Grey Moggie Press

Thank you, thank you

Fall semester exams got the better of me this year. My last day of class and my last exam were so far apart that by the time the last exam rolled around I was exhausted, I had missed all pre-holiday celebrations, and all I wanted to do was fly to Maine and sleep, read, and eat for days (which I did). I made holiday cards earlier in the season and even with Mr. Moggie helping to add the finishing touches, I resigned myself to the fact that they would be late. Then all that sleeping and eating and reading got in the way and we did away with holiday cards altogether for 2008.* 

Not only did I do away with holiday cards,** I've also found myself behind on thank you cards which I feel is entirely unacceptable. I have a growing list of folks who deserve a thank you for being so sweet in the last couple months.*** The idea for this card had been brewing in my head for a while so the last time I was in the studio I printed several copies of it. I've already sent four!

I put a few up in the shop so if you find yourself a little late in sending a thank you message please pick one up; it should do the trick.

* We are hoping to reach everyone who would have gotten a holiday card from us, however, with a letter or card at some point during 2009.
** For the first time since 1998.
*** Yes, I am a couple months behind on thank you cards.

Woot!

I made it through November and I blogged every day! Yay me!! Now, I'm in full blown final exam hibernation mode. I will come out of hibernation to get a few hours of sleep each day, for well-balanced meals until my appetite devolves into just a desire to eat Doritos and drink Mountain Dew as quickly as possible, for a few hours at the studio tomorrow to finish up some custom orders, for a few minutes each day to update my December book, and to celebrate Mr. Moggie's birthday next Saturday.

Last week, when I was still allowed to procrastinate with fun, silly things, I took a trip to Paper Source with a sweet friend who was visiting. She wanted holiday card supplies; I wanted labels. I walked out with labels, and also a few pretty sheets of paper, some new rubber stamps, and some free note cards they were giving away with purchases. There were 10 note cards and I've used them all to catch up on my correspondence project.

One evening last week, when I was still recovering from the off-and-on cold and was too sick to do homework, but not tired enough for bed, I worked on this Curbly project. It was super easy, but a bit time consuming to cut out all of the teardrops. I think my cutouts could have been a little (or much) larger, therefore requiring fewer to fill up the page, and that would have saved some time. I'm going to pick up some frames when I'm on break in a few weeks and hang these colorful designs on the wall above Mr. Moggie's dresser. There used to be a constant pile of clothes on the dresser hiding the now-blank wall. I'm hoping to put something in place before the pile makes a comeback!

I've got big plans for the few weeks I have off between exams and the start of spring semester (my last!!!).  (1) I'd like to take a look at this book, Printing by Hand, read Outliers, Bridge of Sighs, and Shakespeare's Kitchen. Then, I'm hoping to learn a bit more about our soon-to-be First Lady.  (2) I want to come up with a plan for making the holidays handmade and festive (for next year). These paper ornaments and this leaf garland seem like good places to start. I'll also be working on some goods for a collaborative snark pack of greetings, some new gift tags for the shop, and some custom invitations. (3) And then, I want to peruse these fun etsy shops for rubber stamps, handmade maps, and paper goods. (4) I also want to spend a day wandering around Second Story Books , a few mornings at the farmers' market with Mr. Moggie, and a few hours skating in the sculpture garden.

Thanks for making it through NaBloPoMo with me.  Stay tuned in December for updates on the December book, and the inverse relationship between my stress level as compared to the likelihood I will shower every day. It won't be pretty but it will be fun!

Friday Favorites: Winning Edition

It snowed today. I think. I looked out the window while I was making lunch and saw a pile of white stuff falling down. A minute later, I looked out again: nothing, save for some clouds and naked tree branches. Maybe that glimpse of falling snow was just the universe playing a trick on my eyes. Regardless of whether there was, in fact, snowfall in northern Virginia today, it's icicle- igloo-wool sweater-ice skate cold out there.

So here's what's keeping me warm today:

all photos from the charliemotel etsy shop.

I mentioned this shop earlier this week, but I couldn't resist posting about it again. Here are three items that say: "warm me up coffee cup." The shop contains cards, pins, and a writing set. Absoultely darling!

images from french paper, wordle, and uppercase

I wish I could remember where I came across French Paper this week, but I'm glad that I did. If you're looking for a large selection of pretty paper on the web, it's the place for you.  But, if you're looking for something that can turn the words from your website into a pretty graphic, go to Wordle.net. It can be a big time trap for those of us who like type, but I imagine it can captivate lots of other folks as well. And then, if you're looking for a fun package of type-related goodies, Uppercase has got you covered. I saw these delightful little packages featured on Coveiter earlier today.

images from S.Stein, geekologie, and Made By Hank

For now, most days I carry my books around in a backpack. At the top of my list of anticipated life changes post graduation in May is no longer having to be a person who carries a backpack. I have seen cute handbags everywhere lately. For example, the olive and parsley project tote from S. Stein Designs would be perfect for carrying ink and paper to and from the letterpress studio. My iPod, cell phone, magazines, and non-heavy fun books could go anywhere with me in that cute ruffly bag from Made By Hank. Unfortunately handbags have gotten so pricey. Perhaps I could try what one guy did and pay my bills with a drawing of a spider. It didn't work for him; maybe banks would prefer letterpress? Seriously, check out the story here.

images from folding trees, pajiba, and nestprettythings

Folding trees had a 2-part tutorial on creating these sweet paper flowers this week. I tried my hand at it while watching Top Chef on Wednesday night, and they're not super difficult, though somewhat time consuming. If you're not a knitter (and I'm not, though I'd like to be) and you're looking for a relaxing craft to do while watching tv or a movie, these folded flowers might be the way to go.  The Time Traveler's Wife might be a good movie to watch while folding, given the role of paper arts in the book. However, it might be a while before it hits the big screen. I remember seeing the release date as December 2008 some time ago, but I have yet to see a trailer and now there is no official release date listed. Pajiba has a review of the wonderful book here. And if you're not so crafty but want some pretty handmade items, pick up goodies made by Tamar Schechner at NestPrettyThings.

 
images from Design for Mankind, Small Magazine, and Mew Paper Arts

Finally, check out this cool image from Andre Jordan I saw on Design for Mankind this week. If that's not enough, the new issue of Small Magazine is available online. Emily Martin from The Black Apple is a contributor. Then, tell your friends all about it on this sweet farm girl stationery from Mew Paper Arts.

One more thing: The winner of the Grey Moggie EtsyGreetings Carnival package, as chosen by the Random Number Generator is: Go Amie, who had the 24th comment. Amie, I'll be in touch to get your mailing address so I can send your Grey Moggie package to you!!

If you didn't win, fear not. I'm donating a few items to another giveaway taking place in early December. I'll keep you posted.  Or check out the Grey Moggie shop!!

This post has nothing to do with the election!

I printed some postcards in the studio a couple weeks ago. I had some card stock that I wanted to use. I cut out two different postcard sized piles.

On some I pressed a simple "hi there." On the others I pressed "hello you. let's have a chat."  Once home, I printed an address and postage stamp blocks on the back so they would become real postcards. I even played around with some hot pink Hambly rub-ons. I think these postcards will be lots of fun to use in my correspondence project.

Letter Writing

Just before classes started up for this semester, I set out a plan for being better at keeping up with people. I talk to my parents almost every day (what can I say, I'm an only child) and I'm pretty good about letting everyone know what's going on through email and Facebook.  Electronic correspondence just isn't the same as putting pen to paper and stamp to envelope and getting the mail carrier involved. For someone who's collected the stash of beautiful paper that I've got, it would be a tragedy not to use it.
Every week, I've been trying to get one or two cards out to friends and family who are far away.
 
The first was this funny little lobster card I made for my mom and dad shortly after our vacation in Maine with them. I had the paper and letter stickers left over from one or another scrapbook kit, and the lobster paper was acquired during one of our summer weekend trips to nyc.
 
Again, I used some paper and letter stickers left from a scrapbook kit, and cut a large flower out of some patterned paper I picked up during the same nyc trip. This card was sent to my aunt and uncle who live across the street from my parents.
 
Here are some cards I sent a few days later. I love that I had all of this stuff just lying around. It feels great to be crafty without spending any (additional) money, and to actually put all this gorgeous stuff to good use. I've really had to work through the urge to just save everything, or to wait for the "right" project. Honestly, what is better than knowing you put a smile on someone's face when they found a loving greeting amidst all the bills and bad news in her mailbox.
 
And I know people are smiling! The best part of this project has been hearing back from friends and family that they've really enjoyed the letters and cards.

If you're looking for reasons or inspiration to write more letters, check out the Letter Writers' Alliance!