Happy Camper Blog // 2009 // November

Archive for November 2009

Hello Letterpress

19Nov

I’ve been wanting to share this for awhile but I was waiting until I finally got a good example to show…

I got a letterpress!! It’s an ancient tabletop Sigwalt (built during 1900-1950) that I got from Dolce Press.

It may not look pretty but it does the job. (Also heavy, weighing in about 120 lbs! )

It still has some of the original paint detailing. From that style, I’m thinking it was made closer to 1900 than 1950.

For those who aren’t versed in how something like this works — here’s a 15 sec video with a similar tabletop on how the press works:

Pretty nice, eh?

And after countless hours (approx. 20 actually) I finally got it to make an even impression! Here are my results:

I chose “Hello World” because I also am a web designer and when you write your first code ever, it’s tradition to write “Hello World” as your first words.

I can’t stop looking at it! I love to learn things on my own — figuring them out through trial and error, research, and a few questions asked. But all in all, it’s really gratifying to figure things out. (even if it takes 20 hours!) This was a product of my persistence, patience, and tenacity.

Next hurdle: Ink!

Tags: Sigwalt
Category: letterpress // 9 Comments

Creative Wraps

18Nov

Good presentation is important to me so when I have an opportunity to wrap a gift, I love being as creative ( and eco-friendly ) as I can. Although I am drawn to beautiful paper like a moth to a flame, I have a hard time justifying the waste and price when it’ll be thrown out in about five minutes. This allows me to be creative though!

I mostly use the paper from grocery bags and go at it but I really like these other ideas:

For the crafty sewer — Turn the gift into the wrapping paper! Or, if you have extra fabric, share it to make a unique presentation and gift. ( via Inhabitat )

Making a gift bow out of old magazines or even old maps! ( Tutorial here from How About Orange )

My Aunt gave me the idea of displaying gift ornaments as part of the presentation like this one:

The possibilities are endless on this one — You can use origami, nature elements (sticks, holly, shells…), craft birds…

( image via Coastal Living )

Creating a cloth bag to put your gifts in is easy and fun. No one will want to throw it away!

Tags: gift, holiday
Category: updates // 3 Comments

fancy print

17Nov

Love this cheeky letterpressed poster from poppytalk’s flickr:

We all know this poster:

(A British WWII propaganda poster to keep everyone pacified…)

Well, this website allows you to generate your own sayings. I tried it out and made a few below:

Fun if you’re not up to open Illustrator :)

Similarly, these posters found via rocco’s modern home are pretty fantastic (and the first one is so true!)

Tags: posters
Category: around the home // 2 Comments

Eye candy

16Nov

Food Gawker is the Playboy of food photography. It’s to showcase and share recipes but most importantly, it shows off gorgeous food with beautiful photography. Completely irresistible.