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Thought I’d pop in from hibernation to wish my beloved a belated happy fifth anniversary! On November 13, Dave and I celebrated 5 happy years of marriage. Time flies when you’re having fun…
my favorite wedding picture
our wedding announcements
We’ve come a long way from that autumn afternoon on Orcas Island. In fact, today is a very big day for us. We just closed on our first house!
don’t worry, it’s bigger than it looks
We cannot believe our luck…
Not only did it tick all our “must” boxes, but it’s only 12 minutes from Dave’s workplace. That is a huge relief. The best part, however, is that it’s on a full acre, wooded lot. When we first moved to Seattle, we were in love with the trees. We loved everything about the area, but mostly our time on Orcas Island — that’s probably why we got married there. We always stay try to stay at the same little rental house in Olga, about as far away from the ferry dock as you can get. With beautiful territorial views from every window, this place feels like a little piece of that.
Right behind the house is our very own creek, which runs into a nearby pond called Swan Lake. Beyond the creek lies what will become an ideal, 700+ square foot letterpress studio. A studio you can visit! Right now it’s just a fairly dilapidated shell of a shop, but we’ve already got calls into contractors to get it more or less up to snuff for me and my gear by the end of December. A few repairs, insulation, drywall and flooring should be enough to move everything in and get back to work. After that I have visions of a flower and vegetable garden on the north side of the studio, with rows and rows of lavender in the summertime.
Here’s the catch: It’s definitely a fixer-upper. It’s certainly livable, but very outdated (dare I say fugly?) in places. Every room needs work. We have lots to learn, and more to do. But luckily we have imagination, each other and (from what I can figure) all the time in the world.
I can’t wait to show you more, but I have to go celebrate!
–Tara
I just wanted to state the obvious and let everyone know I’m taking a break from blogging for awhile. We have lots to do in the next couple of months: a big web site update, several new designs are in the works, I have a “new” press to get in production mode, a little more organizing to finish, and much more.
I’m excited about the changes we have in mind for 2010, so I hope you’ll just stay tuned and have a fabulous Fall while we get it all sorted out for you!
Stay cozy!
Tara
Oops. I’ve been away. What can I say? It’s been so nice and sunny, and I’ve been taking care of a few big things on “project status.” But we’ve been working on some fun things that are now starting to get printed, so look out!
Whitney, Michelle, Heather and I spent allllll daaaay in a warm room lovingly bundling, stickering, grouping and color-coordinating a TON of paper for Paperpalooza tomorrow!
If you are crafty, DIY-inclined, a paper-lover, and in the downtown Seattle area tomorrow, please do stop by! Even if you’re not nearby, it’s totally going to be worth the trip. You will make out like a bandit. Details here.
I’m exhausted — time for pizza and brews. See you tomorrow!
–Tara
If I took a photo of the closet to my left, you would be shocked (and I, shamed). It is filled to the brim with boxes of envelopes… Envelopes in all kinds of shapes, sizes in colors like Aquamarine, Sage, Violet, Chartreuse. There are literally thousands of them — all leftover from previous projects.
Enter PAPERPALOOZA to the rescue! We, along with 3 other local stationery designers, are hosting Paperpalooza — a can’t-miss, veritable paper feast this Saturday, July 11th.
And it’s not just envelopes… We’re clearing out rolls of fine ribbon, beautiful handmade papers from India, Italy, Japan — all at way-below-retail prices. This is a great opportunity for all you DIY brides, scrapbookers, crafters, and assorted paper fiends!
DETAILS:
Date and Time: Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Real Card Studio 117 First Avenue North, Seattle (enter from the alley between 1st Avenue and Queen Anne Avenue North)
RED ALERT:
The first 20 people to email sale@mmmpaper.com will receive an invitation to our EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW HOUR from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM! Get first pick of all the goodies! Coffee and Cupcake Royale cupcakes will be served.
Hosted by Brown Sugar Design, Ephemera Custom Letterpress, mmm…paper, and Real Card Studio
Today we’re doing a little contest over on Weddingbee… Go check it out for a chance to win some custom letterpress stationery from us! We’re also offering 10% off our our à la carte invitation prices to all Weddingbee readers who place an order on or before May 29th. Just submit an inquiry to get started!
–Tara
Hello! We’ll be out of the studio for a little break from Thursday, 4/9 through Tuesday, 4/14, and will reply to any inquiries as soon as possible when we’re back in the studio on 4/15. Hey, I might even blog…
Thanks, and have a lovely Easter weekend!
–Tara
Happy New Year!
The snow has (mostly) melted, and the roads are clear! I drove my car today! You can too…
If you’re a local bride with a wedding to plan, please come on down to the Seattle Wedding Show this weekend to meet us in booth #224. It is this Saturday and Sunday (January 3-4) downtown at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, and is the premier show in the Puget Sound area. I’ll be the one jumping up and down with excitement over having left the house. (You might have to hit me over the head.)
As usual, we’ll be showing off our favorite projects, and ready to chat about what we can do for you. We’ll also be giving away a fun little surprise and offering 10% off your invitation order with a coupon. Attending the show is the only way to get it!
See you there…
–Tara
It snowed! But a little too much. We are experiencing an unusually large snowfall up here in the Pacific Northwest. We usually get a day or 2 of snow each year, with just a few inches. Perhaps one snow day, and then it melts pretty quickly (at least that’s the story in Edmonds). In the last week, however, we have gotten about 10 inches, and it stayed cold, so nothing melted, and more piled on top.
Normally I would resist the urge to show you pictures of my recycling bins, but they look kind of cute with their little snowy caps. I especially love the land bridge formed by that giant fern leading up to the pot of (future) tulips.
Did I mention I drive a compact car, live at the bottom of a fairly treacherous hill, and am woefully unprepared for such conditions? OOPS.
We’re trying to make the best of being stuck at home, even though I have quite a bit to do. I’m supposed to be flying to Texas on Wednesday, so I am just going to go into hibernation mode until we’re closer to the Seattle Wedding Show on January 3rd and 4th.
We will be available on a limited basis via phone and email between now and January 5th. If you have any questions, please contact us as usual, and we’ll get back with you as soon as possible.
So happy holidays again to you all… Stay warm, and I’ll see you in 2009!
–Tara
ps. How’s the weather where you are?
The holiday season is officially upon us! Don’t forget that Ephemera offers gift certificates, which are sure to be appreciated by anyone on your list (especially someone who’s tough to shop for).
A gift of yet-to-be-designed custom stationery is a very special treat. The certificate itself is beautifully letterpress-printed, and we can address it in our very best calligraphy to your recipient at no extra charge if you wish.
Click here to order a preset denomination, or email us to create one for any other amount (or particular package).
Happy shopping!
–Tara
