Use Your Journal No.5

Posted on March 26, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 170/365

Spring is in the air, the snow is melting/melted and many of us are eager to help welcome the new season.Usually, springtime means spring cleaning. Oh joy.

Today’s post is a mix of ‘Use Your Journal’ and spring cleaning, specifically; getting your books, journals and sketchbooks organized and accounted for! In a fun way, I promise!
My secret weapon to accomplish this, if you haven’t already guessed, is with Ex Libris bookplates.

Ex Libris bookplates are labels that go in the front cover of your books (journals, sketchbooks, novels, biographies, etc). Ex Libris is latin and roughly translates to ‘from the library of’. Therefore, when you write your name in the space provided on each bookplate, you are creating your own library! What’s more organized than a library!?

My Ex Libris bookplates are my own designs that I carve into lino blocks. Then I hand print each one onto self-adhesive paper, making it easy and convenient for you to label your beloved books. I’ve printed two different designs, each in a few different colours, you can read about my process here.

I’ve even got gold bookplates! They’re actually quite beautiful and classy, and make a great gift when tucked in the front of a special book for a friend. To recap, here are 3 steps to incorporate Ex Libris bookplates into your journalling, sketching and book-collecting lives, making it even more fun to use your journal!

1. Choose a selection of journals/sketchbooks/books to be labelled.

2. Write your name in the space provided on the bookplate. Some people also like to write the date they start the book.

2a. If you’re giving a special journal/book as a gift and want to put an ex libris bookplate in the front cover, you can write the recipient’s name and the date. You can also write the occasion for the gift, as a memento for life milestones or achievements.

3. Once you’ve written the info in the space provided on the bookplate, peel off the backing and adhere to the inside front cover of the book/journal/sketchbook. Repeat for all your most fancy and special books!

Have fun!

Two Days!

Posted on March 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 163/365

In just two days it’s the Bellwoods Flea!!

What: Bellwoods Flea Spring Edition
Where: Hashtag Gallery, 801 Dundas Street West (this is where I’ll be)
AND
The Magpie, 831 Dundas Street West
When: Saturday March 21, 11am – 6pm

Come out and support local makers and artisans! There will be handmade items, vintage, food and drinks! It’ll be fun, I promise! Sprouts Press will be there with handbound books, journals, albums, bookbinding kits and book jewellery. Find a fun Easter gift or the perfect present for Mothers Day!

Creative Bookbinding

Posted on March 12, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 156/365

I’m teaching another Creative Bookbinding workshop in one week at Little House in the City. That’s right, we listened to your requests and are offering a weeknight workshop in response!

Where: Little House in the City 555 Parliament Street, Toronto
When: Thursday March 19, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

To learn more and register, please go here.

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.

Pop Up – Coming Soon!

Posted on March 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 150/365

In exactly one week Sprouts Press will have a 3 day pop up shop at Freedom Clothing Collective!

If you haven’t been to this gem of a shop you need to go and check it out. They carry a gorgeous collection of work by local designers, artists and artisans. You can find things like: unique jewellery, greeting cards, amazing clothing, body care, and the list goes on.

Where: Freedom Clothing Collective, 939 Bloor Street West, Toronto
When: Friday March 13 – Sunday March 15, 2015

I will be there in person on friday March 13, so stop by to chat books and say Hello. Otherwise the lovely ladies of Freedom Clothing Collective will be there, check it out if you’re in the area!

See you at Graven Feather!

Posted on March 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 149/365

This is the last call, the final reminder, the almost last chance to join me this saturday at Graven Feather for a bookbinding workshop! There are only one or two spots left so act quickly!

However, if you miss out this time around, there is another workshop scheduled for Saturday April 11, same time and same place.

To find out more about both workshops and to register, go here.

The Studio On a Sunday

Posted on March 1, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 145/365

Today’s post is all about some screenprinting I did a couple of days ago! I did 115 prints for the Wayzgoose Anthology. If you’re in southern Ontario and into printmaking, book arts, and the like, then you should check out the Wayzgoose Book Arts Fair in Grimsby at the end of April!

I always mix my own colours because I enjoy it, and it gets me the exact colour I want.

Just a sneak peek at a corner of my print. And also the wonderful zebra print duct tape I usually use. (It gets the job done and puts a smile on my face!)

I’ve been practicing calligraphy on a fairly regular basis. So when it came time to come up with a design for my print, I naturally turned to ink, but this time to brush and ink rather than my calligraphy pen. I decided to draw my design right on my screen rather than use photo-based techniques.

This is my small, portable setup to screenprint. It works really well and stores away neatly in a minimal space.

If you’ve ever wanted to try screenprinting you should! It’s fun and not too invasive, take a workshop or a class if you really want guidance on how to get started.

Cabin Fever February: Only 2 Days Left!!

Posted on February 27, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 143/365

Just a friendly reminder that there are only 2 days left of my shop-wide sale at Arts Market on college!

Everything in the Sprouts Press space is marked down by 30%, so make sure to scoop that journal you’ve been eyeing for a while – when it’s gone, it’s gone!

Workshop Time!

Posted on February 26, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 142/365

In less than 2 weeks I’m instructing another bookbinding workshop at the awesome letterpress studio and gallery Graven Feather!

It’ll be a fun morning of creativity and journal making. Everyone will leave with a finished project and the skills to make more books!

If you’re interested in joining me, act fast as there are only a couple of spaces left!

For more information and to register, go here.

Cabin Fever February!

Posted on February 20, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 136/365

It’s Cabin Fever February at the Arts Market on College!!
You might be asking yourself what, exactly, does this mean? What’s Cabin Fever February?? It’s an awesome sale with a handful of vendors, offering up to 50% off their entire space!!

As you can see, the entire Sprouts Press booth is listed at 30% off!! So come on in and pick out your favourite handbound journal. Then cozy up with a blanket and some tea while you fill your book with dreams of springtime!!