I just stumbled upon this quote on Instagram. Beautiful words that needed to be read today.
“Own your dreams. There is no better way to make them happen.
- Seth Godin -”
Polka dots and letterpress workshops
I'm obsessed with polka dots these days. Any colour combination will do, but the classic black on white is still my favourite. This is probably why I was so attracted to this desktop wallpaper made by A Pair of Pears. I was thrilled to stumble upon their website as it is truly fantastic!
The image itself is great, but the message is just perfect. It's something I need to remind myself of every day. "Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle" has become my daily mantra. And this phrase will be of particular importance to me a week and a bit from now when I'll be taking my first ever letterpress workshop. I couldn't be more excited!
I had signed up for an Intro to Letterpress workshop on a Vandercook press a long time ago and only found out this week that it's cancelled due to low enrollment. Felling awfully disappointed I was committed to find another class...somewhere, somehow. And luckily enough I did! So in less than two weeks I'll be taking the Tabletop Letterpress workshop offered by Snap + Tumble. Another wonderful printer with an amazing website. I can't wait to learn the basics of letterpress printing and finally lay my hands on a tabletop press. Of course, I'll be sure to write all about my experience!
Ahh...inspiration
Ever since I've become obsessed with letterpress printing, I've been on the lookout for letterpress inspirations. I find it extremely exciting to see the work of other printers, people who have established themselves in the field and are producing amazing paper products. Occasionally, I'm overwhelmed by their genius and feel discouraged as the mountain to climb is so high. But most of the time, I'm truly impressed by what they do. I've started following a lot of different printers via Instagram and their blogs. Here is an example of what amazing work those printers are capable of producing. And this particular inspiration came in the form of a Valentine's card given to me yesterday by my wonderful husband. I absolutely love it!
This beauty of a card was made by Smock. It is letterpress printed using gold foil on bamboo paper. The note that came with the card, which introduces the printer, states "we have ink on our hands and on our hearts". How amazing is that?! Love it!
Here is to inspiration. It's always out there, we just have to keep our eyes and hearts open.
All you need is love
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, here is a reading that is so close to my heart. The fact that it was read by my dear friend on our wedding day, makes it that much more special for me. I guess I love this reading so much because it depicts for me perfectly what love is all about. As much as emotions are involved, love is work. It requires kindness, understanding and patience. And what do you get in return? The same amount of kindness, understanding and patience...plus a whole lot of goodness!
“(...) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (...)
1 Corinthians 13:1-8”
Fear-less
I need these types of reminders every day, it seems. I might be a fear-ful person by nature...yet when you look at my life, where I come from, where I'm right now, and where I'm going, it's hard (even for myself) to believe that. At the same time, I don't consider myself to be fear-less. In fact, I would like to fear-less other people's judgment, their opinions and even my own criticism. And this is especially true when it comes to my creative work, dreams and aspirations...my fear-less and ever so strong desire to acquire a letterpress and to start printing. Not for others, not for money, but for myself!
There is always a beginning
Lady Bird Johnson, an American First Lady, is known to have said:
“Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.”
This is one of my favourite quotes. It's also my motto for this blog and for this adventure. There is always a beginning, but it's what you make of the process that determines where you end up.