Day 82/365
This is the studio on a sunday back in the fall. A great shot detailing the process of punching holes into leather, to be used as a closure for this journal. See similar journals here.
The pictured journal is a smaller cousin of the Indigo Coptic Journal featured in this post from a couple of weeks ago. It’s the same idea with the closure, just a different cover and sized journal!
Day 81/365
Yes, this is another variation of the coptic binding. Meet the Reclaimed Cigar Box Journal. I believe in reclaiming materials whenever possible, this is one example. I mean, cigar boxes are so beautiful on their own, why not transform them into a new object to inspire even more?
One of the advantages of the coptic binding is the ability for the finished book to lie flat when open. This makes sketching and writing much easier and more enjoyable.
The whole gang! Stay tuned for more variations of this journal in my etsy shop in the near future.
Day 80/365
That’s right, I’m having an end of year sale, to coincide with Boxing Week!
You can get 15% off your entire order of $50 or more, before shipping, when you use code BOXING14 at checkout! Yippee!!
Visit my etsy shop to see for yourself!
Day 79/365
Greetings!
Happy Holidays, wishing everyone a great holiday season!
I’d like to thank everyone for their business, support and general awesomeness this year as I really pushed Sprouts Press to the next level. I love receiving your feedback so I can grow and learn and keep Sprouts Press flourishing! Keep it coming!!
I look forward to 2014, to designing and creating new items and journals (already have a few projects in the works!) and giving you more pen-to-paper options throughout the year!
Have a wonderful, happy and safe holiday!
Cheers,
Carolyn ~ Sprouts Press
Day 78/365
Day 77/365
There was a festive party at Paperhouse Studio last weekend! And you know what that means . . . 
There was paper to be made as ornaments, prints to be pulled as gift tags and a few other crafty activities revolving around paper. My kind of party! The lovely Pam from Graven Feather was also there to guide us on using this cute little table top press.
A view of the many paper ornaments and garland, all made in house and by collaborating artists. And some other paper drying on the windows, because that’s the proper way to dry gampi paper. (seriously, it is. I’m not kidding). 
It was really nice to kick back and enjoy an evening with fellow paper artists and printmakers! Also, Paperhouse hosts workshops throughout the year, check out their website to see what’s next!
Day 76/365
It’s been two weeks today, since the end of the One of a Kind Show. I’m finally getting around to tidying up and organizing and in the process I re-discovered all these amazing items from the show! While this isn’t the full collection of all the things I purchased, these are the items that aren’t being given away. So if I share them online I won’t ruin Christmas, you get the point.
The roundup:
On the left is a gorgeous stationery set and gift tags by Gotamago, you know I love putting pen to paper and sending real mail, these cards fit the bill perfectly. To the right of that is a beautiful and ingenious spoon/spatula/tasting utensil by Elzner Originals, I cannot wait to make my famous noodle soup with it! Then a super moisturizing spearmint-eucalyptus lip balm by From the Blue House with Love, honestly it smells soooo good! Below that are a pair of sweet wooden earrings by Ugly Bunny, the geometric patterns and pop of colour had me at hello. Below that is another wood piece; a hair barette by The Woodlot, using only Ontario wood. Right of that is the cute, well-crafted and totally appropriate (for me) ‘book nerd’ banner by Embroiderwee. And last but not least, a super sweet, cutie-patootie dachshund brooch by Leikey Designs.
Day 75/365
In the studio today. It’s a day for getting everything organized and in order.
I’m hoping to change some studio things around in the new year. So tidying and getting my ducks in a row now is prudent (and kind of fun!).
Day 74/365
As you know, I participated in my final craft show of the year last weekend. Naturally, people are asking me if I’m relaxing now and decompressing after a busy holiday show season, you know, taking it easy.
Nope.
I’m the type of person that cannot just sit and do nothing, cold turkey, after so much creative activity. So instead I decided to take the day to go scope out a few shows. Some I was considering participating in, others were unexpected surprises! I just wanted to see what they’re like from the customer’s point of view. Let me tell you, it was great! Buying handmade really is fun!!
To give you a sense of what I mean, here’s what my day looked like.
1. The Christmas Craft Beer Carnival
I didn’t actually have any beer, in the name of enjoying the rest of my day with a clear head. Instead I visited the booth of the lovely Nathalie Roze and purchased one of her warm and beautiful sweater toques!!
2. The LocalTOMarket Pop Up
Although it’s inside a large event tent, it was still pretty cozy at this show. Not everything was handmade, but the things that were had a nice variety and were well-made.
3. The Collective Show
It is the fifth year for this holiday show, which I found out also happens in the summer! Located in the beautiful new Artscape Youngplace, the level of craftsmanship and quality at this pop up was amazing! And it runs till the 22, still time to check it out and shop handmade!!
Day 73/365
You may remember when I posted about the Indigo Journal back in October. I had shown a small journal created with my fancy-pants hand dyed indigo paper. Well, now I’d like to share this larger, one of a kind, really pretty variation: The Large Coptic Indigo Journal!
Measuring 8″ x 10″, with reclaimed leather and brass button closure, this is a pretty nice journal for sketching or writing full-out.
I managed to dig up some photos showing the hand-dying process, and I’m pretty sure I found the exact hand-dying of this sheet of paper!
And of course the hand dying was all done here in Toronto at Paperhouse Studios. While it is difficult to cut up these papers, especially after the work that goes into making them, it’s pretty fantastic seeing how the book cover acts as a frame, capturing a portion of the paper.
Sprouts Press 