Printing at Albertine Press

Yesterday was an incredibly hot, fall day and I headed in the morning to Somerville to print at Shelley's studio. I haven't been there for months, and I like to find always more new shelfs, more boxes, more paper laid around that fill up the space completely. And the new Heidelberg addition it's a real beauty! The light was lovely and I could not resist to take more photos of the presses and the hand-mixing ink. I feel always lucky to be able to use her press and have a quick, but productive talk about new collaborations for 2011! but for now, back to my work and orders to be shipped today. Enjoy the Halloween weekend!

Dottie Angel

Found via Uppercase, I loved the story behind Dottie Angel and her brilliant self-portraits . For a moment, I truly believed she has eight children and they are all home schooled! Then, here is her presentation:
Dottie angel lives in a run down cottage over looking the sea. she has two airstream trailers in the yard, one is her studio and the other stores her vast collection of vintage notions... her eight children are home schooled and spend the day outside running barefoot and their evenings sitting by the fireplace, learning ancient crafting technics. they never talk back to their mother and always smile... she has several chickens, seven rescued greyhounds and a bearded dragon named STIG... dottie spends most days dressed in an old vintage slip that belonged to her grandmother, that she customized. she thinks to herself, surely everyone dreams of living this life, or at least dressing like they do... Tif lives in suburbia, is a Brit, a mother of four kids who talk back and a wife. she wears a customized slip and dreams of living dottie angel's life...

The studio in blue

The last piece of furniture from my home landed at the studio the other night. Today I placed the blue table in front of the window for drinking a cup of tea and watching people passing by. Then more pictures came along. A tribute to Maria Vettese was unavoidable, if I may, as we have the same "Cote d'azur Restaurant" table I bought years ago in an antique store in Michigan. What an amazing coincidence and I always wonder where this restaurant really used to be and if other blue tables are even for sale. I'm also happy to have placed the press on the top of this rescued piece of furniture that was buried with stuff before. The old wood boards on the back are beautiful. It seems pretty stable and I need now to find the time to print the projects I have in mind for months.... but for now, the Alphabet from Bookhou was the first thing I hang on the wall and it looks just perfect. Let me know what you think!

Around the studio

As I'm always looking for a good parking spot that last longer than two hours around my studio, I took some photos of little details around here. Love the tiny streets, the subway station and how more urban everything looks, compare to where I live, which is not too far. Also good restaurants and cafe` to take breaks and my lovely friend at Pod is just around the corner. I'm still opening boxes, moving furnitures and looking for more tables, shelfs and possibly a sofa, but the studio is officially open by appointment, if you will be in the area. I'm planning to have an official grand opening and studio sale in early December, hopefully more updates are coming soon...

Useful links in this area:
T stop: Brookline Village, D line.
Brookline Public Library.
New England Institute of Art.
The Cutty's just had lunch there and it was very good!
La Morra one of the best Italian restaurant I have been to in the USA.
KooKoo Cafe` great falafel and atmosphere.
Pod one of my favorite shop in the Boston Area, great inspiration!
Japan Village Mart, fine Japanese grocery store.
Italian Design Modern furniture store, funny, it is just next to my studio.
Paul Worthington, Design and Restoration, across the street.
Pomodoro Restaurant where you can see the the original paintings on wood, I use on the top banner of this blog, by Susy Pilgrim Waters.

The legend of sleepy hollow

What about an original Legend of Sleepy Hollow engraved stamp, from 1974 for an Halloween card? New in the shop!

Lettera X

After several inquiries, I placed a custom order of Brocaded Alphabet Ribbon with the letter X from the manufacturer in Italy. The only letter I was missing from the English alphabet. Now, for the first time, available at my shop!

Imke Klee

Found via Chellis Wilson, beautiful photography by Imke Klee.

New Brown/burgundy Twine

Another little announcement today. I have some new brown/burgundy and white Cotton Twine available in the shop. A new color ready for fall packaging! Talking about gift wrapping and packaging, have you seen the post on Felt and Wire today?

Announcing.......

I apologize for announcing the winner of the giveaway one day late. I didn't realized yesterday was a national holiday in the US (I never do) and I was adsorbed in family activities for the long weekend. Though, my children wrote down all the names, cut it out and choose The Traveling Bookbinder out of the pink bag. Please send me your mailing address and I will mail the giveaway to the UK this week. Thank you everyone for the lovely comments, you really make me happy, and I'm sure more giveaways will come in the near future!

Business cards

A while ago I designed these business cards and never found the time to print them on the table top. I finally hand the printing plates to Shelley and now they are done! Coincidentally I found these great article on D*S about the value of having business cards, which I strongly believe is right!

Two days in New York

The last minute idea of spending two days in NYC was brilliant! Here some details of the trip. Have you been to the Metropolitan exhibit on the roof garden? amazing!

Making books again

During these busy months of filling up wholesale orders, I was missing the pleasure of sitting down and sewing books. I was happy when Moontree Letterpress placed an order of a few books for her personal use, so I could use my new teal wax thread and take out my Santa Maria Novella box full of my favorite vintage stamps. Welcome back thread and needle, I was missing you so much!