Coming up for Air (Midwest)

I've been a pretty lame blogger as of late. I'm smack in the middle of spring break and the kids are keeping me very busy. Since, I'm heading out of town for a couple days I figured it would be a good time to post before I dash off...

I have a couple design projects running right now. I'm quite pleased to have print projects on my plate. I was sketching brochure ideas the other night and it was so fulfilling. I plan to work as much as I can this weekend (around Easter activities) to get a jump on the work I need to get done.



Oh also, I was able to do another photography assist gig last Monday. I helped hold reflectors, talk to the model and even shoot a bit (see photo above). I'm really enjoying my camera. Every day (well, most days) I look forward to taking my picture of the day. Even when I don't have my camera with me I find myself noticing things and thinking "that would make a nice photo". Sometimes when I'm talking to someone I catch myself moving so I can view them in better light. This really surprises me. Now I need to find a way to incorporate my photography and my letterpress. More on that soon...

Spring Where are You? (Midwest)

I can't believe March is almost over. If you were to look outside my window you would understand why. We have a couple new inches of snow covering the grass that was beginning to turn green. The crocuses must be wishing they had waited to come up. And, I'm sure the birds are annoyed that the nests they have been building are snow covered.

I find myself mildly discouraged by the snow, yet optimistic because it feels warm and things sound like spring.

This last week I have been in and out of frame shops trying to find the right frame for the letterpress print that I'm donating to our preschool's silent auction. I found a frame that has a weathered barn wood look to it. I liked how the texture of old wood relates to the wood type I used to create the print. I'm so pleased with how it looks I even listed a print in my Etsy shop. I haven't been listing many new items and hope to post more prints soon.

Speaking of Etsy, Laurie and I have been discussing consolidating all our cards at our joint shop. I may keep amyb13 open for fine art prints and more limited run cards. Change is a brewing.

Alright, it's time for me do a little house cleaning...

Oh Boy (Midwest)

I had another semi successful day of letterpress printing yesterday. I've decided to see if I can get both Pilot presses up and running. It would be nice to have them both "calibrated" so that I can rely on either one. I could run two colors simultaneously, one on each press.

So, I put my old rollers back on my main press (the blue & red press in the back) and my newer rollers on the other press (closest). I'm having a lot of trial and error getting my press settings set. I'm taping rails, adjusting the platen, adding packing, etc. Right now, neither press is set the way it should be. I've decided that a second set of new rollers is in order. Then, I won't have to rework each press depending on which rollers are running on it.



As I do all these test prints with various plates, (wood type, vintage blocks, linoleum, etc.) I'm creating some letterpress collage prints. Here is one print in progress. I'm liking the textural effect of the rough paper with a light hit of ink. Also, the overlapping of colors is pleasing to me. I also like the idea of creating modern art from vintage blocks. I foresee a letterpress agenda forming.

I See Spots (West Coast)

I have barely come up for air this past week. Since I moved my press in, I have been printing away daily. My morning starts as soon as kids are off to school, I am inking up as the leave. I have been so excited that each day I end with lining up my plate for the following morning. I get the impression just right, then go fix dinner. The spot reference is to my printing projects. I have been printing up a variety of spotted cards and notepads that will go out to some wholesale orders early next week.

I saw this cool tip on Boxcar Press that I have been using to get the alinement perfect. You attach a piece of tape the front of the plate, place it on your paper exactly where you want it to print, then put the paper in the press, and run it onto the boxcar base. It is so cool. Follow this link to a video on Boxcar Press, click on setting gauge pins and registering your plate.

I am off today to see a printer friend of mine who is retiring. I am going to buy up some old ink he has. Hopeful in colors I am lacking!

It's Here!!! (West Coast)

After much anticipation, my big baby has actually arrived. An 8" x 12" Chandler & Price Old Style baby that is.

We have had four weeks of bad weather. This week was nice and sunny, and the person who was delivering my press was available to deliver today. So today is the day! I am so excited to start playing around. Alan and I cleaned out the garage space this weekend, and made room for the new press. The space still is a work in progress, but it is looking pretty good. I can't wait to ink this baby up. It is in really good condition, after I oil up the stiffer moving parts, it should be good to go. Maybe Friday!

I Love my Letterpress (Midwest)

Today marked the first day in weeks that all three of my kids were at school. We have been taking consecutive turns with the stomach flu. In retrospect, it would have been way better had we all gone down at once. Instead, every fourth day somebody else got sick for 3 days. Bleck.

Anywhoo, I have been super motivated to create. I sketched last night, printed last week and printed again today. Above you see my contribution to the Paper Stories letterpress swap. I wasn't going to post about it, but figure none of the other swappers are watching this blog. And, if they are they won't mind. Right? (I admit I'm snooping all the participants blogs to see what they are working on.) I will probably have lots to post about when I receive my swap package in a week or two. I'm so excited.

Ok. I must go prod the pot roast I have in the oven. I hope to post again later this week with a peak at another print I have in progress.

Notepads (Midwest)

I forgot to post this photo from several weeks back. My friends, Joanna and Chrissy, aka the dynamic sister duo, were at Broadway Paper and saw my notepads on a shelf. A SHELF!!! Not some skibbly, spinny rack thing tucked in the back of the store. A swanky shelf. Right next to that awesome fox fabric whatchamacallit. Whoohoooooo! Thanks girls for being so stealthy and snapping me a photo.

Those notepads turned out to be a good seller for me. They are tedious to make since I hand trim and bind everything, but I'm working on streamlining that process. In fact, I banged out another batch for a special order the other morning. Check it out.



Well, it's too glorious to sit inside any longer today. I must go have a walk in the sunshine. Tomorrow the temps drop and we will have more snow.

Back to Reality (Midwest)

As I look out my window this morning it's hard to believe that spring is coming. We have 7 new inches of snow and are planning on going sledding. Again.

Last week's trip to Puerto Vallarta seems like weeks ago. It was a wonderful vacation full of laughing, swimming in the ocean (with baby dolphins!!!), margaritas, beach strolls, etc. Joey managed the home front perfectly. I returned to a clean and happy household. Unfortunately, I brought back a stomach virus. I was down two+ days due to that and now poor little Sam is struggling with it. I'm guessing Hannah and Sophie will be next.

I have big plans to work on some fine art prints this week. I'm so inspired. In fact, last night I couldn't sleep because I was designing in my head. If I have time this week I'm going to start the first layer of my print. This is optimistic considering the goings on in the immune systems of our family. I'd better hold my breath AND cross my fingers. We shall see...

Having Fun (Midwest)

This is a photo from a shipping box I got in the mail this week. It made my day for two reasons. First, I love that someone spent the time to draw up a personalized message for me. This particular scene is right up my alley (love the breasts on the woman and the ice cream cone). Second, within the box was my latest Etsy find. I ordered a very interesting art object titled "Stand by your Striped Man" from Minnesota artist, gilhooly. If you have time check out her etsy shop.

Below you see my Man sitting on my mantle next to another art piece by Leslie Dill (some info that here). The pottery is from Madison artist, Gloria Van Dixhorn.



I'm sure my Striped Man will migrate around the house, but right now he has me thinking about displaying a little collection of images of the human form on my mantel. I must go dig out my life drawings...

Well, I'm off to get a jump on my week. I leave for Mexico in two days! Hooray!

Video Letterpress (West Coast)

My latest Esty find was this little card from Anemone Letterpress. My kids and husband like to play video games, and this seemed to sum up both my love for letterpress and their love of games. I thought it would be the perfect valentine. Love it!