Little Book of Whispers

HANDMADE BOOK ART CLASS

Play with paper, collage and textured materials to create beautifully imperfect, soulful artist books.

 

A lovely process to help you slow down and tune within, as you create beautiful and meaningful keepsakes.

Click the video to see inside the class:

 
 
 

Does your intuition tug at your heart strings, whispering to you “It’s time to create,” to reconnect with your inner artist, but…

 
 

You’re so busy with the obligations of life that you ignore the call?

Ever notice how the more you silence your intuition and creativity, the more overwhelmed you feel? You need moments of solitude and a space to reconnect with your inner artist, and this class will give you permission to carve out pockets of time for just that!

You feel like you’re in a creative rut and don’t know how to dig your way out?

When the idea of a blank canvas or art journal page feels intimidating, you may need to shake things up but in a gentle way! Trying a new format, like a handmade book, might be just the right pathway back to more creative inspiration and excitement that you’ve been longing for.

You’re overwhelmed when you look around your art space and don’t know where to start?

Then you’re in the right place! Think of all those precious bits of papers and fibers you’ve been saving, that didn’t find their meaning or place in your art yet. This book (and the many more you’ll want to create) will be the perfect home for them.

 

Little Book of Whispers is a gentle and delightful journey, a little bubble of stillness to reconnect with the not-so-loud part of yourself and create beauty from this sacred and fragile place within.

 

What if...

  • you had fun going on a treasure hunt for all those precious bits and pieces you’ve been keeping in boxes and drawers for years: sweet notes, paper scraps, bits of fabric and lace?

  • you could turn them into the most delicate, beautiful and meaningful little keepsakes to hold the stories of your heart: your dreams, feelings and memories?

  • you could learn easy and exciting techniques to create beautifully layered altered books and journals where each page becomes a little artwork in itself?

  • you discovered a gentle, intuitive and playful process that opened the floodgates of your creative spirit, curiosity and heart?

In this soulful workshop, we’ll be tuning in to our inner whispers as we create beautiful mixed media artist books in two different ways: an easy, no-sew collage technique, and a more textured technique with plaster, wax and thread binding.

Page after page, your soul knows the way…

Create your little book today!

4+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

Hi, I’m Laly Mille

I created my first "Little Book of Whispers" at a time when the world seemed so loud, so noisy, that I just couldn't find those moments of stillness inside of me anymore. I felt overwhelmed by all the distractions and interruptions, from other people’s stories and my own internal fears that were drowning out the whispers. I knew my soul longed for a creative outlet, but the very idea of sitting at my table to create felt daunting and intimidating. So what next? How do we reconnect to our soul at such times? How do we tune in to the whispers all over again?

For me, it started with the simple intention to listen and welcome whatever was going to show up, follow whatever felt good, and just CREATE. With no expectations, I looked inside my boxes and drawers, holding in my hands the little treasures that are only precious to me: old buttons, a piece of lace, a feather… Quite unexpectedly, they came together in the form of a book. More than a book really: an artist book, my first "Little Book of Whispers.”

Ready to listen to your whispers?

what Students said:

“Thank you, Laly, for this truly lovely class. It came at the perfect time, giving me a place to retreat and find some peace and beauty. This class was a gift from me to me and I can already tell it’s working its magic.”

— JANET R.

“Thank you Laly for sharing part of yourself with us with your techniques and style. I love the binding technique! I have enjoyed this little journey of whispering wisdom and plan on creating more!”

— SUZY Q.

“Every page in this book explores what I love, how I feel about myself and my art, and is my expression of all of that goodness. This is the most soul-searching fun I’ve ever had in an online class.”

— DS W.

Create your little book today!

4+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

The Lessons

With 4 hours of video lessons, you’ll be right here with me in the studio as I guide you through the making of two hand-made artist books, with different sizes and techniques you can definitely mix and match, and then filling them with soul-stirring words and imagery.

Part 1

Making your books

In this phase, we’ll explore how to create the base of your very own artist books! Yes, you can make your own covers and pages and bind it all by yourself (it’s easy!). Once you’ve gathered papers into little "bundles of possibility", and stacked them together between sturdy covers, you’re already holding your book in your hands!

I’ll guide you to:

  • Use and honor leftover materials from past projects (all those lovely scraps you just can't throw away!).

  • Work intuitively in a messy way that feels safe and relaxed, allowing the stories to reveal themselves.

  • Create chunky, textured covers with plaster and old vintage books to protect the delicate pages inside.

  • Create layered pages with papers, fibers and yummy textures.

  • Bind your books with simple stitching... or no stitching at all!

 
 

Lesson 1: Bundles of Possibility

Possibility... isn't that what art-making is all about? I invite you to take all the time you need to gather materials that you love, play with them, and enjoy this time when anything is possible. Look for scraps from past projects, cherished memories, little treasures from nature, and basically just anything that feels good and feels like it's calling to you, even if you don't know why!

 
 

Lesson 2: Chunky Covers

The idea here is to create thick, chunky, textured covers to protect the delicate pages inside. Imagine them as protectors of the whispers: strong, beautiful guardians of the mystery within... The whispers of your soul can sometimes feel tiny, quiet, and fragile... just like some of your pages will be! Your covers also give the book consistency and weight, and you’ll love the feeling when you hold it in your hands.

 
 
 

Lesson 3: Layered Pages

Now that you have your little “bundles of possibility”, it's time to start considering them, finding echoes between the materials, and making some more intentional choices to create the basis of your pages. These will be the "containers" that hold the words and imagery you’ll be adding in Part 2, a rich background where more meaning will emerge.

 
 

Lesson 4: Bind Your Books!

Now that your pages are ready, it's time to prepare them for the next step: binding! Here, I’ll walk you through two different and easy binding techniques, including one that doesn’t involve any stitching. You want your books to be strong and long-lasting so they can be inspiring journals for you to work in (they're probably going to get wet, torn, scratched, and more!). Then they’ll become cherished books you’ll want to flip through over and over again, or even share as gifts.

 

Part 2

Fill your books

Things are about to get really interesting! The more "technical" part of the process is over now, as you’ve created your "blank" book, and it's time to really start diving deep, inviting the whispers, and having plenty of fun!

We’re going to start with some more collage, and then I'll show you how to create some secret “hiding places" in your book to add a bit of mystery. There's no right or wrong way to do this and every book is a different journey.

I’ll guide you to:

  • Invite mindfulness to help you tune out the noises of the world, and tune in to your creative longings.

  • Trust your intuition, as we invite and catch the whispers with cut-out words, imagery and journaling.

  • Hide secrets and add a bit of mystery with flaps, pockets and even mini books within the book.

  • Embrace your own imperfect handwriting as a beautiful graphic element that expresses who you are.

 

Lesson 1: Inspired Collage

Come along as I follow the trail of inspiration... I’ll guide you through my exact process of approaching collage by layering neutral elements, meaningful elements, and decorative elements.

Lesson 2: Hiding Places

I love to include lots of little "hiding places" in my books: the whispers can be shy little things and they enjoy a bit of privacy and mystery! We’ll create flap pages, pocket pages, and mini book pages to hide meaningful images and words.

Lesson 3: Once Upon A Time

Playing with cut-out words from book pages (especially from favorite stories!) is a wonderful way to invite guidance from within. I often find them to be a mirror of my current emotions. They’re like tiny paper oracles that always surprise me with their messages (often right to the point!).

Part 3

Finishing Touches

This is it! Time to put the finishing touches to your book! I like to think of finishing touches as little acts of love, a way to honor and gently let go of the work that has come to life through you.

It's also a very lovely and playful step that really brings it all together and gives the art more depth, more interest, more life. In this final part, I’ll share some simple collage techniques, as well as a more unusual way to finish your book with encaustic wax!

I’ll guide you to:

  • Add little bits to your pages with color, ribbons, buttons, feathers or whatever your whispers are calling.

  • Optional: Finish your cover with a layer of encaustic wax.

  • Add beautiful embellishments to the covers and book spine.

  • Find and add a title for your little book!

View a flip-through of the Little Book I created for this class!

 
 

In total, Little Book of Whispers has over 4 hours of high-quality video lessons.

I show and explain everything in detail, and I encourage you to make the process yours and work with what you’ve got. If you've ever taken a class with me, you know I like to keep it clear and super inspiring!

The class is in English with English closed captions available.

Create your little book today!

4+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

“When I started the process, it moved me to tears. I enjoyed this so much. Laly, thank you so much for this class! Creating beauty allows our souls to speak.”

— HOLLY L.

“I am so grateful for this way of working slowly with whatever arises and following it wherever it goes… This is so much like the stories my grandmother told us…”

— OLIVIA R.L.

“The book is almost finished, yippee!!! Can’t wait to share it with everyone. Thank you Laly, this is a wonderful, amazing, freeing, personal experience.”

— PATTY F.

Magical books from the students!

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE STUDENTS’ ART!

 
 
 

Recommended Supplies

Very few "art" materials are needed for this project: it's all about gathering discarded things and giving them new life! I highly recommend that you use any materials you already have, and you can also ask around. Inside the class, you’ll get a more detailed list with links, as well as a Pinterest board full of ready-to-print vintage images!

 
 

To build the pages:

  • Matte gel medium or other glue of your choice

  • Flat paint brush

  • A variety of scraps of papers in neutral tones (book-pages, handwritten letters, postcards, library cards,envelopes, mulberry paper, sewing patterns, dried teabags...)

  • A few vintage papers (either originals or laser prints). Check out the class Pinterest board!

  • A variety of fibers: lace, ribbon, cheesecloth, pieces of old linen and clothing

  • Parchment baking paper or other non-stick paper to put between the pages while they dry

To bind the book:

  • Thin cotton fabric, cheesecloth or other thin fabric. For the stitch method: a needle tool (awl), a needle and some strong thread (quilting thread is good)

  • For the non-stitch option: nothing!

To create the covers:

  • For the simple collage option: a book cover, preferably vintage, or you can use a cover from a regular book and decorate/distress it (ask your local library). You could even print a vintage cover (check-out the Pinterest board) and collage it on some thick card-stock

  • For the plaster and wax option: plaster gauze, a piece of cotton fabric, encaustic medium (there’s a link to create your own within the classroom!), white encaustic paint or a white oil stick, natural bristle flat brushes

  • A crochet doily (not necessarily vintage): ask around or find lots on Etsy!

To add words & imagery:

  • Images like botanical prints, postcards, photos... (check out the Pinterest board), a few book pages (or copies) to use for cut-out words: favorite stories, poems, fairytales, or even just an inspiring magazine

For finishing touches:

  • Tea, coffee or brown ink

  • White acrylic paint

  • A variety of fine-tip pens and pencils to journal with

  • Some dimensional elements such as feathers, seeds, buttons, or other embellishments

  • Optional: brush-tip Pitt artist pens

  • Optional: craft heat gun to speed up the drying time and for the encaustic technique

Create your little book today!

4+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

Your Guide
for this creative journey

Hi! I’m Laly and I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a mixed media artist from France, and I’m here to help you reconnect with your inner artist and grow her wings! What if you listened to your creative longings? What if you dared to follow the whispers of your soul?

This small and intimate project has guided me back to my truth and to my art at a time where the world felt very noisy and messy to my sensitive soul. All I had to do was follow the breadcrumbs... the whispers... and soon enough they led me back home.

This yummy class is packed with some of my favorite techniques, and each of your pages will become a little artwork in itself. The process is so versatile that you’ll be able to create book after book in your own style, to tell your own unique stories or create keepsakes for loved ones. I can’t wait to see what you create!

 You may have seen me in

 
Laly Mille in her art studio sitting at table with pink laptop.
 
 

 Your Questions Answered

If you don’t find an answer below, don’t hesitate to reach out by email at support@lalymille.com. We'll do our best to help!

 

I've never tried an altered book, artist book or junk journal before. Can I really do this class?

The beauty of artist books is that it’s a very forgiving and approachable process, perfect for absolute beginners! You don’t need to know how to paint or draw (in fact, none is required!). You just need to be willing to play and experiment with combining different materials together. And don’t worry about stitching/binding if this is not your thing: in the class you’ll find a simpler technique that’s done just with glue.

I don’t have a lot of art supplies or materials. Will I need to spend hundreds of dollars on supplies?

No! You don’t need to buy a bunch of art supplies for this class. Instead, I encourage you to go on a scavenger hunt for yummy reclaimed and vintage materials . This project started with me using scraps I’d collected from past projects! I also share a Pinterest board full of “printables” where you’ll find plenty of vintage images, ephemera, and even old book covers to print and incorporate into your books.

I’m an experienced artist. Will there be anything I can learn from this class?

Absolutely! Little Book of Whispers is a wonderful project to step away from your usual art, renew your inspiration and dive deep into your creative soul.

As in all my classes, I share my authentic process and my favorite, tried-and-true techniques, artist to artist.

This special class will also help you deepen your artist voice and make art that’s more unique and meaningful than ever. This is all about taking time for YOU, to relax, rediscover and reconnect to the light of your creative soul.

 

A summary of what you’ll get

Gentle guidance with 4 hours of detailed video lessons and my best creative tips.

You’ll be right by my side as I share my authentic process and emotional journey as we make two beautiful artist books by hand and then fill them with the whispers and secrets of our soul.

My self-taught artist roots mean you won’t find any dry or technical art language here!

I have a heart-centered, non-academic teaching style perfect for beginners all the way to experienced artists. The mixed media techniques I share are super forgiving: everything is always fixable! I encourage you to relax, let go of expectations, play, try new things and trust your intuition. This class is all about your own pleasure and creative fulfillment.

Get ready to go on a creative journey!

If you’re new, returning to art after a break or just need a boost of inspiration, this class will be your beacon of light. My hope is that it will give you techniques and inspiration to awaken your imagination and re-spark your creative fire!

Plus, with lifetime access, you can come back anytime for a gentle dose of creative self-care, and to create more little books!

Feel part of a creative community.

When you join you'll get access to our private community forum right within the classroom site, where I check in every week. You're welcome to ask questions, the other participants and I will support you!

Create your little book today!

4+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum