Peculiar Craft Fair (Midwest)

I am back in Wisconsin after spending a few days in the Bay Area with Laurie. We participated in our second joint craft fair - Renegade San Francisco.

You may recall my first ever craft fair. No? I blogged about it here. The highlight of that fair was the ever popular, and so affordable, lawn spinner. I've been trying to come up with the must have craft item from RSF and am coming up blank. Was it the Rebe coats? Maybe. Was it the stuffed organs and glands? Could be. Or, the scuba kitty t-shirts? Hmmmm...

The thing that I think stood out at the fair was the attendees. Oh, we saw your run of the mill pierced/tattooed people. And, the mandatory crafty artsy fartsy types. But, this fair had something extra special. There was just a little more flair. I'll give you a little taste and you decide...

First we have this dude. I think he is a super hero. Though, I'm not sure which one and I'm certain that crime fighting isn't his expertise. He kept yelling "RUTH! Want a rematch!?!" O...K...?



Here is a vendor who I will call I. Scream.



This guy was just too good. Can you hear me now?



Lastly these chicks kind of summed up the fair mood for me. Bright and fun.



So, here I sit back at my computer with fond memories of chatting with Laurie and Janice. It was a weekend to remember for many reasons!

Errr...Um...??? (Midwest)

Joey has been out of town for 4 days and I've been flying solo with the kids, which I hope explains this photo...

Today I had a sitter for 1 hour. I put some stuff for Goodwill in the car and zipped off to the grocery store. When I got there I realized that not only was I wearing my right flip flop on my left foot, but on the right foot I had on a completely different sandal. I debated going home and heading straight to bed, but decided to forge on and do my shopping. I even faked a limp in the cracker aisle to make my shoe attire look more appropriate to the cute doctor in scrubs assessing my feet. (Ha. Crackers. Coincidence? I think not.) Should I be concerned?

Getting Organized (Midwest)

I completely blew off celebrating the Nation's birthday this year. Why? My little people and my husband went up North and I stayed home to finish up some work and letterpress details. I spent 8 hours in my office yesterday and today, so far, I'm at 7 hours. I designed, invoiced, printed, stuffed envelopes, babysat the neighbors cat, went for a run, photographed new products, reorganized my Etsy shop and cleaned my office! It feels so good to get organized. This week all I need to do is find a big box and ship my wares to California and then I'm all ready for Renegade.

Speaking of Renegade, I believe I now have 7 new products to display there. I have scads of new mini notepads:




And, I have other goodies fresh off the press already listed in my Etsy shop.

I can't wait to travel back to my old digs and hang with Laurie.

Moo! (Midwest)

I don't know if any of you know this, but June is Dairy Month in Wisconsin. Do you care? Probably not. But, for me growing up in the country in Southern Wisconsin, it was a big deal. Ok. Not a big deal. But, an excuse to eat more ice cream, and celebrate cows. For many more years than I care to admit my dad wore a different cow t-shirt each day in June. (Just re-reading that sentence makes me groan a little bit).

It seems appropriate somehow that I participated in a photo shoot last week that involved cows. I know. Glamorous. Yet, fun. My main purpose was to do some business portraiture and a few shots of people doing what they would be doing if they were a consultant, a vet, a farmer and some cows in a barn. (I'll leave that up to your imagination.) The clients were fun and it was a good experience for me.

This week I'm going to finish up a few letterpress projects to ship to California for Renegade San Francisco. I can't wait to journey back to the Bay Area and to hang out with Laurie. Hopefully, I will have some brand new journals to debut.

Happy June, people. Drink some milk!

Moonlighting (Midwest)

Last Sunday I assisted my talented friend and mentor, and photographer extraordinaire, Kate on one of her family photo sessions. I think this is the sixth time I've helped her do her thing. As you can see from Kate's photo above I'm having a lot of fun. I did some kid wrangling, reflector holding and a lot of picture taking.

I really enjoyed the family we were shooting. They have 5 kids and they are so incredibly sweet with each other. Being the oldest of 5 kids I'd like to say I can relate, but I remember one too many battles from my childhood.

Anyway, since I have my camera with me most days I get a lot of "are you a photographer?" questions and I never really know what to say. I have finally come upon the right answer which I feel fits me. I respond by saying something to this effect,

"Well, I'm a graphic designer, but I occasionally moonlight as a photographer..."

So there you have it. That answer makes me feel better about spending too much money on camera lenses and it keeps me from feeling guilty about not taking on more graphic design projects.

Here are a few of my photos from Sunday's shoot.

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.