Archive for the ‘letterpress’ Category

A little Illinois

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

I think wherever a person is from he or she carries a love/hate relationship with the place. In my case, I tend to carry it with me everywhere. When I am away, I start to miss Chicago, but while I am here I long for so many other places. I’m just a restless soul and I think most of us are. Maybe this is why I’ve gotten so many request to do a few states from one person. West Virginia and Florida? Texas and California please! Indiana and what about South Carolina? It a mobile, ever moving world, why stay put? Why not belong to one or two places? Heck, give me three places to call home!

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Illinois, Meet Me in the Middle / 11 x 14 three color letterpress print on 140lb paper printed on a Vandercook #3

This guy is now in the shop and I will have them at the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend in Wicker Park in Chicago. Hope to see you there!

California Print Giveaway!

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

I haven’t had any giveaways in a while, so I think it’s about time! I had a wonderful time in San Francisco at the Renegade Craft Fair and it was fantastic seeing returning customers and meeting new friends.

I love maps, vintage travel brochures, plotting points, and day dreaming about these places. Perhaps it’s rooted in the family road trips we took when we were younger. We were allowed to sit in the front seat only if we were to help navigate (or if we were fighting!). Before our smart phones and GPS systems, we had to plot points and plan. Last year, when I drove to San Francisco from Chicago with two friends, we stopped in Nebraska to debate a detour to Southern Utah’s Goblin Valley and if we would have enough time. Being smart phone-less at the time, we had to figure it out the old fashion way with time we had and the miles we would need to drive. It worked out perfectly and felt entirely archaic, yet accomplished. So, here is the first poster in a series of many inspired by the sense of adventure and travel! And yes, it’s the fine state of California.

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California poster, 11×15, two color letterpress print printed on a Vandercook 3

Here’s how to go about entering:
1.) Become a fan of Paper Parasol Press on our Facebook page.
2.) Make a comment below confirming that you are a fan with you lovely name and last name or last initial. (if you’re already a fan, just leave your name!)
3.) Twitter about this post -and link your twitter below in the comments. Our twitter is: paperparasolprs
4.) Or, blog about this entry and post link below.

* Please make sure your name is linked to the comment, a twitter account, website, email, or blog, so I can contact you if you win!

*Names will be drawn on Monday, August 23 at 8:00pm central standard time and I will contact you via one of the social networking sites for your mailing address!

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And if you are not from California, but would like your state in a letterpress poster, please tell me what state! Next ones up are: Illinois, New York, and Texas!

A Movin’ and a Shakin’

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Well, looks like Olga, my 12×18 Chandler and Price has a new friend – a Vandercook #3 from the 1950s inspected by a H.L. Keller and made right here in Chicago, Illinois! She seems very Americana too me – so, her name is Ellie Mae. Yes, I now have a hometown-er in the studio! Moving was a ran smoothly for the most part. The hardest was getting the 800lb press on these two piano dollies and rolling the press down the ramp into the truck. Once we got to my studio the challenge was rolling her up the ramp to the dock – phew. My heart was holding its place both times! Luckily, I have some pretty wonderful men in my life who helped – My dad, Drew, and my Dziadz (my grandfather). Yes, my amazing grandfather helped! Once we got back to the apartment, Drew and I needed a nap. I knew my Dziadz would be right back at work at his house in the burbs. I called him today to check up on him and it was no surprise that he did outdoor chores after the big move! As he put it, “Every day is a good day!” Which proves, that if you stay busy and young at heart, life is so much more rewarding!

Here are some photos of the move:
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left from right: The press in her downtown location in the West Loop, putting the press on the dolly, the carriage all taped up and ready to go, moving down the ramp.

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The new press, at home in the studio on Ravenswood, Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

A Romantic view…

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Last week I finished a huge custom order 175 two color invites, R.S.V.P. cards, and reception cards for an upcoming wedding in September. This was also the first custom job I printed on my 12×18″ Chandler and Price letterpress. It was good taking on the challenge because I learned how to work with the press Also, working with handwriting can be a bit tricky. I took a scan and cleaned it up as much as possible in Adobe Photoshop. I then brought the file into Adobe Illustrator, as I prefer vector over raster for fonts, and after using live trace I resorted to the smooth tool and pen tool to clean it up. Overall, a lot of work, but worth the final piece. Using a handwriting instead of a standard font really adds character and uniqueness to a piece.

Tina + Mark blog

Two color letterpress print on 220lb Lettra paper
Printing was a lot of work, but I loved the way they turned out! 220lb paper is like butter!

National Stationery Show

Monday, May 24th, 2010

I survived my very first The National Stationery Show. (eeek?) Alright, it was not as bad as I had always imagined it to be. In fact, thanks to my wonderful boothmates, everything ran smoothly. I even got to meet some of my favorite store owners and new ones! I am very happy with the stores I did pick up! I just mailed two orders out with Father’s Day cards to Broadway Paper in Milwaukee and Aldea Home in San Francisco – both amazing cities and stores!
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Our booth set up

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booth cupcakes for my birthday! What a wonderful way to say hello to 28!

Thanks to my boothmates, Kelly/Paper Stories, Ali/BirdDogPress, Robin/Robin Beth Designs, Laurie/Lucky Bee Press, and Amy and to our New York/Brooklyner friends who helped celebrate my birthday – Meredith, Rachel, Bill, Robin, + Tristan!

Stay tuned, because we are going to be busy all year round with our Let {Her} Press collective! Alright, blog, you were a lovely distraction for the time being, but I have to get back to orders! Cheers!

I am still alive n’ kickin’!

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Ahhh… almost National Stationery Show time. Wait, let’s try this again: AHHH!!!

This is the last weekend before the show, which officially starts Sunday May 16th and runs until Wednesday May 19th. This is Paper Parasol Press’ freshman year at the show. I’ve always wanted to go and actually walk the show, but I am known to just jump in with two feet. I am lucky enough to be sharing a booth with a few veterans in the Let {Her} Press collective. Firstly, I am very honored to be part of this talented pool of ladies and secondly, I probably could not have done this without their guidance. There are so many details to think of – from ordering the walls and electricity to bringing a mini stapler (I got one with orange staples – Yessss.) We also had to coordinate between all of us on show details. So, taking something as big as the NSS and making it manageable works really well! With this economy, it’s really feasible.

We did get into Stationery Trend Magazine!
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Who are the ladies of Letterpress? Check it out:
Paper Stories | Grayslake, Illinois
Robin Beth Designs | Haworth, New Jersey
BirdDogPress | Lyons, Colorado
Lucky Bee Press | Santa Cruz, California

Looking forward to the show next weekend – safe travels to everyone attending!
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With that, see ya’ll in New York City!

A little game…

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

never hurt anyone – especially if it happens to be mounted on the wall.
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Know someone who has game? Why not send them this thank you card for all their kindness. These guys will soon be up on the shop, but I have to work out some odds and ends before any major updates.

my inner cowgirl….

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

came out and designed and printed this card:

Sweet to Boot, size: 4bar, 2 color letterpress

Sweet to Boot, size: 4bar, 2 color letterpress

Not only do I think of the cowboys and gals of the Wild West when I see boots, but Patsy Cline with a rhinestone and fringe cowgirl dress singing her heart out. This sweet little card can be a love card, thank you card, or just a “gosh-darn-it, you’re simply wonderful” card. The inside comes letterpress printed with a horse shoe and read: I’m lucky to have you.

I have lots of new goodies waiting for me to score and fold, so stay updated! I may not release all designs and printing till May, but the line is currently up to 19 designs and looking to hit 24 in the next week. Right now I am working on some holiday cards for 2010 – trying to stay ahead of the curve. I figure since there is still snow on the ground it may put me in a holiday frame of mind.

Have a lovely night, ladies and gents!