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 151/365
Today is the grand opening of a new shop in Hamilton, Studio 205! Sprouts Press is proud to be a part of this shop alongside 22 other talented makers and artists.
If you’re in Hamilton stop by for treats and coffee (and some loose leaf teas, we’ve been told!) and check out the diversity of handmade products! Sprouts Press has a full line of products showcased, including journals, sketchbooks, book jewellery and bookbinding kits. And keep your eyes open for workshops in the near future as they have a classroom space in the basement.
Day 146/365
The Dapper Journal. This is a full fabric book, in a handsome tweed-like blend. Black linen thread creates a stunning stitch pattern down the spine. This is a dapper and cozy journal, perfect for the stylish cafe goer or other hip creative types!
The Green & Brown Floral Journal. Think spring buds and green shoots, this journal embodies new beginnings. With a green and brown floral paper cover and grey linen spine, this book makes a gorgeous wedding guest book or memory album. As with the Dapper Journal, brown linen thread creates the Starburst pattern along the spine.
These are lovely hardcover books that are so fun to make and so versatile in use. They make wonderful journals or sketchbooks and gorgeous memory albums or special event guest books. Use your imagination, there are so many possibilities!
Day 135/365
After posting my latest instalment of Use Your Journal, I realized that there were only two Starburst Journals in my Etsy shop. I’m happy to say that I’ve taken some time to put these ones together and list them online.
These are quite possibly my favourite books to bind. I love the possibilities for covers and the stitching patterns created on the spine. Even better? It lays flat when open!
This book is the first of two that are full fabric covers. And it’s my own handmade bookcloth! I’m proud of these journals, the full fabric makes them very tactile. Perfect for a cozy afternoon of sketching/journalling/album making with a cup of tea by a toasty fire.
Day 133/365
There’s a new style of journal in my Etsy shop! Please welcome the Medium Journal with Ribbon! This is my first venture into the world of handmade bookcloth. I have to say, it is liberating. To be able to use any fabric I want (minus stretchy and see-through materials; there were some trials and errors!) and turn it into bookcloth opens so many doors.
Of course, I went right for the cotton linen and linen-like fabrics right off the bat, they are so gorgeous!
The journals themselves are hardcover case-bound, housing a selection of blank paper and brown kraft paper. And, as a bit of fun, each book has a half page map, making it appropriate for travel as well. (Makes a one of a kind keepsake after it’s filled with memories from a trip!)
Some of the journals have brass corners, mainly just the red journals, which also use outdoor fabric as the bookcloth. Yes, these are the toughest journals in the series!!
The size is not too big, but not too small; perfect for stashing in a day bag or backpack. All of these designs have ribbon bookmarks, essential to keep your place so you can find it quickly when inspiration strikes on the go!
Available in Ruby Red, Grass Green and Warm Grey.
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?
Day 110/365
Today is all about finishing details on some new coptic journals – with lined pages! 
These are fairly new for me and something that I’ve been working on for a while. I couldn’t be more pleased to share them!
The first batch went quickly, so I’ve produced more and am just finishing them up with sewn-in bookmarks. They will have coins and beads on the ends, to keep your place and look stylish too.
Day 108/365
I recently added a handful of journals to my online shop that I’m incredibly proud of: Watercolour Sketchbooks! These are books that I’ve been working on for myself for a while now, I particularly love the clean lines and tidiness of this journal; it is simple and understated yet highly functional.
Handcrafted in a series of four colours, they all house 140lb watercolour paper, cased in hard covers wrapped with bookcloth made by yours truly. And a select few showcase brass corner protectors, for the truly adventurous sketcher! (That’s me!)
Another treat: matching ribbon bookmark! These books are case bound, so you will need to work them in, but they will open flat with use. The case binding has been spun on it’s end given that a landscape orientation is more practical than portrait for a sketchbook.
The Watercolour Sketchbook makes a great gift and once filled it becomes a cherished keepsake!
Shop them online here or in person at the Arts Market on College, in Toronto.
Day 105/365
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love writing letters, sending letters and receiving letters, the snail mail kind. Valentines day around the corner and since I know several people in long distance relationships, I figured that now is a good time to showcase some of the items I make that are designed to be letter-mail friendly. These are items that are perfect to pop in a cute lovey-dovey card, maybe with a fancy bag of tea tucked in too!
From the top left going clockwise:
–Ex Libris bookplates, handprinted in gold.
–Quick Notes notebook, with handpainted two-tone red covers.
–Ex Libris bookplates, handprinted in coral.
–Quick Notes notebook, with handpainted covers in pink and gold.
Of course there are a few larger options; Bookbinding Kit in red & grey, red & cream, perfect for the crafty valentine.
Lastly, this is my last Starburst Journal in red Florentine. This was the first design I bound using my starburst stitching along the spine. It’s a special book that makes a very special gift either as a journal, sketchbook or a fancy album, for a special someone.
Day 104/365
You may remember a couple of sundays ago I posted about making a new series of the ever-popular Starburst Book ornaments; Star Cross’d Lovers Book ornaments. Well, here they are finished!
I focused on 4 cover designs, each a bit different. There is a simple gold pattern (above), a sweet floral (top photo), a more traditional tile-inspired pattern (pictured below) and an organic flora-based pattern (bottom photo). 
This pattern is my favourite, I love the repetition and bold white on red. It reminds me of fancy kitchen tiles and tea time spent with loved ones.
I love the versatility of these little ornaments; they can be displayed closed to show off the fancy paper cover, or you can burst it open to a star to hang. Since they come as a set of two, you can do one of each. Or you can give one to your Valentine and see which way they prefer to display it.
See my etsy shop for details.
Sprouts Press 