finished fridays: diving in

Did I mention that the three-ring binders are super-deluxe?  Not just thick and big (11-1/2" x 15"), but with two special insets.

Each inset has to be measured and marked by hand, and then the edges carefully scored with an exacto knife--trying, of course, to get all four sides cut to the same depth.  Then the tip of the knife is inserted into a corner, and a few very thin layers of board are peeled up. 

Only ten more to go!

workshop mania!

It's your lucky day!
Introduction to Letterpress--at May Day Studio, Montpelier, VT

The cool touch of decades-old metal type. A firm two-handed impression roll for a copy proof. A deft transfer from composing stick to imposing stone. A gentle tap of the planer. Two quick twists of the locking key and the chase with form is secure. The press is inked, the guides aligned, the chase slips into position, paper is correctly placed and your very first impression is ready to print.

Participants set type, lockup and print on a Chandler and Price Pilot and a Vandercook SP-15--we'll be printing limited edition notesets, as well as posters! Each participant will leave with 15 cards and envelopes, and 5 8-1/2 x 11" posters as lifetime keepsake of their first letterpress experience.

Choose Saturday, August 8 or Sunday, August 9: 10am-4:30 pm. Cost is $100, includes materials and a sandwich lunch. Advanced registration is requested; payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card (in person and by phone).

your life work

This is the second vintage printing-related film I've seen...and it makes me wish (if only for 10 minutes) that I could've had proper training like them!

Now, if only I could get away with a white dress and white heels in the printshop.

Found via the letpress listserv, i love typography, and archive.org.

(The first film was on typesetting--also good for arcane pointers. Yes, this is really what I do five days a week!)

trying something new

...so, really, I just look for ways to make more work for myself. And make things prettier.

I've been loving headbands lately. Not the head kind--the book kind. Talas sells pretty one like these:Woven silk, in lovely color combos--just to decorate the tops of your book.

I decided to try it myself, to make my Rebounds look more finished. Here are the steps:
Sew your book as usual, and attach the super. Don't glue above the kettle stitch.
Cut a piece of ribbon slightly wider than your spine, and glue half of it just above the kettle.
Then put a bit of glue on top of the ribbon, to attach the super.
Fold the ribbon over the super, and make sure the loose ends (where you cut) are sealed with a bit of PVA.
Admire your handiwork!

While not totally necessary, I like the way they bring a shock of color to the textblock. Maybe soon I'll splurge on real headband, but I've got a lot of ribbon to get through first!