Louella Court

How to pass the time during a commercial break.

{ posted by Colleen, director of letterpress }

One of the strangest things that I have ever seen...

around the corner

{ posted by Brooke, designer }

I am so ready for spring. Luckily it is (sort of) around the corner, because the Pennsylvania cold has me pretty antsy lately. The Kate Spade website has me dreaming of sun-filled days with not a down-filled coat or wool sock in sight. Check out the website for the great, sunny little video.

{ Still images via Black*Eiffel }

{ found via Black*Eiffel }

taking things literally

{ posted by Brooke, designer }

I love finding business card designs that so perfectly go hand-in-hand with someone's profession. How great are these cards for a garden designer?

{ by Dowling Design + Art Direction, found via Design Crush }

Sometimes literal is the best way to go!

walls that talk

{ posted by Brooke, designer }

My husband and I still rent our apartment, so we don't have the opportunity to take advantage of any of the bold and graphic wallpaper patterns out there today... but someday when we own a home, I would love to cover a wall (or two, or three) with some of the fabulous wallpaper designs that keep popping up.

{ via Design*Sponge, the home of Barb Blair; wallpaper by Waverly }

{ via decor8, wallpaper by Kreme Life }

{ via Design*Sponge, the home of Rebekah from Orangepoppy }

{ Julia Rothman wallpaper from Hygge & West }

First Crush...

{ posted by Nicole, director of sales }

We all remember our first crush. Mine was an adorable freckle-faced, sandy-haired boy who I met in first grade and had my first kiss with years later. I was reminded of those moments when I was reading an AMAZING blog post by an AMAZING photographer, Alison Conklin. 

{ just a teaser from Alison's post... Go check it out! }

Love is such a beautiful and special thing that means so many different things at so many different times in our lives. As a newlywed, I think that Alison's blog reminded me that everyone finds joy in a little love note. I had the love of my life write me a love note and read it to me as his vows on my wedding day. I was so filled with emotion that I couldn't tell you every word that was written — but it was on notepaper very similar to this, and had a very similar message. My husband looked into my eyes and told me he loved me because of all of the little things... like coffee and smiles. He said it with the nervousness of a young boy, his hands shaking and his lip quivering. I, of course, was consumed with tears at this point.

I am looking forward to receiving many more love notes over the next 50 years or so — and I hope they give me that "first crush" feeling every time!

Baking has resumed...

{ posted by Nicole, director of sales }

Patience is a virtue (or so I am told).  So it may be a few more days until I get things together for my wedding blog entry. 

What my fellow dolls will not have to wait for is some amazing baked goodies on Monday.  Vanessa, a fellow chocolate lover, e-mailed me a recipe for Outrageous Oreo Crunch Bars the day I arrived back and I knew I just had to make them. 

I mean who wouldn’t like brownies AND Oreos AND coffee all wrapped into one delightful mouthful.  I am a strong believer in the fact that you should always bake with cold butter and room temperature eggs, that there is no substitute for a quality mixer, and chocolate and coffee should always be paired together. 

But don’t take my word for it... you be the judge and let me know if you agree ;)

Paper cuts...

{ posted by Colleen, director of letterpress }

I've seen hundreds of paper cut artists pop up over the past few years. When I look at the work of the most talented ones I wonder how many times you could poke them before they'd show any sign of irritation; their patience is superhuman. I'd make one wrong cut and you'd see my scissors connect with a wall... 

{clockwise from top left: Aoyama Hina, Rob Ryan, Craig Ward, Rob Ryan, Annie Vought}

When photographer Alison Conklin approached  us to do her new business cards, we jumped at the chance. Not only is she an amazing and wonderful photographer, but she has great taste- so we knew that we could provide her with a great design that is just as much fun for her as it is for us. Here they are:

{photos courtesy of Alison Conklin}

We wanted the papercut but had to cheat a little; we used a laser (actually, we sent it to someone who then used a laser...). They were then letterpressed and die cut on 220 lb. pearl white Lettra.

Stay tuned for more...

Letterpress business cards

{ posted by Colleen, director of letterpress }

I found these amazing letterpress examples over at Card Observer and am jealous that I did not get to print them! This is the sort of stuff that keeps me excited about letterpress printing...

 

"I wish there was some romantic, beautiful, and secret way to tell you that I love you, but there is only this: I love you with all my feet."

{ posted by Colleen, director of letterpress }

In honor of Valentine's Day...

Maybe there's someone out there that you have something to say to, but you just can't bring yourself to do it. I've never had a problem with making a fool of myself. In case you do, here's something you can use as a little practice:

Letters to Crushes.

"Broken,

No one said living was easy. But I love you, and someday I hope that’s enough.

— Duct Tape"

Where would I wish to wake up tomorrow?

{ posted by Colleen, director of letterpress }

A month or two ago I stumbled upon this website Fifty People One Question. People on the streets of Brooklyn (and 50 more from London) were asked "Where would you wish to wake up tomorrow?".

Some wished to wake in their sort of paradise, or before they made that one mistake they can't let go of... My parents house... Next to him, next to her... Home.

One woman wished to wake up in the closet traveling world of Monsters, Inc. (sans monsters).

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

I have been a bit restless lately; in need of some real sunlight, probably a vacation... It's always nice to take a breath and step back. So now that I have, I think that I'd like to wake up at home- except there is a mouse who doesn't want to leave my apartment. He thinks that we are friends, but we're not. I'd love to wake up in a home that Mickey will never visit.

If you watch the video from London:
"In a pink bubble floating above the clouds, filled with ping pong balls."