When Weddings Strike

For someone who loves working weddings, I find it incredibly hard to choose a gift when I happen to be a guest. While I always believe in the power of green printed rag paper often exchanged for goods and services (a.k.a- cash) I wanted to do something a little more special.

As I was sipping my wine and relaxing tonight (who am I kidding- this should really read: as I was chugging my wine and wondering how the hell I got here and what happened), staring across the living room, I realized I had the tools at my disposal.

My step-sister Jess is marrying the man of her dreams on Saturday. Paul has given her so much love and together they have an adorable little boy who lights up my world with his toothy little smile, all from 2 states away. So first thing Saturday, I'll be on the road (loading up on carbs and water since I know how my family rolls). Tomorrow though, my one task, besides plowing my way though a Friday workday, is to find some A2 envelopes in Portland, somewhere.

I also had an epiphany tonight. My press actually works...

It really helps if there's nothing obstructing the letters from hitting the paper. Sometimes it's the little things.

So my little gift to Jess will be her first set of custom notecards, with her new name. I love the smell of old wood cuts, letterpress ink and mineral spirits (the cleaning kind, not the ones in my wine glass- although those smell pretty nice too). I'm still wiping the green ink off my hands, the furniture and my coffee table but it's worth it.

Don't worry kids. I'll try to keep it original for your weddings.

Stephen- next year you're getting personal business cards that say:

Stephen Miner

Badass Married Man

XXX-XXX-XXXX

Julia- I'm working on ideas. But they all involve a custom made block cut of that pose Ryan is always doing in photos.

Jenn- If you leave me the old maid... I will drink myself into oblivion.

Oh wait...that's already happening.

See you all this weekend. Bells and raincoats on.

A "First Edition" Thank You Note

After the season of giving, many people take some time to thank friends and family for gifts received. I'm going to take a moment to thank my friends and family for all the non-material things they give me all the time.

Some people choose to leave, some people choose to stay. Others are just always there... because anything else wouldn't even occur to them.

Even on an especially boring night like tonight- when I'm working on the press, my fingers black with grease, iron grime and green ink (occasionally refilling my wine glass) I realize that I could just pick up a phone or send a text and someone would be there.

So THANK YOU! Someday the Sweet Ivy Press can send you a real thank you note...you know...when the ink hits all the letters at the same time.

The Chase is On!

It's in! The new chase is in! My family and friends convinced me to invest a little money and a lot of hope in a new chase.

Big thanks to my new friend Louis at Excelsior Co. He cast this new beauty which looks fabulous and works even better.

Now that I can actually ink up the press...I was able to start setting up the platen (the base that the paper goes on). It needs to be completely level so that all parts of the paper hit the type evenly.

Since I had to scour the house and garage for a flat-head screwdriver...I was off to an awesome start. (Obviously it was in the junk drawer in the kitchen...where-the-crap-else would it be?)

Now tightening four screws until the type prints level sounds super easy right? Check out all the scrap covered in false-starts...


When the boy returns...I'll get a fresh set of eyes on it all :-) Then maybe a weekend-course in VT or MA for a little professional help. (Christmas present...hint, hint).