Exciting New Bookbinding Workshop!

Posted on April 12, 2016 by sproutspress

Exciting things are happening at Sprouts Press! April 20, next wednesday, I’ll be teaching a workshop at the gorgeous Mackenzie House here in Toronto!

Mackenzie House is a 19th-century row house museum dedicated to historic politician & publisher William Lyon Mackenzie. They have a few working presses, that are very old (1850’s), and still used regularly. In this workshop, we’ll be hand binding soft cover books, then using one of the historic presses to print the covers!!

When: Wednesday April 20, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Where: Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto
Cost: $45, materials included

To register, please call the museum at 416-392-6915.
For more information please visit the museum’s website here.

Wordless Wednesday 24.02.16

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Newsletter Sign Up Time!

Posted on February 9, 2016 by sproutspress

The February Sprouts Press newsletter will go out later this week, this is your reminder to subscribe, if you haven’t already. If you’re already a subscriber, and know someone else who might appreciate my notes, why not pass the link along?

I send my newsletters out via email, once a month. While content varies month to month, there’s always a list of upcoming workshops, shows and other goings on. Sometimes there’s even special surprises just for subscribers!!

To subscribe, go here.

A new year of news from Sprouts Press!

Posted on January 7, 2016 by sproutspress

The first newsletter of 2016 will be sent out tomorrow! If you haven’t subscribed yet, you have until tomorrow, 6am to get on it!!

To subscribe, go here.

Wordless Wednesday 16.12.15

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365/365: Thank You! (but not goodbye)

Posted on October 7, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 365/365

It’s the last day of the Sprouts Press 365 project! It’s been a fun year sharing my journey as an artisan and creative small business owner. I’ve enjoyed all your comments and likes, I hope you’ve enjoyed it as well.

I plan to continue blogging about Sprouts Press, my creative process, goings-on and other book-ish content, but it won’t be every day. I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of content I’m capable of on a more relaxed schedule, and sharing the growth of my little company. In the meantime, enjoy this collage of many of the books I’ve shared with you over the year! That’s a lot of books!!

End of Summer Sale!

Posted on September 22, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 351/365

Just a friendly reminder that I’m having an End of Summer Sale in my Etsy shop! Sale runs until the end of the month, see it here. Otherwise, read on for details.

Clockwise from top left:
Little Leather Journal in black reclaimed leather with vintage button, Mini Journal in two-tone yellow, Screenprinted Linen Pouch with thistles in aqua blue, Screenprinted Linen Tea Towel with thistles in aqua blue, Screenprinted Linen Pouch with queen anne’s lace in burgundy.

Summer Brights

Posted on August 22, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 319/365I recently spent some time in my mother’s garden, which is an amazing space. I was mesmerized by her zinnias; so bright, cheery and colourful! While I didn’t snap a picture, preferring to just enjoy the moment, it stuck with me and inspired this small collection of my brightest red items! What flowers are brightest in your garden?

Clockwise from top left:

Painted Quick Notes notebook in two-tone red, Elegant Quick Notes in red floral, Starburst Book Ornament, No-Nonsense Quick Notes notebook in burgundy, Square Ex Libris Bookplates handprinted in red, Starburst Journal in Florentine Red, Rectangle Ex Libris Bookplates handprinted in red.

Last Chance for the Giveaway!!

Posted on August 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 314/365
It’s the last day to enter my Instagram Giveaway!! You could win both prizes in the photo: The Medium Journal with Ocean ribbon bookmark, and a set of handprinted Ex Libris bookplates in matching grey!!

Head over for details and how to play, find me at: @sproutspress.

Painted Notebooks

Posted on July 20, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 286/365

Today I’m reflecting on one of my favourite projects to date; the painted journeys journal!These journals are a combination of painting, printmaking and bookbinding. I’ve written about the joys of creating in multiples and mixing mediums before on this post, but I haven’t talked about all three series together.

It all started with the set of pink journals in the bottom left corner, these were my first foray into this series. It was a lovely afternoon of painting, printing and then bookbinding. After they all found new homes (excepting the one I saved for myself as a photo prop) I wanted more! Then the blue series happened! This time, I made a different shape and size, and used the off cuts to make cute little mini books, which is all I have left of this series. Lastly, the most recent are the Journeys Journals in brown. Inspired by a not-so-Canadian winter that left my snow boots more muddy than icy. I plan to write a more detailed account of these books, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, you can take a look at the Journeys Journal in the Artist’s Books section of my Etsy shop, there are a couple left.

I’ve enjoyed working on these books as they develop in slightly different directions with each series. I switched up the binding for the blue series, but went back to the Japanese Stab Binding for the Journeys Journals. I really appreciate the construction of the matchbook cover and the geometric shapes created by the stitching.