A lovely mention in Little Blue Canoe's blog post

Kelly of Little Blue Canoe wrote a super fun blog post entitled "A Valentine's Card for 25 Different Types of Lovers" in anticipation of this year's Valentine's Day. It is so great, that even though it is now a week past Valentine's, I still wanted to share it.

Image source : Little Blue Canoe {https://www.littlebluecanoe.com/blogs/news}

I haven't yet had a chance to mention it, but you can now find some of my letterpress cards in Kelly's online shop! One of them is my "love is all you need" card (metal type printed in red ink on 100% cotton paper paired with a rustic kraft envelope). 

Image source : Little Blue Canoe {https://www.littlebluecanoe.com/blogs/news}

And this card, along with a very fitting caption, got mentioned as # 16 in Kelly's blog post :) Go have a read! And while you are at it, be sure to check out Kelly's fantastic online shop and support Canadian makers.

The Papery

Today was a big day for me and my little business. I got to see my cards and prints displayed at The Papery, a local, well recognized and respected stationery shop in Ottawa. What a thrill!

The Papery was established in 1986 and is situated in the heart of The Glebe, one of the most beautiful and trendy neighbourhoods in Ottawa. They offer a large selection of social stationery as well as other paper products such as gift wrap, notebooks, address books and party supplies, just to name a few. Their store is a true paper haven!

I reached out to The Papery back in April and met with the owner, Cathy, soon afterwards. She liked my paper goods and expressed interest in ordering a quantity of few different designs. She particularly liked the wood veneer prints and thought they were quite unique. We decided that all prints would be in black ink and packaged with kraft envelopes. And so off I went with a smile on my face and my heart filled with gratitude. 

I  happily delivered the order yesterday and saw my cards and prints on display at the store today. Words can't describe the feeling of accomplishment that I felt when I spotted them at the front of the store with a tag "Canadian designer" tucked away in the corner of the display shelf.

I must say that my letterpress paper goods feel right at home at The Papery and that makes me immensely happy.

A Weekend Meander

My blind debossed "thank you" note cards got featured in this charming Etsy treasury called "A Weekend Meander". This list was curated by a fellow Canadian Collective Shops member Lily of SoapBliss. Thank you Lily!

Image source: https://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNDc2N3wyNzI1MDQ0NDUx/a-weekend-meander

Q&A Letterbox

Last month I was lucky enough to have my letterpress printed products featured in the June Q&A Letterbox and it was such a fun experience!

Q&A Letterbox is a Toronto-based monthly greeting card subscription service that features independent Canadian designers and companies. Their motto is: "Spreading the love, one mailbox at a time!" Q&A Letterbox is curated by greeting card designer, Queenie Best of quennie's cards, and avid letter writer and stationery blogger at 8ballons,  Andrea Raymond-Wong. 

Image source: http://www.qandaletterbox.com/ 

Below is a glimpse at the June Q&A Letterbox which featured my letterpress printed blind debossed "hello" note card and "listen to your heart" wood veneer note.

Image source: http://www.qandaletterbox.com/reveals/june-reveal/ 

The June Letterbox also featured lovely products from Double Dare Print Studio, Jonesy, Omiyage and the fantastic “Snail Mail Forever” postcards with lettering by Love Lettering. I was certainly in great company!

I was also asked to participate in their fun "Q&A with the Artists" series which are featured on their blog. You can check it out here.

It was such a pleasure to work with Queenie and Andrea on the June Letterbox and to contribute my work to their amazing project. I wish them all the best!

And if you are a stationery lover, be sure to check out Q&A Letterbox's website for more information on how to subscribe and for a glimpse at their July Letterbox which was just revealed. You won't be disappointed! 

Resilience

“resilience
noun | re·sil·ience | \ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s\
1. the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens
2. the ability of something to return to its original shape after it has been pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc.”

— http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience

Spring has finally sprung here in Ottawa and I got to do a bit of yard work today. While raking some of last year's leaves I noticed a sea of blue spring flowers on the side of our backyard. I walked closer to give them a closer look and what I noticed is that some of them are actually sprucing through the dried leaves! Well, if that is not resilience then I don't know what is. 

Using the Merriam Webster definition of the word "resilience" it is clear to see that, in nature as in life, resilience is often one of the most important qualities to possess. So here is to resilience - today, tomorrow and always. 

Books & Letterpress

Today I worked on a little project that combines my love of books with my love of letterpress. What better way to bring these two together than in a form of a bookmark!

Seems that physical books are becoming more and more overlooked and devalued these days. For me however, no Kobo reader will ever be able to replace the beauty of holding a book in my hands and flipping through its pages in that real tangible way. 

This bookmark was printed on my antique printing press, the Golding Pearl Improved No.11, using metal ornaments that were set by hand. No ink was used during the printing process, which resulted in a beautiful and delicate blind deboss.

You can now find this bookmark in my Etsy shop. 

The Canadian Collective Giveaway!

Seventeen members of The Canadian Collective, including Impressus, are taking part in a wonderful giveaway. The lucky winner will be gifted with a beautiful assortment of handmade and vintage items, as pictured below, which were donated by such talented artisans.

Image source: http://www.thecanadiancollective.com/2015/02/canadian-collective-give-away.html

impressus contributed a letterpress print featuring a quote by John Burroughs {Leap and the net will appear} as well as two different wood veneer notes. 

View fullsize

Image source: http://www.thecanadiancollective.com/2015/02/canadian-collective-give-away.html

The giveaway will close at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Valentine's Day, February 14, and there is still time to enter. Visit The Canadian Collective website for more information and contest details. Good luck!