Some Weekend Fun in Toronto!

Posted on February 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 122/365

I’m looking forward to teaching a new bookbinding workshop this weekend. This Sunday is Creative Bookbinding at Little House in the City!

If you’ve been thinking of trying your hand a bookbinding this is the class to take the plunge! No previous experience is required and everyone leaves with a finished project. And if your Valentine appreciates your crafty side, it’ll make the perfect gift!

When: Sunday February 8, 2015 1pm – 4pm
Where: Little House in the City, 555 Parliament Street, Toronto

To find more information and to register, go here.
To see my full schedule of upcoming workshops, go here.

Tea Festival

Posted on February 3, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 119/365

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know by now that I like tea. I really like tea. I’m not a coffee drinker, just a tea drinker. So, you won’t be surprised that today’s post is a re-cap of last weekend’s Tea Festival here in Toronto! It was, of course, held at the Toronto Reference Library, proving that the link between books and tea is constant and true!!

Just some of my favourite things from the show. A tea cookbook by Raelene Gannon, Tea and all it’s Splendour. I heard her speak last year but her book wasn’t complete. It just came out last thursday – and I already have a signed copy!! (Be prepared for a post or two about earl grey infused scones or sencha pesto with walnuts!!)
And of course I picked up a few packs of Tao leaf tea; coconut oolong and tangerine ginger. It’s that time of year for ginger based tea – no flu for me!! And lastly, Pekoe fermented kombucha tea! I haven’t tried it yet so not sure what to expect exactly. I’m sure you can figure out my favourites by now: oolong and ginger!

Tell me about how much you love tea!!!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on February 1, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 117/365 Today I’ve been working on an upgraded version of the Mini Book Necklace. The books themselves will remain the same, just the rest of it will be a bit more fancy. There will be beads, longer chain, some charms and tassels! (yes, tassels!!) I really like the idea of the mini book as a pendant, as an object and a functional book. I also really like the idea of the longer chain as it means writing in it while wearing it!

A couple of prototypes, in the right direction, but not sure they’re quite there yet, what do you think?

Shop Local!

Posted on January 30, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 115/365

Today I’m happy to announce the latest retailer of Sprouts Press products: Scout over on Roncesvalles Avenue, here in Toronto!

If you haven’t been in yet, you should definitely check it out. There are beautiful products from many local and Canadian designers and artisans. It’ll be fun, I promise!

If you’re interested in shopping Sprouts Press but want to stay local, head over to my ‘Retailers‘ section and reach out to a store in your neighbourhood!

Learn the Longstitch

Posted on January 29, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 114/365

I’m so excited to announce a new bookbinding workshop at a downtown location! I’ll be teaching a binding method I haven’t taught in a while, straight Longstitch, so if you’ve taken a previous class with me, this is a new one that you should check out!

What: Creative Bookbinding Workshop!
Where: Little House in the City; 555 Parliament Street, Toronto
When: Sunday February 8, 2015, 1pm – 4pm

As always, you only need to bring yourself; materials are included in the workshop fee, and tools are provided for use during the class.

To learn more and register, please go here.

Wordless Wednesday 28.1.15

Posted on January 28, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 113/365

Learn the Linkstitch

Posted on January 26, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 111/365

There are still a few spots left in the Book Making Workshop I’m giving at Graven Feather. This is the class to take if you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own journal.

I’ll show you how to hand decorate covers, and then how to bind it into your very own journal! Everyone leaves with a finished project!

When: Saturday February 7, 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West
Cost: $65, materials included

*You must pre-register to participate.
**Can’t make it on February 8? No problem, more dates have just been booked! The workshop is also running on March 7 and April 11!

***And if none of those dates work, just keep an eye on my Workshops page.

For more information and to register, please go here.

The Studio On a Sunday

Posted on January 25, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 110/365

Today is all about finishing details on some new coptic journals – with lined pages! These are fairly new for me and something that I’ve been working on for a while. I couldn’t be more pleased to share them!The first batch went quickly, so I’ve produced more and am just finishing them up with sewn-in bookmarks. They will have coins and beads on the ends, to keep your place and look stylish too.

Water + Colours

Posted on January 23, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 108/365

I 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.

Handcrafted 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!)
Another 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.
The 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.

Wintertime Book Making Workshop!

Posted on January 22, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 107/365

Join me and learn to design and craft your own hand bound journal! This workshop will introduce you to the basic process of hand decorating paper for use as book covers, and then how to incorporate it into a hand bound book using the Longstitch Linkstitch technique.

No previous art experience is required.

When: Saturday February 2, 2015 10am – 1pm
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto

For more information and to register, please go here.