Yea, It's Friday! (West Coast)

Today has been one of those days. I am glad it is nearing cocktail hour out here, because I am ready! I started out my day putting together mini rat coffins with my friend. Yes, I know. Sounds funny. Long story. Next, after lunch, we were rear-ended on the freeway after running over a mannequin. Yes, I know. Even stranger. Luckily we are both fine, and able to laugh about it.

The week was pretty successful in printing. I was able to just about finish up my line of six new spring cards. I am happy with the outcome, and already have sold a few on etsy. I am gearing up for another big week of printing, and getting ready for summer. School is almost out and I am more excited than the kids! I can't wait to skip the alarm!

Well that is the bell, it is time for that drink! Have a good weekend all!

Blooms (Midwest)

As summer approaches I'm taking so many flower photographs for my photo a day project that I think it's transferring to my letterpress work. It seems like all the cards I'm working on have some sort of floral element to them these days. Can you see what I mean?



These cards are from my flower illustrations, but I'm still trying to find a way to incorporate elements of my photographs directly into my letterpress prints without re sketching. I must deliberate that some more and get back to you...

I hope everybody had a nice Holiday weekend!

Voila! (Midwest)

I had some time Friday to get on press and finalize a few letterpress cards. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

I created these cards with my "new" vintage wood type. I really enjoy printing with wood type. The impression is smooth, yet textured. And, setting the type in the chase is so satisfying. It's like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Well. Sort of.




I'm planning on offering this design as a personalized folding note set. I pre-printed the chocolate layer that says "a note from _______ (pencil icon)". I chose the chocolate because it's such a versatile coordinating color. I ran the sample in red ink. Laurie and I have been discovering that people like red. Now my task is to finalize a quantity to offer and find some packaging.

Here's the final result!

PMS (Midwest)

I'm checking in with nothing super new to report. I'm almost finished with one of my big freelance brochure projects, and the second one is well under way. I'm hoping to have printed pieces to show you soon.

Busy day today, my brother is in town from Cali with his group and my mom is around, too. Gotta run.

Oh. This photo is one of my new mugs from the Museum Shop at the Art Institute in Chicago. I wish I had bought a couple more colors, but they were very pricey.

An Efficient Weekend (West Coast)

Hot off the press this evening, I finished up printing the last of my new line of cards. I am pretty excited about the cards, and especially this one with very tight registration. I was a bit nervous about printing it, but with my new Kort Quads it worked out quite easily. I am happy I took the plunge and purchased my new guides. I had been using photo corners to hold my paper in place, but my new Kort Quads are much more efficient. The paper truly stays in place. : ) These will be up in my Etsy shop in the next day or two.

New Stuff (West Coast)

I have been busy printing on my new press, and this is one of the first of my new card designs to go up in the shop. I am very excited with the new look, and will be posting more this week as I finish them up. Hopefully I will have time to get on press this week!!!

More Corners (West Coast)

The search for a perfect solution to rounded corners has kept me up lately. I know it is sad, but my favorite pre-cut paper has been discontinued, and I have been at a loss to how I am going to cope without it. One of my best selling cards prints on this nice rounded corner stock, that I have been buying pre-cut. Both Amy and I have been looking at corner rounders, and the result has been OK, but I really like the angle of the original diecut card.

I found the perfect solution, and it even cuts multiple cards at once! I purchased this Lassco corner rounder, with the 1/2" die. It is a perfect match! Today, everything on my desk has rounded corners, including my test stack of cards! The ivory stock is the diecut card, and the white stock is the Lassco cut card. Pretty cool! It even catches the corners in a handy little trash area.

TGIF (Midwest)

This was a long week. We had lots of rain and Sam was off school for 4 days for parent teacher conferences. Sophie was home for a day sick and now Joey is complaining of a sore throat. I'm trying not to panic and run through the streets screaming "Run for your lives. The swine flu is here!" Instead, I'm going into preparedness mode. I have spray hand sanitizers in all the kids backpacks and we are washing hands again and again and again...

Now, I need to simmer down and focus on my design work. I am behind on invoicing and if I could finalize my projects that will allow me to clean my plate a bit and maybe even earn me some time on press.

Also! I feel cheerful because May is here. May is my birthday month and for as long as I can remember the arrival of may was always bright and colorful to me. It meant flowers and leaves on trees. Sunshine, cake and presents. Then, summer and swimming pools.

Welcome May!!!