it's time to announce the winners!

Once again, thank you all for your comments, it was great to hear from every one of you!

I've decided since writing the original giveaway post to expand the prizes a tad and offer a calendar not just to one commenter, but to two. Three winners in all - one will receive a goody bag of letterpress printed ephemera (cards, tags, fun stuff, whatever strikes my fancy), one will receive the 2011 calendar, and the "first place" winner will receive a calendar AND a goody bag...

So without further ado, let's get started!

folded twice...

folded thrice...

identities completely concealed, loaded into the magic bag...

shake-a, shake-a...

Here's where I digress a little...the studio cat was supposed to select the winners, but when it came down to it, she became completely uncooperative, instead choosing to circle the guitar stands and rub her whiskers on the edge of the bookshelf. So I had to pull the monkey away from his video game. I don't think his eyes left the screen as he reached into the bag to pull out the first name for the runner up winner.

the

letterpress print ephemera goody-bag:

New End Studio! (who has a blog, too!)

And for the second prize 2011 letterpress printed calendar:

Maggie! (another fellow blogger!)

And for the grand prize, a 2011 calendar and a goody bag:

Atelerlix Books!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

(I'll try to get in touch with you, but if you don't hear from my, just knock on the email button on the sidebar to reach me!)

savoring the last moments of 2010

Today I took an extension on the weekend. Since the Monkey had the day off, I decided I would indulge myself as well. Although I've done a little puttering around the studio this evening, I'm really still in vacation mode.

It feels very luxurious, especially as this year goes rocketing toward its conclusion.

Yesterday on my run my mind wandered into planning territory. For Christmas I received a book about home food production and preservation {you'll definitely hear more about this from me soon} which has made me super excited to jump-start my food garden this year. As I went over in my mind what I could currently do in my yard, what popped into my head was there 'is plenty I could still do, as it's still only November.'

What???

The day after Christmas, and my brain hasn't quite moved on from November...that's how desperately my brain needs to catch up with my body.

I'm typically terrible with time. Planning ahead, arriving to places punctually, and making the most of my limited amount of truly free, absolutely nothing to do time is not my strong suit, but it's something I've been working on. Multi-tasking around the clock has not proven to be the sanest method for me. Though things are accomplished, I'm not particularly happy with the process. So I suppose, although it's an ongoing struggle, being more mindful of my time - both my *on* time and my *off* time, is one of my most important resolutions for the new year.

I want to thank everyone, once again, very sincerely, who has commented on the giveaway post. Hearing about your resolutions has been so inspiring, so in return, I'll be dropping a few of mine into the mix this week.

*****

I also want to mention a couple of very cool sounding projects that are currently looking for funding help though Kickstarter. Letterpress lovers, lovers of history and craft education, take a look at these and spread the word if you know of anyone potentially interested.

The first is a mobile letterpress education project, Letterpress PDX, which will focus on Portland area educational demonstrations. The second, Moveable Type, is also a mobile letterpress project, but with a national scope. Moveable Type has exceeded its funding goal, but I mention it here because it seems like such a great thing, and if you're interested in receiving a visit from the Movable Type van in the near future, I think it's just a matter of getting in touch with its creator and putting in a request.

reflect and revise

hello!

I'd like to make a tiny announcement: I'm going to push the giveaway deadline back by about 24 hours. {23 hours and 59 minutes to be precise}

I know this may seem a bit sleazy, but with the holiday and people spending time with their families and friends, more than likely taking a bit of a break from the constant chatter of blogs and emails, I've decided to extend things by just a day. Commenting will officially close at 11:59 pm Monday night. On Tuesday I'll announce the winners. So many thanks to those of you who have commented so far! I'm really delighted to get to know my readers!

A wee reality playing a part in this decision is that I too have gone into a deep relaxation that I've been taking very seriously! I haven't had this much time to just hang out, eat sugary baked goods, drink mimosas, scratch the studio cat behind the ears, read, etc., etc. for months. So I'm running with it in a determined way. Plus I'd like to spend tomorrow on the mountain with the Monkey playing in the snow.

*****

On a completely unrelated tangent, have you read A Confederacy of Dunces? It's one of those novels that always makes the "Top --- Novels You Need to Read Before You Die" lists that I often ignore. Well, a copy fell into my hands, and the truth is that often there's a reason those books make it on those lists. This one is a rollicking good read, unexpectedly nuanced, and I'm busting up reading it. There you go!

yuletide bright

Be well. Be happy. Be bright.

the Keen Observations book

This book has the potential to be the perfect companion journal for the new year. It measures approximately 8" x 6.25", and contains 118 pages of 80 lb. Strathmore drawing/text paper - a hefty page that will hold up to abuse and won't bleed through.

This type of book is a hard case-bound book. After folding and sewing the signatures of the book, I backed the spine by gluing and laying on flexible Japanese paper to reinforce the spine, making the pages tight but flexible. The paste downs (the paper glued to the inside cover) is a soft, flannel-like light grey.

The hawk on the cover is a drawing of mine carved in linoleum and printed on my letterpress. Many steps, but so worth it. I really like this book!

The first color available will be this mossy greenish grey - I'm previewing it here tonight, and should have it listed tomorrow morning in the Book Store.

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far in the

giveaway post

Please leave a comment - I really would love to hear from you.

And special thanks to T. at Poppy Place for the very sweet mention of the giveaway on her blog!

Hope you're enjoying the season, no matter how you choose to celebrate, hibernate, or retreat!

it's commenting time!

I'm very happy to announce the First Ever Tiger Food Ephemera shop giveaway!

But before we start, I hope you'll indulge me as I weave a little background into my narrative. I've been dabbling in this world of making things for a time. I have a good decade of commercial print experience under my belt, a degree in fine art, and a studio practice that includes everything from weird art installations and quasi-performative work to print jobs-for-hire. I've tried, throughout the years, to reconcile my life as "worker bee" i.e. printer, with "maker of craft items" with "fine artist." Only recently, as in the last year or so, have I felt all of these roles comfortably coming together.

That is to say, wow, it's been a long journey here.

I hope this makes sense, because the point I'm trying to make is: I want to celebrate the end of a busy, productive year, and the support I've received from all of you, seen and unseen. I wouldn't have bothered to try to eek out my little place in this world if I hadn't thought there were people watching and listening.

So here is where you come in. I'd love to hear from you! And by you, I mean those of you who do often comment, but especially those of you who visit quietly. I'm interested in you, reader. I'd like to know who you are. So don't be shy. You are welcome to come out of the woodwork just this once at least, to say hi.

Here are the rules. If you've skipped my boring monologue so far, fine. Just read this:

To enter ~ Simply leave a comment answering one or both of these questions.

1. How did you stumble upon this blog, and are you a regular visitor? (OK, so that's two questions in one. Just humor me! And feel free to be perfectly frank. First time visitor and plan to return? Or are you just here for the giveaway with no plans to come back because I've bored you to tears? That's totally reasonable. Do you stop by periodically? Daily? Elaborate as much as you'd like.)

~and/or~

2. What are your New Years resolutions, if any? Tell me about your plans for 2011 - whatever they may be - I'll admit I'm one of those suckers who likes to make resolutions. There's something rejuvenating about a symbolic clean slate and the possibility of a fresh new direction. Do you stick to your plans or do they fizzle out? I truly, honestly love hearing about this stuff!

Here's the rub: if you answer both questions you'll be entered twice. Huzzah!

AND there will be THREE winners, chosen completely randomly from the list of commenters. The big huzzah will be one of my 2011 letterpress printed calendars! Second and third huzzah will be a fabulous shwag bag full of letterpress printed goodness.

So let's get started! Comments will be open until midnight, PST, Monday, December 27. Later that day I'll draw names using a super double-blind name-drawing dealie and I'll make my announcements.

And finally, thank you so, so much!!

P.S. Remember to check out the eclipse tonight if you can!

good monday morning to you!

*A couple of things keeping me busy in the Tiger Food Press studios this week*

New journals on their way to the nipping press.

I'm calling this one the 'Keen Observations' book. A journal with the perfect amount of heft in just the right size. Easy to slip into your bag to take along wherever you go, but substantial enough to write and draw without feeling cramped.

The Red-Tailed Hawk is one of the most common predator birds seen in the Portland area. I see them frequently during my walks in the natural areas near my house. Often they are keenly scanning the landscape for little creatures as I am scanning the landscape for inspiration.

I hope to have these ready mid-week. They'll be available in at least two cloth colors, with a silverish-gold hawk printed from my hand-carved linoleum block on the cover.

Last week I started working on new prints. I'm really excited about them - I've been meaning to create more small prints for the ephemera shop, and I have several sketches in place and type set for more after this. These are in progress. There are two more press runs and colors to lay down on these before I can call them finished, but I wanted to show them in progress since I'm really pleased with how they are turning out.

There's also a story behind this image, and hopefully {hopefully!} this print will be the start of a short series of prints inspired by the same theme...I'll tell you all about it when I have this print finished and ready to show.

Well, I'm taking the last sip from my coffee now. I'm off to OCAC to assess the damage finals brought to the book arts studios. I'm sure it will seem awfully quiet up there with most of the students gone for the holidays.

A little later today I'm going to announce my first ever Tiger Food Ephemera giveaway, so I'll see you later!

December lights, urban scavenging, fire, wine

Hello, hello, good evening, and cheers!

I can't believe it's already 8:00 pm here on the west coast. The weeks and weekends are flying by at madcap speed, carrying me along in a tumbling wind. But I'm finally finding purchase and taking hold...tonight I'm sitting alone by the fire, listening to Chopin, drinking a glass of Cabernet, and catching my breath - for the first time in many days. I've abandoned holiday shopping plans, mopping the floor plans, getting things done plans to just

take a breath.

And

then

another.

I have some new work to show you, but I think I'll wait until Monday. There's no urgency. I'm trying to relax and luxuriate in that realization.

Today I tidied up some binding projects, (some of which I'll be presenting soon) drank copious cups of black tea, strung tiny white lights around the front door of our house while the Monkey baked cookies and plied me with hot coffee. The studio cat has been catching up on her lap sitting time. The fire is crackling (I've already mentioned that, haven't I?) & I think I'll do a little more holiday decorating before taking my wine and a pile of indulgent magazines with me to bed.

Last week the Monkey and I took a little two block jaunt over to our local park. Every year when we get a good wind storm the ground becomes littered with evergreen boughs, and I typically make a few trips into the urban forest to pick up a few choice fallen branches. This year we found an enormous stash of cedar branches recently blown down. We each grabbed as many as we could carry in our arms and hauled them home, where I tied together this doorway garland.

I hope you are able to take some time to breath during this hectic season.

Peace and be well.

P.S. Ooh, ooh! I almost forgot! I'm planning on hosting a first ever Tiger Food Ephemera giveaway early next week in time for the new year. Look for details on Monday!

freshly minted

Introducing: the Both Sides, Now book

Joni Mitchell lyrics often pop unbidden into my head during our long months of rain and clouds here in the Pacific Northwest.

"I've looked at clouds from both sides now

from up and down, and still somehow

it's cloud illusions I recall

I really don't know clouds at all"

A long concertina book, she measures about 7" x 10" when closed, but can be opened and drawn or written on continuously for a little over 14 feet. And that's if you were to only use one side of the paper. Go ahead and use both sides.

Available now in the shoppe.

treasuries!

I forgot to mention earlier - I'm thrilled to have had my calendar selected for two recent treasuries: A New Year (Please click and check it out in person) from Aliciablim on Etsy

and Ready for 2011 from Flutterbudget

I'm really honored to have been featured with all of these great calendars -

Happy shopping!

Choreograph and The Possibility of Being Fully Rewritten

Oh, I am so remiss in not getting to this show earlier in it's run. If you can, if you are anywhere near Lake Oswego/Marylhurst University today - check out the show at the Art Gym, open Noon - 4 pm today - today is the last day to see this show.

"Choreograph" is exhibited in the main gallery, presenting work by Emily Ginsburg and Jane Lackey. Movement, communication, tracking, and mapping from our quotidian, repetitive actions, to a more inscrutable choreography of pattern and circuits are represented both texturally and graphically.

Inge Bruggeman has a small show in the little room in the Art Gym, "The Possibility of Being Fully Rewritten - or 5 Ways to Enter (or Exit) the Book" is spare but voluptuous. Giant stacks of letterpress printed "take-aways" meet you at the entrance of the room, their gorgeous deckles undulate in pulpy waves. It seems a shame to "disturb" the stack by actually taking one of the gorgeous prints offered. On the opposing wall, pamplet booklet pages gently sway as you pass them, breath on them while peeking around the edges of their crisp white pages that remind us to "inhale" and then "exhale." {funny how I keep finding yogic principles filtering into my life in unexpected ways.}

Take a rain day, an artist date, and go see some art. You won't regret it.

a week in review

1. gathering evergreen boughs in the park nearby

2. a multiple day vet clinic experience for the Studio Cat (she's ok, just needed to have a procedure done that required an extended hospital stay)

3. the joy of bringing Studio Cat home again!

4. a complete day off

5. listening to the audiobook of "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters

6. coyote sighting, nervous geese

7. 5k race this morning after 3 hours of sleep

ta da - calendar!

I don't really want to just drop off another post and run, but things are not slowing down here tonight...

I'm in the middle of deciding whether I should attempt a few midnight binderies before tomorrow's sale, or call it a night after finishing up my packing.

Which will win out? Good sense and exhaustion or insanity and last minute planning?

hmmm...

Well, I'm really happy to announce that the 2011 calendar poster is finally, finally printed! Hurray, huzzah, boy-howdy! I'll take its pretty picture and get it listed in the Tiger Food Ephemera shop late Saturday night or Sunday, but if you can't wait - it will be for sale tomorrow at the Kenton Firehouse Sale.

That's about all I can muster for now, folks.

Nighty-night!

late night troubadour

fresh out of the press

And available at Tiger Food Books.

Guestbook, small photo album, scrapbook...I feel like these are pretty versatile. I used vintage wallpaper on the covers, and one of my favorite printmaking papers that holds up well to all kinds of abuse from pen and ink, pencils, charcoal, markers - anything you might want to use to add content to these crisp white pages.