Day 222/365
I’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!
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!
Day 202/365
Today has been all about organizing and tidying up after a busy weekend full of shows. This is not exciting and doesn’t lend itself well to photos. So instead, I’ll just share this photo above, from last week in the studio.
This is one of the finishing touches I put on my hand-dyed Indigo Journals, the reclaimed leather closure. I measure, cut and punch each one individually. As with many trades and crafts, the rule is always to measure twice, cut once!
Day 194/365
It’s paper-dying time! Believe it or not, I used all my hand-dyed paper from the last session! This batch focused on shades of indigo, as opposed to last time where I also used greens and browns.
Huge thanks to everyone that showed so much enthusiasm for journals with this unique and one of a kind cover! Stay tuned for more indigo journals!!
Day 181/365
Today I’m prepping the studio for more paper dying! I love this process and the results, it’s a different kind of creativity than stitching books with a needle and thread. I miss getting paint under my nails and losing myself in the work, so it’s a welcome change of pace for a day.
These are photos from a previous paper-dying session, so I’ll be sure to take some new ones and share the ‘after’ photos this time around!
Day 166/365
Today in the studio it’s a tidy-up and reflect kind of day. Putting things away is always the first step to a new project for me. And after a week of shows, orders and many discussions it’s the perfect time to mull over the next big step for my little journal making company. Stay tuned, it’s a good one!
Day 158/365
A simple studio day from last week: working on orders and prepping for shows! (See my show schedule to find out which ones are happening THIS weekend!)
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 138/365
Did you know that every Sprouts Press Handbound book has my seal embossed on the front or back page? It’s true, I promise! If you have one, check your book now to see it!
Today and all the days – impressing my seal on finished journals is ongoing! It’s the last task and the finishing touch. If you’re a maker, what is your final task, the finishing touch on your items?
Day 131/365
Today I’m going back in time to last fall when I was going crazy prepping for the One of a Kind Show. I was designing and handcrafting many leather journals and having a great time!
Today, there are only two of these journals left and they’re both for sale in person at the Arts Market on College St. here in Toronto. It’s hard for me to believe that so many of my creations have gone out into the world and now carry your thoughts, ideas and inspirations. I’m truly grateful!
Sprouts Press 