Pulling Prints in Birmingham

image from here

One month from today (on December 1, 2011), I will help to welcome Kyle Durrie of Power and Light Press all the way from Portland, Oregon to Birmingham, sweet home, Alabama. Durrie has done like many dreamers before and used Kickstarter to fund a bad A personal project. Last year, she raised the money to transform the above vintage Chevy van into a mobile letterpress print workshop. When the funds were in place, she set forth on the most epic of road trips, making stops across the great states our nation to share her love for printed matter. You can read about her travel on her blog, and then actually take part in the fun when she makes her stop here at Railroad Park between the hours of 3 and 7 pm. Roll on over and print your own holiday card to-go-sies.

5th Annual Day of Fall Fun

There was plaid, there was fall fare, pumpkin carving and a warm fire.

Most of all, there was the delightful company of friends.

5th Annual DOFF was a success. Fall fun was had by all.

Sweet Melodies

I have an insatiable appetite for new music right now, which is, quite frankly, something I haven't felt in quite some time. These songs and artists have been soothing me with their sounds. I'm in a receiving mood here lately. "Sing me brave from your mouth."

Gregory Alan Isakov, In Tall buildings from before the winter fires on Vimeo.

My Brightest Diamond - ALL THINGS WILL UNWIND: Visuals from Asthmatic Kitty on Vimeo.

Listen to more here

Ryan Adams, Ashes and Fire

Remember You Used to Love Me from War Jacket on Vimeo. Caleb Chancey, War Jacket

You Are Here

image from here

"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status [not anything else!], defines your life." --1 Corinthians 7:17

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

Four Hats On!

Check this guy out!

Below are the results of the first week of printing action in my basement studio. Rolling the cylinder back and forth in a repetitive motion gave me a chance to reflect on how faithful the Lord has been to answer prayers and get this little dream off the ground. I loved having visitors in the studio this week, and have really enjoyed having the chance to explain the process to others. There's one more print to share, and I will do so later (as it's a gift that needs first to be given). Here are the other two works:

Another wedding invite!

And business cards for a talented friend and fashion designer,

Heather Williams. Check her out here!

p.s. i love my new corner rounder!

** for the printers out there, if you're wondering why i'm doing extra inking on my way back from each revolution, it's because the inking is not quite enough with just one trip back to the feedboard. Any tips?

Let's roll!

image from rob culpepper

The press is in action. With the first color of a three color print done, I'm jazzed to know that this thing works! I can't wait to finish up this first at-home fourhatspress creation. Look out for the full story and photos later this week!

image from here

At risk of sounding dramatic, I've been waiting for this day for over two years. Ever since I started clicking around on the internet looking at pictures of printed matter, I've been head-over-heals with the process of letterpress. The trail that love has set me down has been quite unpredictable. It's lead me to many a printer, and many a friend. I've relied on their expertise for so long, and learned immeasurable lessons. I've reached a part of my journey that I must walk alone. I've got my tools, I just need to try. Today (pending the arrival of my last supply), I will troubleshoot and turn the crank on the finally-repaired-after-years-in-waiting Vandercook in my very own home studio. Oh happy day!

*stay tuned for more stories, pictures, and hopefully, if all goes as planned, prints!