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.

Wordless Wednesday 28.1.15

Posted on January 28, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 113/365

Details, details

Posted on January 27, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 112/365

In case you didn’t know, I’m currently having a blog giveaway! So I thought it would be kind of fun to do a little feature on the goodies that will go to the lucky winner.

Postcard Pad, a set of 7 original, hand decorated postcards to tear out and mail, pictured above. Each postcard in this set is different, so don’t be afraid to send them all to the same person/your Valentine! They make a great companion when travelling or on trips to your local cafe.

Hand printed Ex Libris Bookplates, a set of 4 in Coral, pictured above. These are linocuts, my own design, which I cut and hand printed on self-adhesive paper. Simply write your name on the lines provided, and maybe put in a date or who gave you the book if it was a gift. Then peel off the backing and put the label on the inside cover of your book. Never lose a book again!

Mini Faux Leather Button Book in deep burgundy, pictured above. This is a cute, chunky little book with a button closure. There are 122 pages (244, front and back) and it measures 3″ x 4 1/2″ x 3/4″. Inside, find a mix of pages; blank, lined, and colours, with a surprise map thrown in for fun!

And of course, all these goodies come in a cute book bag hand sewn by yours truly.

To enter the contest just go here for instructions and details. Contest runs until January 31, 2015.

Good Luck!

Learn the Linkstitch

Posted on January 26, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 111/365

There are still a few spots left in the Book Making Workshop I’m giving at Graven Feather. This is the class to take if you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own journal.

I’ll show you how to hand decorate covers, and then how to bind it into your very own journal! Everyone leaves with a finished project!

When: Saturday February 7, 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West
Cost: $65, materials included

*You must pre-register to participate.
**Can’t make it on February 8? No problem, more dates have just been booked! The workshop is also running on March 7 and April 11!

***And if none of those dates work, just keep an eye on my Workshops page.

For more information and to register, please go here.

The Studio On a Sunday

Posted on January 25, 2015 by sproutspress

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.

Valentines Day Blog Giveaway!

Posted on January 24, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 109/365

As a Thank You for all the love you’ve shown me over the last several months, I’ve decided to give back and return the favour! I’m holding my first ever Sprouts Press blog giveaway!!

To participate all you have to do is:

1. Follow Sprouts Press blog here on WordPress.
2. Leave a comment below about why you love to journal/sketch/doodle/brainstorm; what is it that draws you to pen and paper?

Contest runs January 24 – 31, 2015. One winner will be drawn randomly from comments below (you must also follow Sprouts Press blog here on wordpress) and announced on February 1, 2015!

The Loot:
-Postcard Pad, a set of 7 original, hand decorated postcards to tear out and mail.
-Hand printed Ex Libris Bookplates, a set of 4 in Coral. Label your books!
-Mini Faux Leather Button Book in deep burgundy.
-Hand sewn floral and corduroy book bag, to carry all your loot!

Good luck!

Water + Colours

Posted on January 23, 2015 by sproutspress

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!