Inspiration

Over the last year I have enjoyed tremendous design inspiration from books we acquire for our son. I have an affinity for Japanese design, so it's no wonder I've been smitten with Japanese illustrators.

I am especially taken with this new pick, Emily's Balloon, by author/illustrator Komako Sakai. The images are elegant and tell a heartfelt story with very few words. A perfect combination. I love the hand-lettered look of the book's title, too.

Perhaps I also enjoy Emily's Balloon because it's the tale of a toddler who receives the gift of a balloon at the grocery store... falls deeply in love... only to have the balloon float away. (Despite Mommy's best efforts to keep it grounded.)

A common tale of woe in our household.

Check out this darling spread of Emily playing house with her balloon before it leaves her.

Does life get any sweeter?

Thrilling.

As many of you know, I'm currently designing, assembling and promoting my line of greeting cards and boxed stationery. However, the majority of the press work is being done by a (very talented) collaborator.

But last night I took my first thrilling step toward becoming the letterpress printer I hope to be. I have been researching, studying, watching instructional video after video about letterpress for several years now... and last night I finally did a little "doing."

It was a small step -- setting a my first lead type in order to print a little custom project -- but it was thrilling. Breathing in the studio... the smell of the presses, the ink, the quiet... the wonderful company of my new found mentor. Well, it was like being home.

Suffice it to say, it was a good day. Thanks, Ezma.

More to come.

{Photo courtesy of Vanderblog.}

ACRE - Coming out of the Closet

I made a big decision this week.

I'll be showing my little line of stationery products to the world at my first-ever trade show... in just about two months. Right now Simple Ink feels like a small, secret outpost known well in my hometown and by an intimate (and beloved) circle of retailers around the country but not beyond that network.

So this show feels like a big leap -- especially in these economic times -- but I think it's time for Simple Ink to come out of the closet.

Wish me luck.

Loving Two

Even though this blog will be primarily about letterpress printing, stationery design and running a small business, I surely won't be able to resist periodically blogging about my two year-old son who keeps me in stitches every day.

Last night he bounced happily down the stairs dragging one of his (newly) favorite books behind him. It contains the most beautiful illustrations of animal families all bedding down for the night.

Lately Ben has a knack for memorizing the titles of his books, so when his father asked him what the title of this book was, it cracked me up when Ben replied, "I dunno. Chickens Go To Sleep?"

Yeah, Buddy. Chickens Go To Sleep.

Loving Two.