Nap time = Print time

Aria went down soundly for a nap on Saturday and since Daddy was home to watch her if she woke up, I set out to reprint a business card order and a new XOXO card!  I think I have to get her accustomed to the sound of the press so she will sleep through it. Hopefully she will sleep or watch in the backpack carrier soon while I print. I hope this works since I've run out of several cards and need to reprint soon. I'm going back on the XOXO with a smaller font in red or pink.

First Printing Post Baby

I dove back into printing this weekend when a stationery order sold on Etsy. I haven't printed since the baby has arrived. I simply love printing this stationery. I have the paper and font down and it comes out really nice each time. There was a lot of starting and stopping to get this order done to feed or cuddle the little one, but her daddy watched her mostly while I pumped away at the press. It's only 20 pieces, but it felt like 100.  It was so nice getting the printing parts out again and creating in my printing room slash nursery. I'm ready for more!

My obsession with a little foot

I did not know late in the summer last year when I created this baby footprint how obsessed I would become with little feet. I made this the same way all kids make the little footprints on school bus windows or mirrors when they are full of condensation... with the side of your fist and print the little toes with your pinkies.

For the last month or so I've had this real live little foot jutting into my ribs and out the side of my belly. I can feel our baby's little foot move around and I am simply obsessed with it. Even when it hurts, I don't want it to stop. I can't wait until I see her little foot on the outside and make little prints of baby feet and hands. I'm excited to incorporate this little life into printing as well. I can already imagine tiny hand prints on cards soon.

Mother's Day 2012

Though I'm not a mother quite yet, I pretty much feel like one. I've been growing this little girl within myself for several months now and she has become such a part of me. I can't describe in words the amount of love I feel and I haven't even met her yet.  It was a lovely experience this year making mother's day cards, knowing they will find their way in the hands of moms that feel the same type of tear wrenching love for their appreciative offspring.

May we all appreciate our own Mom this year. Tell her how you feel!

Happy Mother's Day Floral 

Happy Mother's Day Brocade

Happy Mother's Day Pear Flower

Letterpress Block Thank You Tags

Used as Baby Shower Favors

Bringing Photopolymer Plates back to life

I was ecstatic when I sold out of a few different runs of cards, but I also sigh deeply when I realize I have to reprint them the same as before. One of my favorite things is to create new designs, but there is definitely a sense of purpose to printing cards you know have already sold. A month ago, I pulled out my two silhouettes that I used on my "I'm in Lesbians with you" and "Hello, Gorgeous!" cards. Much to my chagrin, they were curled and unprintable. In one of Boxcar press's newsletters, they talked about a how to remedy curled plates (A FACELIFT FOR BRITTLE PHOTOPOLYMER PLATES) With the idea in mind that the plates needed hydrated and warm, I put my tea kettle on and let them sit in hot water for a few minutes.  The results were amazing. The silhouettes as well as my bikes in the city and water tower designs have not printed this well since the first printing. 

For Hello Gorgeous or I'm in Lesbians with you 

Biking in the City

Preparing for Baby

Full nesting mode has taken off now that I'm 7 and a half months pregnant. I've been prepping the nursery area with wonderful gifts and hand me downs and have moved on to printing. My Aunt is hosting a shower in Ohio and my friends are hosting one here, but I asked if I could still do the invitations. Today I printed the Shower invitations, Thank you cards, and favor tags.  
Almost ready for baby!!!

Score, Fold, Glue... Tada!! Making boxes

One of the many reasons I love Pinterest is it reminded me how to make boxes. I can't believe I was looking at boxes for a stationery order when I have all this card stock and can make my own.

When I saw this tutorial, all the boxes I made in school came rushing back. Silly me. And I have this cool flower cutter that I haven't been able to find a use for until now. 

So excited about making inexpensive and original packaging.

Stationery not stationary

I received a message via Etsy about some custom stationery and it was just the push I needed to make a few easily ordered sets.  This custom DJC card was done for a customer, but I also made sets with 4 different design choices.

See them on Etsy

January Smanuary

After a fantastic Christmas Holiday with family and a super fun New Years with friends, it was time to get busy again. I'm in the middle of trying to organize all my printing supplies, but needed a break to make 2012 Valentine Day cards.  Here are some new ones!  Hoping I get into a Valentine fair and sell lots. And since I had red on the press, I reprinted my two deer in heart cards.

Be Mine

You're Awesome

I heart US