Sneak Peek!

Posted on September 25, 2015 by sproutspress

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Are you planning to stop by Etsy: Made in Canada here in Toronto? (If not, why not?! It’s going to be pretty fantastic!) Want to know who will be there and what type of handmade goodness to expect? This is a juried show, with tough competition, so expect to be blown away! Take a look at the vendor LookBook here.

Some tips for visiting the show:
–Want a free swag bag packed with amazing handmade samples and goodies? Arrive early and be one of the first 100 people in line to get one!
–Want to try your hand at making something from scratch? Register for a free workshop here and learn how it’s done!

If you want to stop by my booth and say Hello! I’ll be over by the Elizabeth Street entrance, the opposite end to the main entrance off University. Hope to see you there!

Etsy: Made in Canada, 1 week away!

Posted on September 18, 2015 by sproutspress

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In just over 1 week it’s Etsy: Made in Canada!! I’m so excited to be a part of the fun, and there are some extra surprises planned this year!! (Stay tuned for details over the next week!!)

In the meantime, check out the vendor lookbook and do some pre-show shopping! And, if you’re an early bird, get in line early to be one of the first 100 visitors to get a swag bag packed with goodies, for FREE!!! (again, early bird gets the worm!)

For more info and details, check out the Toronto Etsy Street Team site here.

New In the Shop

Posted on September 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 346/365

Please welcome some new handbound beauties into my Etsy shop: Hand Dyed Fancy Coptic Journals! I think of these two books as being part of the same series because the covers are more sparsely dyed than some of the other hand dyed books. I didn’t put a leather closure on either of them for that exact reason: I didn’t want any hardware to interfere with the composition on the front.

To learn more about these books, click here for the top book pictured and here for the bottom one.

Big Thank You!

Posted on September 15, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 343/365

This past weekend was a whirlwind of bookbinding fun! I was lucky enough to teach two workshops in two different cities to groups of enthusiastic participants!! Everyone was eager to learn and share their creative spirit, while supporting one another to create beautiful pieces.

It’s a lot of work to offer these workshops and I often leave exhausted. But at the same time I’m always fulfilled by the joy on everyone’s faces when they realize what they’ve just made. I’ve been told that I ‘make it look so easy’, but I know the angst of the beginner bookbinder; we all started somewhere. To spend a few hours in concentration, hand crafting a book (which can be a bit challenging at times), and then emerging at the end of the class, holding a finished piece that is uniquely your own. Well, it’s magical!

In short, seeing everyone leave with a smile while clutching their handmade treasures is so gratifying. And I thank everyone who’s ever come out to one of my classes, eager and open to learn!

And of course, a big Thank You to the awesome, amazing organizations that hosted these workshops: Graven Feather and the Burlington Public Library!

If you didn’t get to attend one of these classes but really wish you had, there are more lined up, please see below. (Please note that the Graven Feather workshop sold out last time. So if you’re hoping to join me for the second round of the Arrow Stitch workshop, register early!)

Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal Workshop
When: Saturday November 7, 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather 906 Queen Street West, Toronto
For more information and to register, go here.

Coptic Binding Workshop
When: Saturday October 17, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Burlington Public Library, Brant Hills Branch 2255 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario
For more information please go here.

Newsletter Sign-Up Time!

Posted on September 14, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 342/365Did you know I send out a monthly eNewsletter? I write about all sorts of things: my latest projects, creativity tips, upcoming workshops and events, and other fun goodies!

If you’re not already a subscriber, now’s the time to sign up as the September newsletter goes in just a couple of days. If you already subscribe, maybe you know someone who’d love to read about what I do, handbound books, and leading a creative life.

To sign up, just go here and fill out the form.

T-Minus 2 Weeks!

Posted on September 12, 2015 by sproutspress

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That’s right folks, only 2 weeks till Etsy: Made in Canada!! I’m super excited and have been working away on some new items just for the show. No reveals just yet, only a quick note so you can save the date!What: Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto
Where: MaRS Building, 101 College Street, Toronto (right by Queens Park subway station)
When: Saturday September 26, 10am – 6pm.

If you want to get a sneak peek at what to expect, take a look at the vendor lookbook for this year’s show here.

And if Toronto isn’t local to you, check out the main Etsy; Made in Canada page to find a show near you! (This show is country-wide, all on the same day!)

Summer Colours!

Posted on September 10, 2015 by sproutspress

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Blue, red and green; all summer colours! I know, I’m just sneaking this last collage in time before we officially move on to autumn. You can never have too much summer!

Clockwise from top left:
Painted Quick Notes in indigo, the Indigo Journal, Screenprinted Zipper Pouch with thistles in aqua blue (on sale!!), Elegant Quick Notes with red floral fabric trim, Medium Journal with ribbon in grass green, Bookbinding Kit in green and grey, Ex Libris Bookplate handprinted in emerald, Canadiana Journal in red, Starburst Journal in red Florentine.

Bookbinding at Graven Feather: a Workshop!

Posted on September 8, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 336/365This sunday I’ll be teaching the Arrow Stitch Journal, pictured above, at Graven Feather! It’s a hardcover book with fancy spine-stitching and I walk you through all the steps. It’s easy and fun, I promise!Since it’s a hands-on class, everyone leaves with a finished project!

What: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal Workshop
When: Sunday September 13, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
Cost: $75, all materials included.

If you aren’t able to make it out on sunday, there is another date for this workshop, and others I’ll be teaching at Graven Feather throughout the fall. Go here for details and to register.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on September 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 334/365If you’ve been following my Instagram, or other social media feeds, then you’ll know that one of my favourite processes is to dye paper with indigo. Well, this sunday was no exception as I spent some time at the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild, fondly referred to as CBBAG (pronounced ‘cabbage’), where there was an indigo dyeing session. photo 5_fotor

It was a small group of creative women, all of us eager to stretch our creative muscles. People dyed paper, fabric, string, yarn, thread and even buttons!! (I contemplated dyeing a bit of my hair, but chickened out in the end). As these things usually go, what felt like an hour was actually 4 and the day came to an end before we knew it.
Some of the results were really gorgeous – I can’t wait to see the projects these gems become!

To read more about my adventures in dyeing paper, go here.
To see some of the things I’ve made previously with hand dyed indigo paper, go here.

The countdown is on!

Posted on September 5, 2015 by sproutspress

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It’s official! The coundown is on to the 2nd annual Etsy Made in Canada: Toronto! The show will be at the MaRS building again this year, showcasing the best of the best of Canadian Etsy sellers here in the city!

There are some sweet surprises planned for this year, so keep your eyes peeled! And if you’re eager to get one of the free swag bags, be sure to get there early! There are only 100 of them and last year people started lining up hours in advance.

For more information, please see the Toronto Etsy Street Team’s website, here.

No local to Toronto? No problem! Etsy Made in Canada is a country-wide event, click here to find an event near you.