Some Weekend Fun in Toronto!

Posted on February 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 122/365

I’m looking forward to teaching a new bookbinding workshop this weekend. This Sunday is Creative Bookbinding at Little House in the City!

If you’ve been thinking of trying your hand a bookbinding this is the class to take the plunge! No previous experience is required and everyone leaves with a finished project. And if your Valentine appreciates your crafty side, it’ll make the perfect gift!

When: Sunday February 8, 2015 1pm – 4pm
Where: Little House in the City, 555 Parliament Street, Toronto

To find more information and to register, go here.
To see my full schedule of upcoming workshops, go here.

Latest Projects!

Posted on February 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 121/365

Please welcome the latest items in my Etsy shop: Large Fancy Coptic Journals! You may remember a similar journal I mentioned in a previous post, the Indigo Coptic Journal, well these are from the same series, but with different covers. They are some of the largest coptic books I’ve ever hand bound! Measuring 10″ x 8 1/4″, they are perfect for sketching, guest books and any other situation where a large page is best. I also love how the coptic binding allows the books to open flat. This means that you could even use both pages (front and back, when open). Then your potential writing/sketching surface would measure a whopping 10″ x 16 1/2″!!! Imagine that!!

And, as always, I like to keep things classy with my journals. So when you’re done writing or sketching for the day, close it up and keep it all together with a reclaimed leather and brass button stud!

Wordless Wednesday 4.2.15

Posted on February 4, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 120/365

Tea Festival

Posted on February 3, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 119/365

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know by now that I like tea. I really like tea. I’m not a coffee drinker, just a tea drinker. So, you won’t be surprised that today’s post is a re-cap of last weekend’s Tea Festival here in Toronto! It was, of course, held at the Toronto Reference Library, proving that the link between books and tea is constant and true!!

Just some of my favourite things from the show. A tea cookbook by Raelene Gannon, Tea and all it’s Splendour. I heard her speak last year but her book wasn’t complete. It just came out last thursday – and I already have a signed copy!! (Be prepared for a post or two about earl grey infused scones or sencha pesto with walnuts!!)
And of course I picked up a few packs of Tao leaf tea; coconut oolong and tangerine ginger. It’s that time of year for ginger based tea – no flu for me!! And lastly, Pekoe fermented kombucha tea! I haven’t tried it yet so not sure what to expect exactly. I’m sure you can figure out my favourites by now: oolong and ginger!

Tell me about how much you love tea!!!

And the winner is . . . .

Posted on February 2, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 118/365

Last tuesday I announced I was having a blog giveaway contest! Well, the contest ran, so many amazing entries were submitted and I’m pleased to announce that we have a winner!!! Congratulations to kwils3!! You’ve won the prize pack!!

I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to enter my contest. I’m blown away by your heartfelt reasons for putting pen to paper. It’s clear so many of you took time and great care to compose your answers. I love hearing that journals make your hearts swoon!

Soooo, I decided to draw a second name for a smaller but still paper-fantastic prize!! The winner is Lettersandlaces!!! You’ve won one of my signature Loot Bags!! It’s a small collection of my handmade goodies.

Again, thanks to everyone who participated in my first blog contest, I plan to have more in the near future! And I promise to keep them creative and fun!!

**If you are a winner, please send me an email with your mailing address so I can ship your prize!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on February 1, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 117/365 Today I’ve been working on an upgraded version of the Mini Book Necklace. The books themselves will remain the same, just the rest of it will be a bit more fancy. There will be beads, longer chain, some charms and tassels! (yes, tassels!!) I really like the idea of the mini book as a pendant, as an object and a functional book. I also really like the idea of the longer chain as it means writing in it while wearing it!

A couple of prototypes, in the right direction, but not sure they’re quite there yet, what do you think?

Last Chance!

Posted on January 31, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 116/365

It’s the last day to enter my Valentines Day Giveaway Contest!

One lucky winner will get all the goodies pictured above!!
For more information, rules and to enter, go here.

The winner will be announced on monday.
Good luck!!

Shop Local!

Posted on January 30, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 115/365

Today I’m happy to announce the latest retailer of Sprouts Press products: Scout over on Roncesvalles Avenue, here in Toronto!

If you haven’t been in yet, you should definitely check it out. There are beautiful products from many local and Canadian designers and artisans. It’ll be fun, I promise!

If you’re interested in shopping Sprouts Press but want to stay local, head over to my ‘Retailers‘ section and reach out to a store in your neighbourhood!

Learn the Longstitch

Posted on January 29, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 114/365

I’m so excited to announce a new bookbinding workshop at a downtown location! I’ll be teaching a binding method I haven’t taught in a while, straight Longstitch, so if you’ve taken a previous class with me, this is a new one that you should check out!

What: Creative Bookbinding Workshop!
Where: Little House in the City; 555 Parliament Street, Toronto
When: Sunday February 8, 2015, 1pm – 4pm

As always, you only need to bring yourself; materials are included in the workshop fee, and tools are provided for use during the class.

To learn more and register, please go here.