Linoleum

Yesterday was the first installment of things I printed on a Vandercook. Today is part two; a different technique than rainbow rolls, but still just as exciting.

Linoleum cuts! This one is formally called a "Reduction Cut," because by the time you finish printing, you have nothing left of the block you started out with. The image was inspired by the family of foxes that I have living across the road from me. Adorable!

Four color run; there's a white background that didn't show up so well on the white paper, but turned out nicely on the brown paper.

Rainbow Rolls

Rainbow rolls are so much fun to do! I haven't yet figured out how to do them on a platen rather than a cylinder press, but playing with the vandercook presses proved to be a lot of fun, as was digging through the WBAC metal image collections.

The basic idea is that you load each end of the cylinder with a different color, and then you let them distribute together. It makes a new color in the middle, so ideally you don't pick colors that make mud. And you can either print your image with it (which I did not do) or print a background with it.

Type Case--Done!

Today's mission is officially complete, though not yet 100% dry. I finished painting the typecase! Admittedly, my large surface spray-painting technique can still improve, but I'm quite pleased. Now, to just sort the type in those drawers.

Ready to Go!

I'm taking these to The Cheese Store today!

Where, hopefully, they will sell quickly, so I'll be able to take more in. They are the test run, sort of. And then I'm heading to Michaels to see what paper goods they have. Instant gratification, I don't want to wait for the paper to ship from French Paper Co., even though I love the paper!

Almost Ready!

All the cards are in little baggies, and are almost ready to go! I just have to figure out a way to put "Bedford Creek Press" on it. Labels are tricky little things.

Stationary Cards

Since these cards have now reached their owner, I can show these without spoiling the surprise!

These were printed with polymer plates, printed in two colors, on ivory paper; the envelopes were a mix of matching tones.

Got the cellophane baggies today; I've been wrapping things since then. And I was out in the shop printing my own silly cards, so that I have things to send people too!

Procrastination

This morning, I had such good intentions of getting out to the press shop and printing.

And then everything else happened. Errands took the day away! I did find a new cut to print (part of the errands involved rummaging through a collection of wood cuts) so that will probably happen soon.

B is for Bear

I'm trying to do one of these every couple of days, we'll see how long it holds up. And I'm not sure if I want to go with the very flat portrayal of the Aardvark, or add in a little scenery like the Bear.

I did, however, purchase the cellophane baggies that self-seal, so I'll be able to sell cards soon!

A is for Aardvark

If you've been following the Facebook page, you know that there has been a hotly contested poll going on for the the letter "A." Well. Results are in, and A is for...

Aardvark!

So I drew the aardvark (a funny looking creature) and was strongly reminded of the R.O.U.S.

But much nicer, and without dangerous teeth.

Book Idea!

I've come up with a new book idea; so hopefully I'll be able to be plugging away on that soon. Hmmmm... so excited to start that, not so excited for the exams coming my way.

Gold

“Faces of type are like men’s faces. They have their own expression; their complexion and peculiar twists and turns of line identify them immediately to friends, to whom each is full of identity.”
— J.L. Frazier

I painted some of the gold detailing on last night; I've been working on it and kept promising a photo, so here it is!

Mother's Day

To all of the Mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day!

I did a take on the classic gift of flowers, and printed cards for my mother, along with addressed envelopes.

In press shop news, I'm working on organizing typecases, which is always fun. I still need to buy paint for the handles, and cut down new labels for organizing, but right now, I'm just trying to get it organized enough so that when it finally warms up again I can paint the outside of the case, not just the drawers.

Oh! And there's a Ladies of Letterpress post-card swap; if you're a member, you should totally join in. And if you're not, when the swapping happens, I'll take photos of some of the postcards.

Casting Type

So this photo is one I took a few years ago, in Mike and Winnie Bixler's shop; I can't actually remember all the things in this shot, but the big thing in the back is the Super Caster.

I can tell you that all of these machines are used to cast type, and that they are a pretty fantastic form of technology.

And that I want my shop to look like the Bixler shop someday. Gives me something to aim for!

Just Dandy

I was quite pleased with myself for coming up with these! Each is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, (so they fit neatly into a purse or pocket) has 16 sheets + endpapers, and is bound with a pamphlet stitch.

And because they have a dandelion, I'm calling them "Just Dandy" notepads.

May

More cards! These I actually printed about a week ago; but it's still fun to show them. It's another thing I'm thinking about selling on Etsy. We shall see. Etsy is on hold until the end of the semester--though if you really want a set of cards, you can always email me. $5!

Not sure how much printing I'll do this week; it's crunch time in the semester. But I'm going to work on my own business cards. And I'm going to make little promo things, because I think that's a good idea too.