Holiday Preparations

Holidays are sneaky. Ok, sure they mostly fall on the same dates with a bunch of warning and with the internet I am sure I can look up what is the date of Thanksgiving 2021. Still, here I am, the day after Thanksgiving getting things in order for holiday sales.

I've been binding datebooks, printing new business cards, and drinking whatever hot thing I can to keep the sick away and keep my toes warm. I think it is working. I had to clean off my desk too but it doesn't last. The shelves are stacked with piles of books in different stages, postcards in different stages and a pile of mail I can't wait to answer. I've been working from my home studio a lot lately, which has been great for my spirit and a little rough on the wallet. But we have been getting out a little more regardless and found a place in Oakland that serves really good craft beer on draft for 5 or 6 bucks a drink. Not cheap but a nice midafternoon treat when I have been book binding all day while Andy writes new music.

I've been busy finally getting to do some of the things I thought about all summer while carrying too many sweaters and not enough raincoats all over Europe. For example, if you want say, enjoyed your Keep Writing postcard this month and want to send one to a friend, now you can purchase just the postcard, without the portion to return to me.

I made some new simple business cards, with handset type one rainy evening at the San Francisco Center for the Book. I have had ideas for elaborate cards using polymer plates, but these little understated bitties are perfect for right now, just in time for a sale in the East Bay next weekend. If you are in the Bay Area, I will be at an open studio sale next weekend in Berkeley. There will be letterpress, cards, books, and a penpal I haven't met yet! If you don't live in the area, there is a sale in my etsy shop. Use coupon cope "gwp10" to get 10% off any items in the shop, until midnight on Monday.

And just in case you are worried about what I eat when I am so busy, Andy made vegan "shrimp" mirliton for Thanksgiving, from his mom's recipe. Things are good indeed. There are also a bunch more postcards to be posted on the Keep Writing tumblr site, so check back there once in a while. I think that's enough for tonight, though, don't you?

Scenes From Home

It is warmer in Milan, and sunny, even if the haze hangs on. I've been outside a lot lately and I have things to show you but today I was a little lazy. First, because it is sunny and wonderful and this is the view outside my window.



Also, last night I stayed up late printing postcards! I have a new purple pen for writing so they should be on their way in a week or so. I had a few minor difficulties and used most of a tube of ink on the first color. This will only make the last postcard here that much more exciting as I run out of things or realize they really are broken. Turns out gocco prints don't dry as fast as I thought so they are a little sloppy and I took over the whole kitchen.



I cleaned off my nightstand today, which doubles as a tiny desk. I also bought some water-soluble pencils at the art store and started making postcards with the left over passport photos I have. First, it seems like everything here requires an id card which requires a form and at least 2 photos. That means there are photo booths in most of the subway stops. I have many tiny pictures of myself trying not to blink at the flash.