Book Arts 103

Posted on April 18, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 193/365

A bookbinding workshop in Burlington, Ontario!I’m excited to announce that Sprouts Press has teamed up with the Burlington Public Library! I’ll be teaching how to hand craft your own journal at the Brant Hills Library brand new Bookbinding Hub!

When: Saturday May 9, 1pm – 4pm (just in time for mothers’ day!!)
Where: Brant Hills Library, 2255 Brant Street, Burlington
What: I’ll be teaching the Longstitch binding, each student will leave with a finished softcover journal.

Not only is this amazing because there is a Bookbinding Hub in a library (brilliant!!), but also because I once worked at the library, many moons ago. I’m really looking forward to this workshop, it’s going to be special!

To learn more and register, please visit the library’s website here.

Handkerchiefs

Posted on April 16, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 191/365

It’s allergy season here in Toronto, and who knows where else! Time to ditch the tissues and get some reusable, eco-friendly, handmade Hay Fever Hankies!! For a bit of wit, I’ve printed each hand sewn hanky with an image of a plant that causes allergies. You can choose from: Ragweed, Timothy/Hay or Crowsfoot!

Hayfever Hankies are on sale in my Etsy shop, here. Or in person at Freedom Clothing Collective on Bloor St West here in Toronto.

Newsletter Time!

Posted on April 13, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 188/365

A friendly reminder that the April newsletter is going out later this week, so sign up early if you want to get on the mailing list!
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA This is a good month to subscribe, there are some real treats, just for subscribers, that you don’t want to miss. (Seriously, I’m pretty pumped for this month’s newsletter!)

To subscribe, go here and follow the instructions.

Extra! Extra!

Posted on April 11, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 186/365Yesterday I spent some time prepping a box full of lovely little notebooks for swag bags for the Blossom and Bloom show! It’ll be happening select weekends throughout the summer in a picturesque courtyard of the Varley Art Gallery, in Unionville.

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll also be a vendor at this market-style show 2 days: Sunday July 12 and Saturday August 8. Come out if you can, it looks like there will be a great variety of artisans, floral designers and artists in attendance! Should be fantastic!!

Silkscreens and Thistles

Posted on April 9, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 184/365

You might have noticed that I’m trying to do a blog post on each of my items or series of items, to showcase their story and the process that goes into designing and crafting them.

Today I’m focusing on the Screenprinted Linen Pouches. There have been a few variations, this being what is currently available, and my favourite!

There are two images on these pouches: Queen Anne’s Lace and Thistles, both plants found in the countryside of southern Ontario. These are plants that I sketched on-site, on a beautiful sunny summer’s day (it really was that gorgeous of a day!).

Then I transferred my sketches to my silkscreen. I do this freehand, with a tracing technique, as opposed to photo based screenprinting. The result is that nothing in this process ever goes through a computer, it’s all analog.

After printing the fabric, linen of course, it’s heat-set and pre-washed. Then I cut the patterns and sew it into the lovely little pouches pictured!

After the zipper embellishments are added (hemp cord and wood beads) they’re ready for sale. The idea behind these little gems is to capture a moment and carry it with you, whether it’s a road trip, a special gift to a friend or that amazing sunny summer’s day. As always with Sprouts Press items: functional and beautiful!

To view all my screenprinted fabric items, go here.

Sprouts Press at Graven Feather

Posted on April 7, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 182/365

Workshop time! Join me this saturday for a creative bookmaking workshop at the beautiful letterpress printing studio and gallery on Queen St. West, Graven Feather!

*Pictured above are examples of students’ finished projects; hand bound journals!

What: Longstitch/Linkstitch Bookbinding Workshop
When: Saturday April 11, 2015. 10am – 1pm.
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
Cost: $65, materials included.

For more information and to register, please go here.

The Studio on a Monday

Posted on April 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 181/365 photo 5_2

Today I’m prepping the studio for more paper dying! I love this process and the results, it’s a different kind of creativity than stitching books with a needle and thread. I miss getting paint under my nails and losing myself in the work, so it’s a welcome change of pace for a day. These are photos from a previous paper-dying session, so I’ll be sure to take some new ones and share the ‘after’ photos this time around!

Spring Time Collaboration

Posted on April 3, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 178/365

Introducing the Spring Gift Pack from Graven Feather:
I am so proud to announce that my Quick Notes notebooks in gold are a part of these gorgeous sets! They are curated by Graven Feather and showcase the work of a few local artisans and shops. (and did I mention how beautiful they are??)

Housed in handmade paper from Paperhouse Studio here in Toronto, Graven Feather printed on the reverse and hand crafted each folder. Inside you’ll find all sorts of goodies including one of my handbound gold notebooks, as pictured above.
Inside you’ll also find a pen from Articulations and several other printed goodies! (I’m not spilling the beans on the rest of the contents – you’ll just have to get your own to find out!) When secured shut (gorgeous!!) it’s the perfect place to keep your cherished ephemera and paper treasures. The Spring Gift Pack also makes the perfect gift for Mothers day or a special birthday or anyday!

Wordless Wednesday 01.04.15

Posted on April 1, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 176/365

Morsels of Spring

Posted on March 30, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 174/365

According to our calendars, spring is officially here. But in reality it’s not quite here yet! So I’m taking this time to stock up on these little book magnets. Or as I like to call them, morsels of spring!

Every part of these tiny books are offcuts from larger projects that I just can’t justify tossing. They’re papers I decorated by hand; paste papers, resist techniques, relief prints, and just washes of colour.
When bundled together in a set of 6, they’re quite cheerful! The idea is to make your own mini library, or share some with a friend!