letterpress business cards for katemoak.com

letterpress business card
Originally uploaded by purlyshells

Here are some business cards I designed and printed. I really love how these turned out.

They are printed on crane's lettra, 100% cotton paper. The paper was handtrimmed to press size, and I trimmed the rounded corners by hand too. The lovely shade of blue ink is pantone 325.

Kate was kind enough to take some pictures of her new business cards for my portfolio. She is an amazing photographer! Please visit her at katemoak.com and take a peek at more of her photos.

Birth Announcements & Scrapbook Notecards

I had some printing blocks made last week and wanted to try them out. The first block shows 2 little boys, one pulling the other in a little wagon. The other block is a picture of a bunny. I thought they would look very sweet on birth announcements.

So I woke up early on Saturday and printed up some birth announcements and notecards for a friend.

For the birth announcements, I handset the type using a script font for the baby name and Centaur for the rest of the announcement.

The 3.5x5" notecards are for a scrapbook a friend made for her god daughter's graduation party. Guests are asked to write a note to "Paola", then slide each notecard into a little pocket in one of the scrapbook pages. Very sweet. For the paper, I chose an 80lb cardstock so the scrapbook wouldn't be too bulky with all the notecards gathered into a pocket. The font is also Centaur (such a beautiful font!)

letterpress in action: current projects & a kluge film from northern lights

I've been busy printing any chance I get. Although I'm happy to be printing so much, the downside is sadly I've neglected my little blog. Here are a couple things I've been working lately (personalized stationery and coasters):





One other thing I wanted to share is this really cool video. It shows a Kluge printing press in action with lots of closeups.

A Kluge is gigantic compared to the Chandler & Price printing press I have. The printing area on a Kluge is 12x18" and on my press it's 8x12".

I'd love to make a video like this for my little press. Someday!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
Originally uploaded by purlyshells

We spent a cozy new year's eve at home. We got the fireplace going and watched "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and "Survivor Man" until about 11:30 haha. Then we counted down the new year with Dick Clark.

The little one didn't quite make it and fell asleep in my arms at 11:30pm. My oldest boy and I gave each other a hug and kiss at midnight and then we went looking for daddy. He went to wash up around 11 and we didn't hear another peep out of him! We found him taking a snooze on the bed so we piled on him and gave him a kiss too.

They say whatever you do on new year's eve is a sign for the year to come. If that's true, I don't mind spending more quiet times at home with my family!

Happy New Year and all the best for 2009...

letterpress christmas card

letterpress christmas card
Originally uploaded by purlyshells

Update: Hello friends! It's been so long but I'm going to start blogging again over at techmomboss.com. Hope to see you there xo

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Last weekend, I worked on our christmas cards. I printed them using my new old printing press.

I splurged and used this paper from Crane's -- lettra 220lb weight -- which is a luxuriously thick 100% cotton paper. This paper is made specifically for letterpress.

It took me a weekend to finish them. I printed the first color (grey) on a Friday night, the second color (red) the following night, then mounted them on grey cardstock. I addressed all the envelopes on Sunday.

Christmas Gifts

Christmas Gifts: Jars of BBQ Sauce
Originally uploaded by purlyshells

christmas gifts: 2009 wall calendar
Originally uploaded by purlyshells

Kurt gave jars of BBQ sauce as christmas gifts for his co-workers. I helped him by designing and gocco printing all the labels. Then I tied them with string to the jars.

For my co-workers, I designed and printed wall calendars. It's a 4 page calendar, with 3 months to a page and on each page there is a different design which I also printed using my gocco. It was quite a bit of work. I had to print all 4 pages in one night, and one of the pages was in 2-color! I think they turned out pretty nice and my teammates seemed happy with them too.

crafty weekend: gift tags and note cards

Did lots of crafting this weekend. I made gift tags, book plates and some note cards printed on my gocco printer. So much fun! Except for the BBQ invitation I'll be adding these into my etsy shop.


1. holiday gift tags, 2. holiday gift tags, 3. holiday gift tags, 4. BBQ invitation, 5. little drummer boy holiday card, 6. book plate, 7. flourish gift tag, 8. vintage skates gift tag, 9. mitten gift tag

we've been boo'd

we've been boo'd
Originally uploaded by purlyshells

Look what we found on our doorstep tonight -- halloween goodie bags! Every year at this time we get "boo'd" and find a treat on our doorstep. They didn't sign their name but we're pretty sure who it's from. We have some friends who are really into the spirit.

What fun, here's what the note says:

You've Been Boo'd

The air is cool, the season is fall
soon boo's will come to all

The treat that came with this special note
is yours to keep, enjoy them both.

The fun comes with friends like you.
Now copy this and make it two.

Then others here among our friends,
will give warm fuzzies that will never end.

We'll all have smiles upon our face,
No one will know who Boo'd each place.

Just one short day to work your fun,
Or a big ZAP will strike so run!

And don't forget a nifty treat,
Like something cute or something sweet.

Please join the fun, let's really wear it,
And spread some BOO'S and lots of spirit.