Day 164/365
Springtime has finally arrived! I’m really looking forward to some outdoor time without the 10 minute scarf/hat/mitts/boots/coats routine. I’m also looking forward to warm weather and outdoor sketching, and journalling on patios and cafes!
I’ve got some fun springtimey things planned for the blog over the next little while, stay tuned! In the meantime, it’s okay to start breaking out the spring wardrobe, right?
Day 160/365
Today is all about the colour green; to celebrate St. Patrick’s day and also springtime, which is just around the corner!
Click on the photo to go to my online shop, then type ‘green’ in the search bar below my logo! See what comes up for you!
Day 155/365
Day 153/365
If you’re like me you might like to plan ahead! Today I’m giving you a heads up that NEXT weekend I’ll be a vendor at the Parkdale Flea here in Toronto!
When: Sunday March 15, 2015
Where: Goodfellas Gallery 1266 Queen St. West, Toronto
I’ll be there with a great selection of my handbound journals, sketchbooks as well as some book jewellery and my bookbinding kits! Many other talented artisans and makers will also be there, so check it out if you can!
Day 152/365
I’ve always loved to learn, I think it’s important to keep my creativity honest and fresh. Today’s post is about learning a new binding; the Greek Binding. For anyone who has experience with hand binding books, and has perhaps tried this binding, you know this is a fun one!
Some quick facts about the Greek Binding:
-There must be a minimum of 20 signatures (that’s right, a whopping 20!!)
-It is a 2 needle sewing (as opposed to the usual 1 needle sewings like Longstitch and Pamphlet.)
-It is not sewn from cover to cover but rather both sides are started from the outside and worked towards the middle, where they meet in a beautiful figure 8-like stitch.
I don’t have a photo of the finished project, but I can say that it was a good challenge. It was also a nice break from the bindings I usually choose. Sometimes it’s just so refreshing to build skills and knowledge to learn a new way of doing something you do everyday. Have you learned a new bookbinding technique lately? I’d love to hear about it!
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.
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!
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.
Day 148/365
147/365
Time to use your journals!!
Today I’m taking a trip down memory lane and sharing a journal I haven’t worked on in years. There are still several pages to go, but that’s the nice thing about journals: they don’t expire or require the latest download to function properly. You can pick up a journal anytime and continue where you left off.
Today I’m going to talk about keeping a dream journal! And yes, I totally went down memory lane when putting together this post. I even searched my bookshelves for my old dream dictionary, which was right beside my well-used but very dusty book on palmistry, and my old tarot cards. If you’re into all of these things then this is the journal for you!
My little dream journal is a small case bound book I made while in art college. The dark and inky colour palette was inspired by Edward Gorey. 
Six tips for keeping a dream journal:
1. Keep your dream journal, with a pen or pencil, beside you when you sleep. On a bedside table is good.
2. Choose a fairly small journal so it doesn’t take up too much space on small bedside tables.
3. When keeping a dream journal, the idea is that the memory of the dream stays with you for only a few minutes after you wake up. By keeping the journal and pen beside you, everything is at hand when you wake up for an easier, more enjoyable journalling experience. I’m a visual person, so the main image stays with me longer than the details of the dream, so I write first to get it all down. Then I do a quick sketch if it adds to my entry/if I’m awake enough.
4. It’s most likely not going to be pretty; it’s utilitarian and a record-keeping practice. Don’t worry about it.
5. Sometimes I start to lose the memory of the dream and details fade away while I’m writing (it’s kind of like taking notes during a lecture with a very fast speaking prof who does not slow down). When this happens I just make a note that something else happened, but I don’t remember the exact details, instead of trying to remember all the details.
6. It’s fun to look into the meanings of your dreams as well! There are many different interpretations of dreams and their meanings, find a dream dictionary that suits you!
This is a fun and easy way to keep a journal. It’s also quite interesting looking back and recognizing patterns and recurring dreams. I’d love to hear about your experiences keeping a dream journal.
Sweet dreams!
Sprouts Press 