Day 107/365
Join me and learn to design and craft your own hand bound journal! This workshop will introduce you to the basic process of hand decorating paper for use as book covers, and then how to incorporate it into a hand bound book using the Longstitch Linkstitch technique.
No previous art experience is required.
When: Saturday February 2, 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
For more information and to register, please go here.
Day 106/365
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.
Day 103/365
It’s technically wintertime here in Toronto, though you might not be able to tell today since it’s raining. So it seems appropriate that I’m drinking many cups of tea (milk oolong today) and putting together more Wintertime Bookbinding Kits.
Look at the selection of fancy papers – the deep indigo floral chiyogami makes me swoon!
This winter-themed bookbinding kit is packed to the gills with goodies. A selection of fancy papers, heavy-weight cover papers, page papers, linen thread, simple tools and embellishments (not pictured)! Once you’ve completed the two books in the kit (and the super cute mini book!) you can start adding your own materials and keep going!
Pictured above I’ve added in a few things from my own collection to inspire you: two spools of linen thread (you could use cotton thread, but linen thread is stronger and more durable), tiny scissors, beeswax and my trusty wooden awl! What other crafty supplies would you use?
Wintertime Bookbinding Kits are available in my Etsy shop, at Freedom Clothing Collective and now also at the Arts Market on College.
Day 102/365
I’m pleased to announce that you can now find a selection of Sprouts Press’ Valentines and Winter-themed items right here in Toronto at Freedom Clothing Collective!
Pictured above are ‘Star Cross’d Lovers’ Starburst Book Ornaments. You can also find a variety of Bookbinding Kits (including the popular Wintertime Kit), and a selection of Quick Notes handpainted journals in lovey-dovey hues.
Day 101/365
I’d like to introduce one of the latest additions to my Etsy shop; the Marsala Journal!
This book is part of my Starburst Journal series, and also happens to be the Pantone colour if the year! Besides being a really lovely two-tone red hue, the beauty of this journal is that it lies completely flat when open. This is perfect for sketching, writing and generally pouring your heart onto the pages of your journal.
Marsala not your colour? See this book in a more neutral colour here. New designs are being added soon!
Day 100/365
In honour of the 100th day of my 365 project, I’ve decided to devote today’s post to all things golden!! Here’s what I’ve made in the shiny, sparkly colour everyone loves:
Quick Notes Notebooks: Handpainted black & gold, handbound with black linen thread.
A medley of golden delights (top left, clockwise): Fancy Coptic Journal in Gold Florentine with matching vintage golden button, handprinted Ex Libris bookplates in gold: Set of 5, handpainted Quick Notes Notebooks in Gold, Small Fancy Coptic Journal with matching gold vintage button.
If you’re hooked on gold, head to my Etsy shop to see what else there is!
Day 99/365
Day 98/365
Today I’m taking you on an insiders tour of the Journal Adventure Kit!
If you’re like me, you love packages of paper products that have an air of mystery to them. For instance, the Journal Adventure Kit. It is sealed and thick with paper and ephemera surprises. So, today I’m going to open one up, at random, and show you what’s inside. However, please note that they are all a unique combination of papers, colour palettes and other tidbits.
First off: handmade tags. Some with reclaimed vintage dictionary pages and fancy papers. Other tags are stamped, punched, washi-taped or feature hand drawing or mark-making. 
Inside there’s also a handbound notebook with label, origami creature, and a stack of papers: vintage, maps, Florentine, fancy printed, ephemera papers, etc. This is a nice thick stack of papers for you to play with and really decorate your notebook, inside and out.
Hint: it’s also fun to wrap a strip of paper from the inside of the front cover to the outside and paste it down.
Lastly, and possibly my most favourite, is the cutie pie mini envelope! Yes, it is cute on the outside, but on the inside you’ll find a handful of Shakespearean insults!! Also tucked inside are some super mini letter-writing papers, for secret notes to be pasted in your notebook or given to someone special (or not so special if you include the insults!)
Want your own Journal Adventure Kit? Click here!
Sprouts Press 