Part and Parcel

alpha bet...

2010-04-09T18:42:00.001-07:00

Thinking of...

2010-03-12T17:56:00.001-08:00

Oysters and Lucinda Williams. And Oxford American and Biscuits. And the word "ilk".

Repitition

2010-02-28T17:30:00.001-08:00

You know how when you're running a small two-man letterpress company with both printers/designers living on opposite ends of the east coast, and you have a blog that you try to regularly post to, with things that you find quasi-pertinent, and then you start slacking, and then you feel pressure for a good post, and then one partner asks the other partner to come up with one word that the other partner will then have to make a blog post about, and the 1st partner comes up with the word seaweed, and then you find a seaweed pattern and an animal known as a "dugong" to post about.

Yeah, I know, it happens to me all the time. Click on the pattern image to inspect it a little closer. Good job, Henri Gillet. (Images courtesy of NYPL Digital Image gallery.)

Playlists to churn butter by

2010-02-21T17:44:00.000-08:00

Spending a considerable number of my waking hours behind a bakery counter, leads you to ponder things you might not unless you were spending a considerable number of your waking hours behind a bakery counter..... like, "if I were to one day own a bakery.... what music would be on the bakery's playlist?" I guess if I was a smart proprietor I would take my average customer's musical proclivities to determine said imagined bakery soundtrack, but let's assume i'm not. I think the first five songs added to the playlist would have to be: 1) Kate Bush- Hounds of Love 2) Bruce Springsteen- Thunder Road 3) Brenton Wood- Oogum Boogum 4) Aretha Franklin- Do Right Woman, Do Right Man 5) Gram Parsons- We'll Sweep our the Ashes in the Morning. Oh, how music can make you feel good.

Until that happens, I have my own little bakery at home. Last weekend's project: making butter (and therefore it's by-product, buttermilk). Take a look at the pictures above. Butter.

Contain yourself

2010-02-13T16:57:00.001-08:00

this way to glee

2010-02-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

Un caillou de Bretagne on Disfarmer.

A sample of my family's humor. Just beyond the frame of this photograph is a window.

best in the biz...

2010-02-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

I wish my business card was this good.

shocking blue...

2010-02-08T20:07:00.001-08:00

It doesn't get any better that this.

Courtesy of our good friend, Steven Thompson.

Breakfast with Poppy

2010-02-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

Saying my dad has a camera for a third appendage would be an understatement. Merci pour les images, Pop!

rae–gun...

2010-02-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

Workin' on it...

2010-02-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

J-Dilla's amazing album, Donuts, has always been on heavy rotation in the shop. One of the samples he uses became our little motto (and the title of this post). What we've printed lately.

Inky Merny + Ponny Imogene

2010-01-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

front and back of vintage photograph

McDavid gave this photograph to me about 2-3 years ago. I had stuffed it into one of my moleskine's while I was in art school because I liked having it around all the time. Something about the names of the women in the picture "Inky Merny" and "Ponny Imogene" just seemed so otherwordly. How fantastic that these names could exist and I could be gifted the knowledge of them. Other text on this photograph (in case you don't want to break out the reading glasses, mom): "Phyl, Peg, Milly?, Gus? Inky's Guy, and see if you can clear up the mystery". So much is right about this.

I found it stuffed into my Rosetta Stone box, a few evenings ago, when I was determined to bone up on "mes competences en francais" (although that's probably incorrect). Enjoy thinking about the summer of '42, while I attempt speaking French to a computer screen in the winter of '10.

Granola Sundays.

2010-01-17T19:10:00.001-08:00

++ Granola recipe care of from Early Bird Kitchen ++

++ Favorite Apron care of Labour and Wait. ++

Hold the line...

2010-01-13T22:12:00.000-08:00

The most powerful form of protest I've seen in awhile. If you can't find a copy at your local bookseller, you can see a few of the images on the Steidl site.

And if that gets you in the mood, I suggest you pick up a copy of The Coming Insurrection by The Invisible Committee.

A Box in a Box.

2010-01-12T07:07:00.001-08:00

Chicken and Cat

2010-01-08T16:43:00.001-08:00

So, surprise, surprise. Things are busy. Really busy. Like brief emotional breakdown eminent busy. Regardless, everything will get done because it has to. The top two pictures are of a chicken paper cut I recently finished for a group exhibition that opens next week at Zygote in Cleveland. The top picture shows the "headpiece" for the chicken, sans eyeball. The second one is the chicken before the headpiece addition. Light and white paper can do some pretty amazing things.

Also- new development in my life. I got a Christmas kitty. Meet Yonah. The new love of my life and my very first pet after entering adulthood. As you may or may not remember I posted something about a cat named chicken a few months ago. I thought i'd just push the cat/chicken thing into "blog motif" mode, as these two animals seem to be a pattern in my life. Yonah likes to ride on my shoulders just like Chicken did... I had my fingers crossed i'd get a cat that liked to do that. I'm pretty sure I can train her to spell out words with her cat food and take her on the road. Letterpress + Carnie Tag Team?

Technology is Fun?

2010-01-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

My genius brother posted this to Rhizome a few days ago. Love this.

Slow Hands, Soft Touch

2009-12-31T11:27:00.000-08:00

The four black fingertips are the result of our seasonal homepage shift. I still haven't washed them off yet, it's kind of fun being two-tone. I tried scanning my hands by placing them directly on the glass, but the results were a little too xerox copier 1990 so I ended up leaving them lifted above while the bright light did it's magic. I like my hand scans blurry.

deep in the stacks...

2009-12-30T08:00:00.001-08:00

After almost two years, I am finally building bookshelves to properly house our ever-growing library. It's gotten to the point where I can't even remember all the books I have, with every shelf crammed with stacks at least two deep, and more in boxes piled in the storage loft and under my desk.

I think it'll look like this when I'm done.

keeping up with the times...

2009-12-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

A wall calendar by Enzo Mari.

I just finished an interview with him in my new favorite magazine, apartamento.

If you happen to be in Chicago or on the Internet, my favorite bookstore, Golden Age, also carries it.

the ghost of christmas past...

2009-12-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from the entire staff of Brown Parcel Press. We know your future's bright, just find a good pair of shades.

Hot Tamales (and they're red hot)

2009-12-18T08:33:00.001-08:00

Even though it's 36 degrees and rainy outside, it has been such a good friday! Brown Parcel Press was featured on DesignSponge today, and lord knows I check her blog like it's my job so, the mention feels great. Also, i'm getting all of my crafting/ cooking supplies ready to get on the road in a few hours. I'm going down to my folks farm for a Daddy/ Daughter weekend. We haven't had one of those in I can't remember when, and man, i've been missing it. Hanging out with the whole family is amazing, but sometimes those one on one visits reveal so much. (The tamale recipe above is in honor of my dad, who hails from the Mississippi Delta. Recipe courtesy of Screen Doors and Sweet Tea)

CLAUS-ESQUE

2009-12-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

If you've ever met me, you know i'm a sucker for guys with glasses and beards.
If you've never met me, now you know- I totally understand where Mrs. Claus is
coming from.

What's in my head today?

2009-12-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Odds and Ends

2009-12-07T19:40:00.001-08:00

These are some photos that I took while shooting recent work last week. I love these pictures, but they just don't fit in anywhere. Last Saturday + Sunday were Craft Fair days.... one last Craft event coming up this weekend in Brooklyn at 3rd Ward. Gotta be up at 5AM to sell doughnuts tomorrow morning. Apple fritters and hot chocolate anyone?

Yestsy!

2009-11-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

Oh the things me and my white tiger could do, in the jungle.

Enhabiten.

Holiday Craft Fairs, Round 1

2009-11-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

Brown Parcel Press is going to be in three Craft Fairs this holiday season. The first one, ICE, took place last weekend in a converted factory space in Atlanta. Because McDavid was manning home base back in Brooklyn, I took my mom along as co-captain of the BPP booth. Who doesn't want to buy letterpressed stationery from the most stylish French woman you'll ever meet? The pictures above are of the little set-up we created. The next two craft fairs are the Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa and the 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair in Brooklyn. Come visit us.... i'm going to be constructing life-sized paper holiday characters for the next one. Yes sir.

Chop it, Carve it

2009-11-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

My local farmer's market has come to an end for the year, and i'm losing a few minutes of sunlight each day. The past few weeks have been beyond busy, with my fair share of pre-sun wake up calls and a few delirious late nights. It's been a good little month of productivity. Many new ideas. Many things to be thankful for.

Oh also, our amazing intern over the summer, Micah, is now in Germany working with the seriously talented printmaker, Thomas Kilpper, printing large reliefs out of linoleum floors. Anyways, he has a video up on his blog of him workin' on it and i've been unable to embed it on Part & Parcel, but view it here. (We miss you Micah)

Printy Printy

2009-11-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be elbow deep in ink all evening and maybe even all night long.... Rinse, repeat and do it all over again tomorrow. Plus, remind me to learn how to pick locks because callling a locksmith to do it for for $96 is $96 worth of knowledge I'm lacking. Fingers crossed that the sunny sky that just peeked it's head at me is here to stay for a few days.

Pictures after the craft fair on Saturday!

70's Folk from a Woman Dentist....

2009-11-18T06:18:00.000-08:00

Meet Linda Perhacs..... Linda is a dentist who decided to release a psychadelic folk album back in 1970. It was met with little fanfare, and Linda continued with her career as a dentist. Imagine her surprise when in the year 2000 she was contacted about her reaction to her cult following. "What?! Little 'ol me?" The songs really are pretty amazing.

The Great Goat Let Down

2009-11-14T05:46:00.000-08:00

Meet Vanilli (that's right my French mother named our goats Billy, Milli, and Vanilli- she's pretty much amazing). Vanilli gave birth to two kids about a month ago at Carr's Station, the family farm. In the first few days after they were born I spent as much time with them as their mother would allow. Imagine having a puppy disguised as a goat.... that's pretty much what they were like. Anyways, long story short, their addition to our goat herd made me realize that I really wanted to know more about these goats. I signed up for a goat husbandry course that's happening today. I've been looking forward to it for a long time.

Lucky me, I came down with a really gross cold and decided late last night (after my voice disappeared) that waking up at 4AM to drive four and half hours to Bakersville, NC was probably not the smartest idea..... After all i've got hell week coming up printing a bunch of stuff for the ICE Craft Fair in Atlanta next weekend.

My Goat Education will just have to be put on hold for now. In the meantime, anyone who's interested in goat husbandry, milking goats, or goat cheese should look into Goat Song, by Brad Kessler. It's been the most surprisingly enjoying book i've read this year.

Two Sides of a Glass Negative and Baker's Twine

2009-11-03T07:06:00.001-08:00

Please Click on me! I look so much better bigger!

This glass negative was found at Luddite, in Williamsburg, and was given to me for my birthday...... in the middle of June. I don't know why it felt so right to get an image of a Swedish man laboring with a tree in a Narnia-esque landscape, but it's certainly one of my favorite possessions. Of course I like all the knick-knacks I choose to surround myself with, but i'm not attached to them like I am this one. I think it's cause it feels like i'm seeing and smelling Robert Frost's universe.

Oh and....baker's twine!

Brace Yourself

2009-11-02T06:20:00.000-08:00

Both of these images were found while perusing the NYPL Image Library. I wish you could've seen my eyes nearly pop out of my head when the next arrow brought these puppies to the screen..... I have a few other with the woman at the bottom (who is a shirt collar maker). If you're good, I might post them later.

2009-10-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek

2009-10-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Some drawings i've been working on for a large print..... the sparse lion and tiger on the left side represents the first stage of these drawings, until I came back in and worked some shading magic. I'm still not really sure which I like better. Also, it seems like the animals I draw always come out a little eeyore-ish. I promise the animals in my head are happy.

Also, it's raining today, again. I'm wearing my overalls. Somehow, they make me feel more protected against the rain than an umbrella. Yay for overalls. One day they'll make a cool comeback, and not in their current urbanoutfitters short-alls iteration. I bought some, that's pretty much the only positive thing I can say about shortalls.

TGIF

2009-10-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

This is what I look like in the office on Friday

This is what I look like out of the office on Saturday

This is what I look like Sunday morning

And this is what I look like Monday Morning....... ahh the weekend.
Images courtesy of Reanimation Library

More Fox

2009-10-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

Saw this trailer last weekend at Where the Wild Things Are, and I must admit i'm pretty excited about it. Any Roald Dahl book that's being made into a movie that's not being touched by Tim Burton makes me happy. Oh Tim, what have you done?

Be a Kid Day

2009-10-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

from DosFamily.

from A+R Store, and designer Hector Serrano

Remember that time I was seriously contemplating buying washable hand tattoos made for children? I don't know which is more depressing me wanting these things so bad, or me purchasing them, opening them up excitedly, and finding out that they're going to be midget sized on my hand because.... I'M NOT 8 anymore. Truthfully, I don't think either of those things is depressing. I think these guys are seriously amazing. Why can't I be an aunt already? Is that too much to ask from older brothers..... tick, tick, tick.

Also, the little surprise fox on the stairs makes me so happy. Whenever I own my first home, you better believe there's going to be little moments like this all over the place. At the Book Arts studio in college there was a grad student who built tiny secret compartments in some of the chairs and walls. I remember when someone showed me the first one, it was just as good as Christmas. That's the stuff that makes it all worth it.

Inside the General Store

2009-10-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

I see

2009-10-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Whitewashing = Massive Coronary Level Excitation

illustration via canning pantry

Wesson Oil Mayonnaise Maker

2009-10-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday and Sunday were spent down at the farm in Georgia. I picked pecans, sat in front of the fire, discussed the best way to cure a cast iron pot, played with our two new baby goats (only 5 days old, and about 5 times too cute for anybody to handle), made butternut squash and pear soup.... I also took about a billion pictures so you'll have to bear with me as i'm sure i'll be making up for my lack of posting last week with an overabundance of pictures steeped in old farmness. There wasn't enough time to do all of the things I wanted to do, but i've added making homeade mayonnaise with this "mayonnaise maker" to my list for this week. Mmmmm, french fries and homemade mayonnaise, don't knock it 'til you try it.

Google Image Search Results: Dining Car Steward

2009-10-12T06:17:00.001-07:00

Magical Chicken Soup

2009-10-05T21:47:00.001-07:00

Being the host, you hate to declare something a success as you are inevitably biased in your party's favor, but I think the pumpkin/ potluck was just that. There were cheez-its. decorative gourds, puppies named Sheriff, Kielbasa sausage, magical chicken soup, and to top it all of a little Super Troopers to end the night. (how had I not seen this movie up until now?) Click on the top photo to see details of that corn, it's gorgeous, in fact i'm trying to turn it into a necklace.....

Oktoberfest (cross out f insert b) = OktoberBest

2009-10-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

I love October. Favorite month everyday of the week and twice on Sunday, maybe even thrice. I love it because it's time for spiked cider, pumpkins, martha stewart's magazine minions put together like a billion beautiful craft projects (don't cringe McDavid), roasting marshmallows can finally move beyond the confines of my microwave, leaves, cinnamon, Halloween, Halloween movies : and by that I mean Hocus Pocus and Casper, did I mention it's acceptable to get sloshed on apple juice while yielding a big knife and carving into an orange sphere. Yes, October is the best.

Tomorrow a mi casa, we're throwing a little pumpkin carving pot luck shindig. I can't wait. I've already spent an hour today sorting through seasonally themed desserts. Do I make the I-Scream Sandwitches or Brain Cupcakes?! All of this is to say, I need more friends willing to do Saturday brunch with me, and no, i'm not naming my first born October.

College de Saint Come

2009-10-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Wanna join our Barber's Guild?

The View from Paper Mountain

2009-09-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhh!

A piece of a piece...

2009-09-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Nummer acht (Everything is going to be alright)

Guido van der Werve

I saw this piece a few years ago in Basel, Switzerland. I was completely taken aback. Even at a crowded art fair; it was so mesmerizing, the room and the other viewers fell away.

I continue to think about this piece, often. With good art, I find myself returning. The more you think about it, the more it unfolds. If you ever get a chance to see this in person, don't pass it up.

Chicken

2009-09-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

Now before you start thinking, "why the hell am i looking at these pictures together? and isn't taking pictures of yourself in the mirror kind of myspace 5 years ago?" let me explain. Yesterday was a big day for me. I roasted my first whole chicken. Not really noteworthy for most people, but for some reason I was mighty proud of myself. You can imagine that a lady who's proud of the fact that she cooked her first whole chicken can't possibly be expected to carve it, and so, the duty was passed off to my friend Brent who came over for the occasion. (see 2nd picture from the top) Well, guess who ended up resigning from carving duty due to performance anxiety and poor knife skills (see 2nd picture from top).... Brent. So yes, I ended up carving it. It ain't differential calculus folks.

On to explaining the top and bottom pictures. The top picture is of a fork and knife I bought at Erie Basin in Red Hook that i'm kind of in love with. You have to eat chicken with something so, it kind of fits. The bottom picture is of me and my brother's cat, named CHICKEN. (see it all makes sense now, right?) I'm cat sitting for him while he is off honeymooning. Chicken is known for hopping up on Alexis' shoulder like a pirate's parrot, but she's never been comfortable enough to do it with me. Well, never say never because she spent about 20 minutes on my shoulders during coffee time this morning. Now who's a pirate?!

I-L-L-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N'

2009-09-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

The top two images are taken from the story Frederick by Leo Lionni. I have really vivid/ fond memories of reading this book with my dad as a kid. The illustrations struck me back then and i've been thinking a lot about them as of late. The third image comes from another Leo Lionni book entitled Tico and the Golden Wings. Beautiful. The last image is from the Regional Assembly of Text via DesignSponge. It's like a Lionni illustration for grown-ups. Also, Brown Parcel LOVES bears.

Workin' on it...

2009-09-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am sure all of you have read this book. But if you haven't, a small piece of your childhood was stolen from you while you weren't looking.

All in the Golden Afternoon

2009-09-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

"All in the golden afternoon
Full leisurely we glide;
For both our oars, with little skill,
By little arms are plied,
While little hands make vain pretense
Our wanderings to guide."
-Lewis Carroll

This version of Alice in Wonderland belongs to McDavid, c/o his mother, and it's wear and tear only increases it's beauty in my opinion. This edition was released in 1946 by Grosset & Dunlap, Inc. and features illustrations by John Tenniel. I think the rabbit pattern on the cover is just about perfect for this story. When you're designing a book it is critical that the outside and inside compliment each other. Every aspect has to pull it's own weight. I know most everyone considers this story a classic, but it is for damn good reason.

Hello Childhood.

2009-09-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

I fancy myself a curious lady. I ask questions, a lot. Over the years, my friends have just grown to accept that about me. The questions are not really the "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?" sort (although I don't mind that one so much), but more hypothetical non-realities, that I wish were realities, so I ask about them. For ex: If Cast Away actually happened to you, but before the crash you could grab one book and a lifetime's supply of one food, what would you bring? Also, you can only eat this food. That's it, no coconuts, no fish from the barrier island reefs, just this food (I find my questions often need clarification). Most of the time, I myself don't know my response before I ask them.

It just so happens that this is one of the few questions I have an answer to..... were I stranded on a desert island, I would bring an original illustrated copy of Alice in Wonderland and peanut butter.

What does all of this have to do with the picture and video above? Well truthfully not a whole lot, BUT it is one example of how much I love children's literature. Like I seriously love it. So, in honor of my building excitement for Spike Jonze's release of Where the Wild Things Are, i'm dedicating this week on the blog to all of my favorite children's books and illustrations. This is like spirit week in high school, but way better. Anybody who has favorites please feel free to share.

Yes, please.

2009-09-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

I am missing me some France these days.

It's just a little crush.

2009-09-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

courtesy of lescarnetsdudesign

courtesy of FFFFOUND

Found these images online while taking a snack break today. Menswear and worn in
furniture really activate my swoon reflex. I'd probably be a gay antiques dealer had a
been born a boy, but alas, we deal with the cards we're dealt right? In the studio printing a book cover for Lightful Press today. I'll post pictures of it later on
this week!

Here's looking at you kid.

2009-09-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

This is a video that was shot in our studio, by my brother/director (who is seriously the best), a few weeks ago while we were printing his wedding invitation. It gives you a sense of what it is that we do once we are past the pre-press work. I am in no way a letterpress expert, although i'm almost positive there are no gross inaccuracies, so forgive me if your views/ methods differ. McDavid doesn't appear in the video due to a brief bout of camera shyness.

Yay letterpress!

paperless

2009-09-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, I make a living by making invitations, prints, etc. out of paper, but with everybody's increasing awareness oh how, why, and where earth's resources are being used, it's no wonder that people are turning to means other than post to get the word out about their big day. This is a paperless wedding invitation that I came across via Inhabitat's Green wedding guide and wanted to share it. I'm sorry if everybody's already seen this, I can be a little bit of a late comer where youtube's concerned.

I'm a sucker for stuff like this, and I thought this video was done particularly well.

American Made...

2009-09-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

The power of Typography.

The Runts of the Litter

2009-09-04T06:37:00.001-07:00

One of our photo shoot "props".

Micah hand embroidered one of his t-shirts with a little Brown
Parcel Press logo. BPP, represent. This shirt made my week.

Brown Parcel's studio mascot Alabee (Baby bee) working hard.

This week we're working on giving the website a little bit of a face lift, and so, it was time to break out the camera and photograph some of our more recent work. Above are a few photographs that just didn't fit in with the rest of the bunch. I really love me some good food styling/ photography, and so I think that a little part of me just wanted to see if I couldn't somehow work Peter Pan doughnuts in with our work. (If you haven't every been to Peter Pan doughnuts in Greenpoint, drop what you're doing now and go. I'm sure we'll dedicate a post to them one of these days.)

keep it simple...

2009-09-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

Not your neighborhood scrapbook club.

2009-08-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

Pictured above are pages from three different scrapbooks featured in Jessica Helfand's "Scrapbooks - An American History". Published last year by Yale University Press, this book contains more eye candy than I can handle. Seriously, if I could eat this book, I would. Helfand uses five different themes : time, space, sentiment, nostalgia, and posterity to navigate these visual snippets of preservation of a different place and time. The top and bottom images are relatively straightforward, but the image in the middle comes from the Schultz Home Study Books, ca. 1926. It's a record of how to remove certain stains from different kinds of fabric. I have no words.

An Epic Wedding, part II

2009-08-28T12:48:00.001-07:00

THE INVITATION:

Above: The wedding invitation, dimensions are roughly 6" x 9" Click
on the image to view full size.

Above: Detail of the wedding invitation.

THE RSVP:

Above: Front of the RSVP postcard. Below: Detail of front.

Above: Back of the RSVP postcard. Below: Detail of back.

Once the Save the Dates had been sent out it was time to start talking about invitations. As with any design/ client you have to take into account the following factors:

1) What are the couple's likes and dislikes?
2) Where, when, and how are they having their wedding? (think about season, time of day, large or intimate)
3) BUDGET.
4) And finally, turnaround time.

I'm fortunate in that my brother and soon to be sister are pretty much the coolest, sweetest, and most laid back couple you'll ever meet, and they gave me complete creative control. It's not often you get handed that. They both share a deep love of letterpress, and so they were totally up for it when the idea for an old- school boxing poster turned wedding invitation came up. Lucky for me they already had a "faux-fighting" picture I could use. We tried to keep it light- hearted, and I even included a line from one of their favorite movies ("You bet I do", Raising Arizona anyone?)

As for the RSVP, we settled on the idea of an RSVP postcard because it would be more resourceful on both the paper and postage front. (Self-funded weddings during a recession aren't easy!) Also, you may have noticed the cats on the back of the RSVP. Cats, really, on an RSVP? Yes, cats on the RSVP. I ended up featuring Beans and Chicken (the cats) on the back of the RSVP card because they seem to nearly always be a topic of conversation, and yes they are that amazing! (I don't want to hear any murmurings of "cat lady", these kitties are truly adorable). I also left a space for comments on the RSVP, in case anybody had special requests, questions, or wishes. I had a blast printing these, and I think/ hope Alexis and Alex were pleased.

* Alexis and Alex were featured on both Brooklyn Bride and Brokelyn this past week for a really nice engagement photo shoot that their wedding photographer, Di Bezi, did. She and her partner are amazing!

An Epic Wedding, part I

2009-08-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

SAVE the DATE

Above: the front of the Save the Date. The outline that you see becomes
a pair of 3-D glasses after it is punched out. *Note: Pince-Nez
is a French term for spectacles in the 19th century that don't have
earpiece supports, hence they "pinch the nose". Click here for a
visual illustration.

Above: The inside with the 3-D image. The image appears slightly blurry
until viewed through the 3-D glasses. Et Voila!

Above: The 3-D glasses, mid-assembly.

Above: The instructions and pieces of assembly that come inside
of the STD as well as a finished pair of 3-D glasses.

Above: Wedding guests took pictures of themselves and sent them in to the
bride- and- groom to be.

I've been putting off posting about this wedding invitation suite for awhile and today is it's day to shine. What you're looking at above is the Save The Date for my brother and future sister-in-law's wedding. Alexis and Alex (she also goes by Bodine) really emphasized the idea that they wanted to throw a fun and elegant party, that just happened to be their wedding. They wanted it to be creative and different, and they wanted to get everybody looking forward to the big day. As I racked my brain for ideas, I knew that I wanted to make something interactive. I wanted guests to have to spend more than just the time it took to open the envelope to think about this wedding. The purpose of the Save the Date is to build anticipation.... I hope we succeeded! Look for the next post that features the wedding invitation itself.

*On another note, please forgive the chipped nail polish in the photographs above, oops!

a great man...

2009-08-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

George Washington Carver.

A debate over when peanut butter was invented lead me to this amazing photograph. Oops, pow, surprise: (he didn't invent it). But the man did love some peanuts.

Don't you wish he was your uncle? He reminds me of the uncle in the Nutcracker.

So make yourself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, have a seat, and learn a little about a Great American Hero.

(Mark your calenders: George Washington Carver Day, January 5)

We got ourselves an intern.

2009-08-21T07:02:00.001-07:00

What you see before you is a rare breed...... young, eager, able-bodied, and willing to do grunt work. Three cheers for Micah, Brown Parcel's newest intern! He has decided to pitch in around the shop, cleaning, doing inventory, keeping our spirits up, while he's hold over in Brooklyn on his way to the sights and sounds of Allemagne. We're happy to have you on board!

Mussels, Muscles, and Nigella Lawson

2009-08-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Remind me to get married one day. Even if it's just for the Bachelorette party (and by Bachelorette party, I mean Bachelorette party meal). The photos above are from the amazing spread my fellow bridesmaids cooked up this past weekend. Because the bride to be was such a huge fan of Nigella Lawson, what else could we do for dinner except make an All Nigella Feast? The menu consisted of:

- Red Leaf, Fig & Serrano Ham Salad
- Slow Roasted Tomatoes w/ Goat Cheese & Mint
- Zucchini & Chick Pea Filo Pie
- Scallops on the Shell
- Mussels in White Wine with Garlic & Curry
- Nectarine & Blueberry Galette

Holy shit is all I can say. It was delicious. Thanks ladies for a wonderful evening!

What makes a good cookbook?

2009-08-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

I've got cookbooks on the brain. It's something serious. Over the weekend I discovered la tartine gourmande. (I don't know why that blog has escaped my attention for so long.... it's AMAZING and GORGEOUS) Then I went to see Julie & Julia, and rediscovered my Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Now, i've been put in charge of compiling a little cookbook for my future sister-in-law. (let's hope she doesn't check my blog daily) Being an avid cooker and having a registry chock full of kitchen gadgets, she can't wait to start playing the Domestic Goddess. Not only that, but it's her bachelorette party this weekend and she made mention that she didn't necessarily want the standard bachelorette gift fare. So, we've traded in edible panties for edible ideas, and all of the attendees are submitting recipes for a cookbook catered to her. (The word play stops here, I promise.)

Recipes are pouring in and now I find myself with the task of putting them all together in a somewhat cohesive way. I'm putting my Book Arts degree to work...... What makes a good cookbook? I've asked a few friends and seem to keep getting the same response. The recipes. Yes, yes, I know this. The recipes. But, I will say that I enjoy some cookbooks for reasons other than the recipes. Currently, my favorite cookbook is Screen Doors and Sweet Tea, by Mrs. Martha Hall Foose. The art direction for the book is stunning, and each recipe comes with a little story. It's like a compilation of Southern Short Stories with the bonus of wonderful recipes.

I'll keep you posted on the cookbook progress.......

The Way Things Work

2009-08-11T09:53:00.001-07:00

This image comes from The Way Things Work Illustrated Encyclopedia. It's an illustrated explanation of letterpress printing...... amazing. McD who gravitates towards anything gadget related picked this book up off the shelf at a friend's house. I guess it shouldn't have surprised us to see this illustration staring at us. It was too good not to share.

Lunar Moth

2009-07-26T20:56:00.001-07:00

match mending

2009-06-29T11:44:00.001-07:00

paper + scissors

2009-06-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Work in Progress. Poster Design.

observation...

2009-06-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

notes from afar

2009-06-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

4

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3

2009-06-21T12:19:00.002-07:00

2

2009-06-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

1

2009-06-21T12:14:00.000-07:00