Class Schedule

Posted on July 21, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 287/365

The next bookbinding workshop is coming up – this saturday, July 25! I’ll be teaching the new class: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch over at Graven Feather on Queen St. West here in Toronto.

In this workshop we’ll be making the binding shown above, as a hardcover book and there will be a couple of colour choices for participants.

Also, a few of you have been asking about the size of the book we’ll be making. The finished project will measure 14.5cm x 10cm and be around 2cm thick at the spine. It’s a great book to use as an art journal because of it’s handy size. But also because the spine has room to allow for paper ephemera to be added. Fun!!

For more details and to learn how to register, go here.

Painted Notebooks

Posted on July 20, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 286/365

Today I’m reflecting on one of my favourite projects to date; the painted journeys journal!These journals are a combination of painting, printmaking and bookbinding. I’ve written about the joys of creating in multiples and mixing mediums before on this post, but I haven’t talked about all three series together.

It all started with the set of pink journals in the bottom left corner, these were my first foray into this series. It was a lovely afternoon of painting, printing and then bookbinding. After they all found new homes (excepting the one I saved for myself as a photo prop) I wanted more! Then the blue series happened! This time, I made a different shape and size, and used the off cuts to make cute little mini books, which is all I have left of this series. Lastly, the most recent are the Journeys Journals in brown. Inspired by a not-so-Canadian winter that left my snow boots more muddy than icy. I plan to write a more detailed account of these books, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, you can take a look at the Journeys Journal in the Artist’s Books section of my Etsy shop, there are a couple left.

I’ve enjoyed working on these books as they develop in slightly different directions with each series. I switched up the binding for the blue series, but went back to the Japanese Stab Binding for the Journeys Journals. I really appreciate the construction of the matchbook cover and the geometric shapes created by the stitching.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on July 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 285/365

The last couple of weeks have been the start of holiday production time here at Sprouts Press. I talked about this a little while ago in this post. Today I’m making ornaments, thinking about the last time I made ornaments, which wasn’t for Christmas at all!

This is an ‘in progress’ shot of my Valentines Starburst Book Ornaments being made, with pages from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I really enjoy pairing up appropriate literature to the holiday to make these decorations. Last year I used Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, which I plan to use again, but I’ll have an additional choice this year – stay tuned!

Online Sale!

Posted on July 18, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 284/365

Don’t forget! There’s a sale in my Etsy shop happening right now!!

You may remember this post from last week, announcing the sale. Well, it’s still on, right till the end of July in fact! Time to stock up on holiday decorations and avoid the madness that is holiday shopping in december!

Sale details:
-Runs now until the end of the month, July 31, 2015.
-Discount is already applied, and offer is exclusively for items in the ‘Christmas in July Sale‘ section! Easy peasy!!

Graven Feather Workshop

Posted on July 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 283/365

Join myself, and the lovely Pam at Graven Feather, for a fun and crafty Saturday morning on July 25 for the next Bookbinding Workshop! Learn how to make this Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal and leave with your very own handmade book!!

What: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Workshop
When: Saturday July 25, 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto

For details & how to register, go here.

Wordless Wednesday 15.07.15

Posted on July 15, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 281/365

Use Your Journal!

Posted on July 14, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 280/365

I spent last Sunday in Unionville, Ontario at a beautiful little show with some fantastic people. And, as often happens, some people were drawn to my pieces but hesitant to purchase because they feared they would never use the journal. Part of my motto is that my books ‘are designed to be used, well worn and well loved’. Needless to say, while I appreciate a healthy collection of journals (read: more than *a few*), it’s even nicer to actually use them as it adds value and enriches your experience with the book.

In an effort to help people out who have difficulty starting that coveted journal, I started writing a series of blog posts titled; Use Your Journal! Today I’ve rounded them up and conveniently listed them here for you, all in one place.

This list starts with posts about using your journal, prior to me titling them ‘Use Your Journal!’. I recommend starting at the top of the list and working your way down. They progress from ideal environments to journal, to the different purposes for different books, to prompts and examples of uses for journals and sketchbooks. If you have a request, just ask!

Plein Air Day 7/365

Inspiring Things (these days) Day 88/365

Use Your Journal No. 1 Day 94/365

Use Your Journal No. 2 Day 129/365

Use Your Journal No. 3 Day 140/365

Use Your Journal No. 4 Day 147/365

Use Your Journal No. 5 Day 170/365

Use Your Journal No. 6 Day 206/365

The Studio on Sunday (On a Saturday)

Posted on July 11, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 277/365Last week I got around to a project I’ve been meaning to do for a while. I built a new display for my table booth at art and craft shows. I don’t have a finished photo yet, but enjoy this ‘in progress’ shot in the meantime.

ps. Don’t you love that old woodworking clamp? It was my Grandpa’s!

A new Bookbinding Workshop!

Posted on July 10, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 276/365

Join me on July 25 for the next Bookbinding Workshop at Graven Feather! I’ll be showing how to do the Arrow Stitch, a hardcover binding. It’ll be a fun and crafty saturday morning and everyone leaves with a finished project!

What: Hard Cover Arrow Stitch Journal Workshop
When: Saturday July 25, 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto

For more information and to register, go here.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on July 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 271/365

I’ve been working on a lot of custom orders the last little while, and last week I had the pleasure of crafting a gorgeous leather memory/keepsake book for a client.

This is one of the largest books I’ve ever made. The photos might be a bit deceiving, but trust me, it’s a big book! It’s a limp binding made with a gorgeous brown leather. Inside is heavy weight printmaking paper and the endpapers are a fancy Italian printed paper, of course.

If you have a special occasion coming up or just like the idea of having a quality heirloom keepsake book, just click ‘Custom Order’ on the top menu bar and answer a few questions to get started. It’s easy! I enjoy working on special projects and love a good challenge, so don’t be shy!

If you have a custom request, just click here.