looking ahead...

I know it sounds a little cuckoo, but I can't help but be afraid of March. This year, I'll be projecting films for the Savoy Theater as part of the Green Mountain Film Festival--and as I'm still a novice projectionist, just the thought of messing something up in front of a crowd gives me the shivers.

And then there's the workshops: I've just updated the workshops page on my site to reflect dates that still have openings, as well as to announce a new date for Experience the Letterpress Thing (March 15) and a new workshop: Getting to Know Your Tabletop Press. Only one date (so far), March 8. And here's what it's all about:

A unique, hands-on workshop where participants bring their own tabletop press to work on.

The daylong class begins with a review of the press: its parts, operations, care and maintenance, adjustments, and more. In the afternoon, we make our presses ready to print.

Topics and techniques include setting tympan and packing; ink types, mixing, and inking the press; setting and positioning gauges and grippers; choosing paper; and registering the form. Particular attention will be given to troubleshooting and specific problems previously encountered. If time permits, participants will set type and print.

As always, email me for information, and sign up soon!

il était une fois...

...totally off topic, but I gave myself a haircut yesterday, and was remembering my tragic blonde phase. Ten years ago (just saying that makes me feel old), I was spending my junior year of college abroad in Paris. And decided that there was no time like the present to test out the "blondes have more fun" theory.Yikes! That's me on the left, Kathryn and Tori at the Opéra Garnier in late 1997.

P.S. Turns out, blondes don't really have more fun. They just get hit on a lot more.

quirky love

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. I am, however, a big fan of nice teeth. And so...



















..my Valentine's line was born.

I collect odd printing plates (among many, many other things) of body parts. So far eyes and teeth are where it's at, but I wouldn't turn down hands or feet if you're willing to part with them.

These are just the first two of four planned cards in the "quirky love" line now available in my etsy shop. Cards are 4bar size, folded, and printed in lipstick red ink on crane's lettra, with recycled red envelopes.

Buy 'em quick!

seeing red (and a bit o' green)

I woke up this morning and found this:

(click on the picture to go to the actual treasury--but it's only up for the next 24 hours!)

Hooray for features! Being in an etsy treasury is a little like winning the lottery...you might win (a sale), but then again you might just get nothing. Here's hoping for a sale!

P.S. If you missed the treasury, click here to see the full image.

why is vacation so much work?

Although I tried to take a work "vacation," I ended up thinking more about printing & binding than I have in awhile. In the xmas rush, my modus operandi was "do-do-do-get it done"...and now it seems that I need to think for an entire day (it's now after 5 pm and I'm just getting to the "do" part) before I can make anything happen.

I'm still finalizing my holiday cards (I know! I'm sooo late this year.) and working on a few new cards for sale. In the meantime, to hold you over:I'm a sucker for vintage ribbons. These all came from the Re-store yesterday (grand total: $3.05)...a small lot of vintage satins in white, blue, mint, pink, yellow, and red. Those of you who've bought from my etsy shop know that I package all of my book and cards in kraft paper, tied with pretty vintage ribbons.

My inspiration board. I don't have a whole lot of wallspace in the studio, so everything gets rotated on and off here in a timely manner. Up there now(clockwise from top):

• two playing cards "lady midget" and "c" (found by my friend brad in the wall of his house)
• quote from willy wonka and the chocolate factory that i've been repeating to myself all day: "Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple." Send me butterscotch ripple, stat!
• barn swallow drawing by my friend missa
• poppy postcard received from an email buddy
• majorette postcard...my first project on my press
• "merry" poster done by rik in my holiday letterpress class
• tiny art invitation (not yet done...)
• "dolly salad" line ideas (my not-yet realized ideas for fantastic homegoods made from vintage materials)

Grrr. Back to work.