Whoooaaa! (Midwest)

Ok. Not only is this an unflattering shot of my a**, but it is documentation of me roller skating. Something I haven't done since, what, the sixth grade? There were about a dozen of us. Three grownups and the rest were crazed roller girls. The dj played "YMCA" and an assortment of current pop tunes. The disco ball went around. There was cake and pizza. It was so much fun.

This organized chaos occurred to honor Hannah who will be turning 8 next week. Here she is. Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

A Marriage of Mediums (Midwest)

This weekend I was able to get on my press and play with my new wood type (see post below). I finally came up with a layout that read "What's Up?". After quite some time setting it up and printing it the first time completely backwards (you need to have a mirror image on a clamshell press), I rearranged my type and ran some prints on various papers. I used a hand mixed yellowish green ink, the color of new leaves. I must've been influenced by all this rain. It is so, so green out again. Printing was very satisfying, yet I felt that the type looked a little unfinished. So, I sketched an illustration this morning and gocco'd it on top of the letterpress image. Whalla. I've got a few other sketches going that will use both presses.

Type (Midwest)

Aren't these pretty?

I recently purchased a batch of old wood type blocks on eBay in assorted fonts and sizes. It's a good mix of letters with most of the alphabet. I've been playing with them, rearranging them, stacking them, making words, etc. I'm thinking they will make a debut on a letterpressed greeting card. Or maybe a print? The big question is what to say? So far I've configured "What's Up?", "Hey" and "Hello" (and a few swear words, yes, I'm immature). As I play I find I only have one W. No X, Q or Z. This is not such a big deal. Toddler Sam (he refers to himself as such) has been helping with the rearranging part but isn't much help on the what to spell part. Any input?

Speaking of letterpress. I got some great press practice in this last week working on a "Save the Date" card for Joey's work buddy, Gilbert. He designed cards, sent them out for plates to be delivered to me, and I inked the heck out of them. I really like the calla lily illustration that Gilbert drew, see below. Gilbert, I hope your sistor likes the cards.

Logo Project (Midwest)

I'm writing a quick post here about amazing and award winning, local photographer, Kate Huntington. I met her through Sophie's preschool. Y'know us networking moms. I'm designing a new logo/identity system for her. Here's a peak at one of her business cards. Each card will utilize a different color on the front and have a photograph that compliments it on back.

Kate photographed our family last weekend. I'm really excited to see what the shots look like. We were able to see one shot thus far. Here we are doing our "family cheer".



If anyone near Madison needs a photographer please check out Kate's website. She's easy to talk too, affordable and really talented.

It's All About Etsy These Days (Midwest)

Second row, second from the left...

Etsy recently had a contest where they invited the Etsy community to create Treasury lists (these are the lists that you see on the Etsy front page of 12 images of products created and for sale by Etsy sellers). Etsy Admins would be picking 20 (they said then) of these Treasury lists to print and use as promotional posters. I figured, what the hey, this sounds fun, so I composed a list for poster entry. They had 901 submissions. They picked 60 winners, these will become posters, and 160 honorable mentions. My list got an honorable mention. Wheehoo! I win nothing except the feeling of accomplishment and pride in my layout and justification that the images and products that I liked were likeable.

Etsy Treasury (Midwest)

I saw tonight that I had a few hits more than normal over at my Etsy shop. I found out that I am listed in a treasury. Happy dance. Look at the painting titled "Duo" right below my card. Luv it.

Donuts (Midwest)

Here are some shots of my first letterpress print run (see below). I have just a few "decent" prints for sale on Etsy. I scoured around other letterpress shops and realized that I need to get my new rollers working to have a nice smooth layer of ink on my plate. I used the old rollers that came with the press for these cards and they are a little pocky. I'm so used to silkscreening that I tend to like the mottled texture of uneven ink. Anyway, I like the donut illustrations quite a bit.

Letterpress Failure (Midwest)

Today I ran my letterpress for the first time. After it bit me hard on the pinkie, I managed to ink two sets of rollers, smudge lots of expensive paper, and smell up my office. I will say that the one success I had was that I learned a whole lot about what not to do next time. I'm such a rookie. Big sigh.

This afternoon I need to reprint (for the third time) my Periodic Table prints because I promised one to someone on Etsy. I am hoping to redeem myself with more agreeable ink and paper.

Oh, I almost forgot. I finalized the "Loco for Gocco" logo for the Gocco Etsy Steet Team. Here it is:


If you don't know what Gocco is learn more here. Also, I wrote a short description of my design process here.

Art vs. Craft (Midwest)

I'm posting a photo of some of my purchases from Art vs. Craft this last weekend. I drove an hour to get there, but it was worth it. I did about 5 laps around before I got up the nerve to introduce myself to some of the vendors. I especially liked talking to Krista from PaperedTogether! Her letterpress items are popular on blogs and at Etsy. I bought a set of coasters from her and a sweet little bird card. I decided I might start collecting bird cards. Why not!? Anyway, seeing all her stuff inspired me to send out for my first photopolymer plate. It's due here on the 16th. I ordered ink too. So I guess next week I test my new rollers and letterpress.

I also got to meet Nancy and Andy from Circa Ceramics. I've gotten to "know" Nancy via the Loco for Gocco Flickr group. She is really upbeat.

Speaking of Loco for Gocco. We are officially forming an Etsy Steet Team. I was asked to help with a logo so I stayed up late last night sketching. I will post an in progress mock up after I get a little feedback on it.

Today I had some more time to work on the logo & identity package I'm doing for local photographer Kate Huntington. She's going to shoot our family next month. I'm really, really looking forward to that as an activity. It will be interesting to see what her eye captures. As we nail down her logo I'll post that, too.

Above goodies are from Lisa/Artgoodies (the stuffed quail), Earthwork. in Milwaukee (the handstitched bowl) and the pin is from a Beth Eaton Pottery. Her stuff was really interesting. She presses textures and patterns into porcelain. Here's an article with a photo that highlights her ceramic panties. I really wish I had some for my bedroom wall.

Well, I must sign out to go make pasgetti dinner for the kids.

Application Sent (Midwest)

This morning, early, before noisy children descended upon me, I applied for the DIY trunk show in Chicago. I filled out an online application form. Then, had to email 2-3 photos of my work. I would much rather email about 10 shots. I compromised by comping up two "family of products" shots. When I saw my stuff grouped together I was modestly proud. So, I'm posting them here for all to see. God, I hope I get accepted into this show. It would be a good stretch goal for me to create a butt load of Xmas paraphernalia. (I'm giggling now because in running the spell check feature I learned that butt load is really two words. I thought it was one. Who knew? Tee hee hee.)



I'm heading off to Milwaukee later to check out Art vs. Craft. I'll take the digital camera and post what I see and what I buy. I'm going to look for some folks that I've met online via Etsy and Flickr.