The time has come! Anne-Marie is off in Saudi Arabia and I am now in charge of the Blog in her absence. Anne-Marie will be back next week but in the mean time, my co-workers and I have numerous ideas for what we’d like to share with you!
But my first order of business is to enlist your help in getting me a new toy.
I was very successful in convincing Anne-Marie that we absolutely needed a YUDU screen printing machine. I made some T-shirts and an apron for the new Soap Queen TV videos – I’ll share more about that with you tomorrow. So I think I’m on a roll!
I am dying to get my hands on this new Letterpress machine from QuicKutz. Anne-Marie and I both share a love for all things letterpress (some past posts on her letterpress loves are here, here, and here). So I’m guessing it won’t be too hard to convince her of the “absolute necessity” of this new gadget – but I’d appreciate any help I can get! So, leave a comment about how excited you are to see my letterpress creations for Soap Queen and Bramble Berry.
My love of letterpress started with my study of Book Arts. I was lucky enough to take bookbinding and letterpress classes in college from Elsi Vassdal Ellis. Above is an example of her work.
After I graduated I took a workshop at Stern & Faye Printers. Each person in the class made their own ‘calling cards’ using the antique type in their collection. Above is a letterpress collage created by Chris Stern, who sadly passed away in 2006.
Sometime soon I hope to take a workshop from a local print shop, Bison Letterpress. Pretty much anytime I notice a cool poster or business card around Bellingham, it turns out it was made by them. Checkout the gorgeous soap labels and boxes they created above.
As you can see my (minimal) letterpress experience is sure to make my creations with the Quickutz Letterpress machine an absolute success and I most definitely deserve one! I’m sure you’ll agree and I’m crossing my fingers that Anne-Marie will, too.
I found this tutorial for how to make freezer paper stencils. http://squirrelacorns.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/freezer-paper-stencils/
Using your Cricut this technique is even faster – since you don't have to cut-out the design by hand. Have fun!
Cool Amber, thanks for the tip about the iron on stencils on my cricut! Do you know where I can find tutorials for that? Don't worry, I am a fighter and Cancer won't beat me, I will BEAT cancer! I love what you are doing with the BLOG! You are a fun girl with fabulous ideas!
Outre Beauty Bistro – I have a Cricut at home, too! (I'm a bit of a gadget girl) Using your Cricut you can make iron-on stencils with freezer paper and paint T-shirts that way. It's practically like a Yudu! My thoughts are with you – keep fighting!
Rose – I remember struggling with that goopy blue emulsion junk, aswell! By far the Yudu is much easier to use. Let me know if you have any other questions.
A Letterpress machine is perfect!
When I think about the Screen Printing class I took in college and the old methods used just to get one sheet done I could just cry…
The machine will be a cinch 🙂 I think I want one too and get back into screen printing again!
I agree with Holly! You are so lucky to have Amber and her creative talents being put to use to help make Bramble Berry even better! I too LOVE letterpress and want one too…but I just received the Cricut Expressions as well as some bad news (Breast Cancer) so my creativity is on hold at the moment. It is something I am going to reward myself for when I can call myself a "Survivor".
It's so nice to hear that we all agree on this issue. Hopefully, Anne-Marie isn't feeling too pressured – but if she is, it's for a good cause!
I definitely think you should get one – I may get one too! Just think of the packaging possibilities and the endless blog posts!
I honestly don't see how Anne-Marie has resisted this long! ;D You have my vote too, Amber…LOL!
On my budget, I'll have to stick with embossing by hand. :}
You totatlly need this! 🙂
I once tried to homemake a kind of letterpress label. My idea was to lightly dampen a piece of inkblot paper, place a rubber-stamp on it and then use a hammer to tap in the impression. I could never get it to work out perfectly – though I was sure that in theory it should work a lot like a etter press machine. GET THE LETTERPRESS machine – we all live vicariously through this site – you need a letterpress machine!
You guys are great – especially Amber. Yes, Holly, I agree that we are very lucky to have Amber. She is a gem (and the rest of the team she works with is pretty awesome too.)
I'm having an interesting time in Saudi and am looking forward to reporting it all when I get more than 10 minutes of free time! =) We are jam packed scheduling wise. Tonight, we don't end until 11:30 and then leave for the airport for a day excursion to the Saudi Oil Fields at 6 a.m. It's a busy agenda.
XXOO, A-M
I think you'll be able to create such innovative and professional labels and cards for the Brambleberry products, videos, etc. that it's definitely a necessity. Anne-Marie is always teaching us to strive to be creative and to do whatever we can to package our products professionally…so she's basically already made the argument that you guys really need one. Plus everyone loves the look of the letterpress…just upping the ante now to take "hand-crafted" to the next level!
Jamie – I promise to deliver a full report if my campaign is successful.
di – I hope you like the shirt!
Bridgette – thanks!
Holly – I'm practically blushing, but also seriously considering printing your comment on a T-shirt for myself (using the Yudu of course). You know, just as a reminder for Anne-Marie as to what a gift I am. Or would that be a little much? 🙂
Anne-Marie, what a gift to have an employee whose creativity is fired by passion and who is inspired to create unique and artistic designs to help Bramble Berry continue to grow and reach a larger audience!! Makes me so happy to send my business the Bramble Berry way! You go, Amber!!
Holly
I am with Amber. I really think you need one. After the shirts you did, I can just imagine what you could create with the press. Good luck! Hope you get one.
I love love love letterpress! Get one get one get one!!!!!!! I love the shirts and aprons you made, in fact I should be getting one in the mail soon with my goodies from the resolution post.
Did I mention that I love letterpress? lol jk But you should for sure get one!
I can't wait to see what you guys come up with! If everyone loves the machine, then I will buy one, too! I am obsessed with letterpress, and I think it would be so much fuin to be able to make cards myself. I hope the results are fabulous!
Two Rivers – Hooray! Thanks for the support.
Suji – So jealous…. can ….barely… type.
ps thanks for the new link!
Ooh! What a great find! I adore all things paper as well – and also saw that it was backordered on the site you posted… but found my way to the original manufacturer (http://lifestylecrafts.com/products/tools.aspx) and ordered the machine, *lots* of paper and am now working on designing a custom plate…
Suji 🙂
The L Letterpress is on my wish list as well. I think Anne0Marie should order it for you!
Ha ha – I leave for a few days and Amber is already enlisting the Soap Queen 'army' on her behalf. Tricky … =)
XXOO, A-M
Hey dM,
So wonderful to hear from you!
Very persuasive, Anne-Marie doesn't stand a chance.
A-M:
Now you KNOW Amber needs a Letterpress. Just think of all the fun things you can do with it at your blog and in classes. It's only $150 and it's deductible of course. Plus, as an added benefit, think of the cards you can make with it while testing it out from time to time to make sure it's up to snuff for Bramble Berry.
Amber, I'm with you!
Better order now! According to the website, it's on back order until at least mid-February!
Can't wait to see the fun things you guys will make!