Don't Forget To Write: August 2010

I love Papertrey Ink. This is no surprise to many of you. Their sense of design is awesome and in many ways complements my own. Their customer service has never let me down. And they are all genuinely nice people just trying to share a love of craft with a huge audience. I truly admire and fully appreciate the efforts of Nichole, Julie, Jane, Jenn, and their tireless support staff and design team. They have established a quality company built on high standards that has amassed a loyal, enthusiastic, and (perhaps) slightly crazed following. I am proud to count myself among that group.

So here's to you Papertrey! To the designers who create the artwork for some of my favorite stamps. To the owners who had the courage to put themselves out there in the first place. To the shipping staff who get my supplies to me in incredible time. To the design team who inspire me by showing the possibilities and versatility of each and every set. I thank you all from the bottom of my sneaker-clad tootsies. You're all rock stars.

Recipe:
Cardstock: Simply Chartreuse, Linen Vellum - Papertrey Ink, white
Stamps: Star Prints, Background Basics: Retro, Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Fresh Snow, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink; Landscape - Palette; Lagoon Blue - Versa Color
Fibers: Harvest Gold Saddle Stitched Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Aqua Bakers Twine - Divine Twine
Tools: Ric-Rac Sissors - Kraft Edgers; Circle Die - Quickutz; Large Star Punch - Fiskars
Other: Green Rhinestone - Darice; Foam Tape - Scotch; Vellum Tape - Scotch

I know I go missing for long periods of time and I apologize muchly. Business has been brisk and I'm doing my darnedest to keep up with everything. Unfortunately, blogging is the task that most often falls by the wayside. Today I wanted to share one of the things that has been keeping me so very busy over the last several months.

I decided last summer that I wanted to start doing letterpress prints in addition to the greeting cards and boxed stationery that so many of you have seen at show after show. I promptly got swept up in the bustle that is the fall and winter show seasons and the letterpress prints were relegated to back burner status. This spring I resumed work on the prints, but didn't get my rear into gear until visiting Allison at Igloo Letterpress in Worthington (she's awesome and her shop's amazing). One visit to her shop inspired me to finish what I had been dabbling in here and there for months. I worked on the graphics constantly for the next few weeks and finally sent my artwork to have plates made.

A few days later the plates arrived and I was absolutely giddy (just ask my husband). Then reality set in and after a little trial and quite a lot of error I figured out how to make my temperamental machine create quality prints. I definitely had some low points in there before I got it together. There were smushed images, accidental ink transfer, and a swollen eye (those cleaning chemicals really are eye irritants - I promise), but I finally got everything to work and I couldn't be happier!

The prints are currently for sale at shows (see the sidebar for upcoming events) and at Wholly Craft. I'll have them in the Etsy shop as soon as possible. In the meantime here are a few photos to prove their existence. The Stargazer series is particularly close to my heart (I miss being able to see the stars at night - it's too bright in the city), but each and every one means something special to me.

Ohio Pride