Deep breath – here they are: the last magnesium dies I’m printing before Sweet Olive Press wraps up operations in America (at least for now…!)

So I’ll have a few more lovely things to show you, before we leave.

. . .

Not long until the lovely Nicole and Emir tie the knot – and now I can show you their fabulous wedding invitations!

For the invitation suite, we continued with the lovebird theme from their save-the-dates, this time focusing in their wedding colors – turquoise ink, sage outer envelopes, and moss-green response envelopes for a little added contrast…

Beautiful!

We’ve dreamed of living and working in Europe for years, and we’re so thrilled it’s finally happening! Um… and also nervous, yes.

Needless to say, a round-the-world move means Sweet Olive Press will be taking some “down time”, closing at least for the summer while we pack up our American lives (for now) and settle into our new country.

We’re leaving America in early June, but the press will be running and our doors will be open *until the middle of April*.

If you’ve been considering a custom letterpress project (wedding invitations! baby announcements! special notecards!) I’d love to work with you before we go. Please let me know about your idea as soon as possible so I can reserve you a place in the printing schedule!

If you’d like to get your letterpress fix from the ready-made collection, you’ll find gorgeous songbirds notecards, sweet birds-and-trees note sets and lots of other fabulous sets in the Sweet Olive Press online store!

While we make our move, I’ll be giving updates on all the adventures (and misadventures, no doubt) both here and at The Letterpress & the Hedgehog Room.

So, so much packing ahead…. wish me luck!  Tschuss!

Seven years ago, we were married on a spectacular Tuesday in Florence.

The day was warm and bright, despite the winter; every minute went smoothly, despite… well, Italy; every detail was beautiful (thank you Italy!); and we were surrounded by 48 of our nearest and dearest, despite the oceans they had to cross to be there.

And did I mention the part about the start of happily-ever-after?

Yes. Best day ever…

. . .

My beloved C&P is still #1 Fabulous Machine in my heart, but lately I’ve been spending a lot of time with Miss Silvia.

The very lovely, very shiny Rancilio Silvia V3 was recommended first by Gerrod and Kristy, and then by Jules, and then by CoffeeGeek, and after two months of being spoiled by fiiiine coffee in Australia I knew we had to have our own.

Silvia presents an intimidating learning curve, but I’m a sucker for anything involving a complicated process, a lot of finessing and some serious risk of frustration (I’m looking at you, letterpress!).  I’ve gone from scared to smitten in the space of two weeks, and now basically any stranger who wanders near my kitchen is going to have an espresso forced upon them.

Or a latte – although my foaming technique is still a bit hit and miss. The latte pictured above I deemed a success, but the very next morning I made one so bad I poured it down the sink. I’m not quite reliable.

Nonetheless, Nathan thinks he’s hit the jackpot (“I’m never going out for coffee againnnn!”) and I feel like I’m verging on another serious addiction.

Rancilio Silvia: recommend.

{Oh. Letterpress – I’ve been printing and printing and printing. In fact, Silvia has espresso-fuelled more than a couple of late nights at the letterpress. But since none of the invitations have gone out I can’t show them to you yet! Soon, soon…}

. . .

A save-the-date with a springtime feel for Laura and Michael’s April wedding… these songbirds are just right for the occasion!

Gerrod and Kristy moved from London to Australia not too long before baby Oscar made his debut, but being super-organised stationery lovers (well, Kristy is!) they hit the ground running with his birth announcement even in the midst of the chaos.

Kristy wanted a modern design in a sunny palette of blue, orange and yellow – and she was taken with the idea of a little fox (yes, the fabulousness of The Fantastic Mr Fox had a lot to do with it!)

Light and fun, all of it!  (I kind of want to hang it on my wall, for moments when I need a cheeriness boost.)

. . .

Yesterday there was a huge, mysterious red-wrapped box at the front door.

After almost seven months, Nathan is home from Afghanistan.

It was the kids’ #1 Christmas wish, so I guess Santa just came early….

Brand-new letterpress notecards for a new bride in Dallas!

Many of my clients are choosing to give personalized stationery collections as a really special wedding gift. It’s especially fun when seeing the names together in print still gives that little thrill…

Snow globes and gingerbread houses!  Two completely festive things on one card, letterpress printed so that everyone who holds it will go whoa….

The design is hand-drawn and the cards are printed one by one – three separate trips through the letterpress for the three colours (whew!) and now, at last, they’re ready to go.

These cards are A6 size (slightly larger than all the rest in the shop) and they come in lovely boxed sets of six with shimmery silver envelopes.

Trust me, this is the perfect time to get started on your Christmas list….