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.

To Wear Books

Posted on July 23, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 289/365

To wear books as jewellery give me great joy, who’s with me?! Today I’m talking about the book jewellery I make, some of it’s functional and some of it’s purely aesthetic. Either way, they’re all pretty awesome!

Paper Moon Book Earrings As most makers know, when you create things by hand, you usually end up with off-cuts and bits and pieces that are in perfect condition, but just a bit too small for your main projects. That’s how these earrings started. I love making them because it means using up the whole sheet of fancy-pants paper, and crafting items that bring joy to others.

They’re perfect for sunny summer days! Perhaps reading at a cafe, lounging at the beach or spending the day hunting for the perfect collection of used books. I love that the front is decorative, fancy paper, and the backs are from novels, with a peek-a-boo hole for a pop of colour.

Mini Book Necklace As a kid I was really into pendant necklaces that were functional; little harmonicas, little pouches, tiny sundials, and I’m pretty sure I had at least one book necklace (cotton candy pink!!). So designing a Sprouts Press mini book necklace was an obvious decision.

While these gorgeous leather necklaces aren’t the bright pink versions from my childhood, they are not only beautiful, but functional too! They open, you can write in them, and keep your ideas and dreams close to your heart. They even showcase fancy endpapers in the front and back. Made from reclaimed leather left over from larger leather projects, the colours usually change seasonally, so keep your eyes peeled and when you see one you like – grab it!

Did you know that I have a whole section of my etsy shop dedicated to Book Jewellery? Check it out here.

Wordless Wednesday 22.07.15

Posted on July 22, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 288/365

Class Schedule

Posted on July 21, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 287/365

The next bookbinding workshop is coming up – this saturday, July 25! I’ll be teaching the new class: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch over at Graven Feather on Queen St. West here in Toronto.

In this workshop we’ll be making the binding shown above, as a hardcover book and there will be a couple of colour choices for participants.

Also, a few of you have been asking about the size of the book we’ll be making. The finished project will measure 14.5cm x 10cm and be around 2cm thick at the spine. It’s a great book to use as an art journal because of it’s handy size. But also because the spine has room to allow for paper ephemera to be added. Fun!!

For more details and to learn how to register, go here.

Painted Notebooks

Posted on July 20, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 286/365

Today I’m reflecting on one of my favourite projects to date; the painted journeys journal!These journals are a combination of painting, printmaking and bookbinding. I’ve written about the joys of creating in multiples and mixing mediums before on this post, but I haven’t talked about all three series together.

It all started with the set of pink journals in the bottom left corner, these were my first foray into this series. It was a lovely afternoon of painting, printing and then bookbinding. After they all found new homes (excepting the one I saved for myself as a photo prop) I wanted more! Then the blue series happened! This time, I made a different shape and size, and used the off cuts to make cute little mini books, which is all I have left of this series. Lastly, the most recent are the Journeys Journals in brown. Inspired by a not-so-Canadian winter that left my snow boots more muddy than icy. I plan to write a more detailed account of these books, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, you can take a look at the Journeys Journal in the Artist’s Books section of my Etsy shop, there are a couple left.

I’ve enjoyed working on these books as they develop in slightly different directions with each series. I switched up the binding for the blue series, but went back to the Japanese Stab Binding for the Journeys Journals. I really appreciate the construction of the matchbook cover and the geometric shapes created by the stitching.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on July 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 285/365

The last couple of weeks have been the start of holiday production time here at Sprouts Press. I talked about this a little while ago in this post. Today I’m making ornaments, thinking about the last time I made ornaments, which wasn’t for Christmas at all!

This is an ‘in progress’ shot of my Valentines Starburst Book Ornaments being made, with pages from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I really enjoy pairing up appropriate literature to the holiday to make these decorations. Last year I used Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, which I plan to use again, but I’ll have an additional choice this year – stay tuned!

Online Sale!

Posted on July 18, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 284/365

Don’t forget! There’s a sale in my Etsy shop happening right now!!

You may remember this post from last week, announcing the sale. Well, it’s still on, right till the end of July in fact! Time to stock up on holiday decorations and avoid the madness that is holiday shopping in december!

Sale details:
-Runs now until the end of the month, July 31, 2015.
-Discount is already applied, and offer is exclusively for items in the ‘Christmas in July Sale‘ section! Easy peasy!!

Graven Feather Workshop

Posted on July 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 283/365

Join myself, and the lovely Pam at Graven Feather, for a fun and crafty Saturday morning on July 25 for the next Bookbinding Workshop! Learn how to make this Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal and leave with your very own handmade book!!

What: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Workshop
When: Saturday July 25, 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto

For details & how to register, go here.

Canadian Road Trip!

Posted on July 16, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 282/365

It’s road trip season here in Ontario, Canada! Sometimes this means a canoe trip, or a camping trip to a music festival, or cottaging with the family. Or maybe this year it means going to see your favourite athletes at some of the Pan Am games venues around Toronto and the GTA.

I designed this journal as a trip companion for a friend. She liked it so much that I decided to make more and put them available online. I’ve gone through a couple different designs, but this is the one I’ve decided to stick with. There is a strip of linen down the spine, for durability and a pop of colour, and even a little map page!

Featured above are the last three, each featuring a different part of Canada. Clockwise from the top: The Maritimes, The Great Lakes, and Quebec.

Wordless Wednesday 15.07.15

Posted on July 15, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 281/365

Use Your Journal!

Posted on July 14, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 280/365

I spent last Sunday in Unionville, Ontario at a beautiful little show with some fantastic people. And, as often happens, some people were drawn to my pieces but hesitant to purchase because they feared they would never use the journal. Part of my motto is that my books ‘are designed to be used, well worn and well loved’. Needless to say, while I appreciate a healthy collection of journals (read: more than *a few*), it’s even nicer to actually use them as it adds value and enriches your experience with the book.

In an effort to help people out who have difficulty starting that coveted journal, I started writing a series of blog posts titled; Use Your Journal! Today I’ve rounded them up and conveniently listed them here for you, all in one place.

This list starts with posts about using your journal, prior to me titling them ‘Use Your Journal!’. I recommend starting at the top of the list and working your way down. They progress from ideal environments to journal, to the different purposes for different books, to prompts and examples of uses for journals and sketchbooks. If you have a request, just ask!

Plein Air Day 7/365

Inspiring Things (these days) Day 88/365

Use Your Journal No. 1 Day 94/365

Use Your Journal No. 2 Day 129/365

Use Your Journal No. 3 Day 140/365

Use Your Journal No. 4 Day 147/365

Use Your Journal No. 5 Day 170/365

Use Your Journal No. 6 Day 206/365