Rounding a Corner (Midwest)

A couple weeks back Laurie and I had this long phone conversation about the disappointing news that our paper vendor was no longer offering rounded corner, flat notes in A2 size. I know. It's really a tragedy. I think we went through all the stages of grief during that phone call. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance...

I decided that in order empower myself and move on I needed to locate the perfect corner rounder. I ended up deciding that a hand punch (think scrapbooking tool) would be doable. I could punch corners while watching tv (think Desperate Housewives of Orange County) and make my own rounded corner flats. Heck, I probably have other printed things that would be cool with rounded corners (think grocery lists).

So, after a week or two traveling to various craft stores, buying what looked like workable and sturdy corner rounders I found one I liked. And, three that I didn't which were returned. Presenting the Fiskars hand-squeezy-view your paper-round your corner-and watch a paper piece flip up into the air model. I like it because it cuts easily and consistently. The blue stock below is a duplex card stock, at least 110 lb. You can see the corner is pretty clean and has about the same corner radius as the precut flat beneath it.




Who knew a craft punch would be so exciting that someone would photograph and write an entire blog post about it? Not me.

Goodbye Old Friend (West Coast)

I sold my old Kelsey this past weekend. I placed an ad on Briar Press and Craigslist. I also looked up some wanted ads on Briar, and emailed a few people. I remember when I was looking desperately for a press how hard it was to find one without feeling completely gouged for the price. I charged what I paid for it. I got a good deal on my new one, and felt I wanted to help out a fellow letterpress person starting out. It was a nice transaction. I know it went to a good home. It was sad to see it go since I really learned to print on it. But at the same time, it is nice to have the elbow room for my new bigger press. I have a large spot on my work table to spread out when I print. It will be nice to finish up my plate and send it out. I have been working on some new designs for the past few weeks. It is hard to find the solid time to complete them. Hopefully in the next few days I will have them ready to send off for plates.

It Feels Like Spring! (West Coast)

Well the kids are back in school today. We surprised them with a trip to Hawaii to visit their cousins over spring break. It was very fun to unexpectedly pick them up from school with the car loaded, they were totally confused. Ethan asked if we were going to the beach—I think he thought for a picnic lunch. I told him yes, but laughed. We drove off to the airport. It was great.



Now I am back, somewhat rested, and excited to print again. I have been busy with graphic design projects over the past month. So even though I have been printing on my new press, I haven't posted in quite a while. Here is a peak at a card I designed last year, but was never able to get a nice print out of on the Kelsey. The C & P knocks it out with ease. It is so nice to have all power of the new press, with so much less work. My Kelsey didn't have the muscle to give me a deep impression, and even a clean print on something this large. The daisy prints nice and clear on my new press. The impression is really nice too!

Happy Easter! (Midwest)

Here's hoping that everyone is enjoying a happy and relaxing Holiday with family and friends.

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.