I Turn Thirty...something.

Me.... thirty-um-something years ago.

This particular shot has become a bit of family lore, as the kid in the high chair looks like my son in a dress. Exactly. (I wish I could say the parallels continue and I now look just like my mother. But she's thinner and prettier. Oh well. You can't have it all.)

I'm planning on having a fun day. Hope you do, too!

P.S. The large black spot on the right hand side was our gigantic lab, Oliver. Who I loved, loved, loved, loved. The kind of dog that lets you crawl all over him, giggling and drooling. When you're one. And it's your birthday. Aren't dogs the best? Family members you never, ever forget. Even when you're thirty... something.

Craft In America

My mom is a great Finder. She finds good stuff. All the time. And, frequently, she's finding things on PBS and that are heart-stoppingly awesome.

Last year she turned me onto the PBS series Craft In America. It's not new news -- the series has been out for a while -- but if you haven't seen it... well, I can't recommend it more highly.

You can purchase the series (like I did for Mom at Christmas) in DVD format or comprised as a beautiful coffee table book. Or PBS has kindly made the series available online for free. Watch it here.

For me, watching the series was inspiring in a life-changing sort of way. Granted, I am someone who lives in the world of craft, but I think there's something for everyone in these amazing stories.

My favorite portion, of course, was the section on Julie Chen, the amazing book artist. Find a quick summary here. Or watch the whole segment on Julie in the "Process" chapter of Craft in America.

Enjoy. You'll be inspired.

My Real Boyfriend.

This morning my husband had a little minor surgery. It involved a trip to the hospital and some anesthesia. When I picked him up, the nurse looked at me and said, "He's going to be a little groggy. Take him home and put him to bed. If he gets home and remembers none of this, that's normal. No major decisions today."

To which, Jeff pipes in, "What do you mean no major decisions?"

"Don't buy a car or a house or anything today."

We smile and nod our agreement.

However, on the drive home this is really bothering (inebriated) Jeff. Despite the fact that he's slurring his speech and repeatedly asking the same questions, he thinks he's going to work and buying a house today.

"I mean, that bothers me. I'm just fine. I know what I want. A Toyota Tundra and a house on five acres. Right? I'm thinking straight."

"Yeah, Honey. Sure."

I was tempted to take him to Macy's and ask him if he likes cashmere sweaters. Or maybe the Humane Society and ask him if he likes puppies. But I didn't. I put him to bed.

{photo from our son's birth three years ago... the last time Jeff had a hospital ID band.}

My Boyfriend, Amazon.com.

I love shopping with Amazon.com for many reasons -- free shipping is high on the list -- but I am also always impressed by how well dear Amazon knows me. He "suggested" this book for me and, well, it's just perfect. Just perfect for me. What a doll.

Here's the publisher's description:

Paper: Tear, Fold, Rip, Crease, Cut shines a light on the beautiful world of paper art, fashion and design. From the traditional art of origami and paper cutting through to contemporary experiments in conceptual paper installations and modular folding, Paper celebrates one of the world’s oldest and most widely used materials in all its visual glory, providing an analogue remedy to the digital world.

Right on. Add it to the birthday list.

P&G "Kids" Olympics Ad

Makes me tear-up every time. Nice work, P&G.

Hope you're enjoying the Olympics. Go Team USA!

I *Heart* Typography

I just love this giclee print by The Birds and the Beasts. It sums up my feelings exactly. This may have to be my birthday gift to myself.

Have a great weekend!

{via the Scoop}

His Holiness Comes to Washington

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is meeting with President Obama in the White House this morning, so I'll use that event to share this favorite-of-all photos of mine.

Taken almost exactly thirteen years ago today, the photo is starting to show some wear, but my memory of the event isn't fading. We were a lucky group of American undergraduates (our beloved professor and her husband have special ties to His Holiness); lucky enough to meet with The Dalai Lama at his home in Dharamsala and have one hour to ask questions.

You know how, when you look back on your life, there are moments of time -- almost like pin pricks -- that change you and your world view forever? This was one of mine.

To read more about the Chinese occupation of Tibet and Tibet's struggle for freedom, go here and here.

The Zax

Is it just me or does it seem like every time you turn on the radio, the TV, or pick up a newspaper "Partisan Politics" smacks you in the face? Partisan this, Filibuster that, Democrats debate, Republicans refute.


Yeah. So, I couldn't help but giggle to myself as I read this yesterday. Have you seen it? Remember it from childhood?

A quick summary:

One day, in the prairie of Prax, came a North-Going Zax and a South-Going Zax. And it happened that both of them came to a place where they bumped. There they stood. Foot to foot. Face to face.


"Look here, now! " said the North-Going Zax. "I say! You are blocking my path! You are right in my way. I'm a North-Going Zax and I always go north. Get out of my way now at let me go forth!" "Who's in whose way?" snapped the South-Going Zax. "I always go south making south-going tracks. So you're in MY way! "

Then the North-Going Zax puffed up his chest with pride. "I never," he said, "take a step to one side. And I'll prove to you that I won't change my ways if I have to keep standing here fifty-nine days."

I bet you can guess where this is going.

Yep, those two silly, stubbon Zax go right on standing there in each other's way.

"Never budge! That's my rule! Never budge in the least! Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east! I'll stay here, not budging! I can and I will if it makes you and me and the whole world stand still."

Yeah. Those Zax.

Here's hoping we don't have to build a Zax ByPass over Congress.

Paisley Dog Press

My husband has been the recipient of Simple Ink cards for many, many moons, so now I make it a mission to find him cards made by other fun artists. I just loved this one by Paisley Dog Press. Great quality. Fun design. Find it here.

Babies, Babies Everywhere.

Today I'm working on some cutie birth announcements using this sweet, new Japanese Chiyogami that just came in. Nothing says New Baby like little chicks, bunnies and sheep.

Babies & Weddings. It's that time of year.

Sweetness.

V-Day: Take Two

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Since Friday's post was, well, not so sweet...here's a little sweeter side of our Valentine's Day.

Because love means not forcing your three-year-old to bring tiny, customized letterpress greeting cards to preschool on Valentine's Day. Even though you thought it would be really, really cute. And nice. And sparkly.

Because Lightning McQueen (making a mean face) is way cooler than letterpress. When you're three. And male.

Sigh.

{Thanks to my new blogger friend, Marta, for the rice crispy inspiration.}

Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay, okay. So it's the sick-and-twisted side of me that is posting this in honor of Valentine's Day. But I just think it's hilarious.

I've had this little piece of torn newspaper sitting in my desk for years and every time I unearth it, I crack up. I'll never forget sitting, holding hands with my husband (then fiance), eating an ice cream cone, and laughing hysterically when we read this.

Yeah, it's a little dark. But mostly I think it's a reminder that love -- true, deep, partnership kind of love -- isn't about the sappy stuff. It's about the decision -- a decision you make every day -- to love and be loved. Dontcha think?

Anyway, roses, chocolates and a Valentine don't hurt either. Here's hoping you get everything you want this Valentine's Day. :)

More.

Swamped today. (What is it about Thursdays?) Here is some more envelope liner fun. :)

Pretty Liners

I spent my evening cutting pretty liners for some new boxes of letterpress notes. (Well, that and watching Lost.)

This liner is particularly close to my heart, as it's the first print of chiyogami I ever purchased... which was about fourteen years ago while living in Japan.

I'd wandered into this beautiful store in Kyoto filled, floor to ceiling, with paper. The way my heart went pitter-patter, I should have known then that paper would be a big part of my future. (Sadly, I didn't figure out the paper connection for a while.)

Anyway! Here's the liner. The liner I first found over a dozen years ago, bought just one sheet, quietly rolled up and stuck in my backpack. Flash forward to today, and dozens of sheets are being shipped to me from Japan as we speak, in a package filled with tons of paper goodness.

These little babies are going in the new online shop this morning. Pick yours up here.

New Retailer -- Singing Sparrow

I'm super excited to be working with another local business, Singing Sparrow Flowers, in downtown Bend.

Singing Sparrow's owner, Nicole, is uber-talented and her retail space will stop you in your tracks. For you Bend locals, please stop by Singing Sparrow this Valentine's Day! It's the place to pick up a beautiful bouquet for your sweetie! (And a letterpress Valentine, too!)

The Classics, Reinvented

It was love at first sight when I opened my new issue of House Beautiful and saw these exquisitely bound books. (I think a wedding invitation in the blue/gray scheme would be stunning.)

If your personal library doesn't already contain copies of literary classics like Jane Eyre and Great Expectations, what an opportunity to own something beautiful! My copies from college are... um... not this lovely.

Find the lovely versions here.

{Images courtesy of Athropologie.com}

Online Store

Last night, I emerged from the fog of this nasty cold just enough to get a little work done on my online store. There is still much more to do, but I'm excited to see it coming to fruition! My priority is that folks patronize local retailers, but for people who don't have that option, I'm glad the site is up!

If you visit our website and click on "shop" you'll see the brand new online shopping cart. Just $5 flat rate shipping in the U.S. -- stock up!

I'll be adding more products over the next week, along with working on updating my Etsy shoppe. (Badly in need.)

Have a good weekend! Don't get sick! :)

Book Geeks

I love this advertisement for my favorite local bookstore, Camalli Book Company. Book Geeks Unite! If you're an Oregon local, please stop by Camalli to check out the 2400 square feet of independent bookstore goodness... including some fun Simple Ink goodies!

Monday Blues

We've got a bad case of the Monday Blues around here -- nasty head cold included. So here are some happy shots from the weekend. All hail central Oregon's beautiful Mt. Bachelor... and Simple Ink's newest Ski Racer.