Wordless Wednesday 08.02.17
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Tag Archives: artists books
Favourite Words: Tips for Using Your Journal
Today I’ve decided to share one of my favourite posts about using your journal. It’s a link way back to the beginning of my Use Your Journal series, but it’s timeless.
This post explains a simple use for your journal, but it’s proven to be a favourite of mine as I have more than one book dedicated to this use. Read on to see what it’s all about!
***Note: If you prefer to read the original post, no prob! Just go here to see it.
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As you may have noticed from my previous post, I’m on a bit of a hand-lettering and calligraphy kick these days. I’m also enjoying the idea of a few posts that promote journalling, sketching and using journals in general.
When I first had this idea I immediately pulled my quotes journal from the bookshelf, and decided to share a few of my favourite pages. 
I will admit that this is a big step for me, I don’t usually share the contents of my journals and sketchbooks. But these are just quick, pretty little notes that I jotted down in less than 10 minutes. And that’s the idea, you can do it too!
You can find quotes all over the place: online, via a ‘quotes’ app (there are many!), at the library, etc. Sometimes the best are snippets of conversations overheard in passing, or by looking at groupings of book titles on shelves to see if they form a sentence. It’s also fun to pick up a book and open it to a random page and see what you get, like a box of chocolates! (Well, maybe not quite like chocolates, but you get the idea) 
Fun pens and markers are also a welcome addition. A bit of colour or shading can give your page just the right tone.
If you want to try this yourself here are a couple of tips:
-Choose a quote that isn’t too long, make sure it fits on the page and that there’s room for a border to be drawn around it.
-Make sure to jot down the author of the quote so you can give credit and search for more inspiring words by that person.
-You can put a ground of colour down first with markers (as in the last photo above), and then write your quote on top.
-Feel free to use a simple, minimalist border or to get more creative and swirly. Really whatever you feel like is what goes!
-Don’t try to make it too perfect, this is meant to be a quick exercise that is fun and enjoyable!
Do you have any other tips for quick quote-taking? Have fun!
Craft Ontario!
You may have noticed my list of retailers has grown over the last few weeks. I’m so happy to share the latest stockist of Sprouts Press handbound journals; the Craft Ontario Shop!
Located in their brand new gorgeous building, the Craft Ontario (formerly Ontario Crafts Council) shop represents the best of the best here in Ontario. You’ll find ceramics, wood pieces, mixed media, glass and more. Find a great selection of Sprouts Press handbound journals: one of a kind books, coptic books, albums, mini books, etc. Definitely go check it out!!
Where: 1106 Queen Street West, Toronto
For more information about Craft Ontario shop, please visit their website.
Wordless Wednesday 25.01.17
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Flexagons: the BEST kind of hexagons!
Flexagons: the blending of a flex and a hexagon into an intriguing and creative piece of paper art.
Join me for an evening of exploration and creativity in a hands on workshop where you’ll not only learn the secrets of a flexagon, but create your very own!! We’ll be making a variation of a flexagon with 6 faces that are hidden within, and revealed when the piece is ‘flexed’.
What: Flexagons: Inside & Out, a flexagon designing and making workshop!
When: Thursday February 16, 6pm – 8:30pm
Where: CBBAG Bindery (Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild), 80 Ward St, Toronto, Ontario
For more information & to register, please go here.
How to start using your journal – 3 easy exercises
Today I’m talking to all the folks out there who have found their perfect, ideal journal and are holding on to it, waiting for inspiration to strike. Today I’m travelling back in time to a post I wrote a couple of years ago that still holds true.
It’s all about slowing down, paying attention to yourself and your surroundings, and taking your time. I’ve got three exercises for you to try that should bring some focus and invite eagerness to begin using your journal.
Read on for the article, or click here to view the original post.
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After the conclusion of a large project, or the close of a busy holiday season I often find myself searching for what’s next. Obviously I’ve got all the ‘business’ things to keep the left side of my brain busy these days. But what about the next steps for the creativity that drives Sprouts Press, what will the next collection of journals be? What function will they serve or what questions will they answer, if any? Will they just be pretty objects that also happen to be books or something else?
I’ve found myself circling around a few topics and activities over the last couple of weeks that seem to be influencing these decisions. While I’m not going to share what they are, (yet, sorry!) I’d love to tell you how I reached them, with the hope that other kindred spirits are also on this type of quest and might find it useful. 
So, this is what I do:
1. Go to the library. Take the library bag. Spend around 2/3 of the time in the non-fiction section and 1/3 in the fiction section. I like to choose books that are a combination of inspiring and instructional, and books on things that I’ve never tried before (ie. traditional Norwegian knitting!! So beautiful!). And while I probably won’t actually learn traditional Norwegian knitting, I will certainly enjoy the craftsmanship and detail of the pieces in the book.
Gather enough books to max out your library card. Seriously. (It doesn’t cost anything, unless you don’t return them on time. I *may* have done this once or twice). While it’s nice to know exactly what you want to look at, it’s so great to just wander the stacks and see what pops out, what titles catch your eye.
2. Drink tea in the sunshine. This one requires a bit more patience, for me anyways. To find a sunny window and really enjoy a cup of my favourite tea while not thinking about anything else, just the tea. I will be honest, it’s rare that I can do this for an entire cup of tea. Usually it’s just half the cup, then I get sidetracked/eager to look at my library books. I still enjoy the tea, but more in a gulping look-at-that-awesome-piece-of-artwork kind of way. In the summertime this is an outdoor/backyard/cafe patio activity!
3. Tidy up the workspace. I’ve said this before, but a tidy workspace really is so inviting when starting a new project. Everything is easily found and nothing needs to be moved out of the way to clear another corner of the desk. I suppose it’s the same idea with a journal; the blank page is uncluttered and prepped for your ideas and creativity.
On days when I do these things in the morning, I find the rest of the day just flies by with me working away and before I know it, it’s time to start dinner. I get completely lost in designing or creating or researching, and I love it! Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
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Coptic Bookbinding Workshop!
Join me this sunday for a coptic bookbinding workshop in Guelph! (details below photo)
What: Coptic Bookbinding Workshop
When: Sunday January 15, 2017 10am – 4pm
Where: Guelph School of Art, 125 Wyndham Street North, Guelph
For more information and to register, go here.
Boxing Week Sale!
Hope you’ve all had a chance to take some time for yourself and reflect on 2016, while thinking ahead to the new year just around the corner. To make things a bit lighter and a bit brighter, I’ve decided to hold a sale! 
**BOXING WEEK SALE!** 20% off everything with code NEWYEARNEWJOURNAL at checkout! Start 2017 with a brand-new, hand-crafted, unique journal! Nothing like a clean slate to start the year!!
Sale ends January 1, 2017. Applicable to Sprouts Press’ etsy shop only, discount applied before shipping and taxes.
Wordless Wednesday 13.12.16
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Registration is now open!
A big thank you to everyone who came out and supported all us makers at this year’s One of a Kind Show! Your appreciation for handmade is amazing!!
It’s been a few days since the show ended, and I’ve been busy as ever catching up on orders and getting the winter 2017 workshop schedule in order.
I’m happy to announce that REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!!
All you bookbinding enthusiasts, now’s your chance to make a wish list, or make someone else’s paper-loving, book-maker dreams come true! Head over to the Workshops section of my site to see what’s available!
Sprouts Press 