The Coptic Indigo Journal

Posted on December 20, 2014 by sproutspress

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.

Wordless Wednesday 17.12.14

Posted on December 17, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 71/365

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Last Chance for 2014!

Posted on December 16, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 70/365

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last bookbinding workshop I’ll be instructing for 2014! And there’s still time to register, if you’re quick!

Longstitch/Linkstitch Book Making
Wednesday December 17, 6pm – 9pm
Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West

For more info and to register, go here.

Fancy Pants Books

Posted on December 2, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 55/365

My latest design of Coptic Journal. It’s also a new, larger size.

I’m really leased with how the paper for the covers turned out in these ones. They were part of my hand dyed paper project.

There are only a few books from this series, and they’re available for the next few days at the One of a Kind Show.

Projects!

Posted on November 21, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 45/365

As I’m sure you know by now, I’ve got a rather large arts and crafts show coming up, the One of a Kind Show. I figure this is a good time to showcase the processes I go through in making some of my products.

Today’s featured project: hand dying paper!

Testing colours, making sure to get just the right hues. I use a mix of inks and watercolour paints.

Mid-dying – yes, this is a messy process! And I love it!

A side view of boards covered with my hand dyed paper, drying in the press, makes a great texture shot.

Books, Photos and Paper

Posted on November 18, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 42/365

This is a project that started a long time ago. It’s had a few reinventions, these are some of my favourites. There is a deeper meaning to these pieces and as a result they have morphed into other objects, but for now I’ll just touch on them briefly. Perhaps I’ll revisit the longer write up in a later post.

They are books sculpted into dioramas featuring digitalized photos from special moments in my life, moments that I feel many people can relate to. I’m talking about things like nostalgia, yearning and sometimes regret.

Consider the crowds in an Italian Piazza, the grand archway in the distance and the top of a carousel tucked in a corner.

One last close up that shows the paper cutting that went into these pieces. They are detailed and intricate.

There is a small selection available at the Arts Market, and I will have a select few at the One of a Kind Show at the end of the month.

Bookbinding + Painting + Printmaking = Happy Me

Posted on November 17, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 41/365

Sometimes I indulge myself and combine mediums. Such is the case with this series of blue painted and relief-printed Longstitch journals. I’ve done this before with other painted journals, but recently came across these photos and felt the urge to share.

Details are everything, matching beaded closures is a thing of beauty (to me anyways).

As many bookbinders and other makers of handmade items know, creating in multiples is key. These books are no exception. But make no mistake; each is unique in placement of the cover patterns and images. Designing these books, the covers and crafting these pieces is the sort of project that keeps me happy!

Wordless Wednesday 12.11.14

Posted on November 12, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 36/365

Join Me

Posted on November 4, 2014 by sproutspress

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

Posted on November 3, 2014 by sproutspress

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.