Sophia Postcards::Printed!

Freshed Pressed-The Sophia Postcard. I posted the proof earlier if you missed it. I loved printing on the Crane's Lettra 220# in pearl white. I did not need so much soft packing, but for those areas of fine-lined text, I needed more hard packing. I'm getting the gist of it! I'll be giving these to Jaime tonight in class. (In case you missed the blog, Jaime is in my Capoeira class. A few of us creative gals are using the "bartering" system to exchange handmade goods.) These postcards were kind of a puzzle to figure out, when it came to printing... as I needed to register the front AND the back of the card. I think I am going to put these up on Etsy for those who want to send a more personal note about their move. Or contact me if you would like to custom order these beautiful postcards. I may just use these for my own personal move I will be making within the next few months!

A Perfectionist

A few of my friends and I have been feeling creative lately. We all try to motivate each other because doing what you love to do and WANT to do is something many of us have put aside "for the time being". Brenda, (aka Azteca to the Capoeira world, "bdc" to the design world) has taken up the art of jewelry making. It started out as a once a month creative brainstorming session and a few trips to the Cal Mart building in Los Angeles (where Renegrade and UniqueLA craft fairs are held) before we finally said to ourselves: We can totally do it!

Brenda is an architect and by nature a perfectionist! She pays VERY CLOSE attention to detail and is pretty savvy at clean, modern design. She  also has a very steady hand when it comes to the Exacto knife. What started off as an experimental project with scrap leather, turns out to be a success amongst us fashionable Los Angelinos. I am trying to get Brenda to open up an Etsy shop, but she needs a little egging on :) Here are a pair of earrings I chose from her jewelry line. I hope she sets up shop soon. I am itching for another pair! If you are interested in purchasing a pair of these fabulous earrings, get in touch with Brenda...I'll be happy to spread the word to her. Also check out more pieces on her flickr.

*this photo credit: bdc

Warm Enough?

I had listed Yokoo as one of my creative inspirations. I found this pattern on the LionBrand site and this is how it turned out. The true test of its functionality will be this weekend, when I make my way up to the Northwest!

Phew! What A Year...

I have an influx of projects that popped up this month! A new year, a new endeavor. Not to mention that I will be leaving my home town of Los Angeles (Eagle Rock to be specific) to Washington State! I have some projects I wish to complete before I have to pack up My Monster for the long haul up to the pacific northwest.

:: Sophia Moving Postcards ::

My friend Jaime, (a.k.a. Sorriso) from my Capoeira class just moved to a really nice, vintage, and spic n' span clean apartment. She's pretty lucky to have 2 other friends living on the same floor as well! Jaime is a fashionable girl and loves to collect vintage fabrics/clothes. I thought a mauve and light brown color would suite her vintage personality... especially since she painted her walls a mauve color. 

:: Love and Letterpress ::

Did I mention I am doing a letterpress coaster swap hosted by Cat, of Visualchemist? It's not too late to join in. Details of the swap are found on her blog. I believe there are over 19 participants! The deadline to submit your coasters is February 9th. I'll post pictures closer to the date of submission, as to not give away anything :0

:: My First Wedding Suite :: 

Today I just booked my first letterpress wedding suite. Marichelle and Dwight are good friends of my sister and I opted to do their invitation suite. Their big day is set for 10.10.10!

What a busy year so far. But it is ALL GRAVY, BABY! More letterpress experience for me.. and bartering for goods and services isn't so bad...

The Whimsical Ann Wood

*photo credit: Ann Wood

A rescuer of : smallness, intricacies, lost or abandoned things, haunted and enchanted places : Ann Wood describes her work in those words. Sounds magical and not in a Disney sort of way. More so of places so far away, it seems almost non-existent. I am a lover of Fiber Art. I think Ann Wood may have mastered it. Her pieces show a dedicated attention to detail. I love her studio space as well, like some kind of leap into another world.. maybe Peter Pan's? A place somewhere between being a child and growing up.

How Can I Help?

*photo credit: Norman Jean Roy/Somaly Mam Foundation

This week {January 4-10th 2010} all proceeds from sales in my Etsy shop will be donated to the Somaly Mam Foundation. Having read Somaly Mam's autobiography a year ago (The Road to Lost Innocence), I can not go one day without thinking about how and when will humanity stop the sexual exploitation of women and children? 

I want to start this year off by helping this foundation. If you have time, read about Somaly Mam on her site's about page. It is sad to know that some people do not know these crimes exist, when in fact it has been going on for decades.

Thank you for checking out my shop. If you do end up buying something, know that you will have done something big for someone little! 

DONATION UPDATE:

$34.50 Melbourne, AU
$9 Tulsa, OK
$11.50 Pasadena, CA 

$11.50 Ada, MI
$2.50 Scanton, PA

 Thank you to all who purchased from Blushing Pearl's etsy shop this week! I was able to donate $60.00 to the Somaly Mam Foundation! I think I will be doing this every year...

 

Rifle Paper Co.

*photo credit: Rifle Paper Co.

Anna Bond, an illustrator and designer for Rifle Paper Co., is such an inspiration. From looking at her website/blog/shop, Anna and her husband/business partner complete the vintage-retro look a lot of people try to imitate. (ref. her black and white wedding picture) It is like they were born in a different era! They just opened up shop in Florida. Check her blog for her studio decorations and layout. It all completes her vintage look. Her illustrative style reminds me of a child's fanciful book such as Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, or The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, which are very imaginative books! I think my favorite illustrations of hers are of people and dogs. Maybe my dog, Bulabear, wouldn't mind a self portrait?