Day 70/365
Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last bookbinding workshop I’ll be instructing for 2014! And there’s still time to register, if you’re quick!
Longstitch/Linkstitch Book Making
Wednesday December 17, 6pm – 9pm
Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West
For more info and to register, go here.
It’s with great pleasure that I announce the official opening party of my new vendor space at Arts Market! I’m so pleased with my booth there, the lovely staff and the opportunity to host my book making workshops and classes on a regular basis. It’s the start of something great!!
This opening is to celebrate not only my own vendor space, but also a few other Arts Market ‘newbies’. We will be taking over the space for the evening and hope you’ll join us!
The details:
December 11, 2014 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Arts Market, 846 College Street, Toronto (just west of Ossington Avenue)
For more info, please take a look at our facebook event found here.
Day 57/365
Day 41/365
Today I’m posting about a project I’m pretty proud of: books that are case bound using bookcloth I made! This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, especially with all the fabric choices out there.
I decided to stick to solid colours, with linen and linen-like fabrics, I love the texture and richness of the colours. 
I finished these journals with sewn-in ribbon bookmarks, and corners to protect against wear. I focused on two styles: a landscape journal filled only with 140 lb watercolour paper (I want one!!) and a portrait-oriented daily journal with a lovely large page surface to capture the day’s thoughts.
Since they are a limited edition binding (only 10 of each style) they are only available at the One of a Kind Show from November 27 – December 7, 2014. If you want one, come find me at booth D49 in the Rising Stars section!
Day 42/365
This is a project that started a long time ago. It’s had a few reinventions, these are some of my favourites. There is a deeper meaning to these pieces and as a result they have morphed into other objects, but for now I’ll just touch on them briefly. Perhaps I’ll revisit the longer write up in a later post.
They are books sculpted into dioramas featuring digitalized photos from special moments in my life, moments that I feel many people can relate to. I’m talking about things like nostalgia, yearning and sometimes regret. 
Consider the crowds in an Italian Piazza, the grand archway in the distance and the top of a carousel tucked in a corner.
One last close up that shows the paper cutting that went into these pieces. They are detailed and intricate.
There is a small selection available at the Arts Market, and I will have a select few at the One of a Kind Show at the end of the month.
Day 39/365
If you’ve started thinking about the holidays and where to start, I may have the answer for you. In one week I’ll be teaching an Ornament Making Workshop over at the Arts Market on College. It’s the perfect way to start off the season!
This is a hands-on workshop where you’ll create a personalized, unique book ornament. We will touch on the basics first, and then dive into the main project – you will leave with your very own handcrafted ornament!
No previous art or bookmaking experience is necessary.
For more information or to register, go here.
Day 36/365
Day 33/365
Today I’m working on the largest books I’ll be making all season. Not quite the largest books I’ve ever made, but for a long time at least. I am reminded that I prefer making smaller books.
Measuring 8″ x 10″, the ample page space is great for sketching or writing in long paragraphs. I’ll be featuring these books at the One of a Kind Show at the end of the month. (I’m at booth D49, stop by and say Hi!)
Day 32/365
On thursday I had the pleasure of attending the opening reception of ‘In the Round ll’, a group show at Graven Feather here in Toronto. If you haven’t heard of this show, there are over 150 artists participating, all producing art on a set of three, 5″ birch disks.
Once on the wall, it makes for a stunning display of rows and rows of artwork. I love how everyone interpreted the use of the circles differently, creating a beautiful diversity of 2D and 3D pieces.
While I wasn’t able to participate this year, it’s always fun to attend this annual show and see the beautiful works of fellow artists. And as usual, the pieces submitted were all spectacular!
The show runs for the month of November, go here for more info.
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.
Sprouts Press 