Brand New Bookbinding Workshop!

Posted on August 22, 2017 by sproutspress

It’s finally here! My brand new, in real life, bookbinding workshop is open for registration!

This class is being held at the new CBBAG bindery here in Toronto. The focus for this workshop is mark-making with a collaborative effort. Then we’ll transform these pieces into handbound soft cover books using a few bindings. It’s a two day class and I can’t wait to share this technique with everyone!

If you’re not an artist, it’s not a problem; I’ll walk everyone through the steps and give ample time for exploration. Here are the details:

What: End to End Artist’s Books
When: Saturday September 30 – Sunday October 1 (2 days); 10am – 5pm each day.
Where: CBBAG Bindery, 180 Shaw Street, Toronto (Artscape Youngplace).

For more info, full class description and to register for this workshop, please go here.

Wordless Wednesday 16.08.17

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Fun Paper + Notebooks

Posted on August 15, 2017 by sproutspress

I’m often asked what my paper stash is like. But to be honest, when I find papers I really like, I usually can’t resist using them. My mind just doesn’t stop thinking of all the wonderful book-ish things I could make with them, until I actually commit to a design/binding and go with it.

This is the case with these notebooks, I LOVE the summery vibe of these papers, and they’re heavy enough to use as soft notebook covers. And, of course, I couldn’t decide on just a few books to feature, so they all get to shine in this post.

See the full collection in my Etsy shop here.

NEW Bookbinder’s Toolkits

Posted on August 10, 2017 by sproutspress

If you haven’t already met the new Bookbinder’s Toolkits, please take a moment to check them out now. They’re lovely, tactile, functional and beautiful – I’m so proud of these! And the best part; if you’re not a bookbinder, or you already have a tool-carrying system, these kits come with tools, and without! This means you can use them for other crafts! There’s lots of pockets and even a detachable tool roll.

I’m currently making them in just three colours: Grey, Brown and Dark Green. I’m undecided if I’ll make more colour ways, most likely I’ll just stick to these colours for now, and if there’s interest I may consider additional colours or patterns.

To see the full line of Bookbinder’s Toolkits, go here.

As a fun bonus, these kits work well with my newest online bookbinding class. You can see it over on Skillshare, and get a two month free membership by going here. Yippee!!

Wordless Wednesday 09.08.17

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Sprouts Press + Skillshare: Online Bookbinding Classes!

Posted on August 4, 2017 by sproutspress

If you’ve been following on social media, you’ll already know that I’ve recently published my very first online bookbinding class!

It’s a beginner class using the Hitch stitch, and it’s one I don’t offer in any real-life classes. In fact, I decided to create all new content for my online class collection (that’s right, there will be more!!). I did this to keep the value of my real-life classes, and to create even more opportunities for my already-established student following. Win-win!

While I won’t tell you all the details of this 40 minute class, I’ll tell you that you don’t need any previous experience, I go over EVERYTHING from the beginning. And everyone will be able to complete the project by the end. There’s also a discussion forum so questions and ideas can be addressed. You can also share your projects with other students in the gallery! Watch the quick Intro video to learn more (and see me trying my darnedest not to be awkward in front of the camera).

As a bonus, I designed the class to allow folks who have one of my Bookbinder’s Toolkits or DIY Bookbinding Kits to use the tools from their respective kits, in this class. That means if you already have one of these kits, you can do even more with it now!

So, where do you find this class and how do you enroll? You can find it over on the Skillshare website (link below) alongside many other fantastic classes. By using my specific link, found here, to sign up for a Skillshare Premium Membership, you’ll get a 2 month free trial – access to ALL the classes on Skillshare, mine included! (Membership is normally $9.99 a month, fyi, and you can cancel out of the free trial at any time). Not only is this a great deal, but your enrollment will help my class trend on Skillshare, which means more students will be able to discover it (and grow an appreciation for bookbinding!!)

I’ve learned so much the last few weeks, from filming and audio recording to editing – it was a steep learning curve. I’m proud of what I’ve created and I’d really appreciate if you’d help me out by watching my class.

More Bookbinding Workshops!

Posted on July 21, 2017 by sproutspress

The fall workshop schedule is rolling out! Another batch of classes were just added to my site!

New additions are: Painted Longstitch/Linkstitch and Hardcover Arrow Stitch!! Go check them out here!!

Latest Projects: Cigar Books!

Posted on July 20, 2017 by sproutspress

If you’ve been following me here for a while, you’ll know that these cigar books aren’t actually newcomers to what I do. Maybe you remember my first post about them way back in 2014 as part of my 365 project? Rather, these are an updated version of a previous collection.The leather tie has been updated to a more robust reclaimed leather, in a slightly different hue of brown. And I’ve decided to mimic the construction of the cigar boxes from which they’re made, thus using the entire box with very little waste!

I’ve put the bottom panel of the box as the back cover. And the gorgeously decorated top flaps of these boxes are showcased as the front cover of the book. So when the closed book sits flat, the boards sit in relation to where they did in their previous life.

For more details on either of these notebooks, just click the photos, or go here.

Etsy: Made in Canada save the date!

Posted on July 18, 2017 by sproutspress

Planning ahead and already prepping for fall shows! Speaking of which, I’ll be at the Etsy Made in Canada show again this year, here in Toronto! It’s at the MaRS building, as usual, and runs 10am – 6pm.

As always, there’ll be swag bags too!

For more information, see the show event page here.

Deconstructed and Reclaimed: A bookbinding class

Posted on July 13, 2017 by sproutspress

The next bookbinding class I’ll be teaching is a 1 needle coptic stitch, using reclaimed covers from discarded library books. A great way to repurpose old books!

Want to know what else is exciting about this workshop? It will be one of the first classes offered at the *brand new* location of CBBAG!! Woot!

If you’ve been considering taking up bookbinding, this is a good place to start. I always try to create a respectful and safe learning environment so everyone feels welcome. I’d love to see you in class!

DETAILS
“Learn how to craft your own hand-bound hardcover journal using discarded books. This workshop will introduce you to the tools of the trade, materials, and techniques to deconstruct a book and repurpose it into a new journal, using the Coptic stitch to bind the book.”

When: Sunday August 27, 2017 10am – 5pm
Where: Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild, 180 Shaw St. #102, Toronto *New Location!

For more information & to register, please go here.