Water + Colours

Day 108/365

DSC_0716I recently added a handful of journals to my online shop that I’m incredibly proud of: Watercolour Sketchbooks!  These are books that I’ve been working on for myself for a while now, I particularly love the clean lines and tidiness of this journal; it is simple and understated yet highly functional.

DSC_0706Handcrafted in a series of four colours, they all house 140lb watercolour paper, cased in hard covers wrapped with bookcloth made by yours truly.  And a select few showcase brass corner protectors, for the truly adventurous sketcher!  (That’s me!)
DSC_0719Another treat: matching ribbon bookmark!  These books are case bound, so you will need to work them in, but they will open flat with use.  The case binding has been spun on it’s end given that a landscape orientation is more practical than portrait for a sketchbook.
DSC_0722The Watercolour Sketchbook makes a great gift and once filled it becomes a cherished keepsake!

Shop them online here or in person at the Arts Market on College, in Toronto.

 

Wordless Wednesday 21.1.15

Day 106/365DSC_0780

Long Distance Valentine

Day 105/365

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love writing letters, sending letters and receiving letters, the snail mail kind.  Valentines day around the corner and since I know several people in long distance relationships, I figured that now is a good time to showcase some of the items I make that are designed to be letter-mail friendly.  These are items that are perfect to pop in a cute lovey-dovey card, maybe with a fancy bag of tea tucked in too!
DSC_0812_fotor

From the top left going clockwise:
Ex Libris bookplates, handprinted in gold.
Quick Notes notebook, with handpainted two-tone red covers.
Ex Libris bookplates, handprinted in coral.
Quick Notes notebook, with handpainted covers in pink and gold.

DSC_0824 - Version 2 Of course there are a few larger options; Bookbinding Kit in red & grey, red & cream, perfect for the crafty valentine.DSC_0685

Lastly, this is my last Starburst Journal in red Florentine.  This was the first design I bound using my starburst stitching along the spine.  It’s a special book that makes a very special gift either as a journal, sketchbook or a fancy album, for a special someone.

 

Shop Local!

Day 102/365

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.

Golden

Day 100/365

In honour of the 100th day of my 365 project, I’ve decided to devote today’s post to all things golden!!  Here’s what I’ve made in the shiny, sparkly colour everyone loves:DSC_0739

Quick Notes Notebooks: Handpainted black & gold, handbound with black linen thread.

DSC_06640_fotorA medley of golden delights (top left, clockwise): Fancy Coptic Journal in Gold Florentine with matching vintage golden button, handprinted Ex Libris bookplates in gold: Set of 5, handpainted Quick Notes Notebooks in Gold, Small Fancy Coptic Journal with matching gold vintage button.

If you’re hooked on gold, head to my Etsy shop to see what else there is!

Wordless Wednesday 14.1.15

Day 99/365

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Inside the Journal Adventure Kit

Day 98/365

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.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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.

Use Your Journal! No.1

Day 94/365

As you may have noticed from my previous post, I’m on a bit of a hand-lettering and calligraphy kick these days.  I’m also enjoying the idea of a few posts that promote journalling, sketching and using journals in general.  When I first had this idea I immediately pulled my quotes journal from the bookshelf, and decided to share a few of my favourite pages. photo 1 I will admit that this is a big step for me, I don’t usually share the contents of my journals and sketchbooks.  But these are just quick, pretty little notes that I jotted down in less than 10 minutes.  And that’s the idea, you can do it too! photo 4 You can find quotes all over the place: online, via a ‘quotes’ app (there are many!), at the library, etc.  Sometimes the best are snippets of conversations overheard in passing, or by looking at groupings of book titles on shelves to see if they form a sentence.  It’s also fun to pick up a book and open it to a random page and see what you get, like a box of chocolates!  (Well, maybe not quite like chocolates, but you get the idea)  photo 2 Fun pens and markers are also a welcome addition.  A bit of colour or shading can give your page just the right tone.
photo 3

If you want to try this yourself here are a couple of tips:

-Choose a quote that isn’t too long, make sure it fits on the page and that there’s room for a border to be drawn around it.

-Make sure to jot down the author of the quote so you can give credit and search for more inspiring words by that person.

-You can put a ground of colour down first with markers (as in the last photo above), and then write your quote on top.

-Feel free to use a simple, minimalist border or to get more creative and swirly.  Really whatever you feel like is what goes!

-Don’t try to make it too perfect, this is meant to be a quick exercise that is fun and enjoyable!

Do you have any other tips for quick quote-taking?  Have fun!

Smorgasbook!

Day 93/365Untitled-4

It’s a book smorgasbord!  A smorgasbook, if you will!

Take a look some of the lovely handbound books that have found new homes over the last few months.  Maybe one of them is now yours?  I’d love to hear your favourite journalling topics and techniques!