Sampler Bookbinding Workshop NEW

Posted on March 29, 2016 by sproutspress

Good news for folks learning the craft of hand bookbinding with me: I’ve got a brand new workshop being offered at Graven Feather!

It’s a Sampler Workshop! This means I’ll be teaching three different bindings, and we’ll be focusing on the technique rather than making a ‘pretty’ finished project. I’ve chosen fairly straightforward, easy to remember bindings that lend themselves well to projects you might want to make on your own, at home. These are good bindings to help build your bookbinding repertoire.

What: Sampler Bookbinding Workshop

When: Sunday April 10, 1pm – 4pm

Where: Graven Feather 906 Queen Street West, Toronto

For more information and to register, go here.

Countdown is on!

Posted on March 18, 2016 by sproutspress

Here’s an exciting tidbit: Makeology Spring Craft Fair is less than one month away!! Mark your calendars, start your engines and prep for seriously awesome handmade goodness!!

I’ll be there as a vendor, selling my handbound books, journals, albums as well as my other book-related products (like bookbinding kits!). Also, I’ve got something special in the works, just for this show! It’s a series of journals that will be made only once, and available only at this show – stay tuned for details!

When: Saturday April 16 (one day only!) 11am – 6pm
Where: The Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Ave. North, Hamilton

For more details and directions, please see the show’s webpage here.

St.Paddy’s Day!

Posted on March 17, 2016 by sproutspress

Despite the fact that today is St.Paddy’s day, I have to admit that I really do like green. It’s one of my favourites! So, I’ve gathered a nice selection of my green items to share, see below for details.

Clockwise from top left:
–Medium Cloth Journal with Ribbon Bookmark
–Elegant Quick Notes in Mint Polka Dots
–Journal Adventure Kits
–Ex Libris Handprinted Bookplates in Emerald, Rectangle
–DIY Bookbinding Kit in Green & Cream
–The Everyday Notebook with Leaf Pattern
–Ex Libris Handprinted Bookplates in Emerald, Square
–Elegant Quick Notes in Green & Blue Floral
–Fancy Coptic Journal with Reclaimed Leather & Brass Closure, Green with Gold Dots

Press for Sprouts Press

Posted on March 17, 2016 by sproutspress

Looks like my Mini Book Magnet sets went on an adventure over to the BookGlow website! They’ve been included in a list of great little book magnets!! Check out the list here.

These are the same folks who featured our Starburst Book Ornaments last Christmas. Needless to say, we’re enjoying the attention and are grateful!

The Longstitch/Linkstitch Technique

Posted on March 8, 2016 by sproutspress

Spend a sunday afternoon learning this gorgeous bookbinding stitch and make your own journal!
I’ll be at Graven Feather this sunday teaching a bookbinding workshop; everyone will learn the tools of the trade, make their own cover and bind it all into a journal to take home. If this sounds like fun to you, click the link below for details and to register.

What: Longstitch/Linkstitch Bookbinding Workshop (see picture for examples)
When: Sunday March 13, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
*Appropriate for beginners and those wanting to brush up on their bookbinding skills.

To learn more about this workshop and to register, please go here.

Can’t make it on Sunday? No prob, I’ve got more workshops coming up! Go to the Workshops section of my site for details.

The Studio on a Sunday (On a Monday)

Posted on March 7, 2016 by sproutspress

On Sunday I was in a different studio, out of the city, teaching my craft to a lovely group of folks! This is the Guelph School of Art, and it is one fun place to teach! To the left is a wall (yes, a wall) of art supplies for every type of art imaginable! To the right you can just make out the drying rack for printmaking and other 2D art that might need to lay flat to dry. And those windows! Letting in all that natural light!!

This was a coptic binding workshop and everyone left with a finished project. Covers they designed and collaged, then bound into a nice little hardcover book using the coptic stitch. As I tell everyone who takes my classes: if you want to retain what you’ve learned, make another book within 1 week. Practice makes perfect!!

I have more workshops coming up, the next one is this sunday here in Toronto at Graven Feather. Take a look at the Workshops section of my site for details, more are in the works and will be announced shortly!

Wordless Wednesday 02.03.16

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Newsletter Sign-Up Time!

Posted on March 1, 2016 by sproutspress

The Sprouts Press monthly eNewsletter goes out this Thursday! You have until wednesday evening to sign up!!

I write to subscribers about my latest projects, inspirations, ideas for using your handbound journals, upcoming events and other goings-on.

Wanna join the fun? Go here to subscribe.

Leap!

Posted on February 29, 2016 by sproutspress

This is a Studio on a Sunday (on a Monday) post, with a theme: Leap! (because it’s February 29, get it??)

If you’ve followed along here for a while, you’ll know that our Spring 2016 workshop programming is moving along, with some new classes being offered in addition to the favourites. This weekend was no exception, as the Arrow Stitch Workshop took place at Graven Feather on Sunday.

Getting to the theme of this post, Leap, I wanted to take a moment to say a big Thank You to everyone who comes out to my workshops. There are quite a few people new to bookbinding that come out to try their hand at this craft.

While it’s fun and exciting, I realize that it can also be a bit daunting at first. I’m always so proud when, at the end of class, everybody takes a step back and admires the handiwork and craftsmanship they might not have known they were capable of. To me, this is taking a leap; to trust yourself and your abilities. Maybe it isn’t bookbinding for everyone, maybe something else, but taking a leap and learning about yourself (ourselves) is always rewarding and so worth it! Thank you!

To learn more about Sprouts Press workshops, go here.

New Items!

Posted on February 26, 2016 by sproutspress

Good news: Craft Arts Market is re-stocked and ready for all you book-lovers, journal writers and sketchbook fiends!

If this isn’t your local handmade/hand crafted items shop, it’s totally worth a day trip to St.Catherines to check them out. Make sure to leave enough time for a fresh, vegan doughnut from their next door neighbour (seriously, don’t forget this part).

To see a list of Sprouts Press current retailers, go here.