Ebb and Flow

Using a space heater to coax the ink across the rollers.

I won't complain about the cold because I am not that Californian yet, even if it is below freezing at night making our little space heater work its hardest.  Because in the middle of the day I spread mulch on hte garden which is getting along just fine.

Two days of printing and one cup of tea

We've been busy here, printing and printing and binding for the holiday season and already our sale season is over.  You can still but journals, blank books and post card subscriptions as gift on etsy.  If you order any blank books or datebooks for $10 or more, I will send you five randomly selsected postcards from the Keep Writing archives. This offer is good through the end of the year but you have to order by December 17th to get it in time for Christmas.

this could be yours!

Last weekend, we set up to table at Oakland's First Friday but packed up immediately as it began to rain. The light mist continued all night, enough to bum anyone out but luckily we went home.  It would have been our first tabling event with Gazelle and Goat but it seems it was not meant to be.  Instead, we went out for pizza and went to bed early in anticipation of the East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest.  I was seated next to the sweetest, most excited pair I could hope for.  I went home with an armload of new reading, including a bunch of poetry.  I have barely dug in but the prose poems of Julian S. of Ash and Bone and the comic zine by Lacey both made a surprise afternoon off even much better.

basket of zines!

I am also taking some time to look ahead to the new year, to think about making paper like I have been talking about, writing more, finishing a new zine and hopefully so much more.  This morning I gathered these marigolds seeds to save for when the weather is a little more hospitable.  Until then, hunker down with a warm drink and take care.

Independence

Ah, a good day to nap, eat and read. Andy G. flew home yesterday after 3 weeks abroad, so we've both been sitting at home today resting. Not that my summer has been too stressful.

I finished this guest book for my friends at Nowe Miasto, a collective living and community space in New Orleans. Unfortunately, it needed a quick repair and now must be mailed instead of hand-delivered as I intended during my brief visit this weekend. It is made with handmade paper on the cover and some of the section dividers, bound with a coptic stitch. A fun gift to make this summer that took me a little too long to finish.


Also taking a little too long but finally done is Where You From issue 2, a second collection of stories about hometowns and our connections to them, whether we have stayed, moved away or returned.

And my new favorite mail art on the internet is My Real Wall. Andy lives in London, photographs mail he receives each week and posts it on his blog, made to look like a facebook page. He also is involved in other projects encouraging mail art. Check out his site. Now back to lounging for me until I have to go to work tomorrow.