Day 31/365
Who doesn’t love a good book ornament? I started making these for myself, then friends and family, and then I finally realized I should be selling them. They’re now in my online shop.
Bonus: I’m teaching a book ornament making workshop later in the month! We won’t be making this style of ornament, but it will still be a lovely little book you can hang for the holidays or anytime of the year.
Day 30/365
The last couple of days have been a flurry of activity in the studio. Bookbinding kits galore!!
This year I’ve decided to make a variation of my usual kit and will be officially announcing them shortly. They are a limited edition, incredibly cute and fun!
Day 27/365
In the spirit of talking about some of my favourite projects, I couldn’t resist a post about these watercolour travel journals. Originally in two colours, only the pink is left. This book was designed to be a tough and rugged workhorse of a journal. I wanted to create a beautiful yet functional sketchbook to take along while travelling or hiking. I put in a pen holder on the spine and a braided linen tie-around closure. It’s sturdy and solid, and beautiful all at the same time.
The hot pink paper is handmade (not by me) with a lovely scattered seedpod-like pattern on the front, and solid, bright, hot pink on the back. I’ve had many discussions with papermakers about how this technique was achieved; maybe the hot pink paper was pulp painted, with rice as a resist? Maybe it was a lamination of sheet forming? I don’t know the answer, but it’s fantastic either way.
The second journal uses hand-decorated paper that I picked up a long time ago. I wish I could remember the artists name, I’d love to get more! It is a textured wallpaper, that has been painted and distressed and then flecks of gold applied. It has the effect of a dark, starry night.
Day 26/365
In the studio today: stacks and stacks of pages to be sewn into many books. Fancy coptic journals, to be exact. This is my sunday, along with the lots of tea and some Vinyl Cafe.
Day 25/365
Today I had the pleasure of teaching a wonderful group of ladies the Longstitch/Linkstitch binding. We were at Graven Feather, a fantastic printmaking studio and gallery, here in Toronto on Queen St. West. 
I love seeing the different styles and colours each person is drawn to and the details put into each book. Everyone was happy with their journal and enjoyed learning a new skill! Welcome to the world of bookbinding!!
To learn more about upcoming workshops and classes, please visit my Workshops page.
Day 22/365
Day 21/365
It’s workshop time! This saturday I’m excited to be teaching a bookbinding class at the amazing Graven Feather Gallery/Printmaking studio! This is a creative hands-on class geared for all skill levels. I love teaching this workshop, especially when the room goes quiet and everyone is completely and wholeheartedly engrossed in their projects. It’s so wonderful to see people just let go and allow their unique creativity really shine!
The photo above is from a previous class taught there, a similar class will happen this saturday (November 1). But it’s not just bookbinding, we’ll be getting creative designing and decorating covers! Sound like fun? Go here for more information and to register.
When the air gets that autumn crisp and I know winter is not far, I often think of these journals.
They are a warm and cozy light brown leather, with the last bits of summer brightness captured in the beading detail.
I don’t have any in stock right now and I have made a few variations of these books. But I enjoy the spontaneity and uniqueness while designing and crafting each book (no two are alike). I also love the bead work and the pop of colour and sparkle on the spine.
Day 19/365
This is the aftermath of an evening spent hand-dying paper. I’ve started using more colours and overlays with colour washes. I’m pretty excited to see how they turn out as books. These will become lovely covers for some very special journals!
Day 18/365
In preparation for the One of a Kind Christmas show here in Toronto, I’ve been testing different techniques for cover decoration. One of my first experiments was a series of painted covers.
It’s a pared-down, simplified and more minimal variation of my painted and printed matchbook style journals. 
I really enjoy the process of hand decorating a large sheet and then cutting it into covers. Each book ends up being unique and one of a kind.
Sprouts Press 