It actually worked!

After lots of planning, designing, oiling and researching, I finally got around to a trial run of my Kelsey 8x5 a few weeks ago. Although refurbished, I knew that my pretty little antique letterpress might have any number of reasons not to work perfectly on the first try, so I did all the homework I could to get ready, including this.

First, I dragged her upstairs to a good, but not necessarily permanent, spot on the table and gave her a good dusting off. Then, I had to figure out how to set up the tympan paper, grid and mylar needed to position my stock.

I'd ordered and received my Boxcar base beforehand, plus done some design work and gotten the very first polymer plates of some of my scribbles. Ink: check. Cleaner and rags: check. Just-in-case link to Briar Press online: yep.

Instead of mixing ink and risking one of my new plates, I simply cracked open the red and dug up a little letterpress plate I got off ebay some time ago. I locked the little house up in the chase, loaded up some ink on the rollers, said a wee prayer and went to town (fingers crossed and white-knuckled).

Well, would you look at that? My very first print. *grin*

I was hoping the impression would have a bit more depth, so I fine tuned things by packing a sheet at a time under my stock (so the paper would be 'higher' and the plate could 'push' further into the paper.)

I think I could get addicted to my new friend Kelsey. Even the clean up wasn't that bad.

Next stop: giving the new plates I had made with my little drawings a turn!

Dawg Gone New.

It's a magnet factory around here these days and there are lots of exciting new designs in the mix. Inspired by our rescue, Larry, this set is sure to get a few tails waggin' at the Beach Arts & Crafts Show this summer!

My Long Winter's Nap...

... in typical working mom fashion, wasn't really a nap at all. My day job kind of took over for a few months.

(*tap, tap -- anyone still out there?*)

And then we went away for a week (which, for those with children, involves weeks of prep beforehand and eons of laundry afterward). Then we had three kids in hockey and got a new dog. And there was more laundry.

But there's been illustration too. Mostly when I've been staring hard at deadlines I didn't want to face. So I've got lots saved up to share, even if I couldn't post for a while.

Get ready to hear all about the exploits of Larry-the-Lab-n-something-something, lots of fun new magnet designs, some things that have been inspiring me lately, a couple of upcoming Shows and maybe even a tale or two about trying to get my new old letterpress up and running -- once it's up and running for real, that is.

All that, in between the three hockey seasons that are wrapping up, swim meets and horseback riding that's about to start. And of course, the Job that won't go away (good thing -- Mommy wants a laptop!)

They Draw and Cook Holiday Recipe Contest

Have you checked out They Draw and Cook's Holiday Recipe Contest yet? What a great idea for those of us who like to eat and draw!

Illustrators from all around the world have submitted holiday recipes that will be posted daily on the blog throughout December. Each day, a favourite recipe will also be posted on The FN Dish (!), the Food Network's blog. And they're also making a book (with a bunch of other recipes). If you're short a good sugar cookie recipe, this might be the place to snoop around ...

Candy Cane Bark is a treat we make every year at our house -- it's super easy for the kids to help with (there's always a fight over who gets to smash the candy canes) and extra yummy. Makes a great take-home gift for family after Christmas Dinner too; just wrap a few pieces in a cello bag with Christmas ribbon and voilà!

Enjoy!

Holiday Craft Show THIS Saturday!

Don't miss the Fox Theatre Movies & Makers Arts & Crafts Show this coming Saturday, Dec 4th!

It's going to be a great show, with loads of local artisans (what a great way to support not only the local community, but a great historical theatre as well!) and plenty of early Christmas shopping opportunities. I'll have calendars, brand new holiday gift tags and greeting cards, prints and magnets on hand so mark your calendars, stop by and say hi. See you Saturday!

Stampaholics do Christmas!

I'm so excited to share that Michelle at Purple Onion Designs has released a new set of stamps featuring my little holiday drawings! We worked on these earlier in the fall and I received a sample set just yesterday -- I'm not sure why I get such a kick out of seeing rubber stamps made with my Scribbles, but it really is fun! I can't wait to get my ink pads and paper out and try some. In the meantime, check out what her designers have done with them here.

I'll have a few on hand at the Fox Movies & Makers Craft Show coming up on Saturday December 4th too, so mark your calendars and you can try them out. (If you'd like a set of your own, you can get them at Purple Onion Designs!)

Gift your friends, teachers, aunts, vet, clients, hairdresser ...

Check out what's brand new at carolyndraws just in time for the holidays: Perpetual Calendars, fresh off the press! Yay!!

Each month is illustrated by moi, printed on gorgeous cardstock and coil bound so you can flip monthly, and you guessed it: perpetually.

Here's how it works: there's no year on this calendar, so record each birthday, anniversary, important date on the date and month that it occurs (you can add the year as well, so you'll always know how old they are or how long they've been together). Keep this calendar forever, adding new tiny humans, anniversaries and memorable occasions as they occur and forget about ever updating your new annual calendar again. (Whew. Not my favourite activity every year!)

This calendar's the perfect gift for anyone who needs to remember birthdays, like:

1. Teachers. (Especially the ones who don't look at you funny when you show up in slippers at drop-off)

2. Dog walkers. (They work in the rain a lot and never forget birthday treats for Spot. How, you ask? Well ...)

3. Hairdressers. (You don't want them taking out angst on the part in back you can't see.)

4. Grandmothers. (How do you think they always remember birthdays anyway?)

5. Clients. (This'll make you look both thoughtful and clever.)

6. Assistants. (No worries about picking the wrong size, colour or style.)

7. Coffee baristas. (No explanation needed. These folks are lifesavers.)

8. Cleaning ladies. (See #7.)

9. Hockey coaches. (Or the wives of hockey coaches, who are we kidding here?)

10. Hostesses. (Especially the ones who throw nice parties, but even for the ones who don't.)

11. Aunts. (This might be the one thing they don't have.)

12. Piano teachers.

13. Violin teachers.

14. Vets. (They have birthdays too.)

15. Doctors.

16. Your partner's assistant. (The one who remembers your birthday and tracks your partner down when he/she won't pick up.)

17. Other Moms in the yard/playtime/therapy group.

18. Bookclub Ladies. (Particularly if the wine and desserts are good at Bookclub.)

19. School Secretaries. (Beats candles, chocolate and perfumey soaps, hands down.)

20. Sisters. (Especially if you have large families.)

21. Brothers. (So your sisters don't have to keep reminding your brothers when to call the folks any more. Your sisters-in-law will thank you too.)

22. Brothers-in-law. (Think of it as a present for your sisters.)

23. Cousins.

24. Neighbours. (The hardest people to buy for. But especially perfect for the ones who can 'mistakenly' shovel snow onto your side.)

25. Favourite Bloggers. (Hint.)

I bet you can think of dozens more. Which is why you should check out my shop and get a few before they're gone! Get one for yourself and, while you're at it, pick up one or two extra to have on hand for those annoyingly organized people who always spontaneously show up with the perfect, most thoughtful gifts during the holidays.

It beats trying to keep chocolates on hand (without opening the box, that is).

Fun with screen printing.

New to my etsy shop -- a few cards I printed recently.

They're perfect to keep on hand for the teacher who always finds lost mittens, the Mom who carpools to hockey, the dogwalker who shows up rain or shine or a friend who's under the weather.

Check them out here and here! If you're in the Toronto area and would like some, let me know and we can easily arrange pick-up!

I ♥ Letterpress.

This past Saturday, I carved a few hours out of a very busy day to check out Snap & Tumble's Letterpress Curiousity Workshop. And I'm so glad I did! From the moment I walked in and saw the trays of lead type on the table, to the second I reluctantly traded inky fingertips for hockey rink handwarmers, it was a blast.

After introducing ourselves, Tanya showed us how to set our own lead type in the chase (didn't know moving "furniture" around would be part of the assignment, but don't worry, it wasn't too much of a workout!), mix rubber-based inks, apply our ink to the ink disk and register our hand-cut papers on the platen (I must say, I was green with envy when I saw Tanya's big-girl paper cutter!). Then we went to work, printing as many copies of our designs as we could.

I got to give Tanya's Adana Eight-Five a try. It was SO much fun seeing my first print come off that I did almost a hundred! I can't wait to get a plate made of one of my little scribbles so I can go back and make some more!

Tanya is a treasure trove of self-taught how-tos -- I was so impressed when I heard that she decided to figure out letterpress all on her own just three years ago. Since then, she's gone from zero to local expert, with two of her own presses and a booked solid calendar of workshops and custom jobs. She has a great sense of style. You'll just love her work and all of the tips she has to share.

I have a feeling that once I raid the kids' allowance jars, I may be looking for a little press of my own.

(On second thought, you're right. I shouldn't raid their allowance jars. I should go straight for the RESPs.)

My favourite month.

I've been asked many times over the years what my favourite month or season is and I'm never sure. Each of the months has so many of its own merits -- September brings back to school and warm sweaters, December the holidays, April the promise of spring, February skiing ....

Then there's July.

My birthday is in July so I've kind of been biased in its favour for a long time. And July means the kids and I pack up kit and kaboodle and move north for a while, to our cabin. What's not to love about a month that marks the beginning of summer, freezie season and flip flop weather?

But these days, I love July a little bit extra because I'm experimenting with hand-drawn lettering and July is short and sweet. Stay tuned to see what happens when the best parts of each month mix well with my marker, some interesting typography and clever print production.

Do you have a favourite month, by the way?