Day 29/365
Wordless Wednesday 05.11.14
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Day 29/365
Author Archives: sproutspress
Join Me
Day 28/365
It seems to be the time of year; the garden is pulled out, the air is crisp and we all start thinking about cozy indoor activities. So, without further ado, please won’t you join me next saturday at my next book making workshop!
I will be teaching the Longstitch/Linkstitch binding, which is the same binding as last weekend’s class, but we will be collaging the covers into beautiful art books. It’s so much fun!
For more information and to register, please go here.
The Travelling Artist
Day 27/365
In the spirit of talking about some of my favourite projects, I couldn’t resist a post about these watercolour travel journals. Originally in two colours, only the pink is left. This book was designed to be a tough and rugged workhorse of a journal. I wanted to create a beautiful yet functional sketchbook to take along while travelling or hiking. I put in a pen holder on the spine and a braided linen tie-around closure. It’s sturdy and solid, and beautiful all at the same time.
The hot pink paper is handmade (not by me) with a lovely scattered seedpod-like pattern on the front, and solid, bright, hot pink on the back. I’ve had many discussions with papermakers about how this technique was achieved; maybe the hot pink paper was pulp painted, with rice as a resist? Maybe it was a lamination of sheet forming? I don’t know the answer, but it’s fantastic either way.
The second journal uses hand-decorated paper that I picked up a long time ago. I wish I could remember the artists name, I’d love to get more! It is a textured wallpaper, that has been painted and distressed and then flecks of gold applied. It has the effect of a dark, starry night.
The Studio on Sunday
Day 26/365
In the studio today: stacks and stacks of pages to be sewn into many books. Fancy coptic journals, to be exact. This is my sunday, along with the lots of tea and some Vinyl Cafe.
A Lovely Saturday
Day 25/365
Today I had the pleasure of teaching a wonderful group of ladies the Longstitch/Linkstitch binding. We were at Graven Feather, a fantastic printmaking studio and gallery, here in Toronto on Queen St. West. 
I love seeing the different styles and colours each person is drawn to and the details put into each book. Everyone was happy with their journal and enjoyed learning a new skill! Welcome to the world of bookbinding!!
To learn more about upcoming workshops and classes, please visit my Workshops page.
Boo!
Day 24/365
These are some of my new pieces, not quite finished yet. I thought today was an appropriate day to share these two, as they’re inspired by both ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. Happy Halloween!
Old & Unusual
Day 23/365
If you were to walk into an antiquarian bookshop and, after browsing for a bit, spot this in the back corner – wouldn’t your curiosity be peaked? This is the sort of discovery I find pretty exciting. Forgive me, what’s a Biblio-Mat, you say? Well, it’s a vending machine for books! And it’s amazing! I’ve known about this vending machine for a while, and went to check it out for myself recently. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
It’s in a local antiquarian bookshop here in Toronto, The Monkey’s Paw, and it’s so much fun. If you’re wondering whether I tried it out – of course I did! The Biblio-Mat only dispenses old books, the shop itself not selling anything published after 1980. They have a very selectively curated collection of books that will draw you in for a long time. A looong time.
I’m not going to share what book I got from the Biblio Mat, I’m going to double dog dare you to go there and try it for yourself!
Well, okay I’ll share: it’s a beautiful vintage book about British Columbia!!
Wordless Wednesday 29.10.14
Day 22/365
Linkstitch
Day 21/365
It’s workshop time! This saturday I’m excited to be teaching a bookbinding class at the amazing Graven Feather Gallery/Printmaking studio! This is a creative hands-on class geared for all skill levels. I love teaching this workshop, especially when the room goes quiet and everyone is completely and wholeheartedly engrossed in their projects. It’s so wonderful to see people just let go and allow their unique creativity really shine!
The photo above is from a previous class taught there, a similar class will happen this saturday (November 1). But it’s not just bookbinding, we’ll be getting creative designing and decorating covers! Sound like fun? Go here for more information and to register.
Crisp Transition
When the air gets that autumn crisp and I know winter is not far, I often think of these journals.
They are a warm and cozy light brown leather, with the last bits of summer brightness captured in the beading detail.
I don’t have any in stock right now and I have made a few variations of these books. But I enjoy the spontaneity and uniqueness while designing and crafting each book (no two are alike). I also love the bead work and the pop of colour and sparkle on the spine.
Sprouts Press 