Something to do

I have been trying to do more with my time. I have been spending many of my evenings recently doing a little painting or collaging. I am working on starting another mail-art book with a friend of mine. Already have a second one going with my friend D in the U.K. This one is to send to my friend on the west coast. I find it is a nice activity to do and when there is someone else holding me a little accountable it feels like I have an audience for it and it makes me want to get stuff done, and do a nice job. Part of why sometimes I feel like not making art/crafts is because I feel like, Why? What for? But it is for me, that should be reason enough, because it feels good to make something.

I am lucky enough to have a fairly easy life right now, and while I am in a time of transition, and that side of things is stressful, I really want to do things I enjoy in this time, to live in the moment (as they say), to appreciate where I am at, right now.

Sunshine

Beautiful weather, unseasonably warm. It's supposed to snow in a few days but right now it's 19 degrees. The grass is still dead from winter and up close is covered in cigarette butts. Kind of gross but I just sat and soaked up the sun, waiting in the park this morning for my friend and her baby to come and meet me for coffee. Perfect coffee date that turned into a lunch date. A leisurely day that I feel a little guilty for, but know that I shouldn't. Bought some tulips for my new vase, quite delightful.

Blood, sweat, and ink

I was knocked out with my second cold of the year, hence my absence. I am feeling better now though and enjoying the sun streaming through the wide-open windows. It's 18 degrees! Amazing. Spring (is it Spring?) feels so glorious after winter here. On the west coast I didn't notice the seasons as much as I do here. I became obsessed with checking the weather every morning after moving to a wintery climate... it's important to know what the wind chill is, or conversely, in the summer, it's important to know how humid it will be. Well, important to me anyway.

So, as promised, I am posting some of the fruits of our labours in the printing room. The chief librarian has asked us create a set of cards for the library, so we have been printing book and printing related cards. It's pretty fun since we've been given most of the creative control, and he's pretty willing to go with most of our design ideas.

Above is a proof, below are some finished products.

Paper white sky

I love this new teapot so much, L's mum gave it to me for Xmas after I saw it when we were antiquing together. I haven't used it yet. And the orchids are in full bloom endlessly, it is amazing how well L takes care of them. Today is grey and almost a little rainy. Is it spring yet or what?

Working a little on a conference presentation of my research. It helps to take a step back and condense my work down to an easily explainable amount. I am finding it difficult to work this week though in general. I procrastinate so much. Like here I am.

I got a haircut from a new girl yesterday and I don't think I like it. It's why I don't like going to someone, and would rather get someone I know, even if they aren't trained--at least they know me and my style.

Printing on the Jobber

I spent yesterday setting type and printing some cards. It's a two colour job and I will be doing the second colour next week, so no reveal until then.

I really enjoy the one day a week printing, it is a nice, constructive way to spend a day. When I am writing and researching it often doesn't feel like I've gotten a lot of work done. When I am printing there is tangible evidence of my work, both in the results, and the mess I make.

Although I have to say that there were some really annoying problems getting the forme locked up and getting everything to print evenly. I was printing both the back and front of the card on one run, which, I realized, I have never done before. Now that it is set up that way, the next 3 cards in our series will be that much easier to print. Fewer runs through the press. But man, it was annoying getting things set up right.

I would maybe be able to get some printing workshops going for people who want to learn a bit about letterpress printing, and get their hands dirty--the chief librarian is interested in this--but I think I have to pass that job onto a colleague, sadly, since I will need to find a "real job" this summer/fall.

I kind of wish that this could be a full time job... printing, teaching people to print? But then, I have spent 7 years in school, so I feel like I should follow that through.

Either way, it is nice to have a creative outlet.

Beginning

I am not entirely sure about this. Could prove to be too much of a distraction, but I think I want to do this. I read many blogs with so many pretty pictures, and it is a nice distraction. Drinking coffee today made in the new espresso machine.