We're mixing things up this Valentine's Day!!

Instead of the usual line up of beautiful letterpress Valentine's Day cards, we've teamed up with P.S. I Made This to create a super easy way to make your own very Presshaus-y card without the greasy and oversize letterpress machine. Erica Domesek, the founder of P.S. I Made This and innovator behind the concept of  "I see it. I like it. I make it." came in the studio for a visit and to see what we could come up with.

Together we wanted to create something easy, chic and sophisticated, but we knew that it would be impossible to incorporate actual letterpress. Put the glitter away. Don't even bother with the glue gun or the fancy paper punches. We're busting out the gold leaf which is relatively easy to find at a local craft store and should cost about $10-$15 for a few sheets.

All you need is 4 things:
• glue stick
• cardstock
• gold and/or copper leaf
• a medium firm brush to dust off excess leaf

Take a look at their inspiration collage and quick how-to on their website on how to create your card.

Below are some designs I made in the studio using papers I already had on-hand. I'm a fan of neutrals and kept it simple with greys and nudes to the let the metallic shine sing. The jagged edges of the leaf really bring out the look of a hand-lettered premium foil-stamped card. 

This how I started with paper. I was nonstop making cards and paper goods for special occassions. Go ahead, roll up your sleeves and create something for your special someone. Have some fun with personalizations, monograms or special love-bug messages.  

~K

​Tags ready to be attached to wedding favors.

It's Monday after the "spring forward" time change and my body feels a little sluggish from this past weekend of wedding events. Biggest Congratulations to my cousin Elysse and her new husband, Jeff. I'm so thrilled for them. As one of her bridesmaids, not only did I get to wear a cute dress and hold a bouqet, but I also had the chance to do some letterpressing and calligraphy for her. 

I was honored to letterpress and handwrite her escort cards. These weren't ordinary foldover table cards. Each table was named an airport and each person had their own tag with the airport code letterpressed and their name calligraphed with white ink. To present all the tags, they were pinned onto a frame all aligned and guests picked off their names during cocktail hour. I wish I was there to see the guests pick off their tags off the board to see the guests' reactions. I was with the bridal party in the back room hiding out from the rest of the guests waiting for the Grand Entrance. Besides, appetizers and glasses of wine were coming our way. Why would I step away from that?

Although I'm a little heavy-eyed right now, I'm so pleased with how they turned out and most of all, I'm glad the bride is pleased. 

It was a very happy wedding day! Congratulations Elysse and Jeff!

 

Honing calligraphic skills to compliment letterpress goodies.

One stop shop and all handmade by yours truly.

My hand is slightly cramped up but I adore the results. Even the white ink has a raised touch on the envelope. On the flap in the back, I've also written a return address. 2 nibs for 2 different line weights but one ink well.

This is how I enjoyed my quiet Sunday evening.