Red, Grey and Green

Day 133/365DSC_0729There’s a new style of journal in my Etsy shop!  Please welcome the Medium Journal with Ribbon!  This is my first venture into the world of handmade bookcloth.  I have to say, it is liberating.  To be able to use any fabric I want (minus stretchy and see-through materials; there were some trials and errors!) and turn it into bookcloth opens so many doors.DSC_0745 Of course, I went right for the cotton linen and linen-like fabrics right off the bat, they are so gorgeous!

The journals themselves are hardcover case-bound, housing a selection of blank paper and brown kraft paper.  And, as a bit of fun, each book has a half page map, making it appropriate for travel as well.  (Makes a one of a kind keepsake after it’s filled with memories from a trip!)DSC_0720 Some of the journals have brass corners, mainly just the red journals, which also use outdoor fabric as the bookcloth.  Yes, these are the toughest journals in the series!!

The size is not too big, but not too small; perfect for stashing in a day bag or backpack.  All of these designs have ribbon bookmarks, essential to keep your place so you can find it quickly when inspiration strikes on the go!

Available in Ruby Red, Grass Green and Warm Grey.

Calligraphy Class

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Last week I had the pleasure of attending a calligraphy class at The Paper Place on Queen St. West here in Toronto.  photo 1 It was an Intro to Calligraphy class, so we started with pencil and worked through to a straight nib holder and finally onto the oblique holder.  Back in January I posted about practicing my calligraphy with a fountain pen.  That was a more traditional hand, the Chancery Italic hand.  photo 5 This workshop focused more on contemporary calligraphy and the finding our own hand.  We learned the basics on how to properly use the tools and achieve the bold/thin lines.  Instructor Lisa of Post Calligraphy was encouraging and inspirational, and so full of talent! photo 4It was a great collection of ladies; all creative in our own ways and eager to learn and cheer each other on.  Big Thanks to Ashley of Quaintrelle.ca for organizing, to check out her blog post about the class, go here.

Shop Local!

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Today I’m happy to announce the latest retailer of Sprouts Press products: Scout over on Roncesvalles Avenue, here in Toronto!  photo 1-6

If you haven’t been in yet, you should definitely check it out.  There are beautiful products from many local and Canadian designers and artisans.  It’ll be fun, I promise!

If you’re interested in shopping Sprouts Press but want to stay local, head over to my ‘Retailers‘ section and reach out to a store in your neighbourhood!

Learn the Longstitch

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I’m so excited to announce a new bookbinding workshop at a downtown location!  I’ll be teaching a binding method I haven’t taught in a while, straight Longstitch, so if you’ve taken a previous class with me, this is a new one that you should check out!

What: Creative Bookbinding Workshop!
Where: Little House in the City; 555 Parliament Street, Toronto
When: Sunday February 8, 2015, 1pm – 4pm

As always, you only need to bring yourself; materials are included in the workshop fee, and tools are provided for use during the class.

To learn more and register, please go here.

Wordless Wednesday 28.1.15

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The Studio on a Sunday

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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.

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

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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.

Shop Local!

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I’m pleased to announce that you can now find a selection of Sprouts Press’ Valentines and Winter-themed items right here in Toronto at Freedom Clothing Collective!

DSC_0811_fotor Pictured above are ‘Star Cross’d Lovers’ Starburst Book Ornaments.  You can also find a variety of Bookbinding Kits (including the popular Wintertime Kit), and a selection of Quick Notes handpainted journals in lovey-dovey hues.

Inside the Journal Adventure Kit

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Today I’m taking you on an insiders tour of the Journal Adventure Kit!P9121643_fotor

If you’re like me, you love packages of paper products that have an air of mystery to them.  For instance, the Journal Adventure Kit.  It is sealed and thick with paper and ephemera surprises.  So, today I’m going to open one up, at random, and show you what’s inside.  However, please note that they are all a unique combination of papers, colour palettes and other tidbits.
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First off: handmade tags.  Some with reclaimed vintage dictionary pages and fancy papers.  Other tags are stamped, punched, washi-taped or feature hand drawing or mark-making.  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Inside there’s also a handbound notebook with label, origami creature, and a stack of papers: vintage, maps, Florentine, fancy printed, ephemera papers, etc.  This is a nice thick stack of papers for you to play with and really decorate your notebook, inside and out.

Hint: it’s also fun to wrap a strip of paper from the inside of the front cover to the outside and paste it down.

Lastly, and possibly my most favourite, is the cutie pie mini envelope!  Yes, it is cute on the outside, but on the inside you’ll find a handful of Shakespearean insults!!  Also tucked inside are some super mini letter-writing papers, for secret notes to be pasted in your notebook or given to someone special (or not so special if you include the insults!)

Want your own Journal Adventure Kit?  Click here!

Cityscapes

Day 97/365il_570xN.398380225_j50z It’s that time of year when folks who live in places like Ontario dream of warm places with beaches and palm trees.  Did you know that Sprouts Press makes custom travel journals?il_570xN.398379613_mgma

I hand-stitch the covers to depict a cityscape of your destination, making it a perfect keepsake when you return!il_570xN.398387540_fa5s

Usually I put watercolour paper inside, to encourage creativity when travelling, but if writing’s your thing you just prefer thinner paper, I’m happy to help.

The Studio on a Sunday

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Today in the studio it’s all about Valentines Day!  Many shades of pink, red and white are floating around here, all in the name of books of course.

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A sneak peek at some new designs for a series of Star Cross’d Lovers Book Ornaments.

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With inside pages from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, of course.  DSC_0710

Keep your eyes peeled for these to be released in my Etsy shop next week!