Day 173/365
Today I’m in a different studio, teaching my craft to others! It’s the Bookmaking Workshop at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga!!
If Mississauga is your neighbourhood or you just want to take a workshop with me, there are still a few spots left in the next workshop. To learn more and to register, go here.
Otherwise, keep your eyes on the workshops section on my site for more classes local to you.
Day 172/365
Cleaning and organizing always leads to reminiscing for me. Like this beaded coptic journal, for instance. It’s the last one of a series, all featuring my own handmade paper on the covers and matching beading details.
The covers showcase my own handmade papers, each is different.
From left to right:
Coral: pigmented cotton.
Green: pigmented abaca with multicoloured gampi inclusions.
Blue: pigmented abaca with multicoloured gampi inclusions.
Grey-Black: pigmented cotton with supersparkle!! *This is the last one!
White: cotton.
Tan: my own pine needle fibres mixed with abaca for strength.
And this is the last one left! The grey-black sparkly journal with royal blue beading detail on the cover, check it out here.
Day 171/365
I’m proud to announce that this sunday I’ll be teaching my first workshop at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga!
It’s a bookmaking workshop, using the Longstitch technique, as pictured above. I really enjoy teaching bookbinding and am so happy to be branching out and offering my workshops around southern Ontario. (Yes, there are more in the works!! Watch the Workshops section of my site to find out!)
While this sunday’s workshop is sold out, there is a second date in June that still has some spots left. Go here for details and to register.
Day 170/365
Spring is in the air, the snow is melting/melted and many of us are eager to help welcome the new season.
Usually, springtime means spring cleaning. Oh joy.
Today’s post is a mix of ‘Use Your Journal’ and spring cleaning, specifically; getting your books, journals and sketchbooks organized and accounted for! In a fun way, I promise!
My secret weapon to accomplish this, if you haven’t already guessed, is with Ex Libris bookplates.
Ex Libris bookplates are labels that go in the front cover of your books (journals, sketchbooks, novels, biographies, etc). Ex Libris is latin and roughly translates to ‘from the library of’. Therefore, when you write your name in the space provided on each bookplate, you are creating your own library! What’s more organized than a library!?
My Ex Libris bookplates are my own designs that I carve into lino blocks. Then I hand print each one onto self-adhesive paper, making it easy and convenient for you to label your beloved books. I’ve printed two different designs, each in a few different colours, you can read about my process here.
I’ve even got gold bookplates! They’re actually quite beautiful and classy, and make a great gift when tucked in the front of a special book for a friend. 
To recap, here are 3 steps to incorporate Ex Libris bookplates into your journalling, sketching and book-collecting lives, making it even more fun to use your journal!
1. Choose a selection of journals/sketchbooks/books to be labelled.
2. Write your name in the space provided on the bookplate. Some people also like to write the date they start the book.
2a. If you’re giving a special journal/book as a gift and want to put an ex libris bookplate in the front cover, you can write the recipient’s name and the date. You can also write the occasion for the gift, as a memento for life milestones or achievements.
3. Once you’ve written the info in the space provided on the bookplate, peel off the backing and adhere to the inside front cover of the book/journal/sketchbook. Repeat for all your most fancy and special books!
Have fun!
Day 169/365
Day 168/365
I’ve always thought cigar boxes were beautiful objects. I’ve seen all sorts of things made out of them, even ukuleles! I’ve made cigar box books for a while now, but recently upgraded the design to include a spine protector and a leather wrap to keep it closed. 
I’ve just added two more to my online shop. A more minimalist design above, and a bright and kitschy orange and gold wood grain printed design, below.
Know someone who loves cigars or simply shares the love of good design? Send them a cigar journal!
Day 167/365
Today is the kind of day that has followed a few days of warmer weather here in Toronto. Except that it’s freezing out. Sunshiny with blue skies, but freezing! A cruel trick.
So, I’m indulging and sharing my daydreams of summertime with warm weather. For me, this journal captures that feeling perfectly. It reminds me of the lush greenery only summertime brings. It’s like being in a cool, quiet forest in mid-july, the smell of pines and earth under foot. Indulgence indeed, for a cold March day!
Do you have a favourite journal that you associate with a certain place or time of year? I’d love to hear about it, feel free to comment below.
Day 166/365
Today in the studio it’s a tidy-up and reflect kind of day. Putting things away is always the first step to a new project for me. And after a week of shows, orders and many discussions it’s the perfect time to mull over the next big step for my little journal making company. Stay tuned, it’s a good one!
Day 165/365
It’s the Bellwoods Flea today!
There are two locations and I’ll be at 801 Dundas St. West, Hashtag Gallery.
The other location is just down the road at the Magpie, 831 Dundas St. West.
Come out and support local makers!
Day 164/365
Springtime has finally arrived! I’m really looking forward to some outdoor time without the 10 minute scarf/hat/mitts/boots/coats routine. I’m also looking forward to warm weather and outdoor sketching, and journalling on patios and cafes!
I’ve got some fun springtimey things planned for the blog over the next little while, stay tuned! In the meantime, it’s okay to start breaking out the spring wardrobe, right?
Sprouts Press 