Day 261/365
I have high hopes for this weekend, since last weekend was filled with sunny, blue skies! I’ve put together my best collection of summery blues inspired by summer skies, lakes and oceans.
Starting from the top left, going clockwise:
Handbound Indigo Journal with Reclaimed Leather, Screenprinted Linen Pouch, Blue Red & Golden Floral Notebook, Indigo Blue Sketchbook, Paper Moon Book Earrings, Elegant Quick Notes in Blue Green, Indigo Starburst Journal, Indigo and Silver Notebook.
Day 257/365
Jog your memory back to last fall and my many posts about hand-dying paper. Remember all that beautiful paper that I dyed using indigo and also watercolour paints? I used most of it to make unique, one of a kind journals. But there were off-cuts and scraps that were too small to use, which of course I saved.
Earlier this week I went to Paperhouse Studio and made good use of my end pieces. I framed the best papers and pressed them into cute little art buttons!! 
They turned out really well, some abstract and sharp, others more subtle and soft. I’ve prototyped packaging and tested it this weekend, I’ll make necessary tweaks and then you can find them in my online shop!
Day 256/365
It’s a great day for a road trip to the Niagara region! Stop by Vermeers Garden Centre in Welland and say Hi to yours truly and many other talented makers!
What: Heirlooms Artisan Market
When: Saturday June 20, 10am – 6pm
Where: Vermeers Garden Centre, 684 South Pelham St, Welland, Ontario
Pro tip: This is an Etsy sponsored event, you know what that means – swag bags!! If you’re one of the first 100 people you’ll get a swag bag with some pretty awesome goodies inside!
For more details and vendor profiles, go here.
Day 210/365
The latest addition to the Sprouts Press Etsy shop: Indigo Journal! This series of books has quickly grown into one of my favourites! I enjoy that each book is a bit different and one of a kind, and I love the finishing touches on each book: the spine details and reclaimed leather closure. The process of hand dyeing the paper is messy and fun, you can read about my adventures with this technique here.
Details:
-This book measures 5 1/4″ x 4 1/8″ and is approximately 1″ thick, including covers.
-There are 128 pages (256 counting front and back).
-Inside, find a mix of blank, kraft and graph paper pages suitable for writing, sketching and drawing.
To view this Etsy listing, go here.
Day 209/365
Announcing the next show for Sprouts Press: Heirlooms Artisan Market! Held amongst the greenery and flowers of Vermeer’s Garden Centre, this show will have a great variety of vendors, including myself, jewelry, body care and even food trucks!
What: Heirlooms Artisan Market
When: Saturday June 20, 2015 10am – 6pm
Where: Vermeer’s Garden Centre, 684 S Pelham Road, Welland
Day 202/365
Today has been all about organizing and tidying up after a busy weekend full of shows. This is not exciting and doesn’t lend itself well to photos. So instead, I’ll just share this photo above, from last week in the studio.
This is one of the finishing touches I put on my hand-dyed Indigo Journals, the reclaimed leather closure. I measure, cut and punch each one individually. As with many trades and crafts, the rule is always to measure twice, cut once!
Day 194/365
It’s paper-dying time! Believe it or not, I used all my hand-dyed paper from the last session! This batch focused on shades of indigo, as opposed to last time where I also used greens and browns.
Huge thanks to everyone that showed so much enthusiasm for journals with this unique and one of a kind cover! Stay tuned for more indigo journals!!
Day 192/365
Today marks the start of the SpringPop Pop Up Shop & Maker Mart!
The show is located in beautiful downtown Burlington, right by the lake. Sprouts Press will have some items there: lots of styles of journals and sketchbooks large and small, some mini book necklaces, ex libris bookplates and bookbinding kits! There are so many talented artisans, artists and makers showcasing their work at this show, go and check it out if you’re able!
Where: 408 John St., Burlington, Ontario
When: April 17 *Opening: 6pm – 9pm, April 18: 10am – 6pm, April 19: 12pm – 5pm.
For more information, directions, etc, please go here.
Day 189/365
I’ve put together a sweet little collection of journals for all the Mom’s out there that love to write, sketch, doodle, collage and, of course, make brag books about their kids!
I know my Mom has at least 2 journals on the go all the time. She has been one of my biggest supporters since the beginning of Sprouts Press! So, I’ve decided to put together a couple of collections of items that I think Moms like her might like. Everyone is different, of course, which is why I’ve planned for more than one collection, the second is coming out next week.
You can find these items online and some only in-person, for all the journalers/drawers who prefer to skip the digital transaction. See below for details.
From the top left, clockwise;
Fancy Coptic Journal: Light green florals and distressed text with vintage button and reclaimed leather. Has a surprise map page! Available exclusively on One of a Kind Online, go here for details.
Fancy Coptic Journal: Colourful and gold Florentine covers with golden vintage button and reclaimed leather. Only available in person at SpringPop, a pop up shop in Burlington: 408 John Street, Burlington, Ontario. April 17, 18 & 19, 2015. Go here for details.
Fancy Coptic Journal: Sweet florals in lilac and blue with matching vintage button and reclaimed leather, great size to fit in a purse or day bag. Has a surprise map page! Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Indigo Starburst Journal: Hardcover journal featuring hand-dyed indigo paper with ‘starburst’ stitching down the spine. A bit larger than the previous three books, also makes a unique and gorgeous album or scrapbook. Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Black and White Handbound Journal: A tall, handbound journal that features hand-dyed washi paper covers. A modern journal with a mix of page papers, great for sketching or writing. Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Day 186/365
Yesterday 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!!
Sprouts Press 