A Goodie Bag to Start Your Week


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.

Instagram Finds

Poetry Unbound

I was thrilled (I mean tongue-tied fan girl kind of thrilled) to meet the poet Pádraig Ó Tuama last week. He spoke passionately about the role of poetry in modern times in a tiny New England church at a small lectern from which Ralph Waldo Emerson once preached.

If you're intrigued by modern poetry but don't quite know where to start, then Padraig's latest book Poetry Unbound could be the answer. Each of the 50 poems is accompanied by an essay that provides context and interpretation, which for me makes the poems so much more enjoyable.

Padraig also hosts a podcast by the same name.

Last but not least, something to make you smile. I've been laughing about #4 for days.

In the online store, we have re-stocked have some fun new collage packs that you might like if you're junk journaler.

Have a beautiful week my friend,

Ali Manning

145 Main Street, Suite 208, Groton, MA 01450
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Handmade Journals with Ali Manning

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.

Read more from Handmade Journals with Ali Manning

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,...

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