Grey Moggie Press

Etiquette in a Post-Emily World

I traveled a whole lot for work in the fall, and everywhere I went I'd find a used book store and search for etiquette books. New ones, old ones, trusted books, hokey books, paperbacks and hardcovers (a pain to add to already overstuffed luggage). When I first mentioned my fascination with etiquette here on the blog, I threw out the idea of maybe trying to come up with my own definition for etiquette. I'm not there yet, but I have come up with a few of my own rules of etiquette, adapted for today's life and printed on bookmarks. A few people have suggested I just start leaving the bookmarks in books at libraries and bookstores, or on tables at coffee shops. If seeing these bookmarks reminds people to be thoughtful and kind, then I'm all for it!

i <3 dc

I really do love my city, but it's not for everyone and there were times I thought it wasn't for me. The politics, the humid summers, the crowded Orange Line trains at rush hour; seriously, what's to love? Well, lots. Like the music scene. Some of my favorite moments in DC have been during live shows. I saw Shout Out Louds at the 930 Club on a Sunday night before lots of other people had "discovered" them. I loved watching Torquil Campbell hang from the rafters (or pipes or something) when I saw Stars at The Black Cat. And back when I was a Howie Day fan, I think I was able to see him live four times one year.

I've also been able to take advantage of the arts and the outdoors in DC. I loved the Hirshhorn After Hours events I got to attend. Skating in the sculpture garden always makes me happy. I met my husband when we were both Sunday morning volunteers with the golden lion tamarins at the National Zoo. I've had countless heart to heart conversations with one of my best friends in the park at Logan Circle, many lazy days with a good book and a picnic blanket in Dupont Circle, and I loved walking home through Rose Park when I used to work in Georgetown.

Oh, and the coffee shops. It's not technically in DC, but I spent many hours at Murky Coffee when I was in law school which has led to my love of busy afternoons with good caffeine and good music at Peregrine and Mid City Caffe, and drawn out Sunday mornings with vanilla lattes and magazines at Sova or Big Bear. If you've been in DC a while and you still haven't found your place, I'd suggest giving one of these coffee shops a try. There is an intense sense of community in each one. 

And community is where DC really shines. I've never felt more at home in the city I call home than I have since we moved to our neighborhood last November. I love our block and all the people who live here. And beyond the houses on our block, I love that sushi and karaoke at Sticky Rice or mussells and fries at Granville Moore's means just a short walk.  My long runs on the weekends take me through Eastern Market, Lincoln Park, past the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. Concerts at the Rock & Roll Hotel are even better when you don't have to take a cab home. It's great seeing familiar faces at all your favorite spots, and feeling like a familiar face when you're there.

I'll say that my little corner of Northeast DC is the best, but I know others feel just as strongly about where they live and work and play. And in honor of that love I know we all feel for our neighborhoods, I tried to include a whole lot of them in this new DC flag print. E and I are in the process of purchasing our first house, about 100 yards from where we currently live. I can't wait to hang one of these prints in our new home in our favorite neighborhood.

and now it's March

Has it really been a whole month? I've been busy, but now I'm ready to share all the fun things I've been making and doing. First up, because it can sometimes feel like springtime in March, are these new thank you cards in spring colors.

I have been impatiently waiting for warmer weather and made these cards in sunny apply and spring green, hoping mother nature would get the hint. We've had a few very warm days since then; maybe the cards helped!

 

Thank you!

A couple weeks ago during a crazy busy weekend, which is the only kind of weekend I know right now, Eric and I went to a friend’s birthday party. We showed up with a bottle of some crazy Irish moonshine Eric picked out for the birthday boy. But I got gifts, too! My friend, Kara, who was hosting the birthday party for her fiancé, gave me some belated birthday gifts. They are so wonderful I have to share them here!

blurry iPhone photo ;-)

I adore these cute little French produce bags. Eric keeps asking if he can use them when he goes to the farmers market, but I’m not quite ready to send them off in his bike bag – they’re just too sweet. And this little pouch! It’s perfect for my iPhone earbuds which otherwise get tangled when I carelessly throw them into my bag. Kara was worried I would be offended because the illustration on the pouch is a cat lady. No offense here: just calling a spade a spade :) Thanks, Kara!!

Alphabet swap: B (buttons & books)

This time around for Alphabet Swap I went with a craft I’ve been doing for a while (mini books) and a new craft (crochet). When Kendra was here in January we had a conversation about books, particularly how she finds it hard to read non-school books as a full-time student. However, she graduates after the semester so she may have time to read books again soon.

I put together a little book where she can keep notes on the books she’ll read, and for now keep lists of books she wants to read later. I’ve had a subscription to The New Yorker for years now and I rarely throw away an issue. Before this last move, I neatly removed the covers from all of the issues and only the covers made it to the new place. I’ve been hoping for some inspiration as to what to do with them. A few of the covers were book and reading related so I used them for this book. The inside pages are graph paper and printouts of some of the photos from this fabulous tumblr blog (I Love Reading & Writing). The photos are backed with woodgrain patterned contact paper.

I also included a couple crocheted headbands with cute buttons. I got an amazing button stash on etsy a few weeks ago and knew they’d be part of the B project. I’ve been seeing these cute crocheted headbands all over the crafty blogs lately and there was a tutorial on Style School so I made some of my own to give to Kendra. (also a photo of Pony & me and some bookmarks I made.) I can’t wait to see her take on the letter B!

my funny valentines 2010

For a little Valentine cheer this year I participated in Carina’s Valentine Swap (she’s the brain behind Crow & Canary). I got partnered up with the cutest ladies, Diana and Meagan. Diana sent a cute cupid and doily adorned Valentine from one of her favorite etsy shops. I have a total doily crush lately. I’m waiting a week or two to see if it’s the real thing before I go out and buy hundreds of paper doilies from the craft store, but I’m soooo impatient. I’ll probably end up caving in a few days and buying a bunch of doilies only to realize I don’t know what to do with all of them. So if you have craft ideas involving doilies, send them on over!

Before her valentine arrived, I had checked out Diana’s etsy shop and fell in love with her sweet photo postcards. She sent this perfect telephone postcard along with her valentine. And then I went ahead and chose a few to purchase from her shop. I love having sweet notecards on hand – it makes sending mail so much more fun.

Meagan’s valentine arrived a couple days later. I was floored. She stitched a dictionary definition of Valentine onto a pretty piece of fabric. I love that she used neutral and blue shades and not typical Valentine red and pink. Yay for pretty embroidery.

I’ve done a lot of great swaps lately. If you are looking for a reason to craft and a way to receive a few inspiring crafts from others, I highly recommend getting in on a swap. Or find a friend who wants to do an alphabet swap with you :)

This day was good

That paper sale was serious. A box of 100 arturo flat cards: $5. Unbelievable! After the happy paper moment, it was too early to hop on the metro to head to the studio so i stopped for some frozen yogurt and ate it in the park. I got to the studio just in time to sit down for afternoon tea with other volunteers and some of the Pyramid staff and I spent the afternoon sorting type, which turned out to be incredibly relaxing. Then I came home and popped in the yoga DVD for a little stretching session with eoin finn. A tasty dinner of leftover homemade pizza and a chocolate truffle (also homemade by Mr. Moggie) and I'm actually sleepy at an appropriate time with a whole stack of library books staring from the nightstand. *Contented sigh*

I leave you with a screen grab of this awesome Etsy treasury. Good night!

Personalized Stationery

If you like the letterpress stationery I've been featuring on the blog and want your own, then check out my new etsy listing. Or shoot me an email at greymoggie [at] gmail dot com.

happy almost luv day!

Lots of my friends, single and attached, love to boycott Valentines Day.  My old roommies had a "stray cat" dinner one year.  And I know several people who celebrate by driving through a fast food joint with their significant others.  Mr. Moggie and I will use any excuse to go off budget for a meal at a splurge-level restaurant so we're not the boycotting type, though we try to avoid actually being in a restaurant on the 14th. This year is no different and we'll be dining at one of the city's best sushi restaurants tonight.

Moving along with the love theme, here's a photo of some wedding cards I printed a couple weeks ago.

Today I'll be in the studio printing Save-the-Dates for a lovely couple, which also seems like a great way to celebrate love.

And if you need something else to celebrate check out this letterpressed love letters book by Moira, a letterpress associate at Pyramid Atlantic.

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.

Holiday cards are up in the shop

What a day at the studio yesterday! It was a monster marathon session, and now I've got a pile of letterpressed goodies! Here's a little sneak peek. Find these cards in my etsy shop.

 

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!!

Aging? Maybe.

I have a birthday coming up next month, and it's a big one. Perhaps because it looms over my head currently, I think that 29 is bigger than 30. On the other hand, it * is* the last year in my twenties. It seems like the end of an era, right?

The morning after Halloween, I showed up at my local coffee shop pretty close to 8am to get started on the weekend's homework. I ordered my vanilla latte and the barista asked if I had done anything fun for the holiday. I answered with: "Yeah!" Then he asked what I did to celebrate. "I watched a scary movie with my husband and some friends. We had a nice dinner and gave candy to trick-or-treaters." And he said, "That's all?"

My excuse: "I'm old and married." He laughed and handed me my espresso drink (which was delicious, as always).

Yesterday, after a monster Income Tax class session (4 hours to make up for the fact that the prof canceled class the week Thanksgiving week) I walked home to take a nap before my next class (Trusts & Estates) in an attempt to fight off that sore throat (which has improved immensely thanks to Mr. Moggie's soup).  I looked around for a fire because I was convinced the white flakes in the air were ashes. When I didn't see or smell fire or smoke, I wondered what was falling from the sky. And then it hit me: it was snow. I felt so silly for not realizing it earlier, and sad that the childish wonderment at the year's first snow had escaped me this year.

I enjoy Saturday nights at home with Grey Moggie and Mr. Moggie more than the crazy nights from my past, I can't decide if my favorite television channel is MSNBC or the Food Network, I've developed a streak of grey hair in my bangs, and I think about things like tax shelters and annuities. I blame the greying hair and financial planning proclivities on the fact that I'm a law student, but I doubt they would be as pronounced if I were a 22-year old law student instead of a 28-year old law student.

And then, tonight, I started to feel better about it all. On Teen Jeopardy, there was a question (or is it answer?) asking what show Chad Michael Murray won a Teen Choice Award for. None of the high school student contestants rang in, but I knew: One Tree Hill. I feel so youthful!

Don't forget to leave a comment to win your own Grey Moggie greetings.

And just so you know you're not alone: Everyone hates this ad!

Get them while you still can

I just discovered Charlie Motel's etsy shop today. And how sad, because it's closing up after the holidays. Check out the shop now while everything is on sale.

photo from charlie motel etsy shop

I'm retiring early this evening with a sore throat that I'm trying to ward off before it (or something worse) interferes with my exam study schedule. So I'm off, but I leave you with this reminder to leave a comment on my last post if you want a chance to win a pack of Grey Moggie cards, and another reminder to check out all the other etsy carnival giveaways!

Etsy Greetings Carnival and a Giveaway

I recently joined the Etsy Greetings team, and it seems I've done so just in time for the big Etsy Greetings Blog Carnival. As part of the carnival, I'll be giving away some letterpressed goodies from my Etsy shop. 

Leave a comment in this post and on November 21, as part of Friday Favorites, I'll randomlypick a winner from the commenters to win 9 Grey Moggie Greetings items. Eight of the nine items are letterpressed goodies!

Check out the rest of the Carnival giveaways here.

Friday Favorites: Sunday edition

I didn't get a chance to share my favorites from the week on Friday (because I forgot), but they're just as fun on a Sunday.

Looking for a craft fair in the DC/Baltimore area?  Washington City Paper has the scoop.

 
photo from Washington City Paper

I found all sorts of new favorite Etsy shops when I was trying to decide on a favorite holiday greeting. Hammerpress has these great letterpressed holiday cards.

photo from Hammerpress Etsy shop.

Find these letterpressed holiday lovelies at LookyLoo.

photo from LookyLoo Etsy shop.

In non-holiday Etsy favorites, these cards are reminiscent of some of my favorite cards of all time: Squibnocket cards. I'm not sure whatever happened to Squibnocket, but those cards used to make me laugh so hard. And they were super sweet, too. These Thomas Printers cards bring back the witty, sweet messages and beautiful letterpressing I loved about Squibnocket.

photo from kseniya's etsy shop.

And now I'm off to finish this weekend's homework goals. Wish me luck!

December book pages

Finally. Photos of the pages from my December book. Interspersed with some of my current favorite things.

Arrested Development, the movie? It might actually happen!

Mark your calendars. A craft fair at Rock and Roll Hotel. If you're crafty and want a table, they might still be available.

Deb from Smitten Kitchen shares her tips for cooking large in a space that's small.

Tell a Lie: Cool photos from an artist who "decided to flip this lie on its head and use a camera to mimic common Photoshop effects." Very neat.

Handmade Hellos: what Grey Moggie (the blogger, not the feline) wants for Christmas.

Cast your vote again! This time for your favorite Etsy holiday greeting card.

I've been listening to a lot of Girl Talk lately. Name your own price and download his latest "album" here.

Thank you muchly

It's been one of those weeks. I spent most of the weekend catching up on non-class school stuff and ended up behind in my reading for classes. So I spent the early mornings and late nights catching up on that reading. That schedule left me walking around in a daze during normal person wakeful hours and drinking lots of caffeine so I wouldn't fall asleep in class. Also, Mr. Moggie and I, along with some friends, are planning a very fun party for Saturday night. And I'm tempted to just throw myself into that endeavor because it's so much more exciting than school work, but I can't. I am taking the professional responsibility portion of the bar exam on Saturday morning. So between now and then, I need to be taking practice exams, reviewing an outline, and going over my notes from Sunday's study session. Note: Obviously, blogging breaks are allowed; it is NaBloPoMo, after all.

So, on this, the 6th day of NaBloPoMo, I tried to find a Grey Moggie creation to share. And I realized that I haven't posted these letterpressed thank you cards yet. Letterpress thank you cards! With butterflies! And while this week has been rough, there are so many things for which to be thankful. For example:

• The election is finally over!*
• Mr. Moggie made the most excellent chocolate fudge a few days ago, so dessert has been quite a treat lately.
• The semester is way more than half over (yes, I know that fact means exams are approaching; however, it also means that I am that much closer to my final semester).
• There are so many beautiful calendars out there.
• The usual suspects: family, friends, pets, health.
• While I have little time to carry them out, I have so many projects and ideas floating around in my head. That combination is so much better than too much time and no ideas.

I think I'll try to revisit this theme every so often. It's refreshing to be reminded of all the good stuff.

*I have a lot more to say about the election, but I'm not sure this little blog is the place for it. Maybe in a later post. I will say that I did wait in line to cast my ballot on Tuesday, that I had 5 different news websites up and refreshed each every 90 seconds that evening, and that I cried during both speeches that night.

Gift tags

I'm swamped with homework and other things today, but I wanted to take a minute to share these letterpressed lovelies I whipped up in the shop a couple weeks ago. With the holidays just around the corner,* I'm hoping to find lots of ways to use these gift tags!

* Maybe it seems a little early to talk of the holidays being just around the corner, but by Christmas only one semester of law school and one bar exam** will stand between me and more freedom than I've known in a while. So please pardon my premature anticipation for that festive time of year. I've got a lot riding on it this year.
** Please let it be only one.