The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on July 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 285/365

The last couple of weeks have been the start of holiday production time here at Sprouts Press. I talked about this a little while ago in this post. Today I’m making ornaments, thinking about the last time I made ornaments, which wasn’t for Christmas at all!

This is an ‘in progress’ shot of my Valentines Starburst Book Ornaments being made, with pages from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I really enjoy pairing up appropriate literature to the holiday to make these decorations. Last year I used Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, which I plan to use again, but I’ll have an additional choice this year – stay tuned!

The Studio on Sunday (On a Saturday)

Posted on July 11, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 277/365Last week I got around to a project I’ve been meaning to do for a while. I built a new display for my table booth at art and craft shows. I don’t have a finished photo yet, but enjoy this ‘in progress’ shot in the meantime.

ps. Don’t you love that old woodworking clamp? It was my Grandpa’s!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on July 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 271/365

I’ve been working on a lot of custom orders the last little while, and last week I had the pleasure of crafting a gorgeous leather memory/keepsake book for a client.

This is one of the largest books I’ve ever made. The photos might be a bit deceiving, but trust me, it’s a big book! It’s a limp binding made with a gorgeous brown leather. Inside is heavy weight printmaking paper and the endpapers are a fancy Italian printed paper, of course.

If you have a special occasion coming up or just like the idea of having a quality heirloom keepsake book, just click ‘Custom Order’ on the top menu bar and answer a few questions to get started. It’s easy! I enjoy working on special projects and love a good challenge, so don’t be shy!

If you have a custom request, just click here.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on June 28, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 264/365

Wedding season is here! This series of photos is from a piece I completed for a client last week: a gorgeous, stone grey fabric guest book with brass details and ocean blue ribbons. Sounds dreamy!

In case you were wondering; I make all my own covers. In this case, I also made the book cloth, custom to the bride’s request.
Some close ups of the finished piece, it’s all in the details. I’m really pleased with how this book, I love working with clients to find the perfect book for their occasion.

If you want to request a custom book, just go here and fill in my online form. It’s easy!!

Studio on a Sunday

Posted on June 21, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 257/365

Jog your memory back to last fall and my many posts about hand-dying paper. Remember all that beautiful paper that I dyed using indigo and also watercolour paints? I used most of it to make unique, one of a kind journals. But there were off-cuts and scraps that were too small to use, which of course I saved.
Earlier this week I went to Paperhouse Studio and made good use of my end pieces. I framed the best papers and pressed them into cute little art buttons!! They turned out really well, some abstract and sharp, others more subtle and soft. I’ve prototyped packaging and tested it this weekend, I’ll make necessary tweaks and then you can find them in my online shop!

The Studio on a Saturday

Posted on June 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 242/365

I’ve been working with leather a lot lately. Organizing, sorting and making journals with it. For the most part, these leather journals have gone to our Hamilton retailer; Studio 205, but keep your eyes peeled for new additions to the online shop!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on May 31, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 236/365

Today in studio, things aren’t so exciting. Instead, here’s a photo of some swag I made for Heirlooms Artisan Market happening on June 20 near Welland!

For details on the show, go here.

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on May 24, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 229/365

Making text blocks for case binding!
Here’s a quick glimpse of what it means:

Cut and fold the page papers and collate into nice neat piles.
Mark hole punching stations and punch each page accordingly.
Sew signatures together, creating the text block, ready for pasting, casing and pressing.

Happy Sunday!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on May 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 222/365I’ve been working on several custom orders lately, this is the latest. It’s going to be a fabric-covered wedding guest book, with really nice watercolour pages. I’m also making my own bookcloth for this one, to get the perfect colour!

Have a special book you want custom made? Just click ‘Custom Order‘ on the top menu of my site and send me a note!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on May 10, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 215/365

Today I’m working on a custom order for a soon-to-be bride and groom! It’s going to be a guest book, made to order in the colour palette of their wedding.

I often take custom orders for event guest books, photo albums and journals for special occasions. Sometimes travellers just want a customized trip diary, complete with a map insert of their destination.

To start a conversation about a custom order you have in mind, just click Custom Order along the top menu bar of my website, fill in the blanks and that’s it!