satsuma press // journal

a January recipe

2012-01-13T20:05:00.000-08:00

Well hello again. It's been a while. For me – after all the crazy busy of November and December – January is a month of calm. It's a month for doing these kinds of things: reading (so far, in the past few weeks, I've read this, this and this)and cooking and knitting (right now, this pattern with this yarn in the prettiest silver bought from this yarn shop in PDX) and just being. I love it; it's just what I need.

I've been wanting to make pretzel rolls for the longest time – ever since I had them from Little T Bakery and also made into croutons at Gruner. Last month I was in San Francisco and Wayne, Heidi and I stopped in at Bi-Rite one evening and I got a pretty fine pretzel, topped with pumpkin seeds. It's safe to say that pretzels, in one form or another, have been on my mind for some time now.

Today I found myself with a nice bit of free time in the afternoon and so I made them. And, I'm happy to report that they are easy to make, easier to eat. Here's how:

Pretzel Rolls

1-1/2 cups warm water
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp active dryyeast

Combine the water, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture foams.

4-1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 ounces melted unsalted butter

Add flour and melted butter to the mixer bowl. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until combined. Change to medium speed and mix approximately 4 or 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and satiny.

Oil a large bowl (I used grapeseed oil) and transfer the dough to it. Turn once to coat and then cover with a clean dishtowel (not terry cloth as this will stick). Let sit in a warm place til it has doubled in size. This take 45-60 minutes. I use the bread proofing setting in the warmer drawer of our oven, but you can also just put it in a warm place, like on the stove top.

Bring 10 cups of water and 2/3 cups of baking soda to a rolling boil in a wide pot.
Preheat your oven to 450, with the racks set in the middle.

Meanwhile, turn out the dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. I found that I didn't need to oil or flour the work surface; the dough is very pliable and didn't stick or break at all. I enlisted the help of my 5th grade friend, Sophie, who is the older sister of Liam's best friend, Sadie. I thought Liam and Sadie would like to help, but they were more interested in racing slot cars. Anyway, neither Sophie or I were able to get the hang of actual pretzel shapes so we just made knots. (You could also just roll little balls of dough and then cut an 'x' shape on their tops after the poaching step.) Place the shapes on parchment lined baking sheets. I brushed the parchment with a little grapeseed oil just to be sure they wouldn't stick.

Place the pretzels in the boiling water – I put 4 in at a time – for 30-45 seconds, turning over or pressing down gently to submerge. Remove with slotted spoon back to the parchment lined baking sheets. When all the rolls have been poached, brush the tops with the egg wash (1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp water). Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating pans half way through – top to bottom, front to back, til the pretzel rolls are a dark golden brown. Let cool at least 5 minutes – this seems to let the crust develop that chewiness that is so good! We ate ours, still warm, with a generous amount of unsalted butter.

These are SO easy and I have a feeling they'll be in heavy rotation around here. I already plan to experiment with this basic recipe, perhaps swapping out some of the water in the dough with beer or buttermilk for extra flavor, different flour combinations and various toppings (coarse ground pepper, aleppo, grated cheese, pumpkin seeds, etc).

One last thing to note – don't store these in an airtight container because the salt will cause them to get soggy and weird. Either have a pretzel eating frenzy, invite some friends over, give the extras to a neighbor or store them in a paper bag.

+ + +

I almost forgot to mention that I wrote a short little piece for Volume 2 of Kinfolk. It's called Morning Hours and I'm honored to have a small part in such a truly lovely publication. It's available in print or for iPad.

Liam's Super Awesome Robot Tees!!

2011-12-01T10:04:00.001-08:00

Liam's Robot Tees are here – and they are just the best. I couldn't be happier with the way these came out. They're printed with silver ink on galaxy blue, perfect for girls and boys. They're really great gifts – organic cotton, made here is the US by American Apparel, silk-screened locally, artwork by Liam.

All the sales from these tees go toward Liam's Special Needs Trust which we are lucky to have, but need to replenish because, truth be told, the medical expenses are vast and never-ending, even in healthy years.

In advance, a million thanks.

starry and bright

2011-11-29T14:18:00.001-08:00

Last week I bought the most beautiful constellation calendar from Little Bright Studio. It's silk-screened, silver ink on dark indigo blue paper – just lovely. A flurry of emails followed between Amy Nieto and I – and just like that, a simple and stunning collaboration.

It's a 7 x 11 print, on dark charcoal gray paper with gold ink. To make the metallic ink really shine, I underprint with two layers of opaque white followed by two layers of gold. (I printed these cards for Shanna Murray over the summer with the same technique – labor intensive for sure, but so amazing.) I'll be bringing the constellation prints to Sunday Best this Friday and Saturday or you can order them from my online shop right here.

Don't forget – tomorrow is the last day to use the 25% discount (code EQCCWN) in the shop. You can use that for everything but custom orders and Liam's Robot Tees. And also because of my holiday schedule, the shop will close on December 13th – not so far off!

on reading, thanksgiving menu, etc

2011-11-21T19:00:00.001-08:00

Liam has the whole week of school off for the first time. I actually love this as the past two years, when he was in kindergarten and then first grade, he's only had Thursday and Friday off which has made Thanksgiving such a whirlwind. I wish that I wasn't so busy right now, but I am (the before and after school sale, and the 3 big holiday sales in Portland and San Francisco).

We have a house full of friends arriving for Thanksgiving in a few days. I think the final count is 17 adults and 6 kids, not including Ben and Liam and I. And so I'm trying to get a lot done – because starting Wednesday afternoon through Friday night, I'm on vacation, right here at home.

Of course, we left off cleaning the basement til this weekend. It's not like this task has snuck up on us; it's just gotten pushed to the wayside again and again. But I am happy to report that it is spic and span down there now – and much of the reason why we were able to do this is that reading just clicked with Liam on Saturday. Now, he has been a good reader, well above average for sure, for some time. We read to him every day, and he reads out loud most days. On Saturday, though, Ben set him up in his stander in the basement with the first Harry Potter book (which he's had read to him before). And he read. And read. And read. Not out loud, just to himself. From Saturday to this morning, he read 118 pages. All by himself. And I think that is wonderful.

+ + +

Thanksgiving Menu

dry brined turkey (a la Zuni Cafe Roast Chicken, my favorite, from this local farm)stuffing with celery, sage and chestnuts
mashed yukon gold potatoes
seared brussels with lemon and cream
swiss chard gratin with buttery bread crumb topping
raddichio salad with parmesan, anchovy olives, baguette toasts and lemon-olive oil dressing
gravy

That's what I'm making. Others are bringing snacks, a ham, cranberry sauce, green salad, pumpkin pie. Can you tell I have a hard time not cooking EVERYTHING all by myself?

+ + +

I really want to make and eat these. I meant to make them over the weekend, but didn't have time. Maybe tomorrow, as a pre-Thanksgiving treat. Liam will love them. We are serious about our pumpkin pie around here. (For me, it's all about the pumpkin pie – no other kind – and the stuffing and gravy.) Liam asked me a few weeks ago when I was on a pumpkin pie making binge whether I could make just the filling. He called it a pot de pumpkin.

+ + +

I'm having such a hard time remembering that it's already pretty much the end of November! I don't know for sure yet, but my online shop is probably going to need to close a little earlier than usual this year because I'll be leaving for San Francisco on December 15th and not returning til the 18th. I don't know that I will have time to ship again when I return – nor will I know what sort of inventory will be left. I'll make a decision soon and let you know.

holiday shows

2011-11-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Oh boy, I have busy weeks ahead of me! Here's the list of places you can find me during December. Click on the images for more information.

I'm also doing a little before-and-after school sale at Liam's school on November 30th and December 1st, if you're local. Same as last year, 25% of the sales from that will be donated to the arts program at his school!

+ + +

I had an idea for Mailbox Monthly that I hope I can put together just for the shows. I thought it would be fun to be able to buy a gift subscription but be able to walk away with something to actually give or send in time for the holidays. So what about if for $5 extra, you can pick any single card you like, plus I'll fill out the membership card to tuck in with it?

+ + +

And, also – a quick note that Liam's robot tee shirts are on their way! I chose American Apparel because they have an organic line. These only come with short sleeves – but I still consider them good year round since they can be layered over long sleeves, right? Right. I picked the best color – galaxy blue, a deep teal/peacock – and the robot will printed in silver. I think it is perfect for both girls and boys. I'll have them online and at the Portland and San Francisco shows! Remember, all sales go toward Liam's Special Needs Trust ♥

elevens!

2011-11-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

It's 11.11.11 today! All weekend long, use the code 3ELEVENS for 33% off your order in the shop. No custom or calling card orders or mailbox monthly, but everything else ...

mailbox monthly returns

2011-11-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to let you know that I've started Mailbox Monthly again! I've changed it up a little bit, but here's the deal – during the second week of each month, subscribers will receive an assortment of 5 letterpress cards. It'll be different each month – sometimes brand new designs, sometimes tried and true ones. It's the perfect gift for yourself or for anyone who loves letterpress, plus an encouragement to write letters! The return of Mailbox Monthly is just in time for all the winter holidays. Check out details right here.

weekend special

2011-11-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Weekend special, just because. Take 25% off your order of $50 or more. (That's for anything in the shop except custom holiday cards and calling cards, please.) Use this code – G1XS7B – now through Sunday at midnight ... Go on, stock up for the holidays. You'll be glad you did.

heart wreath tags

2011-11-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Next week I will be printing these brand new heart wreath tags. They'll be perfect for your holiday gift giving (but, really, good all year round – which makes them that much better, if you ask me). I'm almost out of all other tags – holiday wreath and foliage, round bird – but hope to find time to reprint all of these as well. The made with love ones are in stock, though, and I like to use these for hand-knitted goodies, home-baked cookies, and the like.

And also ... If you're the holiday card sending type, there's a short window of time that I'm able to print custom holiday cards for you! I'm gearing up for a busy couple months with several sales in Portland (this favorite one and another top secret one – more to come on that soon), one at Liam's school (I did this last year, very impromptu, and donated 25% of my proceeds to the art program – this was over $400!), and Renegade in San Francisco (and it's no secret how much I love that place).

And, last of all, I've started up MAILBOX MONTHLY again! The details are here.

giving thanks

2011-10-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday. I think there is little better than a day spent in the kitchen, a meal shared with friends and family. Every other year, we get together with a big group of friends. This year is one of those, and I'm so looking forward to it.

I printed these giving thanks cards meant to be used at Thanksgiving, or for bringing in the New Year. People complete the sentence: This year I give thanks for __________________ . And then add their name and date at the bottom. Simple and sweet.

Printed in ochre ink, four fonts, sets of 12 for $8. Right here.

And a new post over at We Love Liam – a little bit on where we are right now, on asking and possibly receiving.

perfect fall weekend

2011-10-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend in Lincoln City. We were asked by someone at City Hall there if we would be willing to come there as their guests, to help assess accessibility in their town. So we did! The coast has generally not been our first choice for places to go – other than quick trips to the aquarium. See, beaches are not really that great for wheelchair users. The sand is nearly impossible to maneuver in – plus it works its way into the wheels and bearings ... and that's an awful mess in more ways than one. We rented this great house a few years ago (and actually the owner of this house is now our house mate as she's in graduate school here).

Anyway. There was a short list of places to go and things to do – and we were happy to do them. The weather could not have been more perfect – 60s and sunny which is hard to beat anywhere, but especially at the Oregon Coast.

We went for a few walks on accessible trails, bought and flew a kite (on a beach we could drive right on to – although we still had to have Liam use his stander instead of his Snappie), ate out, slept in.

It was a great weekend. Liam missed school on Monday – but I figured, why not? It was so worth it.

And, to end that long weekend just right – we got Liam a kitten! I guess this weekend might be kind of dull in comparison, right?

some favorites

2011-10-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

I made a treasury on Etsy of some of my favorite things there. Lots and lots of pretty – go see for yourself right here.

Also, Liam has a crush and it's the cutest thing ever.

cloth paper clay

2011-09-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about the collaboration, CLOTH PAPER CLAY, that I've been working on with two hugely talented friends: Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx and Lisa Jones of Pigeon Toe Ceramics. I've worked with Heather before on a few projects – letterpress cards featuring her artwork, as well a line of cards for Heath Ceramics.

As soon as Heather let me know that she'd be in the US in September, we decided that it was the perfect time to work together again. Since she wanted to come to Portland, we asked Lisa to join us in the project. It really could not have been a more seamless effort – similar aesthetic and mindsets make it all quite simple.

We’re debuting a new limited-edition collaboration featuring illustrations from Heather and myself on our respective mediums – textile, letterpress, ceramics – and each piece is just beautiful. Heather will be joining us in person all the way from South Africa and so we'll all be together in Portland next Monday, September 26th at West Elm in the Pearl, along with the extremely lovely Grace Bonney who will be signing her new book, Design Sponge at Home!

WHEN // September 26th from 6-8:30 pm

WHERE // West Elm, Pearl District, 1201 NW Couch Street, Portland, Oregon

Please RSVP right here – it's not necessary, but helpful.

Also – there will be ice cream from Salt & Straw, a lovely backdrop designed by Cori Kindred and photographer Amy Nieto on hand. Don't miss out – we'd all love to see you there!

P.S. You might like to sign up for my newsletter right here. There are all kinds of discounts and sneak peeks.

second grade!

2011-09-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Liam's first day of second grade! He had a great day. I was going to work, work, work – but instead I did nothing at all. His first day back, my lazy day at home. Yes! Today, though – studio time for sure. There are many things to be printed!

It was 95 degrees out and is going to stay that way all week so it's a good thing we have our new cedar hot tub, courtesy of Make A Wish Foundation (which Liam was referred to after our two week stay in the hospital last February).

One of Liam's very best friends is leaving today for a year in Singapore. They became friends the first day of kindergarten and he lives just three blocks away from us. We'll miss him, but hope they'll be together again for third grade.

Look at that smile on Liam's face! Could it possibly get any bigger and brighter? His smile makes me smile.

2012 calendar // sneak peek

2011-08-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just a little sneak peek of the 2012 calendar ... I'm hoping to have them ready for sale at the end of September, although that month is already super busy, so it might just be October. Sign up for the newsletter if you want to be among the first to know when it's in the shop ...

I cleaned the studio today – long overdue! I'm prepping for the calendar and also for a pretty exciting project with these two lovely ladies: Heather of Skinny laMinx and Lisa of Pigeon Toe Ceramics. We'll be getting together in person at the end of September in Portland – more on this soon.

And, also – I had a fantastic time in San Francisco with Heidi. She (and Wayne) were quite possibly the best hosts ever. I really love it when internet friends become real life friends. (I made some herb cream cheese scrambled eggs for Heidi which you can see right here.) I wandered around the city with friends old and new, ate really good food (here, here, here) and had good conversation, and even made it to the Alameda Flea Market at a very early hour (where I scored a pair of Frye boots). I can't wait to find a reason to go back.

a thank you sale

2011-07-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

The sun is finally shining here! There are many things to be thankful for, don't you agree? How about this little discount – 20% off your entire order (not including calling cards, please) with the code THANKYOU. Go pick out a few things for yourself, for a friend – and give thanks.

new thank you cards + where I'm headed soon

2011-07-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have some brand new thank you cards printed. I rarely print cards with sayings, because then they become outdated or out of season – but thank you never fails, does it? I'm especially loving the combination of flowers and stripes in cheerful yellow. Apparently, stripes never fail either, at least not for me.

I'm working like a crazy person right now as I get ready to head out to San Francisco in a week and a half. As you might know, I decided not to go to Renegade SF a few weeks ago, but I'm going to be participating in this event. I've never done anything quite like this so I'm not sure what to expect, but I'll be bringing the thank you cards you see above, some of my favorite stationery designs and some wedding invitation samples. I hope to meet lots of friendly people there.

I love to visit San Francisco, and I'm super excited to stay with this very lovely person while I'm there. And to have coffee with this lady. And to meet up with some high school friends that I haven't seen in a long while. (I graduated from high school in 1993, to give you an idea of how long it's been.) And to eat here, where I'd happily eat every day of my life. And drink coffee here. And maybe have the patience to brave the lines here. And to visit Heath.

And after that I will fly to Seattle to meet up with Ben and Liam who will be visiting family on Whidbey Island before heading back home. Speaking of Liam, he had a fantastic time at MDA camp, though he had a pretty major accident the last evening. I can be somewhat cavalier about it now, because he's fine ... He thought that it would really be spectacular if he could drive his Snappie backwards down a steep hill. Well, that didn't work out well at all and he flipped his chair – this thing weighs 200 lbs and isn't easy to flip – and he landed on his HEAD. He was taken to the ER by EMTs, along with his counselor and camp nurse – checked out fine, but missed the last night party and didn't get to wear his cowboy get-up, which brought on many tears, understandably. That costume was awesome. And then Ben and I took him back to the ER two nights later because the goose egg on his head had turned into this alarmingly squishy thing. I didn't know that this was normal (which is not to say that you shouldn't take your kid to the ER if they have a squishy head); in a panicky OH-SHIT way, I honestly thought his brains were coming out. Two ER visits, one weekend. No fun, but he is okay (though now, I'm not even kidding, he has a cough). I'm hoping, really hoping, it's nothing serious.

Anyway, I'll be getting ready to head out of town ... and working on some truly beautiful things for this person, whom I could not admire more.

a sale!

2011-07-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

We're picking Liam up from MDA camp tomorrow morning! Can't wait to see my sweet boy.

So – let's have a sale! Why not? Use the code HAPPYCAMPER for 25% off your stationery order right here. (For stationery only, please do not use it for calling cards.)

camp!

2011-07-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

Liam is at MDA Camp this whole week! The theme this year is Wild West – and my friend just happened to have this rad costume for Liam. I love my boy's gap toothed grin. I know he's having a blast – seven days of parent free FUN. He did tell me that he didn't like the breakfast, lunch OR dinner at camp (last year was his first year there) – but I told him that camp is not known for its good food and he'd just have to find something at each meal. He wanted to take a jar of garlic pickle and a container of aleppo pepper with him to spice things up. I said no, even though I actually think that's just brilliant and hilarious. (This is the same kid who would like to take a can of smoked oysters for his school lunch. He likes them so much that we put several in his stocking each December! Why is he so awesome? He just is.)

happy july

2011-07-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

Happy July, friends! A little discount for you in the shop til July 5th. Take 20% off your order with the code SUMMER20. Hurrah!

a good book

2011-06-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

from here

I love a good book and I love this letter from E.B. White. Charlotte's Web was the first chapter book we read to Liam, when he was a year old. We've read it countless times and listened to it on CD as well, read by E.B. White himself. It's a treat for all ages.

In case you can't quite make out the words in that small image above:

E.B. White
North Brooklin, Maine

April 14, 1971

Dear Children of Troy:

Your librarian has asked me to write, telling you what a library can mean to you.

A library is many things. It's a place to go, to get in out of the rain. It's a place to go if you want to sit and think. But particularly it is a place where books live, and where you can get in touch with other people, and other thoughts, through books. If you want to find out about something, the information is in the reference books---the dictionaries, the encyclopedias, the atlases. If you like to be told a story, the library is the place to go. Books hold most of the secrets of the world, most of the thoughts men and women have had. And when you are reading a book, you and the author are alone together---just the two of you. A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people---people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.

(Signed E.B. White)

+++

Yesterday we went to the library and Liam got a stack of books. This kid loves stories and has become such a good independent reader over the past year. Yesterday afternoon and this morning he read Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent all by himself, with only a little help needed for a few words he didn't know. This is not a short book! Ben asked him to write a little book report about it – we're trying to help him learn how to FOCUS – but when we came back all he had written was NO. Which made me laugh pretty hard, though he does still have to do the book report later today. Have I mentioned that Liam is stubborn? And funny? He is both.

+++

I am currently reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I usually read fiction, but this book is fascinating. In the cue are these, just waiting for them to come in at the library:

In Zanesville

The Year We Left Home

Swim Back to Me

The Story of Beautiful Girl

Great House

I really love about the library, even if I sometimes am awful about due dates. I read every single day; what about you? What are your favorite books? Do you read them over and over again? I do.

P.S. A new post over at We Love Liam. And also a guest post – a recipe, a good one – over at Unruly Things today.

new work + a special deal

2011-06-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

I have some new work in the shop now. Some of it is brand new – taken from drawings for next year's calendar; some of it is resized and reprinted in new colorways. My favorite new ones are these – petite (above, bottom right) and bouquet (below, bottom right).

A big thanks goes out to Grace for such a lovely post about my new work. It made my cloudy Monday so much brighter.

Also, I'm running a special on calling cards right now! Choose from one of the Satsuma Press calling card designs or be in touch to discuss a custom design. 250 two color calling cards (from the line) for $175. Please email with any questions or for more information. This special runs until July 15th, 2011 or as long as my print schedule can accommodate.

liam's robot

2011-06-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

This robot is one of my very favorite of Liam's drawings. He drew this last year for thank you cards which I first ran off using our computer printer and then had made into nicer cards by a local digital print shop. But I've really been wanting to letterpress print them for ages and last week I finally finished the last color on them. This is almost exactly as Liam drew it. I'm actually not very adept with Illustrator – which I realize is ridiculous given what it is I do. (That's apparently what happens when you never take an actual Illustrator class, but just decide to wing it as best you can. Ahem.) Anyway, what I did is scan the drawing and then trace it, separating out the colors for photopolymer.

I absolutely love this robot – so simple and charming. He just makes me smile. Plus his lightning bolt? Clearly, he has super powers too.

One of my favorite bloggers, Chelsea, JUST posted last week about turning your child's artwork into letterpress cards. Awesome idea for sure. You could use them for all kinds of things, which is what I intend to do. Plus I may sell some of them and the sales would go toward Liam's Special Needs Trust. What do you think? Is this only really cute to me since I'm Liam's mama? Maybe so :)

UPDATE // Liam's robot cards are available right here.

life

2011-05-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

First up – thanks to everyone who came by West Elm on Saturday. I didn't take my camera and I only snapped this one shot with my phone. It was a great event, filled with lots of talented people – and I am thrilled to have been a part.

I had a really good weekend in Portland, too. I finally got to meet Teresa from Stone&Honey with whom I've exchanged a million emails, so it sort of felt like we had already met. We kicked it off with egg sandwiches from Lucy's Original on Saturday morning – and Teresa got to meet Ben and Liam before they headed out to Hood River for a party. I spent the day at West Elm and then had a delicious, over-indulgent meal at the always lovely Gruner with Teresa after. I slept in til the oh-so-late hour of 8 o'clock on Sunday morning then met up with one of my oldest friends for a quick trip to IKEA and back to Lucy's Original for burgers with Ben and Liam. What can I say? We all love Lucy's – best burger ever, hands down.

But, truth be told, I may have overdone it. I spend my days mostly by myself in my studio and I like that solitary time very much – so two days of social interaction left me exhausted. I spent Monday doing nothing. As in nothing at all. This is a rarity, sadly. I read my new book, I lounged on the couch. I made an entirely mediocre dinner that evening which Liam refused to eat. This is not like him – and it put me in a foul mood so that then dinner turned into an altogether unpleasant time. So I put myself to bed at, no joke, 8:15 and slept through until 5:30 the next morning.

And it seems to have helped, some, to get more than 5 or 6 hours of sleep a night. This, my friends, is clearly not enough sleep. I know this well, but I can't seem to always find a way to remedy it. I'm trying, really trying now, because I've been feeling run down and overwhelmed for a long while now – pretty much since Liam was in the hospital in February. He's been sick, off and on, almost every two weeks since then – which has worn all of us down in body and spirit.

Where am I going with all this? I'm not sure – it's just that there are all these blogs out there, which I read, and they seem to give this picture perfect glimpse of a neat and tidy life. Which is not always – or ever?! – the case around here. Last week was Liam's IEP – that stands for Individualized Education Plan – which he qualifies for not because of cognitive delays but because of the extensive physical needs of having SMA. I cried in front of everyone – his teacher, the nurse, the principal, the special ed teacher, the occupational therapist, the physical therapist. Oh boy. The thing is – each one of those people are amazing and each loves Liam so much ... I just wasn't prepared to talk through every single thing that day, so there were tears – but we're moving on and making plans and I'm feeling good about all of that.

I have new stationery to show you, but it'll have to wait for another day.

pretty sweet together

2011-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

I snapped these photos the other day for the West Elm/Etsy pop up event. They show my stationery with a few of my favorite things I already own – a small creamer from Pigeon Toe Ceramics and a pendant from Verabel.

Each of us will be at the pop up event on Saturday; it's at the West Elm in the Pearl from 1-6 pm. Clearly I'm biased since I got to choose the vendors, but I am certain that if you come, you'll be able to find even more things that are pretty sweet together.

Please rsvp here if you can – just so we have an idea of numbers – but you can come even if you decide last minute! I'll be so happy to see you there.

studio sale

2011-05-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

If you live in or near Corvallis, please stop by this coming Saturday for a studio sale. There will be lots and lots of discontinued and discounted items, plus a few studio odds and ends (cello bags, envelopes, muslin bags, etc). For the address, please email me.

But if you don't happen to live here, I'm having a studio sale online too! You can get ten assorted cards for $10 or twenty-two for $20, right here. These are mostly my discontinued A6 line and singles that have piled up over the years. There is not a thing wrong with them; I'm just really not messing around about getting this studio ship shape!! It's a win-win situation – help me clean up, replenish your stationery stash.

calling card sale!!

2011-05-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'm having a little discount on my calling card line right now! $50 off means you can get 200 one-color cards for $145 and 200 two-color cards for $165.

And that is a pretty swell deal so if you've been wanting some pretty calling cards, now is the time!

[double click to see larger]

Here's how the calling card line works – it's simple! Just pick your design, text and colors and include these in your online order. I'll send a pdf of your customized card to you to approve. Turn around is 2 weeks from press ready, sooner if ever possible. Domestic shipping is free too!

pop up shop!

2011-05-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Friends, I am so excited to finally share the details of a project I've been working on with the lovely people at West Elm and Etsy – a pop up shop in Portland on May 21st! If you live in or near Portland, I really really hope you can come by. There will be 15 of my favorite ever Portland based Etsy sellers (plus me).

ANNA JOYCE // CORI KINDRED // ELIZABETH SOULE // JILL BLISS
KIKI + POLLY // LA PETITE VIE // MARY KATE MCDEVITT // MOUFELT
OH MY CAVALIER // PIGEON TOE CERAMICS // POM LOVE
PRUNELLA SOAP // RACHEL AUSTIN // SATSUMA PRESS
VERABEL // ZANNA TEXTILES

Please RSVP to this event – it's not necessary in order to come, but it will give us an idea of how much food and drink there should be on hand. And, please, let them know you're a fan of Satsuma Press! (I'm not sure why, but might as well, right?)

A big huge thanks goes out to the folks at West Elm and Etsy for putting this together. And also to Abby, who curated the Austin event and who got me interested in this in the first place!

wishing

2011-05-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

Wishing that I could spend more time doing things like this – putting together some of my favorite things around the house so that I can photograph them ... I took these photos on Friday for Joy – and that top one is up on her blog today, right here, which makes me very happy.

The little napkins are the latest collaboration – me and Leah Duncan – so perfect for tea or coffee time.

My favorite things, some of them, shown here – little creamer from Pigeon Toe Ceramics, striped linen tray by Fog Linen (I bought mine here), Chemex Coffee Maker (we have the 3 cup classic, the smallest, the nicest shape in my opinion), little spoon from Crate and Barrel ( bought several years ago so I don't think you can find it anymore), striped paper straws (from here), striped linen tea towel from IKEA (though I can't find it online and I got it at least a year ago in person) ...

Wouldn't it be so nice to spend your days making pretty pictures? I think so, I really do.

rosemary + lavender

2011-04-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Last month, I sent out some custom invitations with rosemary and lavender. It took a bit of back
and forth to get the artwork just right, but I really love how everything came out. These are printed on bright white cotton Lettra.

I especially like the sweet little bow on the sprig of lavender for the welcome dinner. It's all in the details, right?

More wedding invitations posts coming soon, but – in the meantime – remember that you can view and download the Satsuma Press Wedding Line Guide online now!

leah duncan + satsuma press

2011-04-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to share a little sneak peek of my project with Leah Duncan! I'm packing up my portion of things to send to her today – 8x10 prints, A2 cards and pretty little tags. Her portion – tea towels and cocktail napkins – are already on their way to me and I cannot wait. We'll have these up in our shops next week, I think.

I've been a fan of Leah's for some time now, so I'm so happy to be working with her. We already use a very similar color palette – and I love how the texture really pops with a deep impression. These are really gorgeous and I hope you'll think so too.

P.S. Something very good is in the works. It involves West Elm, Etsy and a dozen or so amazing Portland-based Etsy sellers and me. More details on this coming very soon.

stone & honey cards

2011-04-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

Teresa from Stone & Honey is one of the loveliest and best people I've had the chance to meet – though not in person yet, just via phone and email. I can't wait to meet up with her in Portland – soon, soon, I hope. She's just one of those people I hit it off with right away – first when she participated in the raffle for Liam last year, then when we decided to work on a project together and throughout the many, many emails that have gone back and forth between us. Also – her jewelry is beautiful, some of my favorites ever.

I just printed up these awesome cards for her last week – and I love them. The ampersand is a light gray, the text is a dark charcoal gray. And the little yellow triangles – well, neither of us could resist those.

mixing yellow for those sweet triangles

Also, we applied for Renegade SF together and got in! It's up to me to make up my mind now about whether I can pull it off. Road trip with Teresa? Yeah! Eating in SF – particularly at my favorite, Burma Superstar? Yeah! Expenses involved? Ah, not so sure yet.

P.S. Are you interested in having me print something for you? Just send me an email – I'd love to discuss your project with you!

wedding guide, finally!

2011-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

There were – oops, still are – a lot of things to get done today (because we are going somewhere exciting tomorrow!) but this is one that's been on my list for ages. I'm super stoked to have a more comprehensive online catalog for the wedding line. It took me a while to put together today, along with the scavenger hunt birthday party invitations for Liam's seventh.

I've talked about this before – pricing is by far one of the hardest parts of this business for me. And weddings – well, when I have those jobs, they can be bread and butter ... But I found myself talking with a friend the other day, saying yet again that when I got married eight years ago, I never would have paid the kind of money I'm asking people to pay for my work. Mostly because, really, there's no way I could justify spending that much on my wedding.

Don't get me wrong – I wanted a pretty wedding, but it wasn't over the top. It didn't make it into Martha Stewart Weddings or even a blog – and I wasn't trying to have this happen (although my love for Martha is well known by friends!) It was simple and lovely – and a lot of fun for everyone. It didn't cost a ridiculously obscene amount – given, of course, that it was a really great party for just under 100 people – and I didn't spend a year thinking about every single details. Invitations mattered (I printed my own), food mattered (of course), location (old cherry orchard, farmhouse and red barn in the Gorge, so it doesn't get better if you ask me), friends and family (plentiful, but not too many).

It's hard – not in an epic sense, of course – because I've felt bound by the wedding industry pricing. Industry – yuck. I've felt like to show that my work is worth something, that the quality is high, I've needed to stay within these somewhat arbitrary (and very high) price guidelines. But I've also felt a little bit like it's highway robbery, like as soon as you mention the word wedding you can immediately charge a million times more. There IS a lot more back and forth for weddings, but not exponential amounts. And I also don't think it does anyone any good to consistently under-price and under-value your work. But I do think there is very good middle ground to be found.

For all those reasons, I've drastically redone some of my pricing – hoping, really hoping, that it will make letterpress affordable for more of you while still making it viable for me. To be honest, I want to work with down-to-earth people and, really, I have been lucky to have this happen. I don't want the dreaded bride-zilla; I want people who want something pretty, know what it's worth, but also know that there are lots of other things in the world that need attention (and money).

So – check out the new SATSUMA PRESS WEDDING LINE GUIDE, now online. There's a little bit about Satsuma Press and what I believe in, pricing plain and simple, color choices and font suggestions, a project worksheet and design process + contract all in one place.

I'd love to hear your thoughts ...

And, P.S. – The first five to order wedding line invitations will receive 50 printed envelopes free of charge! Yay!

hearts + hands

2011-03-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

I set up a new blog for the HEARTS + HANDS giveaway. I'm still figuring out the last few details, but you'll see the (still growing) list of participants on the right hand side. That's an awful lot of talent in that list. I'll be updating it over the next few days – and will list the prizes sometime next week. Everything will be amazing, I promise.

Please, please get the word out any way you can!

hearts + hands

2011-03-16T14:35:00.001-07:00

I'm working on putting together another raffle, this one for relief efforts in Japan. Last year, the Raffle for Liam included prizes from over 50 independent artists and studios across the country. Over $14,000 was raised in two weeks, all of which went toward an accessible bathroom here at our home.

This time, I'm hoping we can match – if not surpass – that amount. I think together we can, I really do. What we can do together is more than what each one of us can do alone. I'm still working through the details of all this – it's a lot of organization, but I'm up for it. Emails were sent this morning and people are responding with open hearts, as I thought they would. My intent is to put this together fairly quickly, even though the effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan will be long-lasting. 100% of the raffle proceeds will go toward an organization like Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross – but I am not certain which one yet.

This is the print I drew and plan to print for the raffle. I'm thinking of calling the raffle HEARTS + HANDS, because that's what this is all about – from the heart, made by our hands. It may sound campy, but I believe that when we put those things together – our hearts, our hands – we can make a difference.

I found this phrase by William Shakespeare, and it couldn't be more fitting –

Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.

i made these

2011-03-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

I made these adorable goldfish and pig crackers last night. I'll be the first to admit that it's kind of crazy to make these, but they're really not very difficult. Inspired by this post over at Smitten Kitchen, I promptly bought the mini fish and mini pig cookie cutters. That I actually made these less than a week later is pretty awesome. I can be the kind of person who buys supplies for a project, but doesn't actually get around to it for months. Now, I know that spending sixteen bucks on tiny cookie cutters is absurd, but Liam loves goldfish and those things aren't cheap (nor, even if you buy the whole grain kind, are they particularly good for you). I'm not sure these homemade ones will win any nutrition awards, but there's nothing inherently BAD about them either – and there are only five ingredients, all of which you'll know (as opposed to some weird chemical or preservative).

Liam really, really loves these; he gobbled up some this morning and took them for his snack. I'm thinking I may make them for his birthday which is coming up at the end of next month. Either for his party at our house or for his class (so that I can be the Martha Stewart of first grade parents – yes!) Although it may be crazy to actually make these, you cannot deny their cuteness.

+++

I pretty much followed the recipe from Smitten Kitchen, with the following changes –

I used sharp white cheddar because I don't like yellow cheddar, with the strange exception of American Cheese on burgers (by the way, best burger ever, right here) and English Muffin egg sandwiches. Weird, I know. Did I mention that I made homemade English Muffins a few weeks ago and they were easy and delicious? I've been on a roll. I think you could also use gruyere or parmesan cheese, if you wanted.

I used 1/4 tsp of onion powder instead of 1/8 tsp.

I used the ration of whole wheat to white flour suggested, but I honestly think next time (which may be tonight) I'll just use all whole wheat or maybe something like spelt or kamut flour, just because.

little project

2011-03-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

He's been waiting very patiently, but I finally printed and sent out these buck slips for Max Wanger. I love them – the smart design (from Max), perfect Polaroid size, blind stamp for the border and logo on a smooth heavyweight bright white stock.

perfectly simple

2011-03-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

shopper bag by sara barner

I sent these cards off to Sara Barner last week. I'd actually printed them well before then, but the unexpected stay in the hospital with Liam put everything on the back burner.

Elliot Bag by Sara Barner

Anyway, I absolutely love these cards – perfect, simple, neither too much nor too little. They're printed on bright white cotton Lettra in four colors – slate, ochre, grass, peacock – that complement Sara's perfect, simple leather goods. These are real beauties – made well, stunning in their simplicity. I love Sara's work and I think you will, too.

wildflower wedding

2011-03-01T10:45:00.000-08:00

[click once, twice, to see image larger]

Another new wedding idea – wildflowers, so lovely and for those summer months ahead (eventually). I'll print up some samples of these because they always look even better when I can show the impression. I'm loving this new burst of ideas – it feels like it's been a while since I've had time to just sit down and do this.

i like this

2011-02-28T14:31:00.000-08:00

It's a little different than my usual choices, but I like this font and think it would print really well. Speaking of printing, I'm curious – what do you all think of the new virtual letterpress app (discovered by me via here)? Am I the only one that isn't totally sure it's awesome? I mean – part of me thinks it IS, but then there's this nagging part of me that is not so sure.

By the way, Ben and I just watched Exit Through the Gift Shop the other night. So, so interesting.

hello again

2011-02-28T12:55:00.000-08:00

I've been gone from this space for a long time, I know. Liam was very sick with pneumonia and we spent 12 long days at Emanuel hospital in Portland. We came home a week and a half ago, but Liam stayed out of school to rest up and get his immune system strong again. Today is his first day back – and he was so excited to go see his friends and teachers. I keep meaning to write about our stay in the hospital, but – to be honest – I can't seem to get the words together just yet. Let's leave it at this for now – Liam is well again, and I am thankful. He got sick so, so fast – pneumonia from RSV in just 24 hours. The last – and only other – time he was hospitalized was three years ago, almost exactly, with the same thing. It's scary, but he is a trooper and I have learned more yet again.

+++

Anyway, while I intend to write more about all of this, today I've been spending a little bit of time thinking about some new wedding line ideas. I wanted to have a few that reflect my newer designs – and also ones that would work well as single color invitations (i.e. more affordable). The hearts – tiny ones, criss cross ones – were my Valentine's Day cards this year and I love them both. They work well in so many colors, but my favorites are ochre, palest pink, cranberry red and mist.

[click once, then again, on these to see them larger]

The birds – I know that lots of people have gotten a good laugh out of the 'put a bird on it' episode of Portlandia. Ah well, I love these even so, Portlandia be damned.

What do you think?

i carry your heart with me

2011-02-03T12:03:00.001-08:00

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by e.e. cummings

Letterpress printed in slate gray with a small criss-cross heart in ochre, available here.

P.S. Don't forget - there's a daily candy code out there for 25% off in the satsuma press shop – good for the entire month, but that code will only be available til Monday at midnight. Don't miss out - sign up for daily candy to get it!

february!

2011-02-01T10:58:00.001-08:00

January went by awfully fast for me, but it was one of those strange months where I managed to both get a good amount done and rest as well. Last week, Liam was home sick all week long with a horrible cold – which I've got now – so I'm having a little bit of a hard time focusing. My head – it feels like it's in a dense fog.

Lots of love for Satsuma Press today, this first day of February!

I am over the moon to have my newest collaboration with Stone&Honey featured in today's this & that section of the always lovely Oh Joy. I love the sofa that Bekka paired the necklace with - so pretty! You can purchase the Earth & Sky necklace right here.

Or you could enter the giveaway over at Simple Lovely ...

Or you could sign up for Daily Candy where you'll find a 25% discount code for Satsuma Press – good for anything in the shop.

brand new valentine

2011-01-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

I printed this sweet new valentine over the weekend. I hadn't planned on it, really, but I had the press inked with this new blue color – a sort of misty blue-green – and so I printed the tandem bike because I thought the little tiny hearts in dark red would go so well with it. And I think they do. Pick yours up right here or a set of all the 2011 valentines – one of each – right here.

earth & sky by satsuma press and stone&honey

2011-01-24T08:48:00.001-08:00

[click to see larger image]

I am so excited to finally show you what I've been working on the past few weeks. Earth & Sky is a collaboration between Satsuma Press and Stone&Honey. You may recognize the feather from the birds of a feather cards late last year – with gorgeous calligraphy by Mara at neither snow. Teresa from Stone&Honey rendered it in silver – so delicately, so perfectly. We paired it with a tiny quartz crystal that floats freely between wire wraps. It's a beauty, really – such a good combination of, well, earth and sky. This project has been a dream – rapid fire emails back and forth full of ideas, a shared sense of aesthetic (and humor), everything coming together with such ease.

Teresa sent the first one to me last week and I have hardly taken it off. I like a necklace that is pretty but easy to wear. This one couldn't be better. It goes particularly well with the shirt shown, but I've been wearing it with everything, even sleeping with it on. With Valentine's Day not so far off, it's perfect for giving or keeping. You can find it right here and here (later today).

I like the collage of photos together, but here are the individual shots. Click on them to see them larger.

earth & sky // sneak peek

2011-01-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a slightly blurred peek at what I've been working on with Teresa from Stone&Honey. I am in completely in love with this project – every single thing about it. Teresa makes the loveliest jewelry – and she and I have just totally clicked on this collaboration.

We'll be listing these beauties in our shops tomorrow and posting details on our blogs as well. Til tomorrow ...

hello, valentine

2011-01-23T16:54:00.000-08:00

Send someone some love! Valentine's Day cards are in the shop now, though – really – these are good any day of the year. Find them right here.

textiles

2011-01-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

I had some fabric samples printed over at Spoonflower last month. I really like them, but I can't sew. I wonder what I should do with them if I do have larger quantities printed. Ideas?

today's photos

2011-01-20T20:13:00.000-08:00

Taking photos today for shop updates, for fun and for a secret project – soon to be revealed – with Stone&Honey. No photos to show of those just yet – another few days and we'll have it all ready!

hearts

2011-01-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

Printing little hearts today in cheery yellow, palest pink and slate grey. They'll be ready in time for Valentine's Day, but really they're perfect year round. I'll list them in my shop by the end of the week.

2011

2011-01-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are – almost half way through the first month of 2011. I hoped to return to this space sooner, only it seems that I almost always have a slow start this month, after the busyness of the holidays. I started a post last week that was going to include 36 things I plan to make, do, try for this year. 36 because that's how old I'll be this fall. But 36 – that's a long list. Believe me, I do actually have a list that long – longer! – but what they mostly boil down to are these two things:

Do more fun stuff and go more places. This is off to a grand start because this weekend, Ben and I are going to San Francisco. This is very spontaneous – because we just bought our tickets on Saturday and we leave this Saturday! I got a killer deal – just $90 each – and my brother, who travels all the time for work, generously set us up with a hotel room using his frequent flyer miles. We got a few people to stay with Liam and so – we're going! We leave very early on Saturday morning – so early, in fact, that we'll head up to Portland the night before – and come home late Monday night. Some of you will understand that our main plans for San Francisco involve eating – Delfina, Blue Bottle Coffee, Boulettes Larder, Burma Superstar, Tartine. Just how many meals can we fit in? I'm so excited for our trip. I am thinking of a trip later this year to take with Liam, if we can. I know it can be difficult to travel with kids, but – trust me – it is infinitely more complicated (and expensive) to travel with a power chair. We did it a lot the year Liam turned two – I think we took close to a dozen trips – and it burned us out. But I'm ready to take him somewhere super fun. Maybe here for this. We'll see, maybe something less ambitious for now – but somewhere for sure.

Rest more so I can do more. I really do think this makes sense if you think about it. Before Liam, I could happily, easily, sleep ten hours a night. I've been sleeping more like five hours, maybe six, and I don't think that's really enough. Sure, tea helps, coffee helps – but it can also start this vicious cycle of then not being able to go to sleep. So – I have been trying to go to bed earlier, around 10 instead of midnight. I get up between 5-5:45 each weekday morning because it's really important for me to have some quiet time to myself before the day begins for everyone else in the house. The doing more part of this spans a lot of categories – have more focus at work (for new projects, organization, admin stuff), have more patience when helping Liam with his homework (which, some days, can be like pulling teeth), exercise regularly (I know, I know – what a cliché – but I've been going to yoga twice a week, running 3-4 miles on my elliptical three or four times a week, so I feel pretty good about it all ... plus I have decided not to feel any guilt at all when I don't do it!), cook something new more often (I love to cook, but fall into a routine of same old, same old. Last week I made spaetzle from scratch – so easy, so delicious.)

See? Those two philosophies are working well for me. Okay, I know it's only January 12th, but I'm feeling damn good.

P.S. I have the most amazing collaboration in the works with the oh-so-talented-and-lovely Teresa at Stone&Honey. Check back next week for details.

P.P.S. The 2011 calendar is on sale right here!

letter from liam

2011-01-05T14:42:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, Liam shot me in the back with his rubber band gun, right up close and it HURT! I was not pleased, but I did get this awesome letter from him shortly after:

Der Mama,

I am sary for shooting you wish a rubr bad gun. I luv you.

Liam

Yes, a rubber BAD gun! The picture below is a pretty accurate rendition of our coffee table with a stack of books, the aloe plant and the tv above the fireplace (with a fire in it). That's what Liam thought would make a really pretty picture for me, of course :)

He wanted to sign it Liam R. because there's another Liam in his first grade class. Ben told him that I knew Liam K. hadn't shot me in the back with a rubber band gun. By the way, Ben's present from Liam read – For Papa, Frum Liam K. Cute.

thank you

2010-12-17T18:07:00.000-08:00

I just got home from a somewhat impromptu holiday sale at Liam's school. I was just there yesterday and today, before and after school and the turnout was incredible. I'm donating 25% to the art program at his school and so I couldn't be more pleased with how things went. Both my online shops are closed for a week or maybe two; I just need to pack and send all the rest of the orders that came in this week.

I never managed to get together the holiday gift guides – but there were lots of good ones out there. I really love to buy gifts for people and I'm also very difficult to buy FOR. Part of the reason is I get things for myself. Two things I treated myself to arrived today. I love them both.

cicada wing necklace

I did a partial trade with Carrie and also asked her to make it in all silver for me. It is so gorgeous.

Remix Blanket

Not the chair, just the blanket from Ferm Living. It's a little spendy, but my much-loved couch blanket is literally coming apart at the seams and is 15+ years old!! I love the colors and pattern of this new one. It's super soft and I'm really looking forward to spending time lounging on the couch with it and a good book. That's exactly one of the reasons why the shops are closed – for a little downtime around here!

Happiest of holiday wishes to you all – and so many thanks for your continued support and encouragement for Satsuma Press. I hope your days are merry and bright and lovely. I'll be back here in the new year, maybe sooner.

P.S. I made this salted butter caramel today for Liam's teachers. It is delicious and super fast to make. I definitely recommend it.

to entertain you

2010-12-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

*** MERRYANDBRIGHT at checkout gets you 25% off your order. Today through Friday at noon PST. Shop here! **

I've failed miserably at the gift guide idea. I just haven't had any free time – sorry, folks! So, to keep you entertained, although it may well just gross you out.

Baby Lion is the most loved stuffed animal around here; in fact, the only one Liam gives a damn about. He started out as the most adorable creature, but – five and half years later – he has morphed into something else entirely. It's possible that he gave Liam a rash last week. Actually, Liam has almost given him up – he stays in the closet or on the table mostly – but for a few moments of weakness and thumb sucking.

Be warned – Baby Lion is hideous. He now looks like this:

I swear we do wash him. It doesn't help. Baby Lion just developed nasty dreads and mange. We first got Baby Lion to accompany us on our trip to England (to buy his SnapDragon) when Liam was 20 months old. Our neighbor had given him Big Lion who remains in pristine condition to this day.

hand made

2010-12-09T12:42:00.001-08:00

I made some pretty handmade goodies that would be awfully nice for the holidays – or any time at all. The fingerless gloves are hand knit by me with the softest alpaca yarn. It's the loveliest green with flecks of pale misty blue. They'll keep your hands toasty and warm all winter long. The felt garland is so simple and festive. I might put some on our tree (which we're planning to get this weekend), but I might keep them up in my house even past the holidays. (I'm of the opinion that twinkle lights look pretty all year long, as do garlands of this sort.)

Find them both right here, in limited quantities.

holiday gift guide # 1 // little boys

2010-12-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

If you ask me, you can't really go wrong with these. Unless, that is, your kid asks you for BRIGHT RED ones and you mess it up and get the dark red ones. I got these, the right ones, for Liam the other day and he loves them. This is a kid who cares very little about what he wears – and he actually requested these. The reason I didn't get them for the holidays is that it's hard to get shoes that are easy to get Liam's foot into so I didn't want it to be a disappointment. The only other pair of shoes he wears are black Converse – also a can't-go-wrong pick.

Is your little boy Star Wars obsessed, like mine? If so – get these (above) or these (below). No joke, Liam freaked out about these over a year ago when the Williams Sonoma catalog arrived. I held out, finally buying them for Christmas a few weeks ago – only to have the new catalog arrive with the ones below. Liam spied them in the catalog from across the room and liked them so much that he wanted to cut the picture out and put it on his wall. So, okay, I'm fully feeding the fire here but I bought the other set yesterday.

Don't want to spend twenty bucks on cookies cutters? I don't blame you. I don't even make cookies, both Liam and I hate frosting, but I bought them anyway. Still, for a little less you could get a Darth Vader spatula. Who doesn't need this in their life?

Turns out all I can offer are a pair of Converse and a bunch of Star Wars stuff. Sorry, friends, but my kid is going to be pretty happy, despite the fact that he wants to ask Santa for a parakeet. I've already told him Santa doesn't deliver parakeets – mean, mean me.

One last idea. We absolutely love this audio book collection by Roald Dahl. It includes Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Enormous Crocodile and The Magic Finger. We own this and all the actual books and rarely tire of them. This collection is really special because it's read by Roald Dahl himself. I think it's so much better when the author reads the books, don't you?

Along those lines, check out this one as well, read by E.B. White. This was the first chapter book we read aloud to Liam, when he was about a year old.

fabric patterns

2010-12-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around over at Spoonflower with fabric patterns. Have any of you used this place before? I bought fabric and ink swatches from there several months ago, but I haven't had a chance to think about patterns til now. (Although, actually, I don't really have time right now either ... but it's fun and I'm liking the break from my to-do list.) Some of my stationery designs will translate really well – above and below . It's really a new way of thinking about patterns and repeats. I like. What about you?

Thanks to everyone that came out to Sunday Best. It was a great weekend all around. I went out to Gruner with my girlfriends – a delicious meal. And a few of us spent the night at a hotel way more hipster than me – The Ace. Ben and Liam and I stayed at The Kennedy School on Sunday night and had Pine State for breakfast and Little Big Burger for lunch with some dear friends on Monday. On the way home, we stopped and picked up some bright red Converse for the kid.

Coming soon – if at all possible – a few gift guides!

sunday best

2010-12-02T22:42:00.001-08:00

The Sunday Best Holiday Sale is this weekend in Portland! This is the first year that it isn't the weekend directly after Thanksgiving – as in two days after Thanksgiving – and so (also for the first time) I've been able to give just a little more thought to my table. I actually put everything out in the more-or-less measured space (3 feet by 4 feet) this evening. I really wanted to take less this year, but it's very hard for me to make the sorts of decisions required to do this. Which designs to take, which ones to leave behind? I do know that, as of now, I am only taking 14 stationery designs, plus the 2011 calendar and a bunch of pretty little tags.

I'm leaving some table space open right now for a few projects that I'm hoping to finish up tomorrow. You see one of them right there in the photo – a felt garland! (Sorry for the not-so-great photo – it's 11 pm and it was taken with my iPhone.) There may also be some felt leaf garlands and a couple pairs of fingerless gloves knit in the very loveliest of yarns – a sea green alpaca with the faintest bits of misty blue-green throughout. Of course, all of these would come with a very sweet, very tiny letterpress printed tag. These are already printed – I guess I have high hopes of accomplishing a lot tomorrow!

I'm curious to know – in general would you be interested in a few other goodies, handmade by me? I'm not thinking of making lots of things – just a few every now and then to keep me busy with other projects. (Not that I'm not already busy, but it's good to diversify, yes?)

So, friends, if you live in the Portland area please come say hello over the weekend. This is the only sale I do each year and it's a gem. Really, there are so many amazing people selling – don't miss out! And, if that's not enough, the 2011 calendars will be $35 instead of $40 at the show.

Hope to see you there!

Sunday Best Holiday Sale
The Cleaners at The Ace // 403 SW 10th @ Stark // downtown PDX
Saturday, December 4th 11-7 // Sunday, December 5th 11-5

almost december

2010-11-29T14:34:00.001-08:00

December is just around the corner! I broke my own rules and worked part of the weekend to get these holiday cards for Heath Ceramics shipped out today. This is a card I've printed for Heath before – the design is by the lovely Heather of Skinny laMinx – but this year, they wanted a brighter holiday red rather than my usual dark cranberry.

P.S. Sending a little thanks your way today – 20% off your order until tomorrow at midnight! Use the code SECRETSALE and shop right here.

weekend special

2010-11-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

Receive 20% off your orders today and tomorrow. Use the code 'saturday' at checkout. Just because. Shop right here.

merry and bright

2010-11-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

The last of the holiday line is ready! Sweet cards with tiny blue stars or a leafy green wreath, alongside the words – may your days be merry and bright – which, I think, is a lovely sentiment for the holidays and for the new year to come.

Don't forget – I'll be in Portland for Sunday Best Holiday Sale at The Ace on Dec 4th and 5th. I'll be in the company of some mighty fine folks so don't miss out. Also, there is still free shipping for the 2011 calendars right now, plus a set of free gift tags to boot.

birds of a feather

2010-11-16T14:30:00.001-08:00

How lucky I feel to have worked with Mara of neither snow. Her work is so, so lovely. We are offering these birds of a feather cards in sets of two or four. Find yours right here.

the dining room table

2010-11-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

The dining room table is covered with cards that need to be packaged up. That one below, the one with the feather and the calligraphy, is a new project with the lovely Mara of neither snow. I cannot wait to show these to you. A newsletter is going out tonight or tomorrow with all the information and some little gestures of thanks from me to you – after all Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It's my favorite holiday and there is much to be thankful for. Sign up for the newsletter right here.

P.S. Don't forget to enter this giveaway!

reading this

2010-11-09T14:02:00.001-08:00

I just got this book in the mail last week. I've only had time to read the first couple pages, but I can tell I'm going to love it. With the rain pouring down, I wish I could spend my day reading – but I have lots of cards to fold and package instead. Soon, though, I hope I will have time. It's a beautiful book – lovely photographs, good font and thick paper.

giveaway!

2010-11-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

There is a giveaway for custom letterpress cards from me over at Oh So Beautiful Paper from today til Thursday. Three winners will receive 25 custom holiday cards of their choice from the new line. Go here and enter for your chance to win!

a book for liam

2010-11-05T16:20:00.001-07:00

A Well-Balanced Tale was written by my mom. The dedication is – "For Liam, and all the children who find adventure in doing things differently.”

My mom, Amy Kaplan, writes:

“In 2005, when Liam was diagnosed with SMA, and we learned he would need a wheelchair, I began looking for books in the genre I’ve come to call kids-dis-lit. While there are many chapter-books for school children, there are few for toddlers, pre-schoolers and the early elementary grades where attitudes of acceptance-of-differences are formed.

The few books that do exist are terribly earnest, politically correct variations on, “He’s just like you and me only he can’t _____ (see, hear, walk…).” Others take the point of view of an able-bodied child: "My best friend can't _______,” or, too often, offer acceptance to the disabled only after they behave heroically. And ironically, almost none have elements of whimsy, humor or creativity, despite the applicability of the following (paraphrased) quote: A childhood that weakens the body strengthens the imagination.”

Well, here’s “A Well-Balanced Tale,” a little book full of imagination, innovation and independence. My mom hopes that all kids will enjoy it, and that it will raise awareness about how special special-needs children really are.

"In his mind, he could go anywhere."

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please be in touch with me or my mom.

P.S. The Bearded Dragon that empowers Barnaby was drawn to look like Dan Everard, the fabulous inventor of Liam’s Snappie wheelchair. And if you’d like to send a note to my mom, you can reach her at barnabyk2@gmail.com.

love this

2010-11-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

I love this print.

simple hello + thank you notes

2010-11-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

click for larger view

Just when I'm finally close to crossing everything off the current to do list, I decide that I need a new project. So – coming soon ... These simple hello and thank you notes. I had fun designing these and I know they'll look even better with a deep, crisp letterpress impression. I think I'll package them in mixed sets. They'll be perfect to have on hand for when you need to write a quick thank you or hello to a friend, don't you think?

halloween

2010-11-01T11:43:00.001-07:00

That's Liam in there. It was like being with a celebrity when we went downtown – such a hit with kids and adults! Best costume ever.

lovely

2010-11-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

I love this print (via Oh Joy) and just bought it for our soon-to-be repainted bedroom. I'm just trying to decide between two colors now – sea star (a pale teal, not too bright nor too dark, plus a good name) and river gorge gray (a mid-tone gray with a touch of brown since I discovered I don't care for the ones that lean toward violet or blue, at least not on the walls).

for glen, for liam

2010-10-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

Glen Russell was my father-in-law. He was a woodcarver and sculptor, but he also drew beautifully. Last year, Glen and I had discussed and agreed to a small edition letterpress run of this sketch he did of his son – my husband – Ben. Glen passed away in July 2010 at his home on Whidbey Island. This fall, I printed this piece in memory and celebration of Glen's life and art. There are 65 editions as he would have turned 65 in August. As was Glen's intent, the proceeds from this print will go toward a fund of his six year old grandson, Liam Russell, who was born with a neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to share Glen's work with others.

Ben is taking these to the event at the Coupevile Library on Whidbey Island this Monday, but they are also available here. A drawing by my father-in-law of his son to help his grandson – beautiful. All proceeds go to Liam's Fund.

dinner

2010-10-20T13:07:00.001-07:00

Last night, I made a really good dinner. I started with the premise of this recipe, but you should know that I almost never follow recipes. I just use them as starting points, which is more fun anyway. My variations to the original recipe seem long, but if you like to cook, as I do, it's not difficult and it was so good. I wanted to have protein in it, so I added chicken to the recipe. You can read through the recipe from Mark Bittman for the general idea, but here's how I made it. I realize I'm a little vague when it comes to quantities and how-to directions. This is the way I cook.

In a heavy pot (I used a Le Creuset), saute one onion and two bulbs of fennel, all sliced, in olive oil and butter.
Make sure they get browned really well – almost, but not quite, to the point of burning – so cook over pretty high heat.

Add the chicken thighs – I had 6 boneless, skinless – seasoned with salt and pepper. Brown well.
Add a large pinch of saffron, slivered almonds and 3-4 cloves of crushed garlic.
Add a bit of water – maybe 1/4 cup at most – and simmer, covered til the chicken is cooked through.
Pull out the pieces of chicken and cut into small chunks, return to mixture.
Put everything in a bowl, but don't wash the pot.

Meanwhile bring a pot of water to boil.
Salt it heavily and add 1 cup brown jasmine rice.
Boil for 8 min, add 2 cups of white jasmine.
Boil altogether for 4-5 more minutes.
Drain, rinse with cold water, set aside.

Into the same pot, slice 3-4 potatoes, spreading them in an even layer across the bottom.
I used Yukon Golds and didn't bother to peel them. Season with salt and pepper.
Put a glug of good olive oil over it and cook for a few minutes.
Pour in about 1/4 c. water and then add half the rice, the chicken, top with the rest of the rice.
Cover with a clean dishcloth and then the lid.
Cook on low for about 45-60 min until you can smell the potatoes browning.
Turn off heat and let rest 5 minutes.

We ate this with chopped Italian parsley and more almonds, with tzatziki on the side.
The potatoes get really browned and stick to the bottom of the pan, but just scrape them up. They're very tasty.

This made a ton – you could easily halve the rice and chicken. It's perfect for when you have people over or when you want a big batch of something so you don't have to think about what to eat for lunch the next couple days. It makes a perfect lunch; I just ate it.

Try it. It's amazing.

beauty

2010-10-17T19:32:00.001-07:00

These are so lovely. If I could decide what color gray to paint our bedroom walls, I would like to have these beauties to look at every morning and every evening. You can find the top one here, the bottom one here.

P.S. Completely unrelated, check out what Liam is going to be for Halloween this year. It's pretty great. Right here.

home

2010-10-11T12:27:00.001-07:00

HAVE NOTHING IN YOUR HOUSE THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW TO BE USEFUL, OR BELIEVE TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

– William Morris

I would very much like to live according to this quote. It's hard to do and I don't want to get carried away either, but I think it's well worth keeping in mind. When the bathroom remodel was complete, I was inspired (some may say frantically obsessed) to start a house-wide clean-and-tidy project. I couldn't be happier with how things have changed – mostly living room furniture rearranged, windows washed, ugly porch light replaced, ugly house numbers replaced, basement cleaning in effect ... There is still a major project lurking on the to-do list – repainting all the bedrooms and office (which we actually hope to transform into a pantry as it's quite a small, narrow room that sits right off the kitchen). The bedroom are all yellow – the same color we had in our house in Portland ... but it doesn't look as nice here because the trim isn't painted. But I think we (and by we I guess I mostly mean Ben) are going to paint the trim white and all the walls gray. I'm really excited to do this as it will tie the bedrooms in with the palette of the rest of the house so beautifully.

This isn't the best photo, but I have been wanting to post about these two lovely items I got for our home. Note – it's surprisingly difficult to take a good photo of this corner of my living room if, say, I'm trying to avoid showing the very dirty window – it WAS dirty when I took the photo, but now it's clean! – that is to the left of the chair.

The first is the alphabet which I got from the lovely Arounna at Bookhou. It is so simple, so pretty. I first saw it in one of the best sneak peeks ever – Nikole's apartment. Nikole writes the beautiful blog forty sixth at grace and is one half of Herriott Grace, whose wares are perfection.

The second is the print titled Homestead by Greg Beauchamping. I have had my eye on this for ages. I love the simplicity of the print, the bold graphic and the message it delivers (inside each home are the words 'I LOVE MY FAMILY').

Here is a detailed description of the Homestead print from Greg's shop –

If you could drive from here and go all the way around the world...taking ferry's and ships where there are no roads and stopping every day to look around...this is what you would see. Each print is handmade, signed and numbered (in a series of 175). A xylene transfer is like a screenprint, but without the screen, and the artwork is hand-transferred inch by inch over a long hour. Each piece is original, slightly different from the last.

I emailed with Greg a few times after I bought the print (and this other one shown above, equally loved) and he seems like such an interesting and thoughtful person. I am always glad to make these sorts of connections. You can pick up a print – they're all wonderful – right here. (I am also very fond of the States United print and would really love Greg to make a kid's tee – black with white artwork because white tees and a 6 year old boy are not a good or lasting combination!!)

2011 calendar

2010-10-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

The 2011 calendar is ready and you can pick one (or two or three or more!) up right here. It's $40 + shipping and I'm especially fond of them this year. If you'd like to order multiples, send me an email as I can combine shipping for more than three going to a single address.

Just a few other things to tell you about quickly:

A6 stationery sale is happening right now, right here. Get these while they're still around.

New A2 stationery line is online and ready for pre-order ... I've not printed everything yet, but I'll be able to ship starting next week. I know, I know – it doesn't look nearly as nice without photographs of the real deal, but I'll put these up just as soon as I can.

Holiday Line right here – blank holiday cards, customizable holiday card, gift tags.

Yay!

P.S. My Etsy shop is closed for a little while. I might reopen if it's sorely missed, but everything can be found in my other shop.

so close

2010-10-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

I am cutting down the calendars today. I may even drill the holes at the top this afternoon if I have enough time. Tomorrow is my birthday, so I may or may not work on collating and packaging them. Although I'd sworn not to work tomorrow, this sort of project is easily accomplished with some good music on and a cup of tea (placed far away from the calendars, on another table altogether).

I had a little mix up with the glassine envelopes I ordered for the calendars. What I thought were 6 x 9 inch envelopes are actually in centimeters – so frustrating because it didn't actually state this anywhere! And it turns out that it's not so easy to find the size I need, so I'll most likely go the same route as last year – larger glassine envelopes trimmed and then sealed with Japanese tape. Pretty, but kind of labor intensive.

A newsletter will be coming out at the end of this week with details about the calendar – and other projects in the works, plus a stationery sale because there will be new things coming soon. Plus a discount code for custom holiday cards. Sign up why don't you?

A2 stationery line

2010-10-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

click and click again to view larger

Very soon, I'm going to be making some changes to the Satsuma Press stationery line. I'm going to switch from the current A6 landscape layouts to a smaller A2 portrait format. These are smaller cards – 4.25 x 5.5. I just like this size – so sweet. The paper will still be 100% cotton – and the envelopes too, only they'll have a pointed flap, which I like even better than the square flap. I'm consolidating to the 12 designs shown above. Some of them you'll recognize; some are new. Some will be offered in a few color-ways besides what are shown. Basically, I think it's time to change things up a bit around here.

I will continue to print the following designs – ginkgo, peony, dandelion, flora and flowering rush – as A6 cards. Largely because Heath Ceramics, my best and favorite wholesalers use these for their thank you cards and I aim to please. Seasonal card designs (winter holiday, valentines, etc) will be 4Bar which is even smaller than A2 and very lovely, too.

The current A6 cards – except those five designs I'll continue – will be going on sale starting some time next week – just as soon as the 2011 calendar is complete – until they are all gone. I'm talking about $10 per five-pack so that is a pretty good deal. You may want to sign up for the Satsuma Press Newsletter so you'll know when this begins. The next newsletter will also contain details about the calendar, the holiday line, brand new custom holiday cards (plus a discount code) and the A6 sale.

Before I can put the newsletter together, I need to finish up the calendar – the artwork has all been printed (and I have a very sore arm!!), but I'll be printing text today and tomorrow ... This goes against my new rule to NOT work on the weekend, but Tuesday is my 35th birthday and I want nothing more than to do nothing much that day so I'm going to keep working throughout the weekend. Except for a possible trip for gelato tomorrow with Liam (that is, if he gets 100% on his spelling test today. It's his first test ever! Monday was the pre-test and he got a whopping 1 out of 5 correct. He's reading well, but spelling is a whole different thing. I'm not too worried, though; apparently the majority of first graders are dismal at spelling. Ben is the spelling test volunteer – which I find slightly ironic since he's not the best speller himself!!)

about those holiday cards

2010-09-28T15:28:00.001-07:00

Okay, so about those holiday cards I've been thinking about ... I tend to think (and re-think and then over-think) things like this until, sometimes, I get myself into a mess. I really want to go ahead with these cards, but I need more feedback, please. Here's what I'd like to know:

1. Pricing // I want to find that perfect balance between affordable (for customers) and sustainable (for myself). Pricing is very tentatively as follows:

So what do you think about this? Keep in mind that I'd need to order custom photopolymer plates for each order and that adds up. My thoughts are that most people would want to order 25 or 50 cards so I'm wondering if the prices (with and without custom return address) seem reasonable? If these don't seem so, why? I try to look at the pricing as a potential client and as the printer, but it's hard to figure out the magic numbers.

2. Designs // too many choices, not enough choices, just right? My idea is to start here and then, if it goes well, branch out to year round designs and palettes.

3. Card style // I could also offer all these designs – and already plan to for some – as folded 4Bar holiday cards. My inclination was to leave them blank, but would you rather have them with a standard holiday greeting (i.e. happy holidays, happy new year, etc.)? I may be in the minority as I think I prefer completely blank (or customized) for myself. Is it so much better to have customized cards that you'd pay the (significant) price difference? Be honest.

4. Turnaround time // I'd be aiming for a three week (or less) turnaround time from the sign off date. Part of what is tricky about custom work is that it requires a series of emails back and forth. I'd need to send a pdf of the custom layout to the client, the client then needs to respond (with either a 'go ahead' or 'can you change this ...') and so it takes a few days.

It's almost October so I'm running out of time for this to make sense for holiday cards. Please leave a comment here or email me directly with your thoughts at lynn@satsumapress.com!

custom holiday?

2010-09-24T10:13:00.001-07:00

double click to see larger

The idea, the goal, is to create simple, beautiful, functional and affordable custom letterpress cards for the upcoming holiday season. I'm trying to figure out how to do all of the above and also keep the turnaround to 2-3 weeks. If they were a success, I'd plan to do year round customizable cards – think birth announcements, new home, parties – and I'd switch the designs and color palettes to coordinate with the seasons.

What do you think? Yes or no? Am I crazy to try this out? Remember I'm trying to reduce stress in my life not increase it, but I so like the idea of these.

weekend

2010-09-20T10:58:00.001-07:00

I've been trying hard to not work in the studio on the weekends. I think it's good for all of us if this happens, though I'll admit sometimes it's unavoidable. This weekend, though, Liam came down with a cold and we also bought our first tv ever. This in itself has proven to be trying – who knew it was so complicated to get all the right components and wires? Anyway, we have the whole thing mostly set up – enough so to watch some Blue Planet with the kid along with some other not-so-good movies that aren't worth mentioning. We don't even have actual tv channels, but the only show I really want to watch is Mad Men. I'm not willing to pay for 100 channels just to have AMC, so we'll continue to buy in on iTunes the day after it airs.

Yesterday I spent a little bit of time making this simple garland. It's just embroidery thread with small one inch diameter circles (cut with this easy paper punch), folded in half and then glued. I picked up the colored paper at the local craft shop and I already had the hole punch. I think they're very sweet and I hung it up in the living room.

Did I mention that the bathroom remodel launched a house-wide cleaning? It did. I also rearranged our living room furniture and it's so much better now. There is lots more space for Liam and I wonder what took me so long to do this? The living room looks like this – only there is a flat panel tv above the fireplace now. Certainly, it's not as pretty as the woodblock prints, but truth be told we were tired of moving our desktop computer to the coffee table and back every time we wanted to watch a movie.

The garland I made hangs above that white play table. I just happened to hang it up after I took this quick snapshot. It's going to be paired with a print that is coming in the mail – one that I've had my eye on for a long time. I will photograph and post about it when it arrives. We just got the white credenza from IKEA and it holds a good portion of Liam's toys, all neatly organized in these plastic totes that fit perfectly. They come in three different sizes that all stack and fit just right in the credenza. Happy me.

2011

2010-09-17T14:10:00.001-07:00

I began printing the 2011 calendar today –hurrah! I can't wait to show you more. Soon, soon ...

the bathroom

2010-09-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

(This is posted over at we love liam as well, but I thought I'd put it up here as well. I'm sorry I've been away for so long. My father-in-law passed away in July – and time slipped by with so many things going on. I am slowly getting back to work and the 2011 calendars are one of my first priorities.)

+++

Friends, words will not really be enough to thank you for all your incredible generosity. The bathroom remodel is complete and we could not be happier. I hope the photos do it justice. It's like a spa in there – and I'll admit that it inspired a house-wide cleaning and minimizing frenzy like no other.

Just so you know what we began with – a perfectly fine bathroom, but not the best use of space, nor accessible.

+++

And now all the after photos.

The wall tile is from Heath Ceramics; it is 2x8 field tile in New Pisces Green. The floor tile is from 1x1 Rounded Corner Mosaic from American Olean in Biscuit (a slightly warm white); the rounded corner squares match the existing glass block window shapes. We chose a pale gray epoxy grout for the walls and floors and we couldn't be happier with it. It ties the to different tile shapes and colors together, plus it doesn't show dirt nearly as much.

We hired a local tile person to install – Bert at Mid-Valley Tile did a wonderful job. Other than the tile, we only hired a drywall crew to match the existing plaster; my husband, Ben, did the rest of the work himself (which is in part why we were able to have such a spa like bathroom!!)

The pull-down shower bench is from The Hardware Hut. There is a fixed shower head as well as a hand held one, and built in soap/shampoo cubbies.

The lighting above the sink was above the sink before; we just reused it so I am not sure where it is from.

The glass block window is original, though we did have the spacing re-grouted in gray to match the new grout for the walls and floor.

The built-in is made from the previous existing bathroom cabinets (see 'before' photo). The toilet was existing and in the same place as before. The toilet seat support system is from Columbia Medical. We've had it for several years now and it's a great option if your child has enough trunk stability to use it, which Liam does.

The towel bars, sink, sink fixtures and shower fixtures are all from American Standard. The sink is wall-mounted which allows full access for wheelchair users. The lever handles are easier to turn on and off for Liam as well.

+++

I'm so happy to report that Liam can wash his hands by himself – wall mounted sink, lever handles – and that he now LOVES showers.

A million thanks to so many.

holiday cards

2010-08-13T14:39:00.001-07:00

click to enlarge

Usually I don't have time to draw the Satsuma Press holiday cards til the last minute, which is not ever what I plan. Still, it's what happens year after year. This week has been chock full of to do list stuff; next will be the same.

Somehow, despite everything that has been going on, I found time to draw two holiday cards. They are simple – a sprig of foliage, a wreath – and I don't think I'll be drawing more than these. I'll print them in three holiday-like colors – cranberry, silver sage, leaf.

I'll be away from home and studio August 21st to the 26th. Liam and Ben will be staying almost a week longer than me at Ben's mom's place so I plan to get a good, strong start on printing both the holiday cards and the 2011 calendar. I can't wait!!

2011 calendar // sneak peek

2010-08-10T10:36:00.001-07:00

click to see larger

I have been working on the 2011 calendar lately. I wasn't sure what I'd do this year since my first thoughts of blind impressions with watercolor fell from favor. For me, that is. To be honest, I was feeling a little overwhelmed by this yearly project. But I'm really liking the direction of this – lots of circles and lines. It's simple with only a few months having more then one colorway, slate gray text and a blind stamp at the bottom of each page. I also decided to go with a slightly smaller format – 5.5 x 8.5 – still on 100% cotton paper.

I plan to have these ready for you by the middle-to-end of September. My idea is to do a fairly small run of 200 or 250 – and I'll start up a pre-order list at the beginning of September. Sign up for the Satsuma Press Newsletter right here if you want to know when that happens.

P.S. The wreath for December will also be printed as an all-purpose holiday card in a few colors – silver sage, leaf, cranberry and metallic silver.

august

2010-08-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

August, already. July went by in a blur. My father-in-law passed away on July 19th – just one year and a day after the death of a very close friend. Mid-July seems cursed, but I know it's not really that way. In the same month, Liam went to week long camp for the very first time. And loved it. We picked him up from Welches on Saturday, July 17th and drove home on the back roads.

Because of our unexpected week away to be with family, I am incredibly behind in the studio. Mailbox Monthly for July has not been finished – and I'm sorry. I discovered yesterday that the cd sleeves I ordered for MM are not so letterpress friendly. They have a shiny finish on them and the ink smudge too much, so on to Plan B. I'll be printing something else for the (now late) July edition and trying out some kraft paper cd sleeves next.

ready made party invitations

2010-07-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

double click on the images to make them larger

Here's a new idea I've been working on: ready-made invitations and matching thank you cards – letterpress printed, but affordable, no fuss, good for girls and boys alike.

The pig with candles was something I drew for Liam's third birthday party at his request. I think it's really cute for boys and girls ages 2-4. After 4, Liam drew his own birthday invitations that I scanned and then printed off the computer, but I think the flag banner would be really sweet for kids up to 8 or 9 years old.

And then there's the who-what-where-when-why invites. Fill in the blanks, use them for any sort of get-together you like. Maybe, though, people wouldn't want to fill out all that information. Maybe it should be more specific (i.e. date, time, place – not as catchy this way, though.)

I'd like to sell these ready-made in my online shop in sets of 10 invites + thank you cards (for the little kid series) and sets of 10 for the who-what-where-when-why invites ... A6 flats with corresponding colored envelopes. For these, I'd just pick color combinations I like, but for orders of 25 and up people could choose their own colors. That would be the only customization though – just the colors, no change to the text.

I guess I should mention that part of my hesitation to offer the little kids' invitations – at least as they are now – is that while I think they are CUTE, I'm not sure they stand out as anything special. I have been really careful thus far to only offer designs that I think really reflect my aesthetic; this is not the same as not branching out, just keeping a certain design sensibility. I feel more confident in the ready-made who-what-where-when-why invitations which use my existing work. Do you think the little kid ones make the cut? I'm not sure yet.

What do you think? All this comes about as I continue to try to make my work affordable for others yet sustainable for myself. Speaking of which – oh, the wedding line. I get so many requests but not quite enough follow through. Should I lower my prices? I don't think they are at all out of line with other similar printers, but maybe I should try to get more steady work ... I barely have enough hours in the day as is, though so I'm not sure exactly how I'd take on more. I still need to find time to work on the 2011 calendar!

i'm back

2010-07-28T10:13:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry for the radio silence. My father-in-law passed away unexpectedly on July 19th and we have been gone since then to be with family.

We just got home yesterday after 8 days away, so I have a lot of catching up to do around here, both in the house and studio. If you've emailed me or placed an order – or are waiting for Mailbox Monthly – please know that I'm doing the best I can do get everything back on track. I don't know how – and didn't have time – to figure out how to make my email generate an auto response so I have more than 100 emails to reply to now. I tried to reply to some with my iPhone, but they don't always go through. So thanks for your patience ...

2010-07-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

Some days the Heidelberg just sings. It works like a charm. (Other days it's a total beast and I spend many hours pleading for cooperation.) Today, though, was sweet. I don't actually use this press all the time; I often choose to use my Vandercook, particularly when the run is anything smaller than 100 or if I'm not up for the temperament and speed of the beast. Yet today the Heidelberg was humming right along – well, not humming, more like an insanely fast fiddle – and I got so much done. Today, though I woke up at 4:30 am. I know – that's insane – but I couldn't get back to sleep and my alarm was set for 5:00 anyway. I went to my crazy exercise class at 5:45, got home by 7:00 and was in the studio – belly full, totally caffeinated – by 8:30. I got to cross so many things off the to-do list, some of which have been on there for a VERY LONG time – yes!!

We're heading up to Portland tomorrow for an evening out and then we'll pick up the kid on Saturday morning. He's been at MDA camp all week long. And loving it. More about all that over at we love liam. I'm thinking about where to eat tomorrow night. Last weekend when we took Liam to camp – just 90 minutes or so outside of PDX – we managed to eat, with him, at Olympic Provisions for lunch and Toro Bravo for dinner. And Ben and I ate at Pok Pok the next day for lunch. Pure gluttony, but oh-so-tasty and good.

love this

2010-07-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

I love this scarf from Madewell. It's well established that I love the combination of gray and yellow so to me this is perfection.

I know I mentioned this song, Mexican Home – written by John Prine, performed by Josh Ritter on the album Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows before, but I've been listening to it almost every day, more than once. (It's a true fact that I could and do listen to songs I love obsessively.) It's cooled down here in the past couple days but it was so hot before and these lyrics really stuck with me:

It got so hot last night, I swear
You couldn't hardly breathe
Heat lightning burnt the sky like alcohol
I sat on the porch without my shoes
And I watched the cars roll by
As the headlights raced
To the corner of the kitchen wall.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

stationery catalog

2010-07-05T12:48:00.001-07:00

+++

I've been working on the wholesale stationery catalog. It's been on the to do list for a ridiculously long time, but now I've got it done and I'm pleased. There is nothing quite like crossing off that task that has been haunting you for ages. Do you own a small shop (or even a big one) that would be a perfect match for Satsuma Press stationery? I'm looking for just a few more stores to carry my line.

Email me if you would like to receive the wholesale line sheet.

poppytalk handmade

2010-07-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

The Oil Spill Response Market over at Poppytalk Handmade began today and Satsuma Press is part of it. There are lots of great vendors and we are each donating the proceeds from one item at our virtual table through Oxfam America. I am donating the feather stationery above.

My favorites from the market – this, this, this and this. Please go take a look.

From Jan and Earl at Poppytalk ...

As we are all sadly aware, the effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf have been devastating and with the continued crisis we have created our newest market (which is launching today) as an online virtual fundraiser we're dubbing the "Oil Spill Response Market". Approximately 70 designers, artists, artisans and vintage shop owners are each donating one item from their "virtual tables" here at Poppytalk Handmade to help the cause. We as hosts will also be donating to the cause offering $1.50 from each table participating. To support this cause each vendor will have an item listed "oil spill item" at their virtual tables (many of these items were specially made for this fundraiser). Once sold, they will be donating the proceeds of that sale to help the vulnerable communities threatened by the oil spill through Oxfam America who has a special online donation section. Click here for more info and here to visit the online fundraiser.

The oil is expected to cause extraordinary damage to Louisiana wetlands and marshes – a vital source of livelihoods and the first lines of defense for coastal communities against damage from hurricanes. Oxfam has been working hand-in-hand with low-income communities along the coast since Hurricane Katrina – and with another hurricane season looming, it is vital that vulnerable populations receive support immediately.

Thank you for your support and visiting our handmade community at Poppytalk Handmade. The market will run July 5th - July 30th, 2010!

Thank you, Jan and Earl, for putting this together for such a good cause.

P.S. I created my first treasury on etsy – some of my favorites ... Check it out here.

SEVEN

2010-07-02T14:17:00.001-07:00

I know I already used this image in my last post ... but I just decided to put this in my shop and I think you'll like it. It's called SEVEN – you get seven assorted letterpress cards from me for just eleven dollars. Many of the designs are being discontinued, so it's a way for me to clear space and for you to get a great deal while supplies last. To be clear, the selection is a surprise, but all lovely.

newsletter, etc

2010-07-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

Are you on my mailing list to receive the Satsuma Press Newsletter? If not, you might want to think about it ... I don't send too many of them out, probably 10 a year or less. And the one I sent yesterday? It included discount codes for stationery and the new customizable calling cards. Would you like to receive the newsletter and the discount codes? Shoot me an email or sign up here.

I've been trying for a long time to figure out a way to offer simple, lovely and affordable customized business and calling cards to folks. Here's what I've come up with – nine different original SATSUMA PRESS designs, all customizable with your choice of ink colors, fonts and texts. Ready for you in just two to three weeks, all at an affordable price. Get more details or order yours here. I'm still working on ways to make letterpress wedding invitations more affordable without sacrificing quality or design ... More thoughts on this to come, including tips on how to keep your costs down and still have letterpress pretties.

love this

2010-06-30T12:45:00.001-07:00

I love this bag. Stripes + leather = perfect. Truth be told, what I really don't need is yet another bag. But maybe you do? If so, lucky you.

happy monday

2010-06-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone. Over the weekend I went to the local Goodwill where I found these beautiful cups – just the lone green patterned one, but six of the cinnabar orange Japanese ones ... and all for five bucks! This find makes me happy, even though I really went to Goodwill to look for a platter to serve the dark chocolate tart I donated to Liam's school auction. More on that tart another time – dark chocolate, a spelt-farro flour shortbread crust (inspired by Alice Medrich), so incredibly good.

This morning I did something VERY out of character. I went to a 5:45 am Jazzercise class. Now, if you're anything like me, you wouldn't have known Jazzercise was still around ... You would have thought it was a thing of the eighties, right? Wrong. And, if you're anything like me, the thought of a 5:45 am exercise class would make you cringe. And the Jazzercise itself would seem slightly embarrassing because you might not be the most coordinated person in the world and you have happily waved a firm goodbye to the eighties. And you hate to work out in public, but really not many people are there at that horrific hour, quite understandably so. Anyway, I went because a friend of mine (HI, AMY!) substitute teaches the class and she's only doing two more sessions, so I figured what the hell? I stayed up way too late last night, woke up at 5:40, threw on some clothes and went to Jazzercise. And you know what's great about doing this? When I got home at 7:00, Liam and Ben were still sleeping, but I'd already worked out for an hour. So I get to feel pretty damn good about myself today.

One other thing that makes today pretty wonderful? My new cards and print got a shout-out from the always-lovely Grace at Design Sponge.

june mailbox monthly

2010-06-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

Going out in tomorrow's mail – Mailbox Monthly for June ... I'm loving the textures in these cards and print. They are in the online shops now, if you like them too. I'm wishing for sunnier days here, even though once they arrive the studio becomes almost unbearably hot. I'm still trying to catch up work here – a big order for Heath Ceramics and a new one for PlayMountain in Tokyo! (PlayMountain is at Heath LA this summer, more here.)

And a really fun identity project in the works – small run, lush cotton paper, inkless impression, water color. I am trying to clear up some time to work on the drawings for this.

P.S. I just got the John Prine tribute album, Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows. I've been listening to John Prine for a long time and, for some reason – it just stuck, I guess – we've sung his song 'Paradise' to Liam almost every single night since he was a baby. My favorite one on this new album is Mexican Home performed by Josh Ritter. (I've been listening to the song 'Lark' off Josh Ritter's new album a lot.) I also love the Old Crow version of Angel from Montgomery. You can listen to the entire album via the album website or via NPR right here.

house color

2010-06-07T21:08:00.001-07:00

new-and-improved color

It's been raining pretty incessantly here the past few weeks, but there's been a slight break in the weather and so (almost all) our house was painted today! This is the first time we have ever paid someone to come paint the house – so I've been astonished by how quickly it gets done ... in just a few days as opposed to a whole summer (or two). You might remember that I had a hard time making up my mind about paint color, but I'm very happy to report that I love this one. I think it's perfect – and that's a big deal since I've been known to actually repaint the entire inside of a house all by myself because the first choice was not the best one.

Just so it's clear how much better this color is – above is how it is right now and below is how it was before.

white white white!

I think this new color brings out the lines of the house so beautifully – and goes well with the brick as well. I'm excited to (eventually) think of permanent plants to go alongside the house. I think peonies, hydrangea and lilac are particularly lovely.

Ben pulled out several large hot pink camellia bushes (which I've never been very fond of) from the side of the house. This brought a lot more light into this end of the house and accentuated the lines as well. The glass block window in the middle is the bathroom – the one that we are about to remodel to be fully accessible for Liam!! As in this week, Ben will be starting the demolition. We are almost ALWAYS busy around here!

P.S. I'd like to replace our house numbers with something a little cleaner and simpler. I found these ones, but thought I'd see if anyone knew of anything else.

what i've been working on

2010-06-01T10:31:00.001-07:00

Business cards and gift certificates for a brand new restaurant, Luc, right here in Corvallis. It looks very promising and I'm looking forward to eating there soon. The design is by Geologie; the paper is cream colored 100% cotton Holyoke that takes a beautiful impression. Inks were custom – a pale green and a dark mahogany brown.

And the new line of blank calling cards/gift tags. I love these. I'll have them in the online shops just as soon as I can, plus a longer post about them. I'm trying to set aside uncut sheets of them so that text can be added for affordable, custom cards with a fairly quick turnaround. All as soon as I have time, I promise.

Oh my, it's already June today! I've been going at full speed around here – the raffle for Liam is all wrapped up, the to-do list is slowly shrinking, but I'm forced to admit that I did not get the May Mailbox Monthly out in, well, May – but today I will. A sneak peak is above. There has been very little sun here, so I'm dreaming of rainbows and the colors of summer.

stop by

2010-05-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

I've been curious about Root for a while, but never gone – and now we don't live in Portland anymore ... but we're heading up there on Sunday for this lovely event (with a stop beforehand at Little Red Bike for brunch goodness). Stop by if you're in the Portland area; I'll be there with stationery and other letterpress goodies, including some new stationery sets featuring Liam's drawings.

Root is right next door to Foster and Dobbs which has an excellent lunch menu. I don't even really love sandwiches, but this one – Salumi molé salami with sharp cheddar, red tomato chili jam, olive oil and greens – it gets me every time. I wonder how much I can really eat in one short day visit to Portland?

house colors

2010-05-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

You might have caught this post – same title, but different content – a few hours ago, while I was still undecided about house colors, but we've since made up our mind. We live in a 1950s ranch and it sits on the corner, a little bit above street level, so it doesn't fade into the background. I am adamantly opposed to khaki-like colors – too conservative, too boring, plus I'd never wear or use these colors myself. And yet I don't want anything garrish either; I suppose that's no surprise either since that's not my style at all. I really thought I'd for sure want an ochre yellow house, but I'm wasn't convinced about it with the red brick.

The color we've chosen is called oyster bay which is far less minty than it may appear. I know each computer can display colors a little differently. This one is a really lovely color, though. I couldn't place why it was familiar at first, but then Ben reminded me that is is almost the exact color of the beautiful Volvo 122 wagon I used to have, pre-Liam. I loved that car (and I'm not really a car person). It's pretty, not at all garrish and decidedly not pastel either. It looks good in the sun, in the shade and against the red brick at the front of the house. We're pairing it with a cream and bright white. I think it brings out the simple lines of the house (which is currently plain white, all around, blah). When we find time to put in plants, I think there are so many that will look beautiful against this color – my favorites are peony, lilac, dahlias ... This color, for me, is a winner. I'd wear it, print with it, knit something with it, eat off of it and, clearly, put it on my house.

And I like the photo above, which shows the door to my studio. You can see the paper cutter – which was put to good use all morning – through the window.

P.S. If you go to Sherwin Williams, you can pick out colors and apply them easily. It's not the same as painting an actual swatch, but it'll give you a rough idea.