Watercolour love

How enchanting is watercolour? The slight hint of colour, building up and overlapping with more colour to create dreamy, translucent layers of subtle softness. Romantic and a little bit whimsical, watercolour is perfect for any pretty pastel wedding.

IMAGE CREDITS: Cake via 100 Layer Cake, Bridesmaids via Intimate Weddings, Wedding Favour via Oh Lovely Day, Invitation via Brides, Wedding Dress via Noviamor, Letterpress Watercolour Invitation via Paper Monkey Press, Escort Cards via Once Wed, Table Setting via Le Soirees.

Groom Cakes

I love cake. So much so that this is the second cake post in a row, but you can never have too much cake, right? Quirky brides are apparently of this same opinion and are surprising their grooms with their very own wedding cake. Lets face it, guys don't get much of a say when it comes to the styling of a the cake, so this is a sweet way to incorporate your man's personality and have him feeling super special.

IMAGE CREDITS: Couch, via Delish, Guinness, via Pink Cake Box, Yankees, via Bridal Guide, Wrestling, via Cake Picture, Football, via Delaware Today, Golf, via Yum Sugar, Starbucks Coffee, via Brides, Wheel spin, via Cake Central, LSU, via Network, Camera, via Simply Savannah.

The key to my heart

Vintage skeleton keys are ridiculously romantic with the whole you-have-the-keys-to-my-heart thing, so they are perfect for a rustic wedding. Being small, skeleton keys can be used in lots of unexpected and unique ways. I especially love the 'Keys to a Happy Marriage' advice table!

IMAGE CREDITS: Letterpress Invitation Suite, via Oh So Beautiful Paper, Key Escort Cards, via Ruffled Blog, Boutonniere, via Wedbook, Key for a Happy Marriage, via Lovely and Rust, Napkin, via Loverly, Bouquet, via Wedding of my Dreams, Rings, via Pinterest.

Spectacular Stripes

Is there anything more stylishly simple than a black and white stripe? Other patterns tend to fall in and out of fashion pretty quickly, but the sassy stripe remains a long term favourite. Easy to incorporate into various elements of your wedding day, this bold stripe stands out from the crowd and instantly lifts a simple ceremony into a stunning soiree.

IMAGE CREDITS: Table Setting, via Martha Stewart, Bow-tie, via The Knot, Straws, via Bella Cupcake, Dress with Sash, via Erin Hearts Court, Letterpress Invitations, via Smock Paper, Cake, via Splendid Affairs, Bridesmaids, via Style Me Pretty, Room Decoration, via Once Wed, Couple, via Erin Hearts Court, Peonies, via Elegant Weddings.

Alternative wedding bouquets

Like most things at weddings, carrying a bouquet of flowers down the aisle, only to offload them to our bridesmaid at the end, is so steeped in tradition that to not do it would be kind of strange. Even though nobody really knows why we do it to begin with, we all follow the same unquestioned custom. Which is why I love some of the alternatives out there that inject a bit of your personality into an otherwise odd ritual. Pinwheels, buttons and lollypops are just a few of the ways you can be daringly different while still keeping the traditionalists happy.

IMAGE CREDITS: Button Bouquet, via Wedding Bee, Giant Paper Flowers, via Green Wedding Shoes, Pinwheel, via One Wed, Fabric Bouquet, via Wedding Bells, Butterflies, via This Is Glamorous, Artichoke, via My Wedding, Lollypops, via Wild Rose, Brooch Bouquet, via One Wed, Felt Flowers, via Wedding Window, Vintage Map Bouquet, via First Come Flowers.

Oh so pretty Ombré

Ombré is the fancy-pants term for a graduating shade of colour from light to dark. Brides are getting inspired and are ombréising everything from invites to cake to flowers to create a dream like, romantically whimsical feel to their day. Fifty shades of grey was so 2012, it's now all about the shades of pink/green/blue/yellow/aqua/purple/orange...

IMAGE CREDITS: Tulle Dress, via Monumental Wedding, Chevron Invitation Suite, via Etsy, Bridesmaid Dresses, via Wed Bits, Cake Pops, via The Rose Wedding, Bouquet, via Style Me Pretty, Rose Petal Aisle, via Occasions Bridal,  Rose Swirl Cake, via Glorious Treats, Beatles Love Poster, via Etsy, Wedding Favours, via Belle Magazine.

Unique Wedding Favours

Thankfully we have moved well past the traditional bonbonniere of the tooth-breaking sugared almonds and chocolate hearts combo, with couples choosing favours that will actually be used by their guests. Mini jars of your grandmother's homemade jam, a custom tea blend or a medley of your favourite flower seeds are a only a few of the cute keepsakes that are both personal and memorable.

IMAGE CREDITS: Tea Infusing Kits, via Kootation, Succulents, via Ruffled, Gumball Machine, via It's a Bride's Life, Wildflower Seeds, via Emmaline Bride, Bird Seed Hearts, via Green Wedding Slices, Pencils, via Etsy, Honey Pots, via Gracious Bridal, Jam Jars, via My Eco Wedding, Cake In A Jar, via It's a Bride's Life

Cherry Red and Aqua Blue

There are a few colour combinations that just make me smile when I think of them. Bold red with sweet aqua is definitely one of those combinations. Happy, bright and a little bit cheeky, this delightful duo is the epitome of fun and merriment.

IMAGE CREDITS: Aqua Tie, via Project Wedding, Paper Straws, via Etsy, Cake, via Studio Two Twenty Two, Wedding Invitations, via Loverly, Layer Cake, via Krissy's Creations, Cute Couple, via Lovely Wedding Day, Letterpress Wedding Invitations, via Studio On Fire, Crystal Bouquets, via Luulla, Bridesmaids, via Engaged and Inspired, Red Shoes, via United With Love.

Paperless Invitations

I am a real paperphile so this post is a little out of my inner old school printer's character. But how amazing are these? Invitations don't have to be restricted to (gorgeous) paper. Balloons, chocolate, tea towels and even a customised viewfinder (!!!) are only a few of the creatively off-beat ways to inform guests of your wedding details.

You will notice the current trend of animated e-invites is absent... Sorry but I just don't believe a web based invitation is special. Every day we are bombarded with a gzillion emails, but how often do you receive some actual letterbox love?

IMAGE CREDITS: Balloon, via Wedding Design Anarchy, Handkerchief, via Rustic Wedding Chic, Coasters, via Sesame Letterpress, Viewfinder, via Proximate, Tea Towels, via Invitation Tea Towels, Cookies, via Jaclyn's Cookies, Chocolate, via Gummy Industries.

Stunning Succulents

There is something special about the simple elegance of a succulent and it is causing quite a commotion in the rose dominated floral arena. Many brides are now ditching the David Austin's in favour of extraordinary Echeverias to create spectacular bouquets of, what can only be described as, Mother Nature's masterpieces. Visually stunning and low maintenance, the unique pieces of your botanical bouquet can be replanted and will continue to grow, long after your wedding day.

IMAGE CREDITS: Cake, via Whipped Bake Shop, Bouquet and Hair Piece, via Project Wedding, Rings, via Style Me Pretty, Centrepiece, via Love and Lavender, Succulent Escort Cards, via The Sweetest Occasion, Save the Dates, via Etsy, Centrepiece, via Love and Lavender, Boutonniere, via Stephanie Williams, Invitation, via Minted.

A healthy press is a happy press

I am by no means a 'my body is a temple' type, but I do like to keep my life relatively clear of harsh chemicals and products that contain a long list of ingredients that I can't even pronounce. Last year I stumbled across a website called Good Guide (I highly recommend a visit, but only if you are prepared to say goodbye to half your cosmetics) This has sparked my interest in clean living and I have since started using more natural products on my body and around the house.

When I acquired the press, I was concerned about the chemicals and solvents I would need to keep it clean and in optimum operating condition. Especially as one of the presses is inside, I didn't want to expose my husband or myself to damaging solvents with lingering toxic vapours.

Inks are thick. No amount of lemon juice will keep my ink plate and ink rollers sparkling and every printer I know uses either mineral turpentine or kerosene. Flammable and toxic. Nice.

After much research I have come up with my essential Non-Toxic Press Cleaning Kit:
Vegetable Oil
Baby Oil
Baby Wipes
Vinegar

First I run the machine with a few pieces of scrap paper on the ink plate to remove excess ink. Then with the rollers on the ink plate, drizzle a little bit of vegetable oil and run again a few times. This loosens up the ink and makes cleaning it off with scrunched up newspaper a breeze. It can get very messy so have some fresh newspaper or a cloth at the ready to catch the oily drips. Repeat a few times until most of the ink is gone.

Baby wipes will become your best friend. They are always handy to have nearby before those random ink spots, which always mysteriously appear on your hands, find their way onto your freshly pressed cards. You will use quite a few of these to remove the last little bits of colour from the rollers and ink plate.

The last step is to run some baby oil on a cloth over your clean ink plate and rollers. I find this takes away any excess greasiness from the vegetable oil and acts as a nice conditioner for your rollers. It also leaves your studio smelling lovely. If I need to use the press straight away for another colour, I rub a mix of water and vinegar on the rollers to cut through the oil and they are ready to go again.

Non toxic, chemical free and leaves the room smelling like a baby's nursery.


Kxx

Moving Day!!

I was an excited bundle of nerves during the very early morning drive to Montmorency to finally pick up my new presses. Bill was already there setting up his truck and we didn't have to do much but watch him in action. He was amazing. He knew exactly what to do and put which ropes where and I couldn't have been happier with how the move went. I must admit, seeing the presses in the air does fill you with a sense of dread and I was holding my breath until they made it safely on the truck bed. But made it safely they did and it took less than an hour to put two very heavy presses on the back of one truck.

Getting the presses off the truck at the other end was another matter... I always knew it was going to be tough and I was probably in fantasy land thinking the Samson would just glide into our spare room.

I live in a semi-detached terrace, the ones that look tiny on the outside, but the hallway goes for miles. Bill looked at the press. He looked at the doorway. He looked at me and clearly thought I was crazy. Off came the flywheel. Bolts that hadn't been touched in centuries, were taken out and dropped on the lawn to make way for the crankshaft removal. The press was then lifted over our picket fence and extended partway down the hallway. Having a massive crane arm going through your front door is somewhat unnerving. Having a 700lb press dangling over your landlords' hardwood floors is downright scary.

But Bill managed it and it is now sitting very prettily in the work in progress we call a studio. The crankshaft and flywheel went on as easily as they came off.

The C&P was waiting patiently on the truck until her turn came to come down. As the C&P is approx 1500lbs, she has to stay outside.

So now I have 2 vintage presses sharing my little house. I spent most of the day preparing the C&P for the cold. As she hasn't been used in a long time, she was crying out for oil and she was quite rusty due to her outside living conditions. I scoured off the worst of it using a lemon and vinegar solution and WD40'd every available surface area. I didn't want to remove too much built up grime as this will only protect her during the wet/dry/hot/cold weather than can change hourly here in Melbourne. Not ideal, but she is currently under a tarp at the moment until the hubby makes good on his promise to build a room around her.

The Samson is in good condition, but quite a bit of grime. Dusty sheds and oily parts make for some pretty interesting fluff bunnies. This will be removed in stages as I think I have inhaled enough WD40 to last me a lifetime today.

Along with the press, I was given a whole heap of type, furniture and quoins. It never ceases to amaze me at how small the letters can go. It will take me a month of Sunday's to go through all that type!

I tested the Samson with some coasterboard I had lying around and a make ready that was already in the chase. I must say, wow! The impression (no ink yet) is really deep and lovely. Can't wait to try it with ink and some gorgeous lettra once we clean her up.


Kxx

When it rains.... it pours!

Well, after having the Golding Pearl snatched up from under me during the last 8 seconds of the eBay auction, I was devastated thinking I was never going to find a letterpress. That I was confined to a life behind a desk, staring into a computer screen. That I was never going to be able to work from home in a sunny studio, my kids playing beside me while I press some gorgeous invitations for a lucky bride (I have quite a vivid imagination!) But I soldiered on. Looking for the positives in the 'it's not meant to be' and 'something better is just round the corner' And it was!

A few days after the soul crushing auction, I was starting to hate eBay. Hating the auction garbage you have to go through. When one afternoon as I was getting ready to leave work I checked eBay on my phone. There was a new posting for a Chandler & Price press. I clicked on it and while waiting for it to load on my slow and outdated 3G, I started chanting in my mind 'Please be in Australia, please be in Australia'. Better than that, it was in Melbourne! Starting bid $395 with 6 days to go. Hmmm ok. I put it on my watch list and then see it has a buy it now price of $495! Heart pumping, I think this is it! I scroll through the photos. Seems to be in good shape, no obvious signs of damage or missing parts. A little rusty, but that will clean up fine. I hesitate, wondering if I should speak to the hubby first. But what if it gets sold while I am trying to convince him that we need a 120 year old printing machine to make our lives complete? A Chandler and Price sells up to $2.5K, there was no way a $495 price tag would stay around for long.

I hit buy it now, hold my breath and all of a sudden I am the proud owner of a 800kg cast iron piece of printing history that I don't even know works! But I can't wipe the smile off my face. I keep checking eBay to make sure I read it properly and that I did in fact buy it. When I finally get home I tell the hubby. He thinks it's great until I tell him the part about how big and heavy it is...

I guess I am a little naive when it comes to things like physics. And weight. And floor strength. Reluctantly I accept that an 800kg weight is not going to sit prettily in our spare bedroom/future studio. Floorboards and timber joists are not going to support her and my precious new press is going to have to stay in the carport on the sturdy concrete. My hubby has promised to build a special room around her so she will be at least a little protected from the elements. Not looking forward to those cold Melbourne nights and tight deadline projects though.

The next day we go and visit her. She is lovely. A little worn from being out in the cold and the dispensing tray is broken. An easy replacement though and she has her original chase as well as some quoins and furniture. But the best part is, she has a friend.

We are not too sure what this friend is though. Similar looking with a flywheel and treadle, much smaller and lighter than the C&P and in better condition.

The lady selling lost her husband a year ago who kept these machines as a side hobby after retirement. They were used commercially for 35 years prior. But this smaller one was his favourite. She is set to put it on ebay as well but as it doesn't have any branding, is not sure of the value to put it up for. I immediately let her know that I would be very keen to take them both.

When I get home I get an email from eBay saying I have been given a second chance on the Golding Pearl...

Kxx

Searching for a Letterpress

So the aim is to eventually turn Pink Teapot into a successful letterpress studio. I want to purchase a press and start using my creative talents to create gorgeously pressed wedding invitations. I have been in love with modern letterpress since I first ran my finger over that lovely impression on a card I found in Paperchase when I was living in London. There is something truly magical about a piece of thick fluffy cotton card pressed beautifully with a simple design. I was hoping to purchase my own press in time for my wedding and press my own invites. Alas, it wasn't meant to be, but I did get them printed by the lovely Shona of Magpie Press in Auckland NZ.

Designing for letterpress is my happy place and my dream is to turn that into a business. The first step is acquiring the press...

Printing presses have been around for centuries and as each new technology comes in to replace the old, you can imagine how scarce these early presses are 100odd years down the track. That is what I am looking for. A 100 year old piece of machinery. That works. Oh and in Australia. That is the hard part. Presses seem to be in abundance in America due to the increase of printing companies borne from the second industrial revolution. I don't know how many times I have watched American Pickers and seen the boys discover some dusty old machine in some dusty old corner of some dusty old barn. Europe and the UK have a surprisingly large population of presses that were lucky enough not to be melted down into ammo during the war. But in Australia, being young and so far away from the rest of the world, presses were simply not brought over in large volumes.

I search eBay feverishly in the vain hope something will magically pop up. And they do from time to time. But I always seem to get outbid at the last second by someone who has a much larger maximum bid than I do. Working in the print industry I have already exhausted my contacts and am on Briar Press religiously hoping Melbourne, Australia, will appear in the classifieds section. As it gets harder and harder to find these vintage machines, it also gets more and more expensive. I remain optimistic though.

I have purchased a small desktop press - a 90 year old Adana that is small enough to ship from the UK. From all reports it is a great little machine (it is yet to arrive in my eager little hands - hopefully not too far away now) but it just isn't going to get the deep impression that gives modern letterpress it's charm.

I know, I know. Back in the day if you pressed into the card it was a big no-no. The press was only meant to kiss the paper and when applied with the perfect coverage of ink, it would leave no indent. That was the mark of a truly gifted printer. Fast forward a few centuries and the trend is to push into the paper. The deeper the better! I find the banter on Briar Press forums hilarious with young starlings fresh out of design college asking why their 100 year old press isn't creating a deep impression and old school printers having to explain that they were never meant to.

But we all love the deep impression. I know the Adana won't give me this. I am dreaming of the day when a Chandler & Price appears in my living room.

Sigh.

Kxx