UPPERCASE { Janine Vangool }

view in browser Dear Reader, If you're craving hands-on creativity—something that is fully immersive, tactile and satisfying—may I suggest block print carving? It is a very accessible craft that requires minimal supplies, space and time to get started—but offers immense creative potential for surface pattern designers, fabric printers and printmakers. Ali Baecker's course, called Deep Dive, promises to be as its name suggests: an in-depth exploration of block printing and creating repeat...

Dear Reader, In the best ways, subscribing to a print magazine is a romantic, old-fashioned thing to do. Funds are pledged to something you haven't seen, to be released over the course of a year. You invest in putting ink on paper. You spend time anticipating the arrival of each new issue, to be delivered by a human being who walks around your neighbourhood dropping off printed paper materials. You receive a 132-page publication filled with content curated by an editor months earlier....

Dear Reader, Nurturing one's creativity and being open to inspiration requires a conscious decision each day. It is vital that we stay connected to our expressive and empathetic artistic souls. Be caring and compassionate toward others and toward yourself. Protect this sensitivity—do not become desensitized or demoralized. Find hope, joy and positive energy even in the face of challenges outside our control. I am taking a few moments each day for some hands-on making. Yesterday, I took out my...

Hello Reader,, This weekend, I'm sharing some examples of submissions received for the Texture open call. I hope they inspire you to share some of your work for the next issue of UPPERCASE magazine. The deadline has been extended to January 20. ps Please help fund the Quilted reprint! Thank you!!! Special preorder price: CA$50. If you're shopping from the USA, the price will be converted to USD and includes a small brokerage fee—even though books are exempt from tariffs, they still have to go...

Dear Reader, Every time I type “Happy New Year,” I want to add a question mark to the phrase: Happy New Year ? I personally don't feel like adding an exclamation mark this year; that would be too presumptuous. Too loud. Too excited. Given recent world events, some might be inclined to write “Happy $%*!@ New Year” with expressive typographic characters standing in for inelegant cursing. Or, maybe the greeting should include an ellipsis: Happy New Year . . . To mark it as a time to pause,...

From Esté MacLeod's Colori collection with Free Spirit Hello Reader, If your new year resolutions include getting published in UPPERCASE, let's make that happen! There are a couple of open calls for the next print issue, plus Fresh, Sketchbook, Worthwhile, and other categories open for print and inclusion in my newsletters. See all the possibilities here. And, if you're not already, please become a subscriber to UPPERCASE magazine. Subscriptions keep all of this going! Use the code take15 for...

Hello Reader, In case you've lost track of the day of the week, it's Tuesday! So I'm popping in today with a quick UPPERCASE update. I hope you agree with me that getting published in print is still something special! I certainly think so. Perhaps it has even become more meaningful in this age of the endless scroll and short attention spans. Reader submissions are integral to each UPPERCASE issue—they bring personality and serendipity to the interpretation and experience of each theme. I'm...

Cozy greetings, my friends! This afternoon, I took five minutes to sew a new cover for Rupert's pillow. It looks much better to me, and I think he likes it, too. "take15" off a subscription or renewal ends Dec 31st A magazine subscription is a thoughtful gift that will remind your creative friend or family member of your generosity throughout the year.Use the code "take15" at checkout for CA$15 off subscriptions and renewals. The UPPERCASE Sampler is nearly 50% off! No code required....

Hello Reader, Volume Q: Quilted has been out of print for a few years now, but I get inquiries about it quite consistently, either from intrigued sewists or UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration completists! I am happy to say that I am organizing a reprint in early 2026: The content is just as pretty and inspiring as it ever was—Quilted looks at the universal experience of quilting: style and aesthetics, intentions and thought processes, mindsets and attitudes, creative discoveries and...