For some time now, we’ve been spending our Saturday mornings digging through estate sales, browsing off the beaten path antique stores and finding lovely vintage things. Our favorite things to discover and collect are ephemeral items: books, photos, advertising, letters, pamphlets, playbills, board games, etc. Most of these items (from the 1800′s all the way up the 1960′s) were letterpress printed, just like how Constellation & Co.’s products are printed now. This knowledge gives us a special affinity for these pieces of paper and ink history. Some of these items have found a special place in our home and studio. But more often than not, we find something, fall in love with it, and then realize we have no room for it. That’s where our new venture comes in! Continue reading ☞
Blog Archives
Safety First!
by Sara McNally | December 16th, 2011The following is an excerpt from the 1953 edition of Platen Press Operation by George J. Mills.
(More information on the book can be found here.)
Quotes from the book are italic and the other comments are my interjections/self-reminders.
The platen press is as dangerous or as safe as the operator makes it. Student operators should follow common sense safety practices until each becomes a habit. Continue reading ☞
A Blog About Blogs
by Sara McNally | July 25th, 2011I really love blogs. I’ve been inspired, motivated, and educated by great blogs and bloggers for several years now. My Google Reader feed is quite long, but I can’t bring myself to narrow my blogs down – there’s something new, interesting, and exciting on each one! I’ve had several personal blogs over the years, but (like my diaries & journals from childhood), I tend to get busy and stop writing. (But not this time! I really do love to share my thoughts here, and hope to keep up the current pace!) Here’s a list of some of my favorite blogs – written by talented, interesting people who don’t give up!
Wedding Inspiration
Style Me Pretty, Ruffled*, Snippet & Ink, 100 Layer Cake
Vintage Finds: Eyeglass Frames
by Sara McNally | June 20th, 2011
These fabulous eyeglass frames came in the mail from Brad’s grandparents’ home in Michigan. His grandmother likely wore them in the 50′s. I’m not nearly hipster enough to wear them, but they are so charming and have won a place in our home. I really like things that are instant collections – perhaps i’ll frame them in a column like this and enjoy them on the wall.
Stamps!
by Sara McNally | May 18th, 2011Recently I helped a friend send out wedding invitations for her sister. Her husband did the design as a gift, we did the printing, and my friend (as maid of honor) took on the task of addressing and sending out the invitations. We took a trip to the post office to pick up stamps, and found that the options were dismal. Stops at 3 post offices revealed that Evergreens are nearly the only thing kept in stock in the Pacific Northwest. This outing also brought back memories of our own wedding invite stamp dilemma – we sent postcards for save the dates and response cards, and the only postcard stamps we could find were polar bears. Polar bears just didn’t match our theme.
We carefully craft each element of the wedding invitations we design & print. Paper, envelopes, ink colors, string, etc., are all chosen with unity in mind. However, when we hand off the finished pieces (typically wrapped in brown paper and tied with coordinating ribbon or string), we’re leaving stamp choice up to the couple. And until now, we hadn’t really thought about it.
If you’ve had the same stamp woes, don’t be daunted by the depressing options at your local post office. If you’re not interested in the traditional rings, roses, or cake, fear not! Here’s the good stuff.
