Category: business

The Older I Get

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…the less I sleep

…the more I worry

…and the more aches appear

But I haven’t stopped loving to learn.

The thing about letterpress printing is each time I ink up the press, I have something I need to figure out. Maybe it’s the paper. Is the ink too cold? What about the packing? Is that metal letter chipped? Why is it printing more on one side than the other?

At first, I feel frustration rising. And then I remind myself: you got this. I take some time and figure out what the problem is, and then…. Ta da! I love the feeling of success, too! I wish I’d discovered this early in my life. But I’m going to enjoy the time I have left with it.

Before the arthritis kicks in too much. #gettingoldhurts

Eat Cake (and Treats, too)

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I’m sharing this card since I’ve spent the last few days dealing with my puppy’s illnesses. She has megaesophagus, which means she was born with a poorly-formed esophagus and needed surgery. She will have life-long issues.

But she loves to eat, even if we have to feed her a spoonful at a time. This card makes me laugh as she often sits in the kitchen right next to her treat bag. Her look says, “Is it time for a treat yet?”

Life update: I sent out an email this summer explaining that I would be cutting back on Downtown Writing and Press. My mother has moved into assisted living here in Fredericksburg, and David retired. That means more travel for us and more care-giving for my mom. So far, I’ve still been able to get in lots of printing, but I’ve not re-opened my Etsy shop so you have to live locally to purchase my prints. I may open it with a limited supply of prints, but I’m still thinking that through.

In the meantime, all is well….

Reboot/ Regroup

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file0002143843277I needed yesterday. Two friends from Life is a Verb Camp, a retreat I attended in November, came to visit and learn about letterpress printing.

Recently, I’ve been feeling somewhat out of sorts with my creative life. Not sure of how to proceed, I just drifted from one project to another. But yesterday, I worked with these friends and found myself so caught up in not only printing but also sharing what I do and how I do it.

Hmmm, maybe I miss teaching? Maybe I ought to do this more often? Sometimes the Universe talks loudly and clearly. And I am listening.

So what’s my next step? I need to get more organized with my “stuff” and my process. That will happen over the next two months. Then I’ll begin to advertise for workshops. Yay, I have a plan!

 

To write, to think, to reflect– then create

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I have an unusual habit– when I am ready to create, I write first. Whatever is on my mind. Then, I think about what I’ve written, process and reflect, and finally create the print or card.

This week I’ve been doing a lot more thinking, ruminating really. And it’s gotten me nowhere. Soooo, I’m back to what works. I am writing.

Not that I’ve been sitting around doing nothing. We adopted a cute Golden mix. She is the joy of my life, but takes some specific care because of health issues. When I’m not walking her, I am printing. These two quotes resonated with me this week– so they became prints!

You may be seeing more of this type of work. As I always say, I print what I’m thinking.

If you are local, please consider coming to the Sunken Well Tavern on December 8 for the Tinsel Town Holiday Market. I’ll be there with cards and prints and taking orders for custom holiday stationery, too.

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