About sproutspress

As a bookbinder and artist, I like to live in a fairly analog world. I bind books by hand, with a needle and thread, I paint, draw. You get the idea. I blog about bookbinding, paper arts, crafting and other bookish goodness.

Q & A Letterbox

Posted on September 11, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 339/365

Surprise! I’m happy to announce that Sprouts Press was included in this month’s Q & A Letterbox!! Go here to see the reveal post on their website.

In case you don’t know, Q&A is a monthly subscription of mostly stationery items. There are always 3 cards (usually by local artists/designers) and an extra paper goodie which range from bookmarks to vintage stamps to super mini notebooks!

One of my favourite things about this company: the name ‘Q&A’ isn’t just for cute factor (and the first letter of each of their names). There are actually a series of blog posts on the Q&A website dedicated to mini interviews with each designer who contributes! How smart is that?! Take a look at my questions & answers here.

My contribution: I designed the Gold Nugget Mini Handpainted notebook, pictured above, just for the folks at Q & A (cause they’re pretty awesome!!). Check out their website, here, to learn more and become a subscriber.

Summer Colours!

Posted on September 10, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 338/365

Blue, red and green; all summer colours! I know, I’m just sneaking this last collage in time before we officially move on to autumn. You can never have too much summer!

Clockwise from top left:
Painted Quick Notes in indigo, the Indigo Journal, Screenprinted Zipper Pouch with thistles in aqua blue (on sale!!), Elegant Quick Notes with red floral fabric trim, Medium Journal with ribbon in grass green, Bookbinding Kit in green and grey, Ex Libris Bookplate handprinted in emerald, Canadiana Journal in red, Starburst Journal in red Florentine.

Wordless Wednesday 09.09.15

Posted on September 9, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 337/365

Bookbinding at Graven Feather: a Workshop!

Posted on September 8, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 336/365This sunday I’ll be teaching the Arrow Stitch Journal, pictured above, at Graven Feather! It’s a hardcover book with fancy spine-stitching and I walk you through all the steps. It’s easy and fun, I promise!Since it’s a hands-on class, everyone leaves with a finished project!

What: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal Workshop
When: Sunday September 13, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
Cost: $75, all materials included.

If you aren’t able to make it out on sunday, there is another date for this workshop, and others I’ll be teaching at Graven Feather throughout the fall. Go here for details and to register.

Holiday Monday!

Posted on September 7, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 335/365

Just taking it easy on a holiday monday. Enjoy the sunshine & see you tomorrow!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on September 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 334/365If you’ve been following my Instagram, or other social media feeds, then you’ll know that one of my favourite processes is to dye paper with indigo. Well, this sunday was no exception as I spent some time at the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild, fondly referred to as CBBAG (pronounced ‘cabbage’), where there was an indigo dyeing session. photo 5_fotor

It was a small group of creative women, all of us eager to stretch our creative muscles. People dyed paper, fabric, string, yarn, thread and even buttons!! (I contemplated dyeing a bit of my hair, but chickened out in the end). As these things usually go, what felt like an hour was actually 4 and the day came to an end before we knew it.
Some of the results were really gorgeous – I can’t wait to see the projects these gems become!

To read more about my adventures in dyeing paper, go here.
To see some of the things I’ve made previously with hand dyed indigo paper, go here.

The countdown is on!

Posted on September 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 333/365

It’s official! The coundown is on to the 2nd annual Etsy Made in Canada: Toronto! The show will be at the MaRS building again this year, showcasing the best of the best of Canadian Etsy sellers here in the city!

There are some sweet surprises planned for this year, so keep your eyes peeled! And if you’re eager to get one of the free swag bags, be sure to get there early! There are only 100 of them and last year people started lining up hours in advance.

For more information, please see the Toronto Etsy Street Team’s website, here.

No local to Toronto? No problem! Etsy Made in Canada is a country-wide event, click here to find an event near you.

Last Days of Summer

Posted on September 4, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 332/365Technically summer is still on till September 21 here in Canada, but it feels different with the start of school less than a week away.

In honour of the last days of sunshine and carefree days, I’ve pulled together some bright and last minute road-trip worthy books.

Clockwise from top left:
Elegant Quick Notes with blue floral trim, Starburst Journal in red Florentine, Indigo Journal, Screenprinted Zipper Pouch with burgundy Queen Anne’s lace, Advanced Quick Notes, Canadiana Journal in red, Mini Book Magnets in a set of 6.

Learn the Arrow Stitch

Posted on September 3, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 331/365

Join me on Sunday September 13 for the next bookbinding workshop at Graven Feather! I’ll be teaching the Arrow Stitch and applying it to a hardcover technique. This is a hands-on class and everyone will leave with a finished project!

What: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal Workshop
When: Sunday September 13, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen Street West (by Trinity Bellwoods Park)
Cost: $75, all materials included

For details and to register, go here.

If you’re not able to make it to this workshop, don’t fret! There are plenty more dates to take a workshop with me, just visit the Workshops section of my site.