Thankful Thursday – Ali Manning

Thankful Thursday – Ali Manning

Why am I grateful this #ThankfulThursday to Ali Manning of @vintagepage designs?

Is it a coincidence that I finally developed the #morningpages habit just as I was introduced to the #handmadebookclub?

Just today I wrote the final pages and added another completed journal to this stack of hand-mades from the past year

Fortunately, I have a stash ready to go. Which one would you choose next?

Mail Art Wallet

Mail Art Wallet

One of the perks of being in Ali Manning’s Handmade Book Club are occasional workshops with teachers she brings in. One recent Sunday, Bel Mills of Scrap Paper Circus led a workshop using business reply envelopes to make this mail art wallet.  Lots of ways you could take the collage design with this, and lots of possible uses to keep bits and pieces organized. It also gave me an excuse to buy and try a Crop-a-Dial for the little rivet closure.  And then there was the new experience with clear gesso. So yes, it’s intended to be a project focused on up cycling, but no stash busting project feels complete without a new purchase or two!  I love a workshop where you can actually complete the whole project by the time the session is over.  Take a look at the video to see how this one works by clicking on the photo below.

Sewn Boards Book

Sewn Boards Book

I don’t really know why this structure is called Sewn Boards, but I can tell you that a lot of work goes in to it that winds up being covered up.  This is another project with the #HandmadeBookClub, and it was my first experience with using Kraftex.  It was also another opportunity to practice precision – I’d give myself a solid B/B- in matching up the edges.  The stripey paper is a long-ago gift from my dear friend who sees me and my obsessions and aids and abets me regularly.

Adding to the Family

Adding to the Family

I’ve shown this paper before, apparently it’s one of my favorites.  I’d already used it for some drop spine and clamshell boxes, along with a small coptic notebook, but I really like the Secret Belgian Binding too (thanks again, @barizakistudio and @rosspressandbindery).  In case it’s not already obvious, paper is only one of my many stashes – seems like if it is something that comes in a bunch of colors, I need it, in a bunch of colors.

May is for Malas

May is for Malas

I made this mala a couple of years ago, and it has seen some hard use lately (can you seen the wear and tear on the stringing?).  So, it’s time to repair it.  While I’m at it, it’s probably time to make use of these tassels and beads I have in “inventory”.  I’d love to say that I can make a few more strictly out of my stash, but like all projects we start with good stash-busting intentions, some new shopping is likely to be in my future.