creative and inspiring birthday goodies

I've mentioned that my birthday is my favorite holiday, and I was truly spoiled this year by my nearest and dearest! Letterpress drop caps by Jessica Hische were included in the goodies. Can't wait to put these up in my new house. And I also received amazing inspiring books like Fingerprint and New Vintage Type to add to my library. I'm a lucky girl.

it's official

Big Red is moving into her new studio. Both Red and owner are ecstatic. I know it doesn't look like much with all the trash from demolition (I've been tearing up sheetrock and flooring more than I've been printing and designing lately). But I'm going to be turning this into a stellar studio for Big Red in the next few months. There will be lots of pictures and updates to follow.

me = bad blogger

Dear blog and my lovely readers,

I have been a bad, bad blogger. I think summer, combined with a lovely long vacay in Italy (love), buying a house (!), securing a studio space (double !!), designing (fun stuff), getting ready to print (funner stuff), having a birthday (my favorite holiday), having summer fun (the best season) and working my regular old 9 to 5 job (boring). Well, I have neglected my blog. I promise, lots of fun stuff coming up. In the meantime, here's some inspiration straight from the cobblestone streets of Rome and the tiny adorable villages of Tuscany. Ciao for now.

moving?

Amanda + Rick just moved into their beautiful new federal style house. They are updating friends and family with a postcard that features a hand drawn illustration of their new home. I hope everyone who receives this is so excited that they immediately update their contact info.

bethesda eats

My dear friend Nicole just started a new facebook page (blog to soon follow!) with her hubs that rants about their eating adventures in Bethesda, MD. I'm sure it will be such a hit that it will expand outside Bethesda eventually. Check it out here. In the meantime, here's a little logo design for you.

i want

Wow has it really been a month since big red was delivered? Well, July came and went and I've had lots of good stuff cooking. More about that later. In the meantime, check out this video from one of my absolute favorite artists. She talks letterpress and you can see her swoon-worthy letterpressed drop caps. I have my eye on the S, C and ampersand prints. Consider them added to the list of I wants!

Beautiful letter C drop cap via Jessica Hische

meet big red

This was a monumental week for Dear Lola! Meet Big Red, a 1927 Chandler & Price press that was saved from a scrapyard by her last owner and completely refurbished. I'm sure she's very tired. She took a ride on a trailer from Las Vegas to Los Angeles at 4AM this morning. Now I will be able to give her a loving home with lots of good printing projects to follow. For now, she's sitting in a garage while I get my studio situation squared away. Knowing she's sitting there waiting for me is totally surreal since I've been searching for a press for an entire year. All the stars aligned for me and Big Red and I just had to jump at the chance to own this 1700 pound beauty. Isn't she pretty?