Sprouts Press goes to Welland!

Posted on June 20, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 256/365

It’s a great day for a road trip to the Niagara region! Stop by Vermeers Garden Centre in Welland and say Hi to yours truly and many other talented makers!

What: Heirlooms Artisan Market
When: Saturday June 20, 10am – 6pm
Where: Vermeers Garden Centre, 684 South Pelham St, Welland, Ontario

Pro tip: This is an Etsy sponsored event, you know what that means – swag bags!! If you’re one of the first 100 people you’ll get a swag bag with some pretty awesome goodies inside!

For more details and vendor profiles, go here.

Peonies & Roses

Posted on June 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 255/365Once again, I’ve been inspired by the state of the garden: peonies and roses!! I suppose this happens because I try really hard to balance my work life (indoors) with some much needed time in the garden (outdoors). I find a real connection between being a maker of tactile objects and working in the garden; multiple senses are needed to really enjoy both of these things.

If you’re interested in knowing where to find these things, read on.

Ex Libris Bookplates (2 designs pictured in red, 1 in salmon)

Quick Notes Notebooks (pictured in two-tone red and pink & gold)

Watercolour Sketchbook in red (pictured top left corner)

Starburst Journal (pictured in marsala, just below the Watercolour Sketchbook)

Hot Pink Watercolour Sketcher (pictured right in the middle)

Large Fancy Coptic Journal in Marsala (pictured bottom right corner)

New In The Shop

Posted on June 13, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 249/365

Just listed the very last coral leather journal, complete with vintage button. While I loved this series and the enjoyment of pairing vintage buttons with reclaimed leather, I’ve decided to move on to a new leather journal design. I’m finishing up production and will be listing the first one within the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, you can check out the new design in person at Studio 205 in Hamilton!

In the Works!

Posted on June 11, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 247/365

I’ve been working on some new designs over the last couple of weeks. Some pieces are completed, and some still need a bit of work and finishing. And they all need packaging still. So, in the meantime I’ve got some ‘in progress’ shots to share, a glimpse of what I like best about the designs so far.

Mostly it’s the colours, of each book individually, and the palette of each series. Like the bold colours of the covers and trims above. To me, this screams summer (you know; I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!! or maybe gelato or sorbet in this case).

I simply love the pairing of the floral fabric trim with the gold detailing on the labels of these sweet notebooks. When set on the neutral brown (called ‘husk’) cover paper, they are perfection! At least I think so, ha!

You may have noticed that these product lines feature smaller, soft cover notebooks rather than the usual large, hard cover books I make. I’m trying my best to fill a gap and create pieces that are more affordable while still showcasing the handbound stitching that goes into each book. It’s a balance that I’ve struggled with for a while now, hopefully this is the direction to fulfill this goal!

These books will be in my Etsy shop soon, and at my upcoming Events and Shows.

New in the Shop

Posted on June 8, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 244/365

New in the shop: cute little leather journals! These are made from reclaimed leather or suede and paired with a matching vintage button.
If you’ve been following my posts lately, you’ll know that I’ve been working with leather quite a bit lately. I’m working on some new designs and hoping to get them out in the next little while. In the meantime, these are the last of the Little Leather Journals, get’em while they’re still around!

View all leather journals here.

The Studio on a Saturday

Posted on June 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 242/365

I’ve been working with leather a lot lately. Organizing, sorting and making journals with it. For the most part, these leather journals have gone to our Hamilton retailer; Studio 205, but keep your eyes peeled for new additions to the online shop!

Gifts for Dad, Collection No. 2

Posted on June 4, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 240/365

Still looking for a Father’s Day gift? I’ve pulled together another great collection of items for dads that are cigar lovers, book collectors, allergy sufferers, poets and artists. This list is tied together with a palette of greens and browns, inspired by springtime and days spent outside.

Starting from top left, going clockwise:

Tall Handbound Journal*: Part of a series of ‘one of a kind’ journals. Since the covers are hand-dyed washi paper, no two books are identical. Features a classy-yet-rugged reclaimed leather and brass button stud closure.

Ex Libris Bookplates, Set of 4*: For the book collector and/or serious reader, label your library with elegance! Hand carved and printed, this set of 4 Ex Libris Bookplates comes in leaf green and has ample space to write your name and even a date, if desired. Printed on self-adhesive paper.

Brown and White Organic Stripes Journal*: This book is part of the same series as the first in this collection. It is a tall book with a substantial number of pages, 110 pages (220, front and back) to be exact, making it perfect for the daily entries of keen journallers.

Hay Fever Hankies*: Hand printed and hand sewn, these cute hankies depict some of the plants that cause hay fever. Cheeky, I know. A wonderful addition to your pockets or handbag, forget tissues and use a soft, 100% cotton, hand printed & sewn hanky instead!

Cigar Box Journal*: This series of handsome hardcover journals gives new life to old cigar boxes! Various brands available, check the online shop to see if the perfect one is in stock.

Florentine Hardcover Journal: The beauty of this book lies in the details. A small wrap around closure, from reclaimed leather, fastens shut with an understated and simple yet classy antiqued brass button stud. The covers depict a brown and green foliage motif, perfect for gardeners!

Grass Green Watercolour Sketchbook*: This is a lovely, hardcover landscape-oriented watercolour sketchbook, housing only 140lb watercolour paper. Handmade bookcloth adorns the covers in grass green and a classy ribbon bookmark, in pale green, keeps your place.

*Can also be found in real life at brick and mortar shops around Ontario! Go here to find a retailer near you. I recommend calling ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

New in the Shop

Posted on May 30, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 235/365

New to the shop is a journal inspired by tree trunks and a green canopy. It’s part of the hand-dyed journal series and is stitched using the Coptic technique.

To see more photos and learn more, go here.

New in the Shop

Posted on May 22, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 227/365

One of the latest additions to my etsy shop is part of a series of journals with hand-dyed covers. I’ve already shared several of the Indigo Journal variations, but this is a larger series, focusing on the lovely tones achieved with sepia. This is a coptic stitched book, with reclaimed leather and a brass button stud closure, which also makes it part of the Fancy Coptic journal series.

I love the size and weight of this journal; if it were smaller it would be a chunky book, but it’s taller size makes it more of a sketchbook or journal perfect for longer prose.

See it online in my Etsy shop here.

New in the Shop

Posted on May 15, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 220/365
This is the second of the latest Handbound Journal series to join my Etsy shop. It’s another coptic journal showcasing my hand-dyed washi paper on the covers, in Indigo!

As I mentioned last week, I love the fact that each of the books in this series are unique and different. Last week’s journal featured paper with a softer, overall blue colour. This week is a fun striped effect! I love the painterly tones of blue and the organic shapes of the stripes. I can imagine this being the perfect beach or cottage companion!

To learn more and view it on Etsy, go here.