Sprouts Press goes to the Junction!

Posted on April 4, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 179/365

You can now find Sprouts Press products in the Junction! Introducing our newest retailer: Urban Gardener on Dupont!

If you haven’t checked out this shop you definitely should! They have a great selection of gardening products, and a curated selection of handmade items from local makers!

There are a few Sprouts Press items there, like the Starburst journals, Indigo Fancy Coptic journals and Bookbinding kits.

I have only good things to say about this shop; it’s beautiful, welcoming and run by incredibly sincere and lovely people. Go and check it out!!

Details:
Urban Gardener
1640 Dupont St, Toronto

Wordless Wednesday 01.04.15

Posted on April 1, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 176/365

See you at the Parkdale Flea!

Posted on March 15, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 159/365

I’ll be vending my wares today at the Parkdale Flea! Come out and say Hi!!

The show runs from 10am till 5pm at Goodfellas Gallery (1266 Queen St. West).

Farewell Wintertime

Posted on March 10, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 154/365

An ode to the end of winter. I’ve pulled together my most wintery, icy blue and white items as a farewell to the season of snow and freezing temperatures. Mostly because it’s time for spring, but also because I love the beauty of winter.

Clockwise from the top left:
Indigo Starburst Journal hand dyed paper in indigo, Wintertime Bookbinding Kit makes 2 notebooks, Mini Pocket Notes Journal hardcover journal that fits in your hand as well as your bag, White Linen Pouch screenprinted with Thistles in aqua, Navy Watercolour Sketchbook with ribbon bookmark, Quick Notes Notebook handpainted in Indigo and Silver, Paper Moon Book Earrings made from reclaimed papers, Starburst Journal in blue and white Florentine pattern.

Studio 205

Posted on March 7, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 151/365

Today is the grand opening of a new shop in Hamilton, Studio 205! Sprouts Press is proud to be a part of this shop alongside 22 other talented makers and artists.

If you’re in Hamilton stop by for treats and coffee (and some loose leaf teas, we’ve been told!) and check out the diversity of handmade products! Sprouts Press has a full line of products showcased, including journals, sketchbooks, book jewellery and bookbinding kits. And keep your eyes open for workshops in the near future as they have a classroom space in the basement.

Wordless Wednesday 25.02.15

Posted on February 25, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 141/365

February Blues

Posted on February 23, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 139/365

A collection of items rounded up for their wintery and icy blue tones! I love winter and the beauty of fresh snow on evergreen trees, or a cross country ski day, or even just a walk in the calm of a snowfall. And of course a cold winter day is the best kind of day to stay inside with your journal and a cup of tea! Here are my most wintery items I’d like to share with you.

Starting clockwise from the top left: Indigo and Silver Quick Notes notebooks, Blue and White Starburst Journal, Thistles Pouch Screenprinted on Linen, Pocket Notes Mini Book in Florentine Blue, Wintertime Bookbinding Kit, Indigo Starburst Journal with hand dyed paper, DIY Bookbinding Kit in Aqua and Grey, Watercolour Sketchbook in Navy Bookcloth.

While the intention of this post is to share some of my blue and winter-themed items, I do realize that the Winter Blues are a real thing that affect many people. To learn more about Winter Blues, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Depression, click here for a video put together by CAMH.

Indigo, Florentine and Fabric!

Posted on February 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 135/365After posting my latest instalment of Use Your Journal, I realized that there were only two Starburst Journals in my Etsy shop. I’m happy to say that I’ve taken some time to put these ones together and list them online.
These are quite possibly my favourite books to bind. I love the possibilities for covers and the stitching patterns created on the spine. Even better? It lays flat when open!
This book is the first of two that are full fabric covers. And it’s my own handmade bookcloth! I’m proud of these journals, the full fabric makes them very tactile. Perfect for a cozy afternoon of sketching/journalling/album making with a cup of tea by a toasty fire.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on January 18, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 103/365

It’s technically wintertime here in Toronto, though you might not be able to tell today since it’s raining. So it seems appropriate that I’m drinking many cups of tea (milk oolong today) and putting together more Wintertime Bookbinding Kits.

Look at the selection of fancy papers – the deep indigo floral chiyogami makes me swoon!

This winter-themed bookbinding kit is packed to the gills with goodies. A selection of fancy papers, heavy-weight cover papers, page papers, linen thread, simple tools and embellishments (not pictured)! Once you’ve completed the two books in the kit (and the super cute mini book!) you can start adding your own materials and keep going!

Pictured above I’ve added in a few things from my own collection to inspire you: two spools of linen thread (you could use cotton thread, but linen thread is stronger and more durable), tiny scissors, beeswax and my trusty wooden awl! What other crafty supplies would you use?

Wintertime Bookbinding Kits are available in my Etsy shop, at Freedom Clothing Collective and now also at the Arts Market on College.

The Coptic Indigo Journal

Posted on December 20, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 73/365

You may remember when I posted about the Indigo Journal back in October. I had shown a small journal created with my fancy-pants hand dyed indigo paper. Well, now I’d like to share this larger, one of a kind, really pretty variation: The Large Coptic Indigo Journal!

Measuring 8″ x 10″, with reclaimed leather and brass button closure, this is a pretty nice journal for sketching or writing full-out.

I managed to dig up some photos showing the hand-dying process, and I’m pretty sure I found the exact hand-dying of this sheet of paper!

And of course the hand dying was all done here in Toronto at Paperhouse Studios. While it is difficult to cut up these papers, especially after the work that goes into making them, it’s pretty fantastic seeing how the book cover acts as a frame, capturing a portion of the paper.