Thanks a bunch!

There's only a week left before the holidays begin and I'm so excited to kick back and relax for a couple of weeks! The last little while has been super busy in the studio and this week isn't any different. There are lots of last minute printing jobs that I'd like to get done... like my holiday cards for instance! I can't believe I've procrastinated this long on them. I'll just blame it on pregnancy brain... lol.. just kidding. I still am so incredibly amazed that I get to print as much as my little heart desires... I have lots to be thankful for, and this time of year always makes me reflect on those things a little more. 

Anyway last week I printed these very special thank-you notes, that I was asked to make as a Christmas gift. I didn't have any restrictions on the design or even the colour, so I chose a lovely violet that turned out just so beautifully! (Although it totally stained my press and I needed to use heavier-duty cleaner to get it off – well worth the extra effort). I especially love the imperfection of the 'S' and the mixed use of wood and lead type.

I'm off to print my holiday cards... wish me luck that I don't crash from this sugar-high that has been rampaging the office!

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season so far!!

Friday night printing

If you read my other blog you probably already know that I'm about to become an aunt! I can't be more excited about it... I love the little guy so much already! A couple of weeks ago I hosted the baby shower and of course I needed to have a little something letterpress printed amoung the festivities. AND Of course I didn't figure out what to actually letterpress until, like, the night before the shower! So here I was, on a friday night, typesetting this "Wishes for Baby" card. I was a bit nervous for the day ahead... I really wanted everything to be just so... I had spent weeks planning and coming up with ideas with the help from one of my bestest creative friends, (hi Sandi!) and on that friday night it was all coming together. Arranging the type just so, having all the pieces in place... kind of interesting how similar it was to planning this event... figuring out how all the pieces will fit together... hoping that it will turn out the way I imagine... interesting to draw the parallel. Do I sounds crazy? hehe... but it was calming. 

That calmness only lastest while I was printing. I think I feel most relaxed when I'm printing. 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! Thank goodness it's friday.

You make me happy...

I hope you had a lovely day yesterday with your sweetie-pies. I didn't have that much time with Justin for Valentine's Day this year... (he had a class to go to for most of the evening), but we're those lucky few that commute together on the subway (or bicycles) everyday, so I just cherished those moments, plus we had a quick dinner before he rushed off. 

In the evening I spent using Justin as my inspiration for some printing. What a great excuse to finally use some borders! I also used 2 sizes of wood type plus a bit of lead type for this print. It was the first time that I used a scale to mix my ink. It was a bit weird actually... and involved a bit of math, which was challenging to do with my right brain... but eventually I figured it out! Have you ever done that?! Mixed ink by weighing it?! It's a bit crazy, and one of these days I'll document it, so you know what I mean (in case you have no idea what I'm talking about). 

I made only a very limited 10 prints. Making them that much more special. I will have them on my etsy store (if it ever gets off the ground)

... and of course these are dedicated to the one that makes me happy when skies are grey. :)