol paper, black India ink, and burnt umber acrylic ink.
We especially love the finishing touch: an old rusted washer paired with gray ribbon for the closure. Such a great example of how a found object can become just the right detail in a handmade book!
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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.
Ali's IG Shares
Warmly,
Ali & the VPD Team
