The launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things, is less than two weeks away! It’s like the countdown to Christmas. I know what the present is, but I can’t wait to share it with everyone else. This book was a labor of love and one of my favorite projects to date. As I’ve shared before, I am so proud of this book, and I hope you love it, too.
If you haven’t already, you can preorder the book HERE. Don’t forget to sign up to receive your preorder bonuses HERE.
We’re celebrating the launch of the book with my fifth giveaway. For this one, I partnered with Vanessa of The Onion Skin Journal. I learned about onion skin paper in 2021 when I bought my 1920s, hunter green, Underwood portable typewriter. It was a gift I bought for myself when Feels Like Home was published. A typewriter seemed like a fitting gift for a published author. Onion Skin paper was made in the mid-1800s, but reached its peak of popularity in the mid-1900s when it was used as typing paper and a lightweight option for airmail. Researching my antique typewriter sent me on a hunt for onion skin paper. I bought a vintage pack off eBay and have treated each page as precious since it was hard to find and didn’t come cheap.
As I was scrolling Instagram a few months ago, I spotted my friend and talented artist, Jeanne Oliver, flipping through a sketchbook with transparent crinkled pages. It was her Onion Skin Journal. I couldn’t click over to their online shop fast enough to purchase a couple of sketchbooks for myself. This was how I met Vanessa.
So, of course I love that Vanessa is resurrecting this somewhat obscure paper and giving it a new face and purpose. She’s celebrating the things about onion skin paper that make it antiquated in the 21st century, but also unique. I like when old things are made new. It’s transparent, but it isn’t delicate. It holds wet paint medium and inks. It doesn’t easily rip or tear. It is one of the most deliciously tactile papers, and, if you ever have the pleasure of turning one of the pages, crinkled with paint, you’ll understand.
So, for this giveaway, The Onion Skin Journal is giving away a bundle of goodies that are perfect for moving slowly and making things. Whether you like to write, draw, take notes, or sketch ideas, you will love trying these beautifully-made pieces.
Onion Skin Notepad: A top-bound, tear-away notepad of translucent onion skin paper stamped with an ouroboros emblem, suited for notes, letters, sketches, and layering into creative projects.
A TN Size Soft Cover Cahier: American-made linen notebook filled with translucent, bleed-resistant onion skin paper
Toward the Light Onion Skin Journal: A limited-edition, Japanese-made journal with 320 pages of onion skin paper and Smyth-sewn binding that lies flat.
Ouroboros Scissors: Sharp, durable, and snake-handled. Made for cut-outs, collages, old photographs, embellishments, and the kind of hands-on making that turns a journal into something no one else could have made.
It’s a special set of goodies, so I know you’ll want to enter! You can do so below…
6 Responses
I love onion skin papers! As a teenager in the early 70s I loved typing on it and writing on it. I sent many airmail letters to pen pals in Germany over the years on onion skin! I still have some — but have been reluctant to use it – you know, to save for something special!
Fabulous giveaway! Counting down the days here too!
Oh my goodness, I just had to enter this give away! I will admit I have a paper fetish LOL. But onion skin paper….oh my! After retiring, I decided I wanted to draw—and paint—and write. I took an online drawing course and then several years later met a wonderful artist who paints both oil and watercolor! She has taught me so much. I still love drawing the most and will keep my fingers crossed that I can win this beautiful onion skin paper. And in the back of my mind and still on my heart is to write, whether writing of my past for my grandchildren, or writing fiction for others or even just writing for me…still on my “wanna do” list 😉
I think my heart kind of danced when I saw the phrase “Onion skin paper.” I’m an old timer and I used it for all my correspondence back in the 60s and 70s. Plus I wrote poetry on it, but typing was the best. I didn’t know it was available anywhere today. I’m going to get some for an art project. It will be perfect. And good luck on the book. I know it will do well.
I’ve always wanted to try onion skin paper. I love its crinkly nature and how paints look on it. Thank you for the opportunity.<3
I ordered your new book. I look forward to receiving it! Thank you.
I have followed you from the beginning of your journey. I read your posts and you introduced me to Lucketts, and I still go there. I have watched you grow and become a writer and a beautiful and talented artist. Thank you for bringing me along for all the mountain’s you have climbed…. I am looking forward to receiving a copy of your book. Keep dreaming and creating and making this world a better place.