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.

Ex•Libris

Posted on November 28, 2013 by sproutspress

Ex Libris, what’s that? If this thought just went through your mind, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. As a book binder an owner of *a few* books, I started using Ex Libris book plates a long time ago. Actually, my mother used them in the books my brother and I grew up with. They had scarecrows on them and I used to think they were pretty neat. But not everyone knows about the joys of using Ex Libris book plates.

To clarify, ‘Ex Libris’ and ‘book plates’ are the same thing.

A simple online search shows that Ex Libris (latin) literally means: from the books (of). Traditionally it would have the owner’s name and/or a coat of arms printed right on it and is pasted into the front of the book.

The book plates would all be the same, as would the bindings of the entire library. (I suppose they never considered organizing their bookshelves by colour!)

I used to purchase book plates and one day wondered why I didn’t try my hand at making my own. I am, after all, an art college graduate. How hard could it be?

Not too difficult, after minimal trial and error. My first attempts were printed on simple washi paper, which would be pasted in using rice paste. I printed them in chocolate brown. Since then I’ve switched to printing on self-adhesive paper for convenience and ease of use. And I print in fun colours!

I’ve had Ex Libris book plates in my Etsy shop for a while now, but recently printed 2 more editions. One is an older lino cut, and another I created just for the end of 2013!

These are the new ones! I love the simplicity and bold lines. The line work represents rays of sunshine and the dawning of a new day, or in this case the new year. Sometimes, it might also represent staying up all night, till dawn’s first light, because you were reading a really good book. It happens.

Using Ex Libris book plates keeps your books organized, in check and it might even impress your friends. If you’re liking the sounds of this you should check out my Etsy shop and keep your eyes peeled this weekend for a fun Cyber Monday sale with free gifts, which just might be packs of Ex Libris book plates!!

What are your favourite books to keep labelled, organized and in check?

Circles and Books

Posted on November 14, 2013 by sproutspress

It’s been a while since I last created books as art pieces. So when the lovely folks over at Graven Feather, here in Toronto, called for artists to submit pieces to their upcoming show I jumped on board!

The challenge: create six pieces of art using six 4″ round boards they provided.

My self-imposed challenge: make these pieces of art into artists books!

So began my journey. Since the show is all about circles, things round and things going around, I decided to deconstruct the boards provided and make books that reconstructed the circle form. Here’s what I ended up with, my six little Reconstructed Circle Books:

This is a many-signature coptic binding, with reclaimed French-English dictionary pages. It reconstructs a circle when the pages are open, as shown above. Title: ‘Translations’.

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I also incorporated vintage maps and found papers, all things that have been somewhere and are going to go somewhere. Above are two books, when open they reconstruct parts of a map, similar to a globe.

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In the above two books, vintage maps on kraft paper open like rounded french doors.

Lastly, my favourite, the concertina book. Inside it’s pages are envelopes, pages and other goodies that I imagine travellers using when going around the world.

Over 100 artists contributed six rounds of art. The result is a stunning gallery of circles in a grid-like pattern on all walls.

If you’re interested in seeing the pieces in person, the show is up until November 30, 2013 at Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto.
For more info and open hours, please visit their website: www.gravenfeather.ca

Thanks for reading till the end, leave a note if you like, or just say Hi!

Welcome to Sprouts Press!

Posted on November 5, 2013 by sproutspress

Welcome to the brand new site of Sprouts Press!

For those who don’t know me I’m Carolyn; book binder, printmaker and maker of book-ish things. I love a good book, a blank journal and a nice pen. I live in Toronto, love being outdoors with a sketchbook in hand and have a rather large collection of fancy papers. Want to know more about me? Have a look at my About section.

I do have an Etsy shop, however I’m looking forward to the flexibility having my own space to blog and share my thoughts on the creative process, my inspirations and goings-on. Expect to be blown away into another galaxy by the awesomeness of books!! Okay, maybe not blown away into another galaxy, but at least inspired by the awesomeness of books!

I’d love it if Sprouts Press left you yearning for a journal, a book, to write a letter with a favourite pen or just the feeling of paper between your fingers.

On that note, I will leave you with a sneak-peek at some book art pieces I created recently for a gallery show here in Toronto, ‘In the Round’.