Tall Journal

Posted on May 8, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 213/365

In case you haven’t guessed, this journal is pretty tall. Not too tall, but enough to warrant the title.

Okay, silliness aside, this is the latest addition to my Etsy shop! It’s actually part of the Fancy Coptic series of books, featuring my hand-dyed washi paper in a rich brown. It’s a chunky book with 220 pages (front and back), making it perfect for people who go through journals quickly.

As always, the closure is made from reclaimed leather and completed with a brass button stud. One of the main highlights of this book, and all of the books using my hand-dyed washi paper covers, is the fact that it’s one of a kind. The process of hand-dying paper yields different results every time, making each journal unique.

To learn more, check out the Etsy listing here.

New in the Shop

Posted on May 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 210/365

The latest addition to the Sprouts Press Etsy shop: Indigo Journal! This series of books has quickly grown into one of my favourites! I enjoy that each book is a bit different and one of a kind, and I love the finishing touches on each book: the spine details and reclaimed leather closure. The process of hand dyeing the paper is messy and fun, you can read about my adventures with this technique here.

Details:
-This book measures 5 1/4″ x 4 1/8″ and is approximately 1″ thick, including covers.
-There are 128 pages (256 counting front and back).
-Inside, find a mix of blank, kraft and graph paper pages suitable for writing, sketching and drawing.

To view this Etsy listing, go here.

Workshops! Workshops!

Posted on May 2, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 207/365

I’ve got a slew of workshops coming up, and more in the works! The next one is exactly one week away, in Burlington, Ontario. See below for details.

Book Arts 103
Saturday May 9, 1pm – 4pm
Burlington Public Libary: Brant Hills Branch, 2255 Brant Street, Burlington
For more information and to register, go here.

Longstitch/Linkstitch Bookbinding
Saturday May 23, 10am – 1pm
Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
For more information and to register, go here.

Bookbinding Workshop
Sunday June 7, 10am – 4pm
Guelph School of Art, 125 Wyndham St. North, Guelph
For more information and to register, go here.

Bookmaking Workshop
Sunday June 14, 1pm – 4pm
Mississauga Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga, Ontario
For more information and to register, go here.

***If you’re hoping to learn something not listed here, please send me a note! I’d love to hear what you’re interested in learning.

For ways to get in touch with me, go to the top menu bar and click ‘About’. Then scroll down for links to my social media and email.

New to the shop

Posted on April 30, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 205/365 Some new arrivals to the Sprouts Press Etsy shop! The Gold Florentine Journal, above, is as perfect for at-home writing as it is for on-the-go sketching! The finishing touches really bring out the character of this book, especially the reclaimed leather and vintage brass button. See it here. The Map Journal, above, is one of many map journals I’ve made. I don’t know what it is about maps, but I love them. So, of course, I put them on covers of books, and inside books! The covers of this journal showcase a map of Greece, a place I have yet to go. It would make a wonderful travel journal/sketchbook, especially with the closure and spine protector to keep any collected paper ephemera safely inside. See it here.

Did you know I have an entire Travel Journal section in my Etsy shop? Check it out here!

Wordless Wednesday 29.04.15

Posted on April 29, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 204/365

Mothers Day Gift Collection No.2

Posted on April 28, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 203/365

A couple of weeks ago I put together a collection of items for Moms who love to draw and sketch. With Mother’s day just around the corner, I’ve got another group of items perfect for the mom who loves to read books, collect books, make books and everything in between!I’ve tailored this collection to inspire people who love books, but might not necessarily write or draw in them. This is a group of items for the book lover, the collector and the art appreciator.

From the top left, clockwise:
Starburst Journal in Garden Sage: Sage colored bookcloth adorns the spine and showcases the spine stitching, with green and brown floral covers. Makes a perfect garden journal or outdoor adventure album. More details.

Mini Book Necklace: A cute little handbound journal made from reclaimed leather! Opens and you can write in it, keeping your ideas and dreams close to your heart. More details.

DIY Bookbinding Kit: For the person who already has everything; give them a new skill! Beginner kit teaches the basics of bookbinding and comes with everything you need: materials, tools and step-by-step instructions. Various colours available. More details.

Red Florentine Starburst Journal: A lively and bold journal perfect for recipes, special memories or someone who loves the colour red! (any fellow leos out there?) Because the spine is wide, there’s enough room to adhere papers to the pages, like some photos or recipe cards in your grandmother’s handwriting. More details.

Queen Anne’s Lace on Linen: A perfect catch-all, coin purse or beach pouch. Hand drawn images of thistles are screenprinted onto brown linen. More details.

Ex Libris Bookplates in Green: For the book collector! A stylish way to label your books and build your library. Hand printed in various colours and self-adhesive, comes in a set of 4. More details.

See you at the Leslieville Flea

Posted on April 26, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 201/365

Today I’m vending at the Leslieville Flea. It’s the last indoor show of the year, in the Fermenting Cellar at the Distillery District here in Toronto.

I’ll be here all day with my handbound journals, bookbinding kits, book jewelry and hand printed fabric items. Stop by and say Hi!

For more information, check out the show website, go here.

The Studio On a Sunday

Posted on April 19, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 194/365

DSC_0716 - Version 2

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!!

Handkerchiefs

Posted on April 16, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 191/365

It’s allergy season here in Toronto, and who knows where else! Time to ditch the tissues and get some reusable, eco-friendly, handmade Hay Fever Hankies!! For a bit of wit, I’ve printed each hand sewn hanky with an image of a plant that causes allergies. You can choose from: Ragweed, Timothy/Hay or Crowsfoot!

Hayfever Hankies are on sale in my Etsy shop, here. Or in person at Freedom Clothing Collective on Bloor St West here in Toronto.

Mothers Day Gift Collection No. 1

Posted on April 14, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 189/365

I’ve put together a sweet little collection of journals for all the Mom’s out there that love to write, sketch, doodle, collage and, of course, make brag books about their kids!

I know my Mom has at least 2 journals on the go all the time. She has been one of my biggest supporters since the beginning of Sprouts Press! So, I’ve decided to put together a couple of collections of items that I think Moms like her might like. Everyone is different, of course, which is why I’ve planned for more than one collection, the second is coming out next week.

You can find these items online and some only in-person, for all the journalers/drawers who prefer to skip the digital transaction. See below for details.

From the top left, clockwise;
Fancy Coptic Journal: Light green florals and distressed text with vintage button and reclaimed leather. Has a surprise map page! Available exclusively on One of a Kind Online, go here for details.
Fancy Coptic Journal: Colourful and gold Florentine covers with golden vintage button and reclaimed leather. Only available in person at SpringPop, a pop up shop in Burlington: 408 John Street, Burlington, Ontario. April 17, 18 & 19, 2015. Go here for details.
Fancy Coptic Journal: Sweet florals in lilac and blue with matching vintage button and reclaimed leather, great size to fit in a purse or day bag. Has a surprise map page! Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Indigo Starburst Journal: Hardcover journal featuring hand-dyed indigo paper with ‘starburst’ stitching down the spine. A bit larger than the previous three books, also makes a unique and gorgeous album or scrapbook. Available on Etsy, go here for details.
Black and White Handbound Journal: A tall, handbound journal that features hand-dyed washi paper covers. A modern journal with a mix of page papers, great for sketching or writing. Available on Etsy, go here for details.