Stationery businesses are uniquely suited to the family operation. Over the years, I've become acquainted with brands comprised of mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, several generations, and, in the case of ilootpaperie, sisters. The lovely & talented design duo that is Alice and Doris Lieu launched their pun-a-rific brand in 2010, and these days you'll find this sister act living together and running their biz from their Pasadena, California, home studio, with key support provided by canine muse Sparky.

Workman Publishing will release Sisters: Better Together on July 20, and I can't think of a better team to conceptualize, research and illustrate this gift book on sisterhood than an actual sister set who finishes each other's sentences (as you'll hear Alice and Doris do repeatedly).

The first-time authors dropped into The Paper Fold to discuss this "dream project we didn't know we wanted" and open up about the process of bringing a book to life during a pandemic — and how they transferred the illusory magic of sisterhood to the printed page. You see, on the surface, this is a fantastic, freewheeling journey celebrating sisters through time and space, but once you really take it all in, you'll never look at sisters, especially your sister, quite the same way again.

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Girl w/Knife is your incredibly sharp new stationery BFF. Check out this award-winning, ultra-polished range that everyone's talking about — it slays on several brilliant levels!

Kitty Meow Boutique was founded on the idea that your paper goods don't have to be a snooze fest. These stylish, laugh-out-loud selections are by turns sassy and sweet, all the while maintaining a consistent cool.

Music Credits: “Your Treasure is Your Self”; written and performed by Sharon Glassman; Courtesy of Sharon Glassman/Smile Songs. smilesongs.com

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