I know I might be jumping the gun here (it is still just barely 50 degrees outside), but is it finally spring in New York? The sunshine alone leads me to believe I’m not completely crazy in making this suggestion. It’s lovely to have a little more light, and it is making the days feel longer already, even if it’s just an illusion. I mean, I still haven’t found more hours in the day or anything… My energy is through the roof, the colors I’m leaning toward are a little lighter, and I’m somehow not compelled to put root vegetables in everything I cook. Yeah, I think we’re on the right track.

These days? I’m cranking out letterpress invitation designs, sewing up books like crazy, packaging cards like a bit of a madwoman, and soaking up a whole lotta inspiration from some normally ordinary things. Magnolia buds are on the trees, daffodils are out, and crocus are everywhere, and I’m feeling just plain motivated and lucky.

My work table (which takes up a hefty portion of the living room in our already modestly sized apartment) is loaded with books waiting to be sewn up, cards waiting to be folded and packed up, and tools and bits of paper and ribbon and thread. It’s natural to want to try to organize and clean things up as much as possible at this time of year, and I’m just trying to embrace that instinct. Maybe this weekend is the one that will find me actually taking care of those lingering piles from November…

At any rate, the newest component of how I spend my waking working hours is creating designs for letterpress printed invitations. That’s right, I’m jumping in the deep end and going after something I’ve loved and been interested in for a while. I’m at the very beginning of the process and thought it would be fun to share a few of the drafts of samples I’ve developed so far.

These are being tweaked, but I felt like showing them off a little at this point, since they are designs I envisioned and was actually able to translate into concrete, visual images. (Let’s be honest, I’m always thrilled when I can create something I’ve only imagined!) I also think it’s good to see aspects of a process - in nearly everything - and so I’ll put up more images as we make revisions, just to compare where things started and where they’re headed. Enjoy!