Oh, pickles!


spring sprung
May 13, 2008, 5:21 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

Should be outside right now. Should be enjoying the fact that it is 65 degrees and sunny; an utterly clear, blue sky. Birds are chirping. After a day or so of steady rain, we’ve seen a shift from spring-chartreuse-green to standard-landscape-of-green. It’s been such a long time coming, an awful winter that seemed to have no end. But here we are and this is it, right? 65 and sunny. It doesn’t get better, right?

So I’d spent my winter thinking… a lot. Agonizing… a lot. Obsessing, analyzing. List-making. Idea-generating. Should I do this, pursue that, work here, settle there? And I expected that, on the flip-side, I’d have half a clue about what it is I’m really supposed to be doing. If not a purpose or a calling or discovery of amazing and valuable hidden talent, perhaps I thought I’d have somewhat more of a focus or direction. And here I am, and it’s 65 and sunny and things are green and the birds are chirping and I’m not sure whether here, on the flip-side, I have any more of an idea about those things than I did before. 

The good news is that it is, without a doubt, 65 and sunny, and I can (at least) be a little hopeless in a more friendly environment. I can feel unfulfilled during a long woodsy walk with Olly; I can agonize about job-searching in a miserable economy or whether to pursue “my own thing (whatever-that-may-be)” while I’m outdoors pulling weeds, or I can become totally frustrated about my limitations… while driving with windows down.

I am certain it is nicer outside, and I am certain that not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate something or someone beautiful… thank heavens for the tiny lavender wildflowers in the grass fields… or cheery myrtle blooms… or fluffballs of lilac that brighten the day and put things in better perspective. That from under the miserable snow and ice and blanket of grey that covered for so long came these beautiful little blooms and such vibrant and radiant color.



stationery time!
May 13, 2008, 4:33 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

I was surprised to see how long it’s been since I last posted! Lots going on, so I’ll play catch-up in little dribbles.  For now, I’m starting to get jazzed up for the National Stationery Show, which begins next Sunday, May 18… My mom is joining me on a mini jaunt to New York for shopping, browsing and some good eats. In preparation, I’ve made myself some little cards (pictured above). Using new custom magnesium plates from Owosso Graphic (who will be exhibiting at the Supply Side part of the show), I printed them on the Chandler & Price Pilots at Hollander’s in Ann Arbor.  

I ended up most liking the cards using my last-minute found paperboard from 6-pack dividers (who’s eco?), although I was also pretty pleased with the pink squiggles. If anyone needs anything letterpress printed in hot pink, I’m totally your go-to person. This new can of pink ink is going to last a lifetime and beyond… 

In preparation for the Show, I have to admit that I’ve been more focused on the restaurant side of things and less so on the, um, stationery… So with that in mind, later this week I’ll plan for a mini-run-through of some of the booths I’m most excited to visit. I’m sure that’ll get me back “on track” for thinking about envelopes and printing… instead of pizza… and margaritas… and Mario and Bobby and Michel Cluizel…