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Hi Reader,
Do you remember that back in August I told you how nervous I was about teaching in person for the first time since the pandemic? Well, I survived, and it was an incredible experience! Not only was I pushing myself outside my comfort zone, but so were several students who had never made a book before.
There were 20 students: some from the Handmade Book Club, a few I had met at previous retreats, and some complete strangers—all with different levels of bookmaking experience. And while I see the joy that making books brings people every day online, seeing it in person was incredible. Each book was a unique expression of its maker. I felt like a midwife. Perhaps that’s what I’ll remember most: we were all trying something that made us a little nervous, and there was so much joy on the other side.
All that, paired with a stunning lake backdrop and marvelous food and company, means I’ll be back at Squamdoo in 2027—this time teaching with Mary Beth Shaw. Sign-ups are open now!
Tip of the Week
The secret to threading a needle 🪡
Did you know that one side of a needle's eye can be easier to thread than the other?
When needles are manufactured, the eye is typically punched through the metal, leaving one side slightly smoother and more open than the other.
So, the next time you're struggling to get your thread through the eye, try flipping the needle around and threading it from the other side. Sometimes that's all it takes!
It's a tiny trick that can save a surprising amount of frustration.
Book of the Week
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This week’s featured book is Lisa Wright’s lovely fabric flower journal. The combination of colorful fabric, hand stitching, and sweet little embroidered flowers gives so much texture and charm. We especially love the way she’s wrapped the fabric around the cover and added those pops of color with the stitching. So many beautiful details to take in! |
Something fun is coming! 👀
I'm teaming up with Claudia Squio from Colorway Arts for a special workshop that brings together two sister crafts: bookbinding and cartonnage! Think beautiful handmade books and a fabric-covered desktop bookshelf to hold them... We’re excited to share more about this creative collaboration next week, so stay tuned!
Ali's IG Shares
Warmly,
Ali & the VPD Team
